Warriors expect rough ride in Melbourne tomorrow
They've been torn apart by the game's administrators and their financial management is a rort, but the Melbourne Storm will still have a point to prove on the field tomorrow against the Warriors.
The NRL's dethroned premiers - their two titles and all their points for 2010 stripped from them - will want to demonstrate that on the field and far from the book keepers, they remain the competition's best.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said he was expecting a typically difficult match against the Storm.
"Every time you play against the Storm, you get ready for an extremely tough game.
"They are a good football team and I'm expecting nothing less this week."
Cleary, speaking at Auckland Airport before the Warriors boarded their flight to Melbourne, was shocked at the news that the Storm had systematically cheated the NRL salary caps rules.
"Obviously it is a big surprise and a big shock," he said. "It's disappointing. It's very damaging to the game."
The Warriors, whose problems come from more familiar league territory - injuries and some shaky form - will find themselves at the centre of massive media attention for tomorrow's match.
"We've got a game, and a big game, against extremely good opponents and we will remain focused on that."
Cleary also said he would not comment on issues such as whether the salary cap was working or how he saw the Storm's future as an NRL club.
"It's so near to a game and a big game that all I am focusing on at the moment is playing this game," he said.
"Obviously as time goes on, we will all think about it a bit more. I suppose there will be a lot more things that come out in the next few days. All I am worrying about is going over there and having a good game."
The Warriors were also hit by a salary cap penalty at the start of Cleary's first year as coach in 2006. Those infringements occurred under the previous management and resulted in the Warriors being docked four points.
Cleary could not offer any insight into how the Storm players might be feeling, because the scale of the two cases were so different.
"I don't think you can make any sort of reference to any other thing that has happened," he said.
- Staff reporter and NZPA
