We continue our look at the NRL 2011 season with a look at the New Zealand Warriors.
Team: New Zealand Warriors
Homeground: Mt Smart Stadium (25,500)
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Season 2010: 5th (P24, W14, L19, 53 pts)
2011 squad: Aaron Heremaia, Alehana Mara, Ben Henry, Ben Matulino, Bill Tupou, Brett Seymour, Elijah Taylor, Feleti Mateo, Glen Fisiiahi, Isaac John, Ivan Penehe, Jacob Lillyman, James Gavet, James Maloney, Jeremy Latimore, Jerome Ropati, Joel Moon, Kevin Locke, Krisnan Inu, Lance Hohaia, Lewis Brown, Manu Vatuvei, Matt Robinson, Michael Luck, Russell Packer, Sam Rapira, Shaun Berrigan, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Sione Lousi, Steve Rapira, Ukuma Ta’ai, Upu Poching.
Ins: Steve Rapira, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo, Shaun Berrigan.
Outs: Steve Price, Siutonga Likiliki, Brent Tate, Ian Henderson, Elijah Niko, Mark Ioane, Nafe Seluini.
Season preview: There’s no doubt that the retirement of seemingly ageless forward Steve Price leaves a huge gap in the Warriors line-up, just as Brent Tate is a significant loss to their back line.
But Price’s injury last season was a practice run for the Kiwi side: Simon Mannering proved he is more than capable of taking over Captain’s duties, and forwards Ben Matulino and Sam Rapira were impressive in his absence.
Up front the Warriors will only be strengthened by an improving James Packer and new signings Steve Rapira, who joins his brother at the club, and jack-of-all-trades Shaun Berrigan, who’s rumoured to make an impact as hooker.
Fans must be hoping that the kiwi team hasn’t lost any of its willingness in attack over the pre-season: the Warriors are fearless when it comes to offloads, and with players like Kevin Locke and Lance Hohaia in the backline and Manu ‘the Beast’ Vatuvei as a finisher it can make for an unstoppable attack. Young players like Ben Henry shone in the Warriors premiership winning under-20s team and there is no lack of depth in the New Zealand roster.
Feleti Mateo and Krisnan Inu are the big-name additions to the Warriors squad and its hard to argue that both of the Parramatta imports were underperformers at the Eels. A new start and a new strength and conditioning regime could see them realise the blistering potential they’ve been failing to demonstrate for the past few years.
Before injury, Brett Seymour clicked well with James Maloney in the halves and barring accident the pair should take advantage this season. And with his contract expiring soon, there is no doubt Ivan Cleary has the motivation to make sure the Warriors add some structured attack to their arsenal and eliminate some of their more horrific defensive lapses.
The Warriors have the talent and the grit to challenge for a spot in the eight – especially if they can take advantage during Origin weeks – and the only dampener on a higher finish is the likelihood of big years from some of 2010’s other drastically improved teams.
X-factor: Feleti Mateo has all the potential in the world: It’s been said countless times, but the returns on that form have been few and far between. If Mateo can get comfortable in the black and silver jersey – possibly even in a playmaking role in the second row, like Braith Anasta at the Roosters – he’ll be an impressive attacking weapon.
Main man: Lance Hohaia has played only one pre-season match (on coach’s orders) in an attempt to rest him after a heavy NRL and representative season last year. The underrated fullback carries some vital experience, especially without Price and Tate in the team, to help the halves guide the attack.
Predicted 2011 finish: 7th
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