Matthew Johns: Why the slide of the New Zealand Warriors is a loss for all NRL fans

You don’t have to be a Warriors fanatic to be heartbroken by their recent capitulation. The club needs to regain the desire that sparked the post-Covid supporters boom for the sake of rugby league, writes MATTY JOHNS.

The Warriors spent most of the day in the in-goal watching the Titans attempt conversions last weekend. NRL Imagery

You don’t have to be a fanatical Warriors fan to be heartbroken by what the team served up on the Gold Coast last Saturday.

I’ll confess, even as a Newcastle fan, my wish this year was that the Warriors would win the competition.

Primarily, I’m a rugby league lover before any club allegiance. The past two years have been amazing for the game — never has the sport being so good or loved.

And the country of New Zealand has been an epicentre.

In 1992, I travelled to New Zealand for the first time with the Knights, pre-Warriors days.

As a kid who grew up with rugby league central to all things in his life, it was surprising. The sport barely had any presence. It was all rugby union.

Walking the streets of Auckland, the only thing I saw which was in any way related to rugby league were these strange butcher shops which were drenched in posters, jerseys and all types of rugby league memorabilia.

The Mad Butcher Sir Peter Leitch, well regarded as NZ’s No.1 rugby league embassador, pictured here in 2002. Picture: New Zealand Herald/Kenny Rodger

Later, I learned these shops were owned by a man known as Sir Peter Leitch or, as he was known back then, the Mad Butcher — New Zealand’s greatest rugby league ambassador.

When the Auckland Warriors entered the NRL competition in 1995 it gave the code an enormous boost, but it’s always been two steps forward and two steps back.

Bankruptcy, underachievement … you name it, the Warriors have endured it.

But let’s accelerate to the point.

Out of Covid — and seemingly out of nowhere — a phenomenon occurred, the Wahs. Not just loved and respected in New Zealand, but also Australia.

I know one Australian family who have abandoned the Sea Eagles and become Warriors members. Why?

“Matty, we don’t know, we just fell in love with them and what they stood for,” they told me.

Coming into this season, I had fears, based purely off the Warriors’ history; each great season has been followed by a season of disappointment.

The Warriors’ fanbase has grown to unpredicented heights over the past few years. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

However, I found comfort in the knowledge that there was something different about this squad.

Past Warriors teams were hit and miss based on adventurous attack.

This team, however, built a performance on minimising errors with the ball and playing with high energy in defence.

The Warriors started this season with two losses, but the performances were strong against very good opposition.

But as the season has unfolded, it’s become a rollercoaster. Some great wins, some bad losses. And there’s been a sense that problems were developing.

The release and later stand down of Addin Fonua-Blake raised some eyebrows. Picture: NRL Photos

Addin Fonua-Blake requesting a release for 2025 raised some eyebrows, and then he was later stood down for not upholding club standards.

Given Fonua-Blake’s importance to the team, these were serious concerns.

All the while the team has remained inconsistent; wins over the Panthers, Dolphins and Cowboys have been followed by a loss to the Storm and arguably the worst defeat in the club’s history last Saturday to the bottom placed Titans, 66-6.

The Warriors got lapped by Gold Coast. NRL Imagery

Desire in rugby league, the most vital element in professional sport, is best measured through defence and the Warriors clearly turned up on the Gold Coast with none.

They’ve wrestled with their style all season. In an effort to push their game to another level, they ventured away from some of the key things which brought success: simple, fundamental-based football.

In 2023, Shaun Johnson operated as the central playmaker with his halves partner, Luke Metcalf, complementing him with a run-first attitude.

They defended strong, kicked well, completed at a high percentage and won games.

Things have become complicated.

Johnson and Te Maire Martin haven’t been able to form a combination. Individually, they look far more comfortable than when selected together.

Shaun Johnson and Te Maire Martin have struggled to compliment each other this season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Martin, in Johnson’s absence, played the best football of his career. But at one point in last Saturday‘s loss, there was Johnson, Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dylan Walker and Wayde Egan all on the pitch together.

Too many cooks.

With Johnson out, Martin will take control of the side again this week and it should lead to a more settled attack.

But can they regain their desire? That’s the biggest issue and the greatest challenge.

Saturday’s match, another sellout in Auckland, against Brisbane, is huge for both clubs. The Broncos have slipped into dangerous territory and are facing four straight losses. But all eyes will be on the Warriors to see how they rebound.

The players owe it to their fanatical supporters to turn up with the attitude and desire they expect and deserve.

Originally published as Matthew Johns: Why the slide of the New Zealand Warriors is a loss for all NRL fans