Melbourne representative forward Brett White has bad news for the opposition heading into the 2009 NRL season - he's finally going to be firing on all cylinders.

White had off-season surgery on both his feet to help with "turf toe", which results in pain at the base of the big toe, located at the ball of the foot, which restricts explosive power.

The injury ruled the 26-year-old NSW prop out of the World Cup after he was named in the Ireland squad.

Back running after spending part of his summer on the couch and crutches, White said the condition meant he had struggled to launch an attack off the mark.

"I had surgery to try to get more flexibility so I could get more push off," he said.

"It had to be manipulated again last week and I've felt a bit of a difference so far but hopefully coming into next week I'll be more firing and I'll have a bit more push off and explosive power."

White is hoping to get some game time in the Storm's first season trial, against the Warriors at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Thursday, with the line-up to be named early next week.

A team meeting last month put the disappointment of the NRL grand final thrashing by Manly to bed and White said they were all focused on the new season.

"We're not looking back, every pre-season is always exciting.

"We've had guys leave and there's new guys who are all fighting to move into that spot.

"There's young guys, like Israel Folau a couple of years ago, who will hopefully come out of nowhere and make a name for themselves and become a big part of our team."

While White has been hobbling around like an old man, two older players in the Melbourne pack have been training the house down.

Prop Clifford Manua, signed from Brisbane, and ex-Warriors backrower Wairangi Koopu, both 28, have impressed.

"He's (Manua's) training like one of the young blokes, the way he trains in the gym he's unbelievable," White said.

"Hopefully he can make a big impact for us this year, he's certainly a man mountain and a scary looking dude."

Koopu and Hep Cahill, a 22-year-old backrower from the Roosters, won a intra-club fitness challenge.

"They're unbelievable freaks as far as fitness goes and they're going to be great for us."

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