New Zealand coach’s ‘bit of carry on’ says it all for Warriors

The Warriors’ turnaround season has continued with another excellent with that had rookie coach Andrew Webster going nuts in the coach’s box.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster was happy with that one. Photo: Getty Images

The New Zealand Warriors have ended a three-match slide, claiming a 24-12 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

It was a huge win for the Warriors and will essentially be a four-point victory with the side getting a bye in round 12 and 15 days before their next match against the Broncos in round 13.

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It’s been a long run for the New Zealanders who have not had back-to-back games in New Zealand so far this season.

And yet the perennial underachievers have been the improvers of the year, currently sitting inside the top eight om a group of teams on 12 points on the ladder.

Once again, Shaun Johnson was the star with two try assists but it was his young gun protege who stole the show.

In his fourth game in the NRL, 20-year-old five-eighth Ronald Volkman scored a first NRL try to remember.

At 18-6 with 14 minutes remaining in the second half and after a wayward pass from dummy half, Volkman went himself, grubbering through the line, regathering the ricochet and dodging around Bulldogs fullback Hayze Perham to score and put the game beyond doubt.

Making matter worse for the Bulldogs is that it came after a try was disallowed at the other end after what was deemed an illegal strip.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster couldn’t hide his joy in celebrating the try going nuts in the coach’s box.

“There was a bit of carry on there, I got a bit excited,” Webster said when asked in the post-match press conference.

“It was a big play by Ronnie, grubbered, got it back, spun out. Very excited.”

Ronald Volkman scores his first NRL try. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Andrew Webster liked what he saw. Photo: Fox Sports

With Johnson and Volkman developing a partnership, Webster explained that the veteran was a key in developing the next generation.

“Shaun’s big on a lot of young halfbacks’ development in New Zealand,” Webster said. “A lot of kids look up to him and a guy like Ronnie playing alongside him is huge. The calming influence he had on Ronnie this week was massive.”

While it was a great moment for the youngster, Johnson had the biggest say in the match, continuing his great form this year.

Webster said Johnson had been huge this year and he’d shown his leadership qualities.

“He leads with his voice and he leads with his actions — that’s powerful when a player can do that,” he said.

“He’s certainly happy at home in New Zealand and he’s a different Shaun and we love him.”

With talk that Australian clubs such as the Wests Tigers were interested in Johnson’s services, Webster kept it simple, saying: “Shauny and I have a good relationship so we know where that’s at and how that looks. We’ll work that out at the right time.”

As for the interest, Webster said it shows just how good he’s playing.

“I think he should be proud of the fact if there is people this side of the ditch want him,” Webster said.

“People want him to come back because they are seeing how well he’s going and think he can contribute and impact for their team. I think he should be proud of that. We’re proud of that.”

Originally published as New Zealand coach’s ‘bit of carry on’ says it all for Warriors