Siejka hopes to make impact for Warriors

After making an encouraging debut for the New Zealand Warriors despite their heavy pre-season trial defeat on the Gold Coast, Penrith recruit Harry Siejka is hopeful of making an impact against his former club.

The Warriors' 42-24 loss to the Titans on Saturday night represented Siejka's first game time since the round 19 NRL clash between the Panthers and Wests Tigers last July and, despite a long lay-off due to shoulder surgery, the 21-year-old showed some deft touches at Pizzey Park.

Siejka, released by Penrith in December in order to link with former Panthers head coach Matthew Elliott at Mt Smart, has played only four games for the Western Sydney club since his NRL debut in 2011 and knows similar obstacles exist at the Warriors.

Halfback Shaun Johnson, a Kiwis international in 2012, and the vastly experienced Thomas Leuluai's return to Auckland from Super League means Siejka starts this phase of his footballing career as a back-up option.

Johnson's selection for the NRL All-Stars team on Saturday night and Elliott's decision to rest his first choice personnel to the second trial this weekend in Hamilton afforded Siejka an opportunity to log sought after game time in the halves.

"I was a bit dusty but it was the first trial so everyone's a bit dusty," the former Australian Schoolboys representative said.

- © Fairfax NZ News