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The Warriors have been the entertaining sideshow in recent NRL finals series. Sunday is their chance to show they’re deadly serious.
They might already have the respect of fans and grand final opponents Manly after impressive victories over big guns the Wests Tigers and Melbourne, but the Auckland side would dearly love to convert their regular visits to the play-offs into a maiden premiership.
In Ivan Cleary’s six years at the helm, the Warriors have played in four finals series, more than the three they managed in the previous 11 years of the club’s history since 1995.
Asked if was time to convert potential into the trophy, the Penrith-bound coach said it was satisfying to have gone another step into the big one.
“We’ve gone further than we have in that (period) this time so I guess time will tell,” he said.
“I certainly feel like we’ve grown over that time and we deserve to be there.
“If we deliver, if we play well enough, then we’re a chance and I guess the rest is up to the gods really.”
The Warriors’ only other visit to the grand final was a defeat at the hands of the Sydney Roosters in 2002.
Cleary all but admitted it had been impossible to block out the fact his side could make history with a win.
“I think everyone understands that it’s a pretty big opportunity for many reasons,” he said.
“The opportunity to become champions ticks a lot of boxes for big things.
“We haven’t spoken about it too much.
“The only chance we’ve got is if we play well.”
With Warriors-aligned sides in all three grand finals at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, the sense that the centre of the rugby league universe is edging its way across the Tasman is not lost on Cleary.
Kiwi prime minister John Key will be among the crowd, even as his country hosts the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks taking on Canada on the same day.
“It’s nice,” Cleary said.
“I think it’s a good decision by him. I think our game will be a better game.
“I’m sure (the grand final) will give (league) a boost (in NZ).
“It’s probably already been a boost so far.
“Three grades in the decider’s a good thing obviously.
“The national team’s being doing very well the last three, four years, and hold the major trophies at the moment.”
The Warriors completed their final training session on Saturday with Cleary again likely to promote Lance Hohaia, Russell Packer and Elijah Taylor from the bench.
The coach said the side’s preparations had remained relaxed throughout the week.
“I just heard Manu (Vatuvei) laughing for about half an hour this morning, it was basically going through the whole hotel, so that’s pretty normal,” he said.
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