Former Warriors half Chad Townsend has praised embattled New Zealand coach Andrew McFadden despite off-season whispers that Ivan Cleary was knocking on the door of a return to the Auckland-based club.

“I was never guaranteed anything over [in New Zealand] but I was lucky to earn an opportunity and I worked hard at it,” Townsend told nrl.com.

“I was lucky to be coached by Andrew McFadden, he helped my game massively.

“I was in good company over there and I think that’s why the coaching he gave me, I could relate to a lot – he being a former half.

“He helped me a lot with my running game and was very honest and upfront with what he wanted from me in terms of the game-plan, structure, and how we played.

“He helped my game tenfold.”

It has been reported that McFadden is under immense pressure with the addition of superstars Issac Luke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and could make way for former Warrior coach Cleary if the Warriors make a slow start to the year.