Rugby League commentator Dale Budge says the Warriors still have a lot to play for over the next month despite not being able to make the playoffs.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was very defensive after Saturday's win over Cronulla, saying his side has plenty to play for over the last month of the season despite not being able to make the finals.
Stories in various media outlets over the last week or two have questioned whether the Warriors will be as motivated as their opponents now that there is no chance of them playing in September however Cleary believes that is not the case and I would certainly agree with him.
Aside from the fact that the team will be keen to see stalwarts Awen Guttenbeil and Brent Webb off in an appropriate manner there is plenty for the individuals in the side to play for and maybe more importantly the chance to finish within four points of making the top eight.
Should they be within two victories of the cut-off mark, Cleary and his team can argue that had the salary cap scandal not cost them four competition points at the beginning of the season, they would have made the finals.
Generally in such a cut-throat competition making the playoffs is considered a successful season so the Warriors could take comfort in knowing that they deserved a place in the finals with their on-field performances.
Individually a number of players will be playing for Test spots. Ruben Wiki, Louis Anderson, Manu Vatuvei and Brent Webb are all incumbent Kiwis while Guttenbeil, Jerome Ropati, Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Evarn Tuimavave and possibly even Simon Mannering will be eying a place in Brian McClennan's Tri-Nations squad.
Captain Steve Price will be desperate to make a run into the Kangaroo side as well.
Then there are a number of players that are looking to establish positions in the side ahead of next season with Ropati, Hohaia, Patrick Ah Van, Geroge Gatis, Sam Rapira and Cooper Vuna not assured of places in the first grade side when 2007 gets underway and there is still a chance for Cleary to give the likes of Sonny Fai and George Tuakura a run in the top grade.
Over the last month of the regular season the Warriors come up against the Cowboys, Storm and Broncos - who are all in a desperate playoff race and a Roosters side full of stars and smarting from another failed season.
If knocking those four teams off can't motivate a side, then nothing will.
* To comment on this piece send emails to dale@radiosport.co.nz
Source: http://www.radiosport.co.nz/WhatsUp/Detail.aspx?id=342
I was thinking the exact same thing. If the warriors can win three of their last four (perhaps the only loss coming against the storm who are undefeated at the graveyard), that would give them 24 points for the season. Add back the 4 points they lost for salary cap breaches and their superior points differential they probably could have finished as high up as 6th on the ladder.
Also, i would like to see hohaia and vuna play all four games and for sonny fai to make his long-awaited debut.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was very defensive after Saturday's win over Cronulla, saying his side has plenty to play for over the last month of the season despite not being able to make the finals.
Stories in various media outlets over the last week or two have questioned whether the Warriors will be as motivated as their opponents now that there is no chance of them playing in September however Cleary believes that is not the case and I would certainly agree with him.
Aside from the fact that the team will be keen to see stalwarts Awen Guttenbeil and Brent Webb off in an appropriate manner there is plenty for the individuals in the side to play for and maybe more importantly the chance to finish within four points of making the top eight.
Should they be within two victories of the cut-off mark, Cleary and his team can argue that had the salary cap scandal not cost them four competition points at the beginning of the season, they would have made the finals.
Generally in such a cut-throat competition making the playoffs is considered a successful season so the Warriors could take comfort in knowing that they deserved a place in the finals with their on-field performances.
Individually a number of players will be playing for Test spots. Ruben Wiki, Louis Anderson, Manu Vatuvei and Brent Webb are all incumbent Kiwis while Guttenbeil, Jerome Ropati, Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Evarn Tuimavave and possibly even Simon Mannering will be eying a place in Brian McClennan's Tri-Nations squad.
Captain Steve Price will be desperate to make a run into the Kangaroo side as well.
Then there are a number of players that are looking to establish positions in the side ahead of next season with Ropati, Hohaia, Patrick Ah Van, Geroge Gatis, Sam Rapira and Cooper Vuna not assured of places in the first grade side when 2007 gets underway and there is still a chance for Cleary to give the likes of Sonny Fai and George Tuakura a run in the top grade.
Over the last month of the regular season the Warriors come up against the Cowboys, Storm and Broncos - who are all in a desperate playoff race and a Roosters side full of stars and smarting from another failed season.
If knocking those four teams off can't motivate a side, then nothing will.
* To comment on this piece send emails to dale@radiosport.co.nz
Source: http://www.radiosport.co.nz/WhatsUp/Detail.aspx?id=342
I was thinking the exact same thing. If the warriors can win three of their last four (perhaps the only loss coming against the storm who are undefeated at the graveyard), that would give them 24 points for the season. Add back the 4 points they lost for salary cap breaches and their superior points differential they probably could have finished as high up as 6th on the ladder.
Also, i would like to see hohaia and vuna play all four games and for sonny fai to make his long-awaited debut.
