It’s completely understandable that people everywhere watching the Warriors crumble last weekend would feel some déjà vu.
Too many times now this fade in the latter part of the season has caused many to wonder how a club with so many talented players can crash and burn in such a simple fashion.
While recognising that Shaun Johnson and Ryan Hoffman were missing last Saturday, think also of the Dragons team hit by injury to a centre in the warm up with no back substitute.
Then in the first part of the match they lost another back who wouldn’t return. They still managed a huge victory with two forwards playing on the right edge and only a two-man bench for most of the game!
I felt it highlighted a really long term problem in the most embarrassing of circumstances. Losing to nil, by such a margin, to an opposition in such dire straights with in-game injuries says so much.
Part of the problem is expectation. With such physically imposing and talented people abundant in Auckland and the whole of New Zealand, we all expect they will produce wonderful teams.
But more than that they have high expectations of themselves. Lots grow up capitalising on a style based on that phenomenal physical prowess that so many of them display. It’s a core element of playing rugby league almost everywhere of course but I think there is an over emphasis on it in the development mentality of Kiwi players, even more than in other parts of the world of footy.
In some cases that need to create mayhem physically might mean an underdevelopment of all the other skills for footy. Is enough time spent in developing the game awareness levels of their young players? I think the evidence suggests not.
I can’t offer you the name of a Warriors player since Stacey Jones with problem-solving abilities. Someone who could spontaneously and successfully manage the game by exposing that depleted right edge of the Dragons was needed last weekend. An edge defence with two middle type defenders playing next to each other with a winger playing his first NRL match in a very long time has no chance – let alone not conceding a try in the entire 80 minutes.
But it’s not just last weekend or this season. These sorts of losses have been the curse of the Warriors for many years.
The try from dummy half by Mitch Rein, a noted dummy half sneak close to the line and a good one, also suggests a general naivety of the basic tactics and principles of professional standards. It’s just an example that happens way too often.
These guys lack the craft, the deep understanding of the many combinations of communication and skill applications needed to beat their opponents.
How has Manu Vatuvei managed to play all those seasons, yet still not understand how to execute defensively at a high standard as a left winger? I haven’t got the stats but my gut says the total of tries scored versus conceded around him would be close. And that’s before we get to errors on kick catching, one of the easiest skills to coach with a willing student and hours of practice.
We all know there is so much more to footy than being big strong and fast. But in today’s world of sport the little guys no longer have a mortgage on the footy smarts. There are countless examples of big strong fast and smart players in every pro and amateur footy club.
But not enough in that Warriors club.
Coaches of the Warriors over quite a period of time have tried to Australian-ise the roster. Combine that with instituting rigid playing structures that are alien to Kiwis and I think they are going down the wrong path. Most Warriors players don’t perform best under rigid structures. A looser framework with more of a reliance on playing what they see suits their talents.
Some incredibly poor recruitment of Aussies – as well as the highest-paid import in Sam Tomkins – hasn’t helped them recently. Even bringing in the ultimate professional Ryan Hoffman doesn’t appear to have worked well enough.
I feel that’s because the process of becoming a true NRL player doesn’t start when a player reaches the NRL. To correct myself, I think it probably does at the Warriors but it should start much earlier in player development. Learning how to be footy smart on the job in an NRL match is way too late – and very costly.
Winning NYC comps with huge, athletic and physically dominant wonder kids without a top line footy education and a pile of game sense won’t get them the players with the things that are needed to improve their NRL team performances.
They need to change that thinking process as a club or they will continue to get what they have already got.
Like all super competitive businesses and industries with a problem, they wish they had started five years ago. Right now as an ambitious and progressive business they could ask themselves the question “is it still going to be this way five years from now?” Not sure I like the answer to that, Warriors fans.
So given they can’t and won’t give up for five years while they fix the problem, what can they do?
They must compete at the very high level of NRL right now and still build to overcome their long-term problems.
Casper
Guest
You can't be serious in thinking they'd fit Foran under the cap with Luke, RTS and Johnson on the books. Be a bit like the Broncos adding DCE, Nate Myles and GI to their 2016 roster. Even Schubert would find that one hard to accept.
Casper
Guest
Every club has to work through periods where key players are missing, the Warriors fare better than most as origin generally doesn't impact heavily. Brian is correct in identifying the NYC issue, we've all seen the basketball scores in those matches, indicating that defence isn't a top priority in that comp. interesting to check in 4 years to see how many of the 2014 warrior's GF winning team have succeeded in the NRL. I'd guess there will be more NRL regulars coming out of the beaten Broncos team by then. The Warriors have the ultimate 'go home' weapon available to allow them to 'test' the salary cap. How many internationals can you stockpile under a genuine cap? Once Johnson went down, you could almost see his teammates accept that their season was over, and they are right.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What about last year and the year before that and the year before that. Constant underachievers.
Realist 1975
Guest
I know I am in the minority here but from what I have seen over the years I actually prefer Johnson to Jones. Stacey Jones let a lot of tries in his time also but also was brilliant on attack. It was a pity Johnson got injured as I feel the Warriors were a real threat even though they lost to Manly, whom we have now seen beat a couple of big teams in last few weeks. Like all teams their exists bogey teams and the Dragons and Manly possess great records against the Warriors so I won't really look into their games as I feel it's a mental issue as opposed to a physical one. Same can be said of the Warriors record against Melbourne. Just stabbing in the dark here, but I guess that when the team saw Johnson go down they internally gave up. Townsend isn't dangerous enough and Tompkins doesn't want to injury himself for the rest of the year. Mannering is a great player but appears quite from the outside looking in. They need a player type like a Nikau or Wiki or Steve Price to get things moving in the forwards. In terms of the backs they sure miss a player like Brent Tate. This year is gone for them even if they beat the Panthers this week because I feel that they also believe that they will not win the big game without Johnson which is a pity. Roll on next year. Lastly I thought the article was harsh but true in some ways. They possess the physical skills but need work on the mental side. If only they got a coach such as Bennett or even McGuire from Souths.
Glenz
Guest
They'll probably win a premiership before Smithy does.
Nambawan
Guest
I visited Auckland recently and watched the Manly match (by the way, the Mt. Smart experience was very good - far superior to Brookvale!). As Manly were walloping the Warriors I spoke to several local supporters. They basically opined that the Warriors were now over coached and playing an excessively structured and rigid style of football which was uncomfortable for the team as a whole. Their more recent performances tend to confirm this analysis as the team has appeared to be absolutely clueless and amazingly ineffective ( principally featuring repetitive one out running and ineffective wrestling style defence).Over the years I have enjoyed watching the Warriors as my'second'team, but am astonished as to how their season has collapsed, and I suspect this weekend maybe even worse - as the team selected contains several players who are not first grade standard, and the current predictable style of play will continue.
Klee gluckman
Guest
What rubbish on vatuvei his go forward is great. To suggest that he does as many bad things as good things is over the top. He has not conceded as many tries as he has scored. Lazy writing.
Gazzatron
Guest
I heard Laumape has signed for the Hurricanes. I'd have Fusitua at right centre and Lolohea at left centre next year. Unless Hurrell can get fitter and improve his defence. I thought the comments on Manu were a little unfair too. He has his moments of poor defensive reads but look at his centre partners. He hasn't had a centre he can trust defensively since Ropati was a mainstay.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I blame Ryan O'Connell. They were going ok, he gave them a wrap and whooska… straight out the back door!! The same problems persist - too much reliance on a star half (Jones/Johnson), and soft goal-line defence at the other end are the worst, but I think Brian has summed up the bigger picture pretty well.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think they'll go far next year with the spine they're getting. Only missing piece is 6 but Leiluai is good enough and I would also think they give Tui Lolohea a shot because he is too good to be left out of the team. This year they have had a lot of injuries but were chugging along until the one to Johnson who they pretty much rely on to win them games. Next year with RTS and Isaac they will have other options that will take the pressure off Johnson. Trying to contain Johnson is hard enough...with RTS outside it will be near impossible. They also need to sort out their centres....big is not necessarily best. The Hurrell/Laumape/Kata types are great in attack but struggle in defence with teams who know how to get around them. They need to change their defensive structures to accommodate their lack of lateral movement or move them to the wing where the sideline limits space. With the cattle they've got they should get to the finals easy next year.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
The biggest problem IMO is the fact that the young juniors over there dominate other teams through their strength and physicality. They have been successful over the years because they are way ahead of a lot of the other youngsters at the same age. League is more than just being athletes and the warriors have moved away from spending time snaring and developing decent playmakers. There is Shaun Johnson and who else? Obviously they don't need to focus on that area if they can put a team of 13 guys out there who can just barge over to score tries At NRL level it doesn't work. Maybe a mentality of just turning up and expecting to win if you are bigger than your opponents might have been ingrained over the years in the NYC competition. I would also say that problem itself is now becoming more widespread across the whole comp with a lack of capable halves that can manage the game like a half should. A lot of critics are saying expansion is not possible because of the lack of talent. I mean look at what the Kiwis have as their halves choices in the coming future: Johnson is only the real guy since Stacey jones that has come from the warriors. The other guys Foran, Marshall, Nikorima come from Aussie development. Is there this idea that all the warriors need is the one guy every generation to be their halfback?
maximillian
Guest
If they got Foran I think Schubert would have to check the books with a fine tooth comb. Leuluai is competent & experienced enough to play 5/8 next year IMO. He's a calm influence & a good foil for the x factor that RTS & Johnson provide.
Birdy
Guest
If only, if only and then there's next year and now it's the next 5 years. I can only say what a shame what a waste! Of all the under achieving clubs in the NRL , the warriors take the cake! Even if they win in '16 it won't solve the problem nor will another 5 years or another coach. They need a local derby , local competition not just bragging rights for playing in the NRL . If another local club such as Wellington is competing on their doorstep then and only then will they take their rightful place in the NRL . Unfortunately , when that happens , I think both clubs will dominate.
maximillian
Guest
The Warriors have at least realised that domination of the U20s comp doesn't necessarily translate into success at the top grade so there is a change in the mindset in regards to development. If you look at a lot of the current rookies like Lolohea, Vete & Lisone they all spent some time in reserve grade last year instead of bullying in the U20s. The exposure of playing against men has better prepared them for the transition to top grade & has enhanced their development. I think picking 17 & 18 year olds in the U20s & promoting the elite young players to the vulcans is the right way of getting more success for the Warriors.
Gazzatron
Guest
That might be the case at NRL level and I assume that's why the Warriors have 80min backrowers in Mannering Thompson and Hoffman in their squad with Ben Henry an 80 min player too. It's the juniors where there is the most need for change. Instead of relying on the islanders from South Auckland to lead the Warriors charge they need to start developing areas like Christchurch and Wellington. 2 of the best players are Mannering and Matulino who are both from Wellington. It starts from the grassroots.
Don
Roar Rookie
If only they had been able to get Kieran Foran over there next year. Luke, RTS and Johnson are all very good players and could easily get them to a GF along with the side they have today. But for me, to be really confident of winning a GF, someone still needs to provide some calm direction when things are going pear shaped or you need to ice a game.
cedric
Guest
yes, but I think this problem of the game being overtaken with huge straight running guys is about to come to an end. Or I hope it does with the reduction of the interchange.
Gazzatron
Guest
If all their players can stay fit next year then there's no reason why the Warriors won't take out the comp. All their rookies will know what a year in top grade is all about and be better for it. The problem at the junior level wont go away away until the coaches start coaching instead of picking the biggest, fastest islanders they can find to run through the opposition to win the comp. So in other words it probably wont happen.
cedric
Guest
20 years in Oz, came back to NZ 96', went to Carlaw Park several times, sat in massive concrete stand with about 6 others and about 50 others in an old wooden stand. the grounds and surrounds at the time were shocking! Then the footy, heaps of talent but no direction. The halves did not speak. The teams appeared to run straight at each other to see who was the toughest. What a waste! Dead right Terry and also Squidy. With Luke/Sheck/Johnson and a decent 5/8 2017 could be big. Warriors could do with another Matalino too!
stu
Guest
The warriors have not once had their first choice spine for the entire season and yet found themselves in the top 4 on the back of Shaun Johnson consistently oerforming. Tomkins has missed half the games. Leulaui the entire season, Johnson will have missed more than a third of the season. Thrown in pre season ending injuries to Laumape, Henry and the fact that hoffman has only played a handful you can see why its a struggle. How would Souths perform without Inglis, Luke, Reynolds, Sutton? They would be wooden spooners.