Kieran Foran is back in the NRL and already he's promising to be the steadying influence the Warriors have been yearning for.
After 307 days on the sidelines, Foran had an immediate impact in his New Zealand Warriors club debut, scoring a decisive try in their 28-22 win over the Gold Coast at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
With his side down by six points and needing inspiration, Foran stepped through the Titans defensive line for a 62nd minute try.
It was the sort of match that the notoriously inconsistent Warriors would have lost in years gone past, with Foran's influence obvious.
He could now prove the missing ingredient their spine has lacked as the Warriors seek to become the top four force they appear to be on paper.
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After five years out of the finals - and just two top eight finishes in eight years - Foran's arrival could prove a turning point in the Auckland-based side's history.
"Once I got out there, I got in to the flow of things and just getting back in to the way footy is played, back doing something I love," Foran said.
"It's something I've missed over the past 12 months.
"It's great to be back out there, great we could come out with two points."
Foran reported being a bit tender after his first game in 10 months but says he was feeling no ill effects of the shoulder injury that ended his 2016 campaign or the hamstring strain that resulted in him being a late scratching from last week's loss to St George Illawarra.
"I'm sore but everything has pulled up reasonably well," he said.
Later on Sunday, a first-half hat-trick to winger Jason Nightingale has helped the Dragons down the hapless Wests Tigers 28-6 at ANZ Stadium.
The Dragons had the gloss taken off their victory when fullback Josh Dugan left the field in the second half with a hamstring injury.
The Tigers are winless over the last month and are expected to announce Ivan Cleary as their new coach during the week.
Melbourne have confirmed their status as the premiership benchmark with a staunch defensive effort in their 28-6 victory over fellow contenders Penrith on Saturday night.
Teenage winger Nick Cotric proved why he's considered one of the game's best young stars, scoring a decisive try in Canberra's 30-18 defeat of Parramatta.
A James Maloney field goal saved Cronulla from humiliation in their 19-18 win over Newcastle, with the reigning wooden spooners scoring two late tries to set up a grandstand finish.
North Queensland continued their strong start to the season, with a 20-6 win over South Sydney on Friday night.
Dylan Walker announced he was back to his best with his two-try effort firing Manly to an 18-12 victory over the previously unbeaten Sydney Roosters.
Canterbury produced a pressure-relieving come-from-behind 10-7 win over Brisbane, with the measured kicking game of debutant halfback Matt Frawley proving the difference.
