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What is wrong with the Warriors?

Roar Guru
8th September, 2014
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The Warriors have started the season in terrible form. (Digital image by Shane Wenzlick, copyright nrlphotos.com)
Roar Guru
8th September, 2014
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1063 Reads

Another year gone, the same outcome for the Warriors and their fans. Let’s recap season 2014 from the New Zealand Warriors.

It was a poor start followed by an improved run of form during Origin, followed by four to six weeks of games where they look like the best team in the NRL and may walk away with the big prize.

The season then finished with the Warriors failing to win the games that count and missing the finals.

This year, they lost to the Knights 28-22 then met the Roosters where they were flogged at home 46-12. They then beat the Titans 42-0. This week, with Brisbane losing, they were afforded a chance to sneak into the eight. They didn’t even have to win – a draw or a narrow loss would have sufficed.

They failed, losing 22-6 to end another wasted year. So what is the problem?

Do the Warriors have a culture problem? Do they struggle for leadership within the club? The Warriors most successful teams were the 2002 and 2011 versions which included the likes of Stacey Jones, Kevin Campion, Michael Luck as well as Ivan Cleary as a player (2002) and coach (2011).

They were no-nonsense leaders. Does the 2014 version lack these style of players?

Could it be that the fact that the team is mostly made up by Kiwis? The constant losses to the Australian national side could somehow influence the performance of the NRL side.

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The Warriors have for a long time had a reputation for not working hard enough. Matt Elliot commented when he took over that he couldn’t believe how unfit the team was.

Do the Warriors believe in flash over hard work? With players like Sam Tomkins, Shaun Johnson, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvai and Feleti Mateo, they posses some of the most dangerous offensive players in the NRL.

But besides Nathan Friend and Jacob Lillyman, they have no workers. They have nobody that will set a platform for others to perform. They have no-one that will make the tackles or work their backside off.

With Ryan Hoffman arriving next year, he may be able to bring a bit of Melbourne Storm professionalism. He may bring a hard edge to their team to bring them back to the finals.

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