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Vodafone Warriors' preseason campaign on track
23/12/2011 9:33:13 AM
As the Vodafone Warriors wound up their pre-Christmas training campaign today, head coach Brian McClennan said he was satisfied the players were on track for the clubs 2012 NRL campaign.
The preseason programme began for 23 of the 30-man squad on November 21 and finished up early this morning with another gruelling session at Glover Park in St Heliers before the players disbanded for their Christmas-New Year break.
(Check Twitter for some of the players' comments about the preseason).
For former Kiwi and Leeds coach McClennan his NRL initiation has lived up to expectations.
Being involved in the NRL has been everything I expected it to be so far, he told www.warriors.co.nz.
The players and the staff have worked really hard to get to where we want to be.
Weve mixed the programme up and it all seems to be going well so far. I had an idea of where I hoped the players would be at this stage and weve achieved that. Across the board the players have tested well and I think weve ticked all the boxes so far.
Im confident the players will know what to do over this break and, provided they come back in good shape, well be able to push on in the New Year as we build to our first trial. Theyve worked so hard and they wont want to lose any of the gains theyve made. Theyll look after themselves.
McClennan wasnt about to single out any individual performers but said the first five weeks had been a good test for the new players coming into the squad from the Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Its fair to say theyve noticed a huge difference in the level of work required at this level. It has been tough for them but theyve been excited to be involved and theyre all pushing themselves as they look to improve, he said.
When the players resume work on January 4, the squad will be back to full strength with the return of all seven of the Vodafone Warriors 2011 Kiwi tourists. Simon Mannering, Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Russell Packer and Bill Tupou have been on their break since the end of the Four Nations although some have been back training lately.
The rest has been welcome for captain Mannering and prop Matulino, two of the hardest working players this year. Mannering averaged 78 minutes a match as he appeared in 32 of a possible 33 top-level fixtures. He played all 28 NRL games as well as four of the Kiwis five Tests; the only other match he wasnt involved in was the All Stars game in February. While Matulino didnt match Mannering for minutes played he equalled the mark for most games played by any NRL player this year. He, too, featured in all 28 NRL matches, four of the Kiwis five Tests and also three of the Vodafone Warriors four trials, a total of 35 games.
When training resumes next month, the 2011 beaten grand finalists will be only four weeks out from their first trial against the Gold Coast Titans at North Harbour Stadium and two months out from their Get Even at Eden season-opening grand final rematch against Manly at Eden Park on Sunday, March 4.
A special double ticket offer went on sale yesterday for what will be a Vodafone Warriors-New Zealand BLACKCAPS doubleheader weekend at Eden Park. The New Zealand cricketers face South Africa in a day-night one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday, March 3 followed by the Vodafone Warriors clash against Manly the next day.
In a joint initiative, the Vodafone Warriors and New Zealand Cricket have made Upper East Stand seats available for a single price of $40 (adult) and $20 (child) to see both matches. The adult price represents a 27 per cent discount on the combined cost of pre-purchasing tickets for both matches and 20 per cent for a child. Go to www.ticketek.co.nz to take advantage of the special offer.
VODAFONE WARRIORS 2012 NRL TRIALS
Saturday, February 4 (6.00pm) v Gold Coast, North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Ticket information on www.stadium.co.nz soon (children free).
Saturday, February 11 (7.00pm) v South Sydney, BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Saturday, February 18 (5.00pm) v Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, Toll Stadium, Whangarei
Tickets available from Ticket Direct (www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET) Forum North box office and Toll Stadium reception. Ticket costs are Grandstand: $15 Adult, $10 Child or Terraces and Embankment: $10 Adult, $5 Child plus applicable booking fees. There are also hospitality options available for corporate and public guests by contacting Toll Stadium.
http://www.warriors.co.nz/default.a...odafone-warriors'-preseason-campaign-on-track
23/12/2011 9:33:13 AM
As the Vodafone Warriors wound up their pre-Christmas training campaign today, head coach Brian McClennan said he was satisfied the players were on track for the clubs 2012 NRL campaign.
The preseason programme began for 23 of the 30-man squad on November 21 and finished up early this morning with another gruelling session at Glover Park in St Heliers before the players disbanded for their Christmas-New Year break.
(Check Twitter for some of the players' comments about the preseason).
For former Kiwi and Leeds coach McClennan his NRL initiation has lived up to expectations.
Being involved in the NRL has been everything I expected it to be so far, he told www.warriors.co.nz.
The players and the staff have worked really hard to get to where we want to be.
Weve mixed the programme up and it all seems to be going well so far. I had an idea of where I hoped the players would be at this stage and weve achieved that. Across the board the players have tested well and I think weve ticked all the boxes so far.
Im confident the players will know what to do over this break and, provided they come back in good shape, well be able to push on in the New Year as we build to our first trial. Theyve worked so hard and they wont want to lose any of the gains theyve made. Theyll look after themselves.
McClennan wasnt about to single out any individual performers but said the first five weeks had been a good test for the new players coming into the squad from the Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Its fair to say theyve noticed a huge difference in the level of work required at this level. It has been tough for them but theyve been excited to be involved and theyre all pushing themselves as they look to improve, he said.
When the players resume work on January 4, the squad will be back to full strength with the return of all seven of the Vodafone Warriors 2011 Kiwi tourists. Simon Mannering, Kevin Locke, Ben Matulino, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor, Russell Packer and Bill Tupou have been on their break since the end of the Four Nations although some have been back training lately.
The rest has been welcome for captain Mannering and prop Matulino, two of the hardest working players this year. Mannering averaged 78 minutes a match as he appeared in 32 of a possible 33 top-level fixtures. He played all 28 NRL games as well as four of the Kiwis five Tests; the only other match he wasnt involved in was the All Stars game in February. While Matulino didnt match Mannering for minutes played he equalled the mark for most games played by any NRL player this year. He, too, featured in all 28 NRL matches, four of the Kiwis five Tests and also three of the Vodafone Warriors four trials, a total of 35 games.
When training resumes next month, the 2011 beaten grand finalists will be only four weeks out from their first trial against the Gold Coast Titans at North Harbour Stadium and two months out from their Get Even at Eden season-opening grand final rematch against Manly at Eden Park on Sunday, March 4.
A special double ticket offer went on sale yesterday for what will be a Vodafone Warriors-New Zealand BLACKCAPS doubleheader weekend at Eden Park. The New Zealand cricketers face South Africa in a day-night one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday, March 3 followed by the Vodafone Warriors clash against Manly the next day.
In a joint initiative, the Vodafone Warriors and New Zealand Cricket have made Upper East Stand seats available for a single price of $40 (adult) and $20 (child) to see both matches. The adult price represents a 27 per cent discount on the combined cost of pre-purchasing tickets for both matches and 20 per cent for a child. Go to www.ticketek.co.nz to take advantage of the special offer.
VODAFONE WARRIORS 2012 NRL TRIALS
Saturday, February 4 (6.00pm) v Gold Coast, North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Ticket information on www.stadium.co.nz soon (children free).
Saturday, February 11 (7.00pm) v South Sydney, BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Saturday, February 18 (5.00pm) v Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, Toll Stadium, Whangarei
Tickets available from Ticket Direct (www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET) Forum North box office and Toll Stadium reception. Ticket costs are Grandstand: $15 Adult, $10 Child or Terraces and Embankment: $10 Adult, $5 Child plus applicable booking fees. There are also hospitality options available for corporate and public guests by contacting Toll Stadium.
http://www.warriors.co.nz/default.a...odafone-warriors'-preseason-campaign-on-track
