Graham Lowe: Loyalty? Don't get me started

Many present and former coaches of the professional and amateur ranks would have been astounded at All Black coach John Mitchell's comment this week that loyalty does not exist in professional sport.

If he believes that, I don't think he knows what he's talking about.

Is he suggesting that before becoming paid, he was amateur in his thinking and selection policies, or has money changed his philosophy?

Sure, professional sport has a tough edge to it, but history, and form of the past, should never be disregarded because money is now available.

I know I am from another era, but loyalty to my players, my team, the game and what the game stands for were values that money had no part in.

Sometimes we change clubs for a better deal, just as we do in normal jobs. However, in doing that we are not being disloyal, and no one ever suggests that.

As a coach picking a team no player expects you to be loyal, they just expect the right decisions are made, even if it costs them a spot. That is called respect, and it is the same in amateur sport as it is in the professional game.

John Mitchell has got the biggest coaching job in New Zealand. In saying that he should also remember, there are hundreds of amateur coaches in this country who, given the chance, could do the job, and do it well.

Remember, the All Blacks were at one time invincible with amateur coaches.

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Over the next three weeks the Warriors will be in a position to put themselves back on track.

This weekend's game against Manly, then a bye, then a trip to play the Sharks are probably among the Warriors' easiest six points on offer between now and the end of the season, if there are any easy points in this competition. The return of Ali Lauiti'iti could not have come at a better time, particularly when you look at the apparent lack of options close to the scoring line.

He looked dangerous as soon as he got the ball against the Cowboys last Saturday, and I must say I was surprised he was left on the bench for so long before being given a go.

The Cowboys' spirited defence frustrated their bigger Warriors opponents, but it must be a concern that apart from the crossfield kick, not much else seemed to threaten them.

Lauiti'iti will change all that and free up opportunities for Stacey Jones. But I have to say that Logan Swann deserves a pat on the back because he has really held his hand up for extra work in Lauiti'iti's absence.

It is hard to quantify the value that big Ali brings to this side, but in my opinion he is just as valuable to the Warriors as Andrew Jones is to the Knights or Brad Fittler is to the Roosters.

In fact, I'll go as far as to say that on the open market he would be one of the most sought-after players in the game, with the ability to earn more money than any other forward in league.

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Manly are a proud club and will certainly not lay down for the home side tomorrow, even though I can't see them winning.

Before the Warriors, they were the most popular club in New Zealand, and even now have the support of a large number of fans in this country.

In a roundabout way it is because of the Manly influence that the Warriors were first admitted to the old Winfield Cup.

Manly supremo Ken Arthurson, in his position at the time as chairman of the Australian Rugby League, was the one man who ensured the Auckland Warriors were given a chance in the Australian competition.

His vision helped develop the game to great heights, but that vision could easily turn out to be a nightmare for his club in tomorrow's match because I suspect we are going to see the Warriors back to their best.

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In my opinion the Bulldogs were the best team in the competition last year, although many would argue it was because they cheated the cap.

Well, they are showing signs that they are going to give the competition a hell of a shake again.

There is something special about this club and the spirit it seems to have an abundance of.

The Knights and the Roosters are the media darlings of many commentators in Sydney, but I can't see either side winning the competition, even though they are led by superstars Johns and Fittler.

The best-performing teams at present are the Dogs and Panthers.

I'll surprise many by saying I believe the top four could be Brisbane, Penrith, Bulldogs and the Raiders.

The Cowboys could be this year's bolters, and even though they have a tough run home, they are showing plenty of class and are playing a great brand of footy.

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Plenty of young British talent will be on display here over the next few weeks. Barla under-18 arrive today for a four-match tour and will provide a good test for their counterparts here.

Barla is the amateur division of league in Britain and is a well-funded organisation that provides a path for many future pros in the game over there.

Games against Auckland, Waikato, Wellington/Canterbury and Pirla (Pacific Islands) will indicate the strengths of New Zealand and Britain at this age group.