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I do not see why coach Matt Elliot is under the pump after two rounds of the NRL competition. Firstly, it was just about unanimous that his star-studded New Zealand Warriors team would be one of the top performers of 2014.
Pundits everywhere suggested they had the roster to succeed and there was widespread agreement they had been prepared well for the months ahead.
But two ugly losses from two premiership games and some are suggesting that Elliot will be the first coach axed.
I say that’s nonsense. It is the players who should be facing the blowtorch.
Their attitude looks to be completely wrong and they are not working hard enough on the basics that bring rewards on the field.
I am looking at this from afar, but the players are letting the club, the supporters and themselves down.
They are the ones who have to put their hands up and fix their on-field problems from this week on.
Simple facets of the game, such as quick line speed and determined kick-chasing, should be easy enough to rectify, but every player must lift his standards if the Warriors are to become competitive again.
Perhaps highly positive pre-season media coverage sowed some bad seeds among the Warriors.
Maybe the arrival of superstar Sam Tomkins caused some complacency.
It could even be that the New Zealand boys felt they had an ‘easy’ draw against the Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons first up.
Whatever the reasons, what they have served up has been dreadful and if the rot isn’t stopped soon, it will be another season of frustration across the Tasman.
There is no doubting the Warriors have a roster strong enough to compete with the best in the NRL.
They have a terrific blend of experienced players and talented youth, but player attitudes have to change – and change quickly – if 2014 is going to be memorable.
Two teams who have definitely shown the right attitude from the opening games of the season are the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra.
They are riding high and unbeaten competition leaders after Round 2.
I did not expect it but I stand and applaud both clubs for their efforts.
There has been a lot to like from both teams who clearly mean business this year.
The re-built Penrith Panthers and rejuvenated Canberra Raiders have also given their supporters reasons for high hopes in 2014.
Both clubs could easily be unbeaten after their opening games.
This is obviously going to be a topsy-turvy competition with many of last year’s lowly-placed teams fiercely determined to climb back towards the top.
Every competition point, along with for and against averages, is going to be vital.
We could have the tightest squeeze on record for the top eight spots.
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