New Warriors coach Matthew Elliott – largely unwanted by the players when he snared the job – has already chalked up a major win with his player roster.
Midway through November last year, Elliott promised he would allow the players to choose their own captain, the player they would respect and turn to for on-field direction and inspiration.
The position was put to a secret vote and the player (unanimously) anointed at the weekend is Simon Mannering, a 30-Test international who performs equally well at second-row or centre.
I see this as an early notch on Elliott’s belt. Many Warriors expressed a liking for Tony Iro as the man to replace Brian McClennan as first grade coach and were aghast when the Aussie got the gig.
Elliott cut them some early slack and they ran with it. Round one to the coach who is going to need loads of support tackling one of the toughest jobs in the NRL.
The Warriors finished last season abysmally. Midway through, they were a chance of making the eight but they collapsed like plasticine men, toy soldiers who did more tickling than tackling when it mattered most.
On The Roar I wrote they should be tossed out of the comp if they didn’t compete for the full 80 minutes in their games.
Naturally, I got smashed by Roarers, many of whom failed to look at the big picture. This was a team that was runner-up in 2011 and crashed into oblivion, not even qualifying for the top eight.
At the time, I pointed out I have always enjoyed watching Kiwi sporting teams in action but not this one. This was a team of quitters – just look at the half-time and full-time scores in the latter stages of 2012 to get my drift.
I have enjoyed watching the Warriors ever since they were admitted to the Australian league competition in 1995 (as the Auckland Warriors).
But last season? The stink is still in my nostrils.
I have always had lots of time for Matthew Elliott as a coach and really hope he succeeds from day one.
There is loads of talent in the Warriors line-up – an exciting mix of youth and experience.
Backline defence (or the lack of it) was their major problem last year and I think the arrival of ex-Storm centre Dane Nielsen will go a long way to solving it. Nielsen starred defensively in the 2012 grand final against a dangerous Bulldogs outfit used to scoring tries at a blink.
He suffocated the Dogs’ danger men out wide. He will need to do it time and again to help this Warriors team regain the respect they lost in that dreadful, spiralling end to last season.
But back to captain Mannering, an even bigger key to the team’s fortunes in the months ahead.
The 26-year-old is on track to become the longest serving skipper (after Stacey Jones) in the club’s history. This coming season will be his fourth at the helm.
Mannering has made 165 top grade appearances for the Warriors and is signed until the end of the 2015 season.
“Simon is an absolute logical choice for the job,” Elliott said. “He is mutually respected and admired by all of the players and coaching staff for the quality he brings as a leader and a player.
“He is a person of strong character and he has a wonderful work ethic.”
Tim Prentice
Expert
Really, really, witty, Godfrey. I got a laugh out of that. Terrific line about the toes. Really clever. I'd like to ask this: who read the article to you? And when are you going to submit something remotely constructive to this forum?
Dragoon
Guest
Norths made the semi-finals in the 60s at least...
Godfrey
Guest
Hi Tim, you wrote that the Warriors "should be tossed out of the competition if they can't compete for the full 80 minutes in a game." If that is the criteria, Tim, then your team Norths wouldn't have been in the competition from 1908 to 1999. That's another couple of toes you've just shot off your own foot...
Rob9
Guest
Spot on Scott. Tim, your logic is irrational and your argument is falling apart. Suggesting the Warriors involvement in the NRL is subject to their on field performance because they're NZ based is wrong. I'm sorry, we let them into the league and the rules should be (and are) the same for everyone across the board. The Warriors coming online opened the league up to an immediate market of 1.5 million people (with a reasonable number of them holding an interest in league) and an extended market of 4.5 million people. It's for these sorts of reasons that teams are invited into the NRL and why they stay there.
Sylvester
Guest
Tim, you got smashed by the learned Roar readers who didn't appreciate the over-the-top sensationalism and hyperbole at the expense of some genuine analysis. The Warriors were terrible at the end of the year, it was there for all to see. The coach had lost the dressing room, as per the classic quote. Let's consider the injuries to key experienced players, like Luck, Mannering and Ropati. It happens to most teams but the result for the Warriors was the recent U20 grads were left carrying the team, supplemented by even more inexperienced U20s and reserve graders. Add in Maloney, who has been one of their best in recent seasons, phoning it in because he was off to the Roosters even before the season began, and explains a lot of the dysfunction we witnessed.
Gus Paella
Guest
I wish the warriors good luck this season although with a flashy and inconsistant halfback and no solid 5/8 i fear their Captain will have to make many metres off his own line. Their dynamic backline will be a key for them, hopefully Locke has an injury free season for all NRL fans. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Mike Scott
Guest
Why are the Warriors given a special status whereby their very existence as an NRL side is up for question following a poor season? A poor season is a poor season, and just about every club in the NRL has had one of those in recent years. Two clubs finished below the Warriors in 2012, yet neither are anointed for review nor expulsion. The Warriors, especially since 2002, have had a level of commercial and on-field success the peer of any other NRL team (despite not winning a premiership). The Warriors aren't a representative team - they are a franchise, and are no different to any other club in the NRL in that regard. You expect that the Warriors have less of a right to a poor season than other teams, and should be made to pay a worse penalty when they do, simply because they are foreign and in a competition 'owned' by Australians. According to your article, the Warriors have to lift their efforts to hold their place, but Parramatta and Penrith don't - this point of view seems highly discriminatory. Other posters have established the benefits of having an NRL presence in NZ, but regardless, the Warriors have a right to their place in the competition, equal to any other club. The cultural roots of the club are completely immaterial and irrelevant.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Would any professional rugby league coach let his players "run the show." I think not. Elliott likes to give his men a say in their destiny. I am all for that. One in, all in can work wonders.
Farmerj
Guest
I agree with you completely regarding a review of the playing roster rather than their position in the comp. But sensational headlines shouting dump the Warriors is nothing new. Every time they have a down period some aussie journo shouts they they should be dumped but always overlooks aussie teams that are stinking the joint out. If the Warriors cant pay their way and are a financial liability then they should go. But having a poor year is not reason enough, for any time
Mike
Guest
Simon Mannering was also the captain when they made the grand final in 2011. There were a lot of reasons why the warriors were woeful last season but I dont think Mannerings captaincy was 1 of them. He is a consumate professional & a great leader of men as judged by his peers, who unanimously selected him in a secret vote. An inspired choice for the warriors.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Simon Mannering was captain in 2012 when "You could see them behind the in-goal with heads down and nobody talking." Simon Mannering is captain again in 2013 so who will be doing the in-goal talking? Who will be driving the on-field performance? If there is no change then why will the Warrioers change in 2013?
Mike
Guest
kicking the whole organisation out of the comp because of 1 bad year is ludicrous. I agree some players werent giving 100% but surely that means a review of the playing roster instead of a review of the Warriors relevance in the NRL. The Warriors open up a new audience in Nz to the NRL & are also 1 of the better supported teams in the comp. They have above average crowds & club memberships & are also capable of moments of brilliance. Maybe you are the 1 not seeing the big picture?
Beardan
Roar Guru
The talk with Elliott at the Panthers was he let the players run the show. If thats true and if the same happens at the Warriors, it wont be long til the bloke is back in Australia popping up on the Footy show giving his 5c worth on '5 in the bin' with that massive jibberer Ray Hadley and the great man Slats.
Tim Prentice
Expert
No, you don't get it. The NZ Warriors are in an Australian sporting comp and did not look to be giving 100 per cent. I suggested their status should be reviewed if the effort level wasn't raised. Seriously, I am a fan of their football when it is on song.
Tim Prentice
Expert
I am just pointing out that the new man has got off to a good start, giving the players a say in the operation. We will see if the issues are being addressed when they start playing.
Rugby Realist
Guest
Did people say drop the Roosters after an abysmal follow up season to a GF? Or the Eels? Did they get criticised the same way? I dont know if the author did but i doubt it. And this article had nothing to back up the claim that it was a good start by Elliot addressing the clubs issues. I love the warriors and hope Elliot is right, but lets wait a few games before anymore puff pieces
Happy Hooker
Guest
To be consistent then Tim, you would also want Parramatta chucked out of the comp as well following their recent slide from the penthouse to the sh*thouse.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Wow Johnno, this post is an article in itself. It is longer than the actual article! :)
Pogo
Guest
I'm not disagreeing that the Warriors weren't competing well enough, but that this is not a good reason to eject them from the competition.
oikee
Guest
I still think the Warriors will lose alot of games, but at the very least they wont have that soft approach and underbelly they have last year. You could see them behind the in-goal with heads down and nobody talking. Elliot wont allow that to happen ever again. A confident Warriors, a talking Warriors is a dangerous Warriors.