Many people thought Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was taking a risk in asking 20-year-old Alehana Mara to make his NRL debut in last week's vital game against Manly.

But with his second touch, the young man from Porirua put many of those doubters to one side, finding a hole in the defence and scooting upfield.

It set the scene for a strong debut, and Cleary has rewarded him with a place on the bench for Friday's even bigger game against Brisbane.

A win would ensure a finals spot for the Warriors, while a loss will leave them possibly needing victory away to Parramatta in the last regular season match the following week to qualify.

The challenge is potentially a daunting one for a young player but Mara is relishing the opportunity.

"I love it. I love rugby league, I love playing it, no matter what kind of game or what grade, I'll play at my best to the best of my ability," he said.

"I'm just going to go out there, have fun and do what I can."

Helping Mara on his debut was the presence of Warriors forward Ben Matulino, another from the Wellington area who came up to the Warriors at the same time as Mara last year.

"Just seeing him play in the team, one of my good mates, it just made me want to aspire to get there," Mara said.

"It's been a work in progress for me but I finally got there and once I did he was always helping me out, telling me what I needed to do, answering my questions. He would always make me feel good even if I was unsure about that stuff. He's a good mate."

Mara also benefited against Manly from the presence of a cousin from Porirua who made an eight-hour bus ride from Wagga Wagga to watch him play.

"Me and him came through the grades together and for him to be there just made it more special. I felt like did it for us."

Mara has again been named on the interchange bench and is expected to rotate with Aaron Heremaia in the hooker's berth against Brisbane unless Ian Henderson makes a miraculous recovery from injury.

Cleary said he was delighted with Mara's debut and said he was improving all the time.

"He knows a bit more about the speed of the game now as well but his touches were great. He's a player of the future."

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