After 10 months out with a knee injury, Warriors prop Toafofoa Sipley is happy just to be playing rugby league again.
So it's no surprise the excitement levels have shot up as he prepares for a second NRL appearance in his rookie season.
Jacob Lillyman's Queensland call-up for State of Origin II has resulted in Sipley being added to the bench for Sunday's match against Sydney Roosters in Auckland.
Sipley played just 11 minutes as a substitute on debut in a win over St George Illawarra in early May, when the Warriors stood down six players after a late night out.
The 21-year-old former Junior Warriors skipper says he would have been content if that was his one and only NRL match of the year.
"I've come off a big injury, so it made me miss the game so much that I would be happy with wherever I came back to play," he said.
"To get a second NRL appearance is a blessing."
Sipley's rehabilitation delayed his start to the season and he admits the lengthy time out was tough.
"But I really practised patience," he said. "I knew I would be back playing footy and it has all paid off."
He said the message from coach Andrew McFadden this week was just to go out and play his own game.
"I kind of build myself on a strong running game so I try to bring that to the team and just bring a lot of energy for the boys."
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