The shaky isles have never had a better embodiment of that moniker than Auckland’s finest export, the shaky New Zealand Warriors.
A side guaranteed to keep any tipster up at night, last night against the Broncos the men from Mt. Smart roared back into form like no other side can, backing up their win over the Knights with a 56 to 18 thrashing of a vulnerable Broncos side.
It’s a quick turnaround from just two weeks ago when Penrith put them to the sword with a 60-point haul, but is there really a heartbeat in Simon Mannering’s struggling side after all?
Just like I did last week for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, I figured the best way to get an accurate reading of if the Warriors have any sniff of a finals berth is to analyse their run over Origin. With zero players selected, the Warriors should be able to put their strongest side on the park each week.
Right now the Warriors are sitting with a 4-8 record, two wins off the pace of the top eight.
Next week they face off with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at fortress Brooky. It is a tough ask for any side, let alone one as patchy as the Warriors. However, the Kiwi side does not fare as poorly as Brookvale as other teams, holding a 5-5 record since 1996.
The only thing going for the Warriors here is the wave of confidence they will surf in on, as well as the absence of Brett Stewart. Anthony Watmough may also struggle to back up from State of Origin. Tough to pick the Aucklanders in this one.
Next up is the high-flying Roosters at Allianz. A full complement of Origin stars and an away game spell bad news for the Warriors here I fear.
Round 15 the Warriors get the bye, missing out on taking advantage of any sides drained by Origin.
The next week the Warriors are back in Auckland, hosting the Broncos. Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin rarely asks his Origin players to back up, so getting them to make the trip over the Tasman seems extremely unlikely, leaving the side looking a bit like it did in their last. At the Warriors home ground, I’d expect a similar scoreline too.
The Rabbitohs are next over in Perth. Once again, the Warriors are up against a top four side with their full squad, which means it will be an extremely difficult task to get over the top of Rusty’s Rabbits.
Another bye in Round 18, once again while players are on Origin duty.
The last of the Origin-affected rounds is Round 20 where the Warriors will jet off to the suburban icon Leichardt Oval to face off against Wests. Only Robbie Farah will have to back up for the Tigers, unless Aaron Woods is called upon for Game III.
The Tigers are fellow cellar dwellers and have not shown the form the Warriors have, but with a steady squad for most of the Origin period, they could be a formidable opponent at Leichardt.
So there it is – only one real sure thing in a Broncos rematch and the rest of their games not clear cut in the slightest. There is a very real chance the Warriors could be going into Round 20 only having collected one or two more wins.
Despite key playmakers Mateo, Locke and Johnson all looking at the top of their games, Manu at his steamrolling best and the intimidating prop rotation all finally firing together against the Broncos, I could in no confidence tip them to come out of the Origin period in the top eight.
But then again… it is the Warriors. Who knows what team will turn up next week.
Yet another tipster who will be losing sleep over this Auckland mob.
Brad H
Guest
Eddie, LMFAO , or I could ask the Qld. Red's but they seem to need constant reminders of who they are so I don't think I'd get answer there. :-)
Eddie
Guest
Dunno Brad H. Ask the Storm ( ;
ThomasHudson9
Roar Pro
I don't think you can look too much into the result last night. Yes, it's very positive to score 56 points, but they were playing a team crippled by Origin and not up to first grade standard.
Brad H
Guest
A quick question for any Warriors fans out there, can you explain to me why the stoopid drums are played whenever your team gets the ball, is it because the spectators are so dis-interested in the on field activities that they need a constant reminder of "hey, we got the ball" ? LMAO
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Even last night they still clocked off for periods of the match. Those periods will hurt them against teams who are able to compete for the full 80mins. NZ still has a long way to go to being a contender. Really all they can do this season is focus on areas where they have been struggling such as defense to ensure they are in a position to be a contender next year.
Ian M
Guest
That's one of the reasons I've got the Sea Eagles as strong favourites for this weekends clash although I think there is more change of the Warriors causing an upset at Mt Smart than at Brookvale.
Eddie
Guest
Manly games important this weekend. If they win that one, anythings' possible ( ;
Spiritfree
Guest
I have to say that this article is predictable tosh*, with a howling error to boot. Pat, you should be able to get a job penning for the Telegraph! " For example: "The Tigers are fellow cellar dwellers and have not shown the form the Warriors have, but with a steady squad for most of the Origin period, they could be a formidable opponent at Leichardt." So form is ignored and instead its "could be..." How many other teams have followed up drubbings with a good win and then an away win? Putting more points on their opponents at their opponent's home ground than ever before? Never mind, though, eh? Let's ignore form and continue to rubbish them, is that it?
Mals
Guest
History shows Ian that Manly have a good record against the Warriors in Auckland over recent years. A good record when they play them in Australia as well. 2012-07-28 Manly Sea Eagles New Zealand Warriors 24-22 2012-03-04 New Zealand Warriors Manly Sea Eagles 20-26 2011-04-16 Manly Sea Eagles New Zealand Warriors 20-10 2010-08-21 Manly Sea Eagles New Zealand Warriors 19-16 2010-04-04 New Zealand Warriors Manly Sea Eagles 6-14 2009-03-22 Manly Sea Eagles New Zealand Warriors 24-26 2008-06-22 New Zealand Warriors Manly Sea Eagles 14-20 2008-03-31 Manly Sea Eagles New Zealand Warriors 52-6
Ian M
Guest
The Warriors are at home against the Sea Eagles this weekend not at Brookvale. I think this improves their chances of causing an upset but the Sea Eagles should still be strong favourites. It's a tough sequence of games, the Broncos is a must win game and the others are against 3 of the likely top 4 this season including the long road trip to Perth. Logic tells me that they won't be getting more than 6 points over Origin period including the two byes, history tells me they'll beat the Sea Eagles, Roosters and Bunnies and then get smashed by the Tigers and the Broncos.
oikee
Guest
If they win the next 2 games they are back, if not, it is the same ole same ole Warriors. Stand be counted or get out, beating the Baby Broncos is no major feat, a team of grand-ma's could beat the superstarless broncos.