EXPLOSIVE winger Cooper Vuna has set himself the target of scoring a try in each of Warriors’ Aviva Premiership games this season.
The Auckland-born player, who crossed the whitewash nine times last campaign as Warriors’ top try scorer, has scored three tries in the club’s two opening pre-season games and believes after having a year to adjust to the Premiership, he can make a bigger impact this time round.
But the 29-year-old also respects his place in the team isn’t guaranteed.
“We have a lot of outside backs who are hungry so I don’t believe my place in the team is securely grounded yet. A few good performances from the younger lads and they could sweep my place. It’s a tough environment,” said Vuna.
“As wingers, it’s our job to score tries so you always feel pressure. I want to cement my place in the team so I know I need to replicate last season’s performance.
“My target is to score a try in each game, but to do that I need to do a lot of the dirty work helping out the back three. If we can get a good connection going the rest is easy.
“I found my first year in the Premiership quite difficult, but now I know what environment I’m going into. Every year brings a tough campaign, but I feel like I can go into this Premiership season knowing I can make an impact,” he added.
Fellow winger Bryce Heem was level with Vuna on seven tries apiece going into last season’s final game against Saracens, but the latter scored a brace of tries to claim top spot.
And Vuna believes the Kiwi will push him all the way again.
“I think Bryce Heem will go close again this year. I guess it depends where the ball goes. We make it out as if it’s a bit of banter on who can score the most tries but really it all comes down to business. It’s our resume to score so we’re always hungry to cross the tryline.”