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ANALYSIS: The Warriors don't like to talk about the effects of travel. They don't want it to be any kind of excuse.
As a New Zealand team playing in an Australian competition, that's just the way it is.
The side are happy to get on the plane every other week and go to work.
But despite the club wanting to down play the travel factor, it is just that, a factor.
In 2020 the Warriors will as expected cover more ground than any other NRL side (61,820km), and travel further than they did even last year (55,771km).
At the other end of the scale the Dragons will only have to travel a total of 7,052km, in 2020.
Travelling internationally every other week takes it's toll on the body both mentally and physically, affecting performance for elite athletes.
University of Auckland associate professor of anaesthesiology and health sciences Dr Guy Warman said it can take up to three days "or longer" to physically adjust and be at peak performance level after a three-hour flight.
For the Warriors, that struggle is an accepted reality.
But for other sides facing similar adversity like the Toronto Wolfpack or soon-to-be New York Rugby League, there's another approach.
New York Rugby League, should they gain passage into the UK third tier competition in 2023, will play in two-week blocks.
This model, according to bid chief Ricky Wilby, will properly serve his side from a player welfare perspective while ensuring the athletes are not forced to be away from home for too long.
It's a model Warman believes should be of serious consideration for a side like the Warriors.
"Though it's not a big time difference between here and Australia, crossing time zones so frequently does impact on health - and especially so for elite athletes," he said.
"There's emerging evidence that suggests constant travel is linked to cardiovascular disease and even cancer.
"Pre-adjusting is the best short-term solution. During the season syncing your body clock to Australian time would mean less transitions, and would aid athletic performance."
In the longer term, however, he believes the club should push for bigger home/away blocks.
It might seem like a long shot, but through the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) a schedule change to even up the playing field when it comes to travel is not impossible.
The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is up for renewal in 2022, the same time as the current broadcasting deal.
The RLPA's Adrian Turner told Stuff all clubs can submit their thoughts and hopes on scheduling to best serve them from a player welfare and commercial perspective.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/authors/jackson-thomas
The NRL ultimately decides the draw each season, which is heavily driven by the broadcaster.
However, Turner said were the Warriors to submit calls for change citing player welfare, the RLPA would go into bat for them.
"On anything like this broad consultation would have to be had (with the NRL), but absolutely we would push for it," he said.
sport/league/warriors/118051414/nrl-twoweek-travel-blocks-would-benefit-warriors-expert-says
As a New Zealand team playing in an Australian competition, that's just the way it is.
The side are happy to get on the plane every other week and go to work.
But despite the club wanting to down play the travel factor, it is just that, a factor.
In 2020 the Warriors will as expected cover more ground than any other NRL side (61,820km), and travel further than they did even last year (55,771km).
At the other end of the scale the Dragons will only have to travel a total of 7,052km, in 2020.
Travelling internationally every other week takes it's toll on the body both mentally and physically, affecting performance for elite athletes.
University of Auckland associate professor of anaesthesiology and health sciences Dr Guy Warman said it can take up to three days "or longer" to physically adjust and be at peak performance level after a three-hour flight.
For the Warriors, that struggle is an accepted reality.
But for other sides facing similar adversity like the Toronto Wolfpack or soon-to-be New York Rugby League, there's another approach.
New York Rugby League, should they gain passage into the UK third tier competition in 2023, will play in two-week blocks.
This model, according to bid chief Ricky Wilby, will properly serve his side from a player welfare perspective while ensuring the athletes are not forced to be away from home for too long.
It's a model Warman believes should be of serious consideration for a side like the Warriors.
"Though it's not a big time difference between here and Australia, crossing time zones so frequently does impact on health - and especially so for elite athletes," he said.
"There's emerging evidence that suggests constant travel is linked to cardiovascular disease and even cancer.
"Pre-adjusting is the best short-term solution. During the season syncing your body clock to Australian time would mean less transitions, and would aid athletic performance."
In the longer term, however, he believes the club should push for bigger home/away blocks.
It might seem like a long shot, but through the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) a schedule change to even up the playing field when it comes to travel is not impossible.
The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is up for renewal in 2022, the same time as the current broadcasting deal.
The RLPA's Adrian Turner told Stuff all clubs can submit their thoughts and hopes on scheduling to best serve them from a player welfare and commercial perspective.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/authors/jackson-thomas
The NRL ultimately decides the draw each season, which is heavily driven by the broadcaster.
However, Turner said were the Warriors to submit calls for change citing player welfare, the RLPA would go into bat for them.
"On anything like this broad consultation would have to be had (with the NRL), but absolutely we would push for it," he said.
sport/league/warriors/118051414/nrl-twoweek-travel-blocks-would-benefit-warriors-expert-says
