Warriors’ reluctance to release players for Denver Test shows lack of trust with Kiwi team
THE Warriors exist to promote the game and help it grow in New Zealand — yet too few of the club’s stars will be Colorado, illustrating a lack of trust with Michael Maguire’s Kiwi set-up, writes MAL MENINGA.
Opinion
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SOMETHING needs to said about the Warriors when it comes to international football.
The club exists to help promote the game and help it grow in New Zealand, but when it comes to having their players representing their country at Test level, apparently it is too tough a job.
Here were are with a groundbreaking Test match between the Kiwis and England to be played in Denver, Colorado, and the Warriors have a number of players suddenly unavailable to play.
The Warriors said they won’t release any player for the Test who was not 100 per cent fit.
CLOSURE: Matt Lodge agrees New York damages
GAME TWO: Slater certain starter, Napa confident
Shaun Johnson was one of those players, yet apparently he was fit enough to play in the past two games for the Warriors — one of which was a long road trip to Townsville.
Gerard Beale withdrew because of injury concerns. He has been back from his broken leg for over a month.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has withdrawn after the birth of his first child, which happened three weeks ago.
There is obviously no trust between the Kiwis and the Warriors.
During the World Cup many people were quick to point the finger at their coach David Kidwell after underperforming at the World Cup and for the number of defections of key players who declared their loyalty to other countries.
Well, it is clear whatever problem that was there under Kidwell’s tenure is still there today.
The players that defected from the Kiwis have not returned and other players who should have been jumping at the chance to represent their country are finding any excuse they can to not be available.
Michael Maguire is a great coach and would ensure the welfare of the players and the interests of the clubs were protected at all times.
Yet the Warriors, the NRL’s flagship club, will be providing a total of three players to the Kiwi Test team.
The attitude of the Warriors to the Kiwis, the Denver Test and international football is baffling on a number of fronts — not least of which is the fact that their coach is a former Kiwis captain who also won a World Cup as national coach.
The top clubs like the Broncos and Storm have dealt with the issue of rep footy for a long time.
This time around the Dragons and Rabbitohs are having great seasons and are celebrating their involvement in rep footy because they know it impacts on the development of the game and the aspirations of their young fans who want to emulate their heroes — the players.
Rather than avoid it, they have used it to their advantage by their players improving and the lure of rep footy helping to attract even more talented players.
It is a lesson the Warriors would do well to follow.
THE MAN TO TIP THE SERIES
BILLY Slater’s declaration that he was in no doubt for Sunday night’s do-or-die Origin clash has me further convinced the Maroons are in the box seat to square the series.
I don’t think Queensland were too far away in Origin I to be honest and I am glad the Maroons selectors opted for a finetune rather than complete overhaul.
The inclusion of Kalyn Ponga on the bench excites me enormously.
In retrospect, it might have been better to play him at fullback in the first game, but Michael Morgan had done enough to earn the faith of the selectors and certainly did nothing wrong.
The key to how successfully Ponga adapts to Origin will be how, when and how long Kevin Walters uses him.
This is where Morgan’s early days with the Maroons can act as a blueprint — or a Maroonprint, if you will.
When I was coach, we had the luxury of great players like Morgan and Cooper Cronk filling that No.14 utility role.
Our philosophy was to just get them out there early, play them in the middle of the field, and see if they would sink or swim.
They all invariably swum like champions and graduated to become senior members of the Queensland team.
Ponga will do the same. I am really excited just to watch him get out there and play the way we know he can.
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Originally published as Warriors’ reluctance to release players for Denver Test shows lack of trust with Kiwi team