The New Zealand Warriors have conceded that starting a rugby league team was a “poor business decision” and that the game “probably isn’t their thing.”
The confession follows last night’s meek 30-14 resignation to the Dragons at FMG Stadium in Waikato, a loss that extended the club’s streak of wasted potential to 22 years.
Playing with a virtual international team in their own conditions against an injury-depleted opposition, the Warriors lived up to expectations and caved spectacularly.
Most notably it was their star-studded spine who gifted the hardy gathering of confused rugby union fans in Waikato a night they’ll never forget, turning on a performance more anonymous than the opposing quartet of playmakers they lined up against.
In the end it was a six tries to three demolition that tidily complemented the spluttering narrative of their underwhelming season and hence their existence.
However, this bewildering implosion was unlike those before it, as it ultimately revealed the organisation does have a pulse.
The failure triggered the club into action, with a root-and-branch review conducted to determine the viability of being a professional disappointment.
Following the recommendations of the review, the Warriors will now restructure their business model and cease trading in rugby league altogether.
Many business experts have pointed out the high degree of financial risk this poses for the club, with a 260 per cent reduction in revenue forecast from no longer flogging off 25 switch jerseys per season.
But the club believes winding up rugby league operations will open up an exciting opportunity to concentrate exclusively on exploring “the best fit for their brand”, which will probably result in them becoming a specialist Nines outfit.
While acknowledging any day involving the word ‘brand’ to be one of deep sadness, the Warriors paid tribute to their decorated history of disappointment in the “conventional but highly complex 65-minute version of the game”.
The club highlighted the successful campaigns of 2002 and 2011 and made special mention of the organisation’s greatest spike in popularity when then-owner Eric Watson reportedly beat up Russell Crowe in the toilets.
The Warriors will now see out the season with an “orderly wind-down” of football operations, meaning a negligible change in product quality.
The club plans to re-launch in 2019 under a new business model concentrating largely on assets consolidation.
This will be mainly based on a shrewd strategy of abstaining from routinely sacking one coach every year.
Jacko
Guest
crosscoder the Tahs...Rebels match had far more fans than the Warriors ...Dragons match so what do you mean?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yet still competitive,and the code has different premiers each year compared to the others.Hell even the Warriors have appeared in a G/F.I'll take variety anytime.
Akari
Guest
I hope Hingano is taking advantage of any opportunity that is available to him to learn off Foran then. Foran IMO is still a class act league-wise and it's up to the youngsters like Hingano to learn from the master himself.
Tingo Tango
Guest
I have given up taking them in any of my tipping comps. They will win games during the SoO series which they always do and then everyone thinks they are going to do well again. A whole heap of losses again at the end of the year to make sure the real team they are. For me the warriors need to play to their strengths. Everyone wants to be like Melbourne hence Kearney in charge. The reality is they are better off throwing the ball around and if it sticks they will win. If not then it is not going to be any worse than what we are seeing now. The NRL needs a strong NZ side and sadly this club continues to disappoint despite some good signings both on and off the field.
Jacko
Guest
Didnt the Force get over 15000 at the game v Highlanders on sat night?
Jacko
Guest
Spot on Duecer. NZ not interested in League so wont start their own Major comp. Aus only want NZ involved in the NRL so they can sell TV rights and recruit players better than those available here in Aus
Jacko
Guest
Yet the same teams make up the bottom of the ladder every year......
Jacko
Guest
TBH I think they dont believe they have a mature replacement for Foran's position. Maybe having Foran at the club will pay dividends in the long term with the passing on of knowledge and experience. Having said that, you are right about it not being a business decision. I think the owner knows him personally and has done for many years so stepped in to help when it was needed. I dont believe it was ever a business decision.
Akari
Guest
Good on the warriors management, Jacko, but it's still a poor business investment decision at the end of the day when the faith and support is not reciprocated in kind on the field. But my point was that they should invest in their future via Hingano or anyone else long term now instead of wasting any more time and space on Foran. In any case, the Dogs and Foran may also be a better fit for Foran's sake and that of rugby league at the international level.
Cedric
Guest
you are right on both counts what a guy! If you recall he gave that other kiwi Rusty a bit of a touch in a London pub. Mind you I also like Rusty for what he has done for Souths. You know there are far worse stories of other clubs, Souths, Cronulla, Parra the list goes on but it so happens that the Warriors are from NZ which it appears to make a far more complex story for some. All the Warriors need is two big bopper front rowers to compliment Gavet and Tohu Harris and another back rower, job done. Same Foran is leaving but Hingaro is still young, but good. The Warriors have a recruiting issue which raises its head occasionally. If you and others know your league history, NZ played a huge part in the beginnings of league in Oz. The Kiwis in 1907,prior to the Sydney comp starting, took Dally Messenger with them to England as an honorary Kiwi, he wore the kiwi jersey on a number of occasions on that tour! We are in fact brothers in arms with this sport!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Rugby union territory for a start BradNSW. Perhaps some of the Aussie union franchises would like the crowd number which attended the Waikato NRL game. You know the ones, those waiting on the chopping block.
Marco
Guest
Nothing against the Warriors, but jeez , their owner must love throwing money away. Not much joy for their supporters. Every Kiwi I know is mainly interested in union and has a passing interest in league.
Brad NSW
Guest
And didnt the people of Waikato love that game hahaha. It really must be illegal to attend Rugby League games. The Greatest Game of all pffff...
Stu
Guest
Quite right EJ. No actual training happens, its just gangster shakes. FFS Id hate to see what happens at the Knights training, they cant even get handshakes right.
Stu
Guest
What? U dont love 80 mins of rugby with 13 mins of actual game time? The first 9 mins of Warriors/Dragons game was more than half a game of rugby.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Well it appears to keep the TV viewers interested.At least they are given only a short time to score,rather than a litany of crabwise phases that take ages, if you are into that.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Difference is all competitive on their day, which is fairly often.
jimmmy
Guest
The game they play in heaven is the reason I am not going there. An eternity of scrum resets, plus that height of a chess like game " The Rolling Maul"! Me I am going to the other place where checkers is the game but each of the players has a machete.
duecer
Guest
I would argue the other side of the coin - by having a NZ side that plays in an Australian comp. you are promoting a showcase of talent for other Australian sides to chase, giving Australian RL a boost but doing nothing for NZ RL - if NZ had enough interest to get their own comp. going, perhaps the interest would rise over there.
duecer
Guest
Yes, I think he missed the point - the juniors come from the RL states as do the other bits and pieces - from Australian states. The comparison would be valid if the Storm had only Vic to source all their needs.