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You could perhaps say, then, that he's an old hand when it comes to ... er, comebacks.

When he runs out for the Warriors against the Titans after almost a year on the sideline with a serious knee complaint, you get the feeling all other comebacks will pale into insignificance.

Why? Because the path back has been longer, tougher and full of more demoralising hurdles than before.

Hurdles, which at one point late last year had the Queensland and Australian star even questioning whether to give the game away.

Thankfully, he ignored the nagging voice in his head and Warriors fans will once again get the chance to see the fiery centre add to his 141 NRL caps.

It's an exciting day for the club but, clearly, nobody's bouncing off the walls quite as much as Tate.

"I'm really excited," he told Sunday News. "I've pretty much been counting down the days until round one.

"It's always exciting to play in the trials but it's obviously more exciting to play once the proper season gets under way.

"I definitely think this year my excitement is bigger than it might have been in the past. Last year there were times I was really struggling to get up and go to training.

"But now it's actually time to start playing footy. That's when you get excited. I'm ready to go."

For Tate, fate has not been kind.

In 2007 his final season with the Brisbane Broncos came to a cruel and premature end after he seriously injured his knee during State of Origin. Behind the scenes, he worked agonisingly hard to get himself fit again and by the start of the 2008 season was back on the field and making his debut for the Warriors.

But then, just when he thought his luck was turning, fate again reappeared and in round three last year he suffered another season-ending blow, this time to his other knee.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the man who "lives and breathes" league and after more injury setbacks during the pre-season he almost reached - excuse the pun - breaking point.

"I came back and a couple of days into the pre-season I cracked the cartilage that had been stitched up in my knee, " Tate said.

"I had to go back in and have a little bit of it removed. That was cool but it was the first hiccup I had, and that was in early November.

"After that I wasn't due back as part of the team's training until after Christmas but when I did return I picked up a bit of a quad strain. That pretty much kept me out of the last month or two and we've been really cautious with it, mate.

"It's been a really disruptive pre-season and I wasn't able to do much footy stuff. A lot of the stuff I was able to do was off the paddock.

"I did bugger all running and that sort of thing, and it was really frustrating."

What also frustrates Tate is the fact that, in many respects, he's become a player defined by his injuries rather than his playing.

"Mate, I get a bit annoyed having so many people talk about my injuries," he says. "There are plenty of guys who started playing league at the same time as me and I've played more games than them.

"It's just been unfortunate and it's all happened in a short space of time for me, whereas if you look over the record there's plenty of guys who have had prolonged injuries.

"I do need a bit of luck, I guess. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can stay fit and healthy."

And he needs to do so this season. It's his last on contract with the Warriors and any chance of another deal - or one with a different club - will depend, he's sure, on his fitness.

"You do think about contracts but it's not something I try to concentrate on for long. At the end of the day, I put more pressure on myself than any coaches or club bosses. I've always been my own harshest critic. It is in the back of my mind but all I can control is my own performance. Whatever will be, will be, I guess."

But regardless of the fact he's going to be playing for a contract this year, Tate is adamant, despite his injury track record - and perhaps because of it - the best he has to offer is yet to be seen.

"When I think back over my career I don't think I've ever been able to be as good as I could be," Tate said. "That's because I've sort of been held back by injuries and probably myself as well at times.

"I still feel as though I've got plenty of good footy left and it's just a matter of stringing a few games together. I'm sure once that happens I'll be better for it."

Tate, of course, won't be the only person this year hoping his body stays out of harm's way.

Warriors fans have been counting down the days until his return and coach Ivan Cleary recently said he was simply "pleased to see Tatey back" after such a long, hard road.

But if, heaven forbid, something should go wrong again, you get the feeling - based on Tate's experience this time - it would be enough to see him walk away from the sport he loves.

"This pre-season has probably been my toughest, I have to say," Tate said. "I'd lying if I said there hadn't been times where I'd started thinking: `you know what, stuff this'. Or: `I don't need this any more'.

"But I don't think, despite thinking that, I ever meant it within my heart. You probably just say those things internally because you are frustrated by more setbacks.

"Deep down, it was never a serious thought because I love rugby league and I love playing.

"It has been tough, no doubt about that. But whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Here's hoping Tate's body stays strong in 2010 for the game, the Warriors but, most importantly, for the man himself.