It's too easy to say the injury to influential halfback Shaun Johnson was the reason for their slide — it certainly played a part — but there are clearly more issues than that. It all just went horribly wrong after he fractured his leg.
Revelations this week a handful of players, including centre Konrad Hurrell, were out partying 48 hours before a game, did even more harm. There have been no accusations of alcohol being a factor — and Hurrell doesn't apparently drink — but it is a very bad look and to then post it on social media when the club are under so much pressure was a poor decision.
That was the last straw for many and I wonder what future Hurrell has at the Warriors.
There needs to be a culture change at the club because it's clearly not right at the moment and reminds me of when things spiralled out of control in 2004 when Daniel Anderson was sacked less than two years after taking the Warriors to the grand final. I'm not saying Andrew McFadden isn't the right man to coach the side but he's not handling things as well as he should and his comment last weekend that they are "not a bad side" was baffling, given they'd been flogged by 50 points. The coaching staff have said they have tried to make changes to the way they approach things but it's still not working.
Chief executive Jim Doyle is looking at the whole organisation and individuals within to make sure everyone is accountable. It's hard to speculate from the outside what changes need to be made and we have to hope Doyle can find the right formula.
Changing the captain is not one of the answers. I am staggered people are questioning the captaincy of Simon Mannering. He does everything, and more, asked of a captain, it's just he's not a ranter and doesn't play in a highly-influential position like a Johnathan Thurston, who can inspire, spark and dictate play from five-eighth.
People say Richie McCaw is an inspirational captain but it helps that he plays in a pivotal position.
Simon is a great leader. He does all the work people don't see, the graft, the tackles, the hit-ups that make a difference. He does more than he needs to but just doesn't play a starring role or doesn't rant — and teams don't need ranters.
Anyone who thinks he should be replaced doesn't know what they are talking about and have clearly not been a leader before.
Today's game probably can't come soon enough for some. They will be desperate to get out of the limelight and get stuck into trying to find solutions.
I really hope there aren't too many players who opt out of contention for the Kiwis tour, whether it's because they feel they need a rest or to get out of the spotlight. The Kiwis need the best players available to carry on the momentum they have gained over the past 18 months and to continue to blood good, young players into the environment.
Things are clearly going well for the Kiwis. The same, sadly, cannot be said for the Warriors at the moment.
