Warriors coach Matthew Elliott is the first NRL coach to find himself in the firing line this season with pressure mounting following two insipid displays from his side.
Elliott questioned his player’s commitment following Saturday’s woeful 31-12 defeat to St George Illawarra at Eden Park.
It came six days after they were well beaten by a Parramatta side who conceded 56 points to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
With a tough road trip to Townsville to face North Queensland next Saturday, things don’t get easier for the former Penrith and Canberra mentor.
“Our will to compete in the game at the moment could be questioned,” he said.
“I know we are a much better team than that.
“There’s something collectively, starting with me, that we’re not doing right.
“I have a heap of belief in the guys but it’s certainly being tested at the moment.”
The Warriors are bankrolled by multi-millionaire Monaco-based co-owner Owen Glenn and expectations were high this season with star England fullback Sam Tomkins signed for a world-record transfer fee of around $1.2 million from Wigan.
With the likes of Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Jacob Lillyman also in the side, the Warriors have the talent to be a top-four contender.
There’s speculation Wigan coach Shaun Wane is being lined up to replace Elliott, who is off-contract at the end of the season.
Wane has publicly stated he wants to coach in the NRL and has close links with Warriors head of football Dean Bell, a former teammate during the 1990s who was instrumental in persuading his old club to part with Tomkins at the end of last season.
Elliott was close to being fired last year when his side got off to wretched start when they lost eight of their first nine games.
A mid-season revival saved his job, but they still missed the finals following a dismal last-round defeat to the Dragons in Wollongong.
St George Illawarra coach Steve Price, Brisbane’s Anthony Griffin and Wests Tigers Mick Potter were the three coaches under the most pressure going into the new season.
But the trio all notched wins at the weekend with Price and Griffin now possessing 100 per cent records in 2014.
Griffin watched his side follow up their round-one win over Canterbury with a hard-fought triumph over North Queensland on Friday night.
Like the Dragons, who were well beaten in the Charity Shield by South Sydney, the Broncos were humiliated in their final pre-season hit-out, going down 40-4 to the Warriors.
Price knows he needs to make the finals this season after failing in his first two years in the role if he’s to have his deal renewed at the end of the year.
Potter’s young Tigers ripped apart the Gold Coast 42-12 on a sweltering Sunday afternoon in south-east Queensland, banishing the memory of a poor second-half display against the Dragons in round one.
The coach wasn’t getting too carried away following a masterclass from young guns Luke Brooks and James Tedesco against an under-par Titans.
“Defensively I thought we were very, very good,” Potter said.
“We forced a lot of errors, which we haven’t done previously. It was just good, aggressive rugby league. It was pleasing to watch.”
Danos
Guest
I suspect that if Elliot goes (and he should) then Scurrah may not be far behind, as well as bell. I think Mannering may be dropped as captain and Friend dropped altogether. I must say after 20 years it's getting harder and harder to keep the faith. Perhaps instead of nrl expansion to Wellington maybe they should look at a second auckland team, it's time the warriors earned their support.
Jack
Guest
Elliot was pathetic at the Raiders and same at the Pathers why would you employ him ?. Warriors under Elliot are a lost cause all the talent in the world but this guy fails to have any idea how to harness it. The warriors need a coach who they respect like Steve Price, Kidwell someone who will lay the law down to them and make the tough decisions like dumping Manu (to old and big liability). Warriors buy some very ordinary players i.e Lowrie, Neilsen and let go the super talents Hiku, Taylor, Brown etc. WHY ?. Dump the coach and his assistant replace them with people with ability- get Price and Kidwell what have they got to loss.
aaron
Guest
For some reason, we seem to perform ordinary against the 'lesser' teams but play out of our skins against the likes of the Storm, Sea Eagles, Roosters and the like (if not beating these teams, then definitely pushing them). We are an enigma in that sense, and it's extremely frustrating and highly disappointing when we lead at half time only to have a meltdown in the second half (like we did this weekend). That being said, it would not surprise me if we kick start our season with a win against the Cowboys (we did beat them this time last year to break our losing streak that stemmed from 2012). As a Warriors fan, I hope the team can sort out whatever 'mental' issues they have and return to the exciting style of footy we know they're capable of.
Spiritfree
Guest
As a long-suffering Warriors supporter, I'll say: The sooner Elliot goes, the better! Last season, after their drubbing at the hands of the Panthers, the players made it clear that they didn't like his structures and the result was their best string of results, beating almost of all the top four teams. Then Elliot got back in charge again and.....what a rabble they've become.
Ronald M
Guest
Sharks are my tip for the spoon this year.
Ronald M
Guest
I understand that Wane has signed a new 4 year contract with Wigan so they would have to give them a lot of green folding stuff if they want him. On paper, the Warriors have one of the best teams in the comp. They are also the team that have consistently troubled the likes of Melbourne and less so Manly at their home grounds. So why the generally poor performances elsewhere throughout the year ? This malaise started before Elliot arrived so I am not sure that he is the problem. I am just completely bemused by them.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The game was played on the 15 March so the Ides of March are upon Elliott. Having said that, I felt the Warriors improved on their first up game against the Eels, and now they face the Cowboys away. Tigers played well against the Dragons and showed how poor a team the Titans are and by implication what pushovers the Sharks are with their injuries.