Moments that mattered: The promising NZ Warriors fail again
TIMELINE: Success or failure? That’s how clubs judge a season. But each campaign is made up of small moments that make or break. These are the ones that mattered for the Warriors.
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SUCCESS or failure? That’s how NRL clubs judge a season.
But each campaign is made up of small moments that make or break a tilt at premiership glory. These are the moments that mattered for the New Zealand Warriors.
HOFFMAN REPLACES MANNERING
Long-time skipper Simon Mannering stands down as a skipper after six seasons as the club’s leader. He is replaced by fellow veteran backrower Ryan Hoffman.
32-28 WIN OVER ROOSTERS
A Roger Tuivasa-Sheck try against his old club in extra time secures the victory in one of the Warriors most entertaining matches of the season.
TUIVASA-SHECK INJURED
Tuivasa-Sheck, a marquee purchase from the Roosters, is ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the 24-20 win over the Bulldogs.
PLAYERS STOOD DOWN
Manu Vatuvei, Bodene Thompson, Ben Matulino, Sam Lisone and Albert Vete are stood down from international duty by the club for abusing prescription drugs on a night out. Konrad Hurrell is also stood down after acting as the group’s driver.
HURRELL LEAVES FOR TITANS
Hurrell has never been a favourite of coach Andrew McFadden and played just 12 matches in all of 2015. After three matches in 2016, all off the bench, Hurrell requested a release to join the Titans, where he blossomed over the back end of the year.
AGONISING 26-22 LOSS TO CANBERRA
From Round 16 to Round 21 the Warriors played in four golden point games in five weeks, three of which ended in defeat. Losses to Cronulla, Manly and Canberra, all in heartbreaking fashion, made their path to the finals that much harder.
41-22 LOSS TO SOUTHS
The Warriors had it all to play for, at home, against a team that was on a lengthy losing streak and they turned in their most listless effort of the season, going down 41-22 to a team playing for nothing but pride.
36-24 LOSS TO TIGERS
The Warriors were still in the box seat to make the finals until they dished up this 12-point defeat, which was also at home. With everything to play for, they fell down at the slightest hurdle.
KEARNEY TAKES OVER
After months of speculation regarding his future, Andrew McFadden is removed as Warriors coach and replaced by Kiwi Test coach and former Eels mentor Stephen Kearney.
FORAN SIGNS
The Warriors now boast the entire New Zealand Test spine following the recruitment of Kieran Foran on a one-year deal. His deal is yet to be cleared by the NRL integrity unit.
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Originally published as Moments that mattered: The promising NZ Warriors fail again
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