Despite playing in two grand finals in their 20-year history, the New Zealand Warriors are the epitome of underachievement to most NRL fans.
A club that represents an entire country bursting with young talent should have more accolades to show for two decades competing for the top prize.
Worse than the lack of silverware in Auckland is the undesirable reputation of being a club with no heart and soul. This status must really hurt Warriors fans – the only thing that stings more than a lack of on-field success is the opinion that your club is ‘soft’.
Last year was forgettable for the Warriors. At one point the team was a premiership threat, but the entire season was derailed by a season-ending injury to Shaun Johnson.
It wasn’t so much the losing, it was how they lost that left the bitter taste in most people’s mouths. The club endured a succession of cricket scores as players appeared to wave the white flag.
Coming into 2016, the Warriors have snared two genuine superstars of the game: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback and Issac Luke in the hooker role.
The modern game has changed a lot over the last 10 years, and the migration towards more structured attack means a team virtually can’t win a comp unless they have a great spine. The Warriors now have this. Along with lynchpin Johnson at halfback and the underrated Jeff Robson likely to move into the five-eighth role, the Warriors are primed for success in 2016.
Or are they?
Given how great the balance looks on paper, I would normally be confident spruiking this team as the club to watch in 2016. However, the cloud of reservation that still remains is club history; the Warriors have often promised much and delivered little.
This club needS more than key signings to transform into a genuine threat. The culture needs a rebuild in addition to the roster, and I remain unconvinced that Andrew McFadden has the coaching ability to take them there.
I hope for New Zealand fans’ sake I am wrong.
Wasted1
Guest
I'm with you, i don't think the backline has ever been in doubt for the warriors. It's always been the committment of the forwards. They made it to the 2011 GF on the back of one of their most dominant forward packs in a long time. They way they stood up against the storm in that semi final was unbelievable. The backs may help you score the points. But you've got to have a strong forward pack to get you there. And from what i saw last year, the forwards just werent committed.
Albo
Guest
But who will do all their tackling ???? They have always been able to "run riot" with the ball, just not as riotous as their opposition when they have the ball !!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Problem is the coach. Just look at what happened when Johnson went down. He lost the confidence of the playing group and they just played horrible. I give him 6 rounds before he gets the sack (I'm tipping 1 win 5 losses in that period), and then an interim coach will come in and get them on a winning streak but fall short. Deja Vu for Warriors fans I think.
Cedric
Guest
I think the Warriors backs look special but the main problem for me was the lack of forward punch. Don't get me wrong the Warriors have several special forwards but when it comes to bending the line on attack with speed or strength it becomes a none event. The Warriors need a couple more big bopper front rowers, ones like Boyd or Vaughan who at times cannot be stopped close to the line. And another back rower with pace and ball skills like Stewart. Maybe the young front rowers Vete and Lisone will grow in skills, infact, I'm sure they will. That might solve the front row problems. And if we could make Lautiti into what he was 13 years ago there's the other problem solved, ha ha! I heard the new forwards coach, Justin Morgan, say they needed more aggression. I agree but Mannering, Luke and Matalino already have that in spades. They don't have to stand over their tackled player and look tough. If the Warriors forwards can up the anti, hopefully without injury, the backline will fire and with the pace of Johnson, Lolohea, Kata and Scheck boy are they gonna take some stopping. Not forgetting the best winger in Manu, the massive ball returner and un stoppable close to the line! Some are saying 2016 is the year, I would be happily surprised, but more realistic is 2017 after the team has a year together.
Casper
Guest
If Robson is the answer, you must be asking the wrong question. Three good players in the spine but the culture seems to be the key problem. The Warriors have had the top U20 teams for years but most of their stars don't translate to the senior squad because of the need to concentrate and tackle. Touch footy has become a habit in the Warriors youth teams. Travel for the remote teams goes with the territory and the Cowboys seem to have sorted out that issue at last.
Mike
Guest
Warriors look great on paper. Robson could be their unsung hero, cool, calm and keep it all together whilst Johnson, Luke and TS run riot. Great potential but potential alone don't win comps.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Brisbane had one. Then I think they sold it. Too expensive to keep and a huge waste of money. Jets are for people/companies that make a net profit of hundreds of millions,(ManU) not a couple million (Broncos) or breaking even/losing money (Cowboys Storm, and warriors).
db swannie
Guest
2016 GF ...warriors v Broncos Warriors win in last minute from some Shaun Johnson brilliance . As a cows fan I can only sympathise with warriors fans ..woulda shoulda coulda every yr . Just hang tough ...I have a feeling that this yr is the year
Squidward
Roar Rookie
If anything the Sharks overachieved last year and in 2013
Pomski
Guest
Clubs like Warriors, Melbourne, NQ should buy a private jet. Thoughts?
Adam Bishop
Roar Pro
Well said AJM - a good point on the plane travel aspect, it's definitely a handicap.
Samtwocan
Guest
The Sharks continually fulfill their potential .
Phil
Guest
Warriors the epitome of underachievement? I thought that was the sharks
AJM
Guest
I don't know that the Warriors have necessarily underachieved. Every second week that have to get on a plane unlike a lot of the clubs in Sydney who leave the state 3 or 4 times a year. The Cowboys have had the same issues and it's probably why it took them 21 seasons to win the comp. The Warriors also generally have to pay overs for players, a bit like Canberra and Cronulla and we all know how much success they've had in the last 20 years. I still think they need a top line coach and if McFadden starts 1-5 or something like that he'll be history. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Klee gluckman
Guest
Heard it all before.