Stephen Kearney confirms the Warriors will stay in Australia for as long as required
Stephen Kearney has reaffirmed the Warriors commitment to staying in Australia for as long as required, even if they are forced from home until the end of the NRL season.
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Warriors coach Stephen Kearney says New Zealand is committed to staying in Australia for the entire NRL season if the coronavirus crisis leaves them stranded that long.
The Warriors narrowly avoided equalling a 100-year-old rugby league record in suffering a 20-6 defeat to Canberra on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon.
Not since Sydney side Annandale in 1920 has a first grade team gone scoreless in the opening two rounds of the premiership and the Warriors threw little at last year’s beaten grand finalists at a scorching Cbus Super Stadium.
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Who could blame them?
The Warriors flew to Australia on March 13 to face Newcastle in Round 1 thinking they would head home to their families two days later.
Instead, after suffering a 20-0 loss to the Knights, they’re on an indefinite Aussie adventure and the future of the NRL playing eight games a week hinges on them staying strong.
The Warriors’ season has been thrown into disarray by strict border control in New Zealand and Australia effectively preventing them from being able to participate in the NRL if they return home.
If the NRL isn’t suspended at some point the Warriors face the prospect of spending six months in Australia.
“How many weeks is the season?” Kearney said when asked how long the Warriors could go on.
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“If I’m honest, we’re in it until whatever happens, happens. We’ve committed to that.
“I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in a month’s time.
“We’re committed to the NRL and improving our performance.
“It’s been a challenge, certainly at the start of the week and adjusting to the circumstances.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart applauded the Warriors’ decision to stay, but highlighted sacrifices had to be made to keep the NRL alive.
“I think it’s very courageous for the game,” he said.
“It’s tough circumstances for them, I understand that, but it’s our job and we have to do everything we can to keep this game happening every weekend.
“If we all want to keep getting paid and keep this product alive and healthy, we need to play footy over these tough times.
“The decision the Warriors have made is fantastic and they should be applauded. That’s the type of decision that needs to be shown for this game to be where it needs to be in five years.
“It’s very tough for them but they’re getting paid very good money. We are very fortunate to wake up every morning and do something we absolutely love.
“Some days we’ve got to go through tough days. One day it might not only be the Warriors.”
Originally published as Stephen Kearney confirms the Warriors will stay in Australia for as long as required