Push-over scrums, ferocious gang-tackling, a lightning halfback and a classy fullback coming into their own – the Warriors should have the competition shaking in their studded boots.
Now three wins in a row, the Warriors are the best attacking side in the NRL.
Saturday’s 48-0 rout of an eager Parramatta was outrageous football from the NRL’s great entertainers, the dragon of the den who has finally awoken after a three-year hibernation.
The Warriors have opened a shop outside Rugby League Central selling confidence, consistency and cohesion. Donuts are a special sold to the Eels for one week only.
Put aside Ricky Stuart’s debut coaching gig with the Roosters in 2002, or Des Hasler’s success with the Bulldogs in 2012. Warriors’ coach Andrew McFadden has turned the club’s culture around, mere months after accepting the job following Matt Elliott’s resignation. Hard work, hard work and hard work are his mantras. From day one, it was a simple message – he has no place for shirkers.
Konrad Hurrell and Feleti Mateo, two of the team’s most talented but inconsistent players, were dropped because they weren’t operating at the level required. Simple. Now the Tongan Test representatives are among the Warriors’ most improved players of 2014 after doing the work necessary. That’s the McFadden effect.
The rookie head coach is doing what Ivan Cleary and Daniel Anderson achieved: turning the Warriors into a consistent team in both attack and defence.
In 2014, they are the competition’s leading side in attack with 385 points. Compare that with the golden years of 2002 (486) and 2011 (285) and it is following a similar pattern.
Since the defeat of Melbourne in Round 8, the Warriors have conceded an average of 16 points. Cleary’s 2002 team averaged 17 points against for the season. They’ve also managed to post two of their all-time winning margins – 48 points against the Eels and 42 points against the Raiders in May.
All premiership-winning clubs need a good halfback and fullback; the Warriors have that. Halfback Shaun Johnson has stepped up after his superb World Cup last year and led the way in the Kiwis’ strong showing in the April Test match versus the Kangaroos. He still has blistering speed, but marries this with a more consistent and mature kicking game.
Fullback Sam Tomkins has silenced even the most hardened of doubters with a canny display of confidence and speed in Saturday’s match. He is England’s top try-scorer because he creates space, has great footwork and takes his opportunities. Four tries against France and a hat trick against Wales on Test debut takes great belief and skill. His brand of no-nonsense play is just the tonic for the Auckland side, the opposite of Kiwi and now Salford fullback Kevin Locke.
Captain Simon Mannering, Queensland Origin forward Jacob Lillyman and New Zealand rep Ben Matulino’s quality are well known, but the younger forwards have really stepped up. Suaia Matagi, Ben Henry and Sebastine Ikahihifo have brought enthusiasm, but most importantly for McFadden, have bought work ethic too.
McFadden the player thrived on the same principles of hard work and determination – he played over 100 games in the NRL at hooker – and made the most of his ability (his own words). He is instilling this same ethic at the Warriors, who have some of the league’s most gifted players, but not always the discipline.
Take heed of Greek philosopher Epictetus, who wasn’t around to witness this year’s NRL season, but nevertheless wrote, “No man is able to make progress when he is wavering between opposite things.”
McFadden’s Warriors are focused on purely on consistency and building a culture based on hard work. The other finals teams had better watch out, we might see a Warriors legend formed this year after all.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Buzzard - I think they seem a switched on team this year... to many level heads to get carried away. Tomkins will really help with this - such an experienced campaigner for a young guy (I think just 24)
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Sylvester. Yes many dark times.... hopefully the Warriors players don't read this article and get ahead of themselves too!
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks for your thoughts Clark. Interesting when you look at where the Warriors have played... just three at Mt Smart this year (won all)... the rest at Eden Park plus away games.. the sooner they stick to Eden Park the better!
Sylvester
Guest
Warriors fan since day dot here. There's been dark times...many, many dark times. Love the turnaround but not getting carried away just yet. A run like this within a season is not uncommon for this mob.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Warriors are a frustrating side; at their best they can beat anyone, at their worst they can lose to anyone, and those two could be 7 days apart.
Buzzard
Guest
Don't talk the Warriors up thats when they believe their own hype and self destruct! The Warriors are most potent when they are totally written off and not expected to win, they are capable of turning it on. At the moment they look confident, enjoying their footy, well coached, well drilled and having self belief. I think for the Warriors if not all teams in the comp its imperative to finish in the top 4 if not top 2. I think they are capable of winning the comp if their heads are right but I think that of about 6 other sides.(Manly, Roosters, Dogs, Panthers, Storm & Rabbitohs). Go the Mighty Warriors!
Eddie
Guest
Ok Nordburg, we get it- you don't like the Warriors. Here's picking you'll be a bundle if they don't make the 8 / get knocked out in the playoffs / don't win the GF... 'I told youse so!' Etc etc..
Cowboys
Guest
JT plays a mean halfback, but not many 5/8 who could outplay him.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If the Warriors crack a grand final appearance they will have won me over. They play an exciting brand of attacking( sometimes ad lib) rugby league,and they have the athletic style of players to do it.
Clark
Guest
Only DCE and Cronk are better than Johnson.
Clark
Guest
If the Warriors played their first few games at Mt Smart rather than Eden park and Westpac Stadium I believe they would be much higher. I believe they will be there come finals time and could be a threat no matter where they finish. Although in saying that they are prone to lose games the should easily win on occasions. The Warriors are my first team (being a kiwi) but the other team I would love to see win it is Penrith (I'm probably not alone there either). However my head says it will be Manly, they look a class above pretty much every one else at the moment.
Renegade
Guest
Had the warriors down as contenders at the start of the year but the change of coach mid-season gave me doubts. They are certainly the dark horse of the competition and are finals bound.... Manly are premiership favourites for mine but If the warriors finish top 4, id be willing to back them.
Clark
Guest
Souths hahaha, give me a break. How can you bag the Warriors and then say Souths are a contender, a team who have been utter rubbish for about 50 years
Parrafan
Guest
I think the stat of 7 wins from their last 9 makes them look promising. This seems to be dismissed when people say 'you only say they're dark horses after thrashing a very poor parra side'. Didn't they make the GF in 2011? and the finals in 2010.
MAX
Guest
When The Warriors are positioned to play the first two finals games at home with this current team it could be premiership time. They need that foundation.
Gazzatron
Guest
Reynolds, Mini, Pearce, Sandow? Better than Johnson and Tomkins? Even G.I. is in rubbish form. My tip in round 1 was Manly and that hasn't changed but the Warriors are looking good right now. They have a solid forward pack with Matulino right up there with the best forwards in the comp. Mateo who is in really good form. Mannering is also in great form. A front rower who had made 1 mistake in 2 seasons. A beast on the wing. A hurrelcane in the centers with Laumape coming back. Speed in Fusitua on the other wing. A hooker who tackles anything that moves. A reliable five eighth. Good kicking game. Backrowers with ball skills. I can guarantee that every other team in the comp will have an eye on the Warriors coming into the finals. They have all the ingredients to win the comp but the question will be the top 2 inches and whether that will let them down in the crunch games.
NSWelshman
Guest
Every year the Warriors are tipped to 'give the competition a shake' & every year they don't! This year is no different. You say they have a good fullback & halfback...............so do the following. In fact better fullbacks & halfbacks than the Warriors. Manly - Stewart / DCE Roosters - Mini / Pearce Storm - Slater / Cronk Rabids - Inglis / Reynolds Eels - Hayne / Sandow Forwards...........no better than any of the other teams! Consistency not as good as the top 4 teams. Attack?? Have a look at the teams they've scored big against & the teams they've scored the least against! Only marginally in front of Manly, Panthers, Roosters, Rabids, Broncs etc. Defence quite a number of teams with better defence! Let's see what they're made of come finals time if they get there. Based on stats I don't think any of the teams above them are really concerned about the Warriors coming to get them!
maximillian
Guest
How can you write off all the other sides from playing in October when we are still in July? Id definitely say the Warriors are a darkhorse & are in with a chance alongside the Dogs, Panthers & the 3 teams you mentioned. Theres still alot of football to be played & form/injuries/luck etc will all play a part.
Nordburg
Guest
Every year the Warriors are predicted to give the comp a shake at some stage during the season.Apart from 2 GF appearances,the only thing they've shook is their heads.I dont think the comp has a dark horse,the winner will come from Manly,Souths or Roosters. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Maximillian - they do seem to have more grind in them.. so important when finals footy comes around!