How do you FIX the Warriors?

[Iron Lion]

The warriors were supposed to be one of the prized jewels of the NRL. One team belonging to one nation. With a factory belt of the best talent in the game to choose from and develop the New Zealand Warriors have continued to sink to its lowest depths. There is more than something seriously wrong at the club. Its going from bad to worse. Last night the warriors lost by 15pts. Many of the fans are saying it was a greatly improved performance!

What do the warriors need to do to come right long term. Only 5 finals series in 20 years. How would you fix the club to make it a powerhouse?

I would sell it to new owners.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

If the NRL were competent nz would have a second team by now.

That might not "fix" the warriors but it would make a big impact on RL in nz and that's more important. It would provide more opportunities for the huge talent pool over there, a massive derby or two and double the chances, at least in theory, of a team for nz folk to get behind in finals etc.

It makes so much sense it's no wonder it hasn't happened and isn't even on the horizon.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

The warriors were supposed to be one of the prized jewels of the NRL. One team belonging to one nation. With a factory belt of the best talent in the game to choose from and develop the New Zealand Warriors have continued to sink to its lowest depths. There is more than something seriously wrong at the club. Its going from bad to worse. Last night the warriors lost by 15pts. Many of the fans are saying it was a greatly improved performance!

What do the warriors need to do to come right long term. Only 5 finals series in 20 years. How would you fix the club to make it a powerhouse?

I would sell it to new owners.

It's never been the NZ Warriors to us all. Its the AK Warriors only imo. Its a myth that they pull in talent from across the country.
Agree there needs to be a second team before the Warriors stop thinking they're the chosen ones and only need to turn up to earn their pay packet.
Having said that, I think the changes they are trying to make and with the team they have now they will improve once they get used to each other. Well, as long as the whole playing group get on the same waka and apply themselves like they're paid to that is...

 

[CC_Roosters]

The second coming of ivan cleary would help a little.

 

[TheDalek079]

Go back to their original blue jersey. Its awesomeness will rub off on the team and they'll play like Manly 95-97

 

[TheVelourFog]

need to bite the bullet and buy some quality Aussie players

homegrowns aren't cutting it

 

[The Enforcer]

 

[One Warrior]

The warriors were supposed to be one of the prized jewels of the NRL. One team belonging to one nation. With a factory belt of the best talent in the game to choose from and develop the New Zealand Warriors have continued to sink to its lowest depths. There is more than something seriously wrong at the club. Its going from bad to worse. Last night the warriors lost by 15pts. Many of the fans are saying it was a greatly improved performance!

What do the warriors need to do to come right long term. Only 5 finals series in 20 years. How would you fix the club to make it a powerhouse?

I would sell it to new owners.

Iron you need to get your facts straight when making an argument. Warriors have made finals in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007 ,2008, 2010 & 2011, by my calculations that adds up to 7 finals campaigns not 5, I agree it should be more, but at least get your facts right first.

 

[Perth Red]

Put a kiwi tax on any Australian team signing a NZ player, tax goes to warriors to make them super awesome. And Australia are less likely to fall further behind NZ on the international scene. Easy.

 

[Mr Angry]

Put Ivan Cleary in as Football operations manager.

Stacey Jones as coach.

 

[LESStar58]

If the NRL were competent nz would have a second team by now.

That might not "fix" the warriors but it would make a big impact on RL in nz and that's more important. It would provide more opportunities for the huge talent pool over there, a massive derby or two and double the chances, at least in theory, of a team for nz folk to get behind in finals etc.

It makes so much sense it's no wonder it hasn't happened and isn't even on the horizon.

I'm all for expansion but why would we consider a 2nd NZ side when the existing one is an underachieving rabble?

 

[Parra]

<cynic mode>They bought them in to get international status for the comp so the Winfield sponsorship could be extended. Those days are over<\cynic>

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I'm all for expansion but why would we consider a 2nd NZ side when the existing one is an underachieving rabble?

1. Because theyre actually a very successful club in many ways.
2. Because a second club's success has nothing to do with the warriors' issues.
And
3. Because a second club would benefit the warriors and nzrl in the long run for all the reasons previously stated.

Clearly one club's situation has no bearing on another. Explain the Titans.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I'm all for expansion but why would we consider a 2nd NZ side when the existing one is an underachieving rabble?

Irrelevant. That's like saying that we shouldn't consider another QLD side while the Titans are a rabble.

 

[God-King Dean]

Shit culture

Players run the club

 

[ANTiLAG]

I'm all for expansion but why would we consider a 2nd NZ side when the existing one is an underachieving rabble?

Probably because the Kiwis are the number 1 team in the world and there is a glut of rugby talent in NZ that could be used and developed. I'd send the team down south, base them at Christchurch with some games at Dunedin. Or vice versa if the earthquakes prevent recruitment. Dunedin has a fancy stadium now. The idea being to try and get a large proportion of the South Island behind them and give them an at home advantage of playing in the freezing cold - like Canberra is meant to have.

Canterbury used to have a strong, if not small, rugby league base. Rekindling interest in rugby league down there could pay dividends greater than another sports team based in Wellington.

It would also create more competition domestically and establish a rivalry for the Warriors to seek to improve. The Broncos did the Cowboys no end of favours in that respect.

 

[Exsilium]

I accept that the Warriors do plenty with the communities and the people who love rugby league. They have immense pools of talent, some of this talent makes the cut whilst most filter into society, never to be heard of again.

Whichever way you paint the picture it all comes down to culture and the ability for that culture to respond to adversity, expectation and success. A team made up of champion players does not make for a champion team. I would love someone to come in and coach the Warriors to understand that culture breeds success, discipline leads to results and application leads to reward. As they say, talent only takes you so far.

If you look at the best and most consistent teams in the comp they all share a solid culture and people within the organisation who nurture and promote success. Having Cleary, McFadden or jones won't bring success because they are part of the "inside" or the old boys club of the Warriors. I honestly believe they need someone who will be of the "shape up or ship out" mentality.

It's a tough one because most of us will agree on the same thing, they are brilliant but inconsistent.

 

[ANTiLAG]

I accept that the Warriors do plenty with the communities and the people who love rugby league. They have immense pools of talent, some of this talent makes the cut whilst most filter into society, never to be heard of again.

Whichever way you paint the picture it all comes down to culture and the ability for that culture to respond to adversity, expectation and success. A team made up of champion players does not make for a champion team. I would love someone to come in and coach the Warriors to understand that culture breeds success, discipline leads to results and application leads to reward. As they say, talent only takes you so far.

If you look at the best and most consistent teams in the comp they all share a solid culture and people within the organisation who nurture and promote success. Having Cleary, McFadden or jones won't bring success because they are part of the "inside" of the Warriors. I honestly believe they need someone who will be of the "shape up or ship out" mentality.

It's a tough one because most of us will agree on the same thing, they are brilliant but inconsistent.

A lot of this ignores the fact that the Warriors cannot recruit the best coaches, and have to pay overs for players to come over from Australia to play. This is not just Australians seeking overs to play for the Warriors, but Kiwi born and bred talent, that got signed out of school by Australian clubs and migrated over there.

SBW said it best, if you want to play rugby league - you want to be in Sydney (or Brisbane). It is the same for Britain's best: James Graham, Sam Burgess, and Widdop. True for Australians. And true for Kiwis alike. Melbourne cheated to build its successful dynasty away from a rugby league centre, and was given advantages as a new club in 1998 enabling a win in 1999 (and fluked Kimmorley due to Hunter and joey at the Knights). Lets see how Melbourne goes once the big 3 retire and Bellyache moves on.

Rams and Perth struggled to get talent didn't they? What was life like for the Cowboys pre signing JT? (And I have to say, Townsville looks like a beautiful place with its beaches and bar holiday resort type lifestyle.)

The footballers have a lot of fun, often too much fun, partying and being celebrities in Sydney with players from their own and other clubs and codes; where the world is their oyster. NZ is a Union town where Jesse Ryder could not goto a bar in Auckland and have a drink without a cellphone camera shoved in his face recording his every move.

 

[Exsilium]

A lot of this ignores the fact that the Warriors cannot recruit the best coaches, and have to pay overs for players to come over from Australia to play. This is not just Australians seeking overs to play for the Warriors, but Kiwi born and bred talent, that got signed out of school by Australian clubs and migrated over there.

SBW said it best, if you want to play rugby league - you want to be in Sydney (or Brisbane). It is the same for Britain's best: James Graham, Sam Burgess, and Widdop. True for Australians. And true for Kiwis alike. Melbourne cheated to build its successful dynasty away from a rugby league centre, and was given advantages as a new club in 1998 enabling a win in 1999 (and fluked Kimmorley due to Hunter and joey at the Knights). Lets see how Melbourne goes once the big 3 retire and Bellyache moves on.

Rams and Perth struggled to get talent didn't they? What was life like for the Cowboys pre signing JT? (And I have to say, Townsville looks like a beautiful place with its beaches and bar holiday resort type lifestyle.)

The footballers have a lot of fun, often too much fun, partying and being celebrities in Sydney with players from their own and other clubs and codes; where the world is their oyster. NZ is a Union town where Jesse Ryder could not goto a bar in Auckland and have a drink without a cellphone camera shoved in his face recording his every move.

I'll be honest, I was trying to generalise to avoid writing a huge speel but I do agree with what your saying

 

[Card Shark]

Get them to play the Knights every 2nd week.