The New Zealand Warriors sacrificed plenty to help get the 2020 NRL season back in action, with Round 3 kicking off on Thursday.
However, the Warriors have been dealt some cruel injury blows, with their forward stocks in particular taking an enormous hit.
Jazz Tevaga, Leeson Ah Mau and utility back Adam Keighran joined the club's injured list for the restart of the season, which also includes forwards Bunty Afoa and Jackson Frei, who both suffered ACL tears earlier in the season.
The New Zealand side, however, reportedly received some good news late last week to help them get their best team on the field for the revamped competition and were given approval to seek a player on loan from a rival NRL club.
Coach Stephen Kearney indicated to Fox League Live that his club were after a middle forward with some NRL experience. However, with a huge range of talent available in the Intrust Super Cup, we thought it would be fun to suggest some players who would be more than ready to make the step up to the NRL and make a big impact for the team.
Below is a mix of players who, on 2019 form, are either on the cusp of an NRL debut with their respective clubs and could be handy additions to the Warriors' squad this year, as well as some star Intrust Super Cup performers who are worthy of an NRL opportunity.
Would-be Warriors from the Intrust Super Cup
Jordan Grant
Winner of back-to-back player of the year awards at his respective clubs Mackay Cutters and Redcliffe Dolphins over the past two seasons, Jordan Grant is a powerful prop who has some strong numbers behind him. Grant trained with the Brisbane Broncos during the pre-season, and if given an opportunity, Grant could more than do a job up front in an NRL set up.
Emry Pere
Born in New Zealand, Emry Pere would be no stranger to Kiwi fans as he has previously played for the Junior Kiwis in the representative arena. Standing at an impressive 193cm, the Mackay Cutters prop impressed during his pre-season with the North Queensland Cowboys this year. If a side is looking for some size up front, combined with powerful ball running, Pere could be just the ticket.
Luke Page
Recently voted by Intrust Super Cup fans as the best prop to play in the competition during the past 25 years, Burleigh Bears skipper Luke Page has already put his hand up to help out the Warriors if they require his services. A hard running and no-nonsense prop when on the field, Page would provide good go-forward to any team.
Nat Neale
The Ipswich Jets workhorse Nat Neale is another Kiwi who has found a home in the Intrust Super Cup. Ever-reliable with a liking for hard work, the forward leader has been a key performer for his team across multiple seasons and was the competition's Petero Civoniceva Medal winner in 2018. Previously signed to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he would not look out of place in an NRL jersey.
Tom Gilbert
Highly rated by North Queensland Cowboys, Tom Gilbert is an exciting young prospect who excelled in the Intrust Super Cup last year with Townsville Blackhawks. Named Rookie of the Year, the talented lock was also selected in the end-of-season Team of the Year and represented both the Queensland Under 20 and XXXX Queensland Residents sides. Gilbert can play in the second row and if given the chance to show his wares in the NRL, would surely play well at prop.
Kobe Hetherington
Rather than looking to Kobe Hetherington to feature up front in the front row, the Brisbane Broncos youngster is a player that can provide any team with great versatility. While he has played less than a handful of games in Cup so far, Hetherington was the captain of the Hastings Deering Colts winning Norths Devils side in 2018. The son of Harvey Norman Queenland Maroons coach and Origin great Jason Hetherington, he can fill in at hooker, lock, second row and five-eighth.
