NRL: Aussie media praise Warriors as 'unstoppable'

The strength of New Zealand rugby league has been highlighted by the Australian media after the Warriors, Under-20s and Vulcans all qualified for this Sunday's grand finals at ANZ Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

The Australian media are lauding the performance of not just the Warriors, but the club's junior and reserve squads in making this weekend's grand finals.

The Warriors, Under-20s and Vulcans have each qualified for this Sunday's grand finals at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

The Sydney Morning Herald described the Warriors result as "unexpected", and they were now "seemingly unstoppable".

"In some ways this is a dream grand final, because only in our wildest dreams could we have imagined the Warriors would be here," reporter Glenn Jackson.

Daily Telegraph sports editor Phil Rothfield said a Warriors win over Manly on Sunday "would catapult the Kiwis past the Kangaroos for the first time in more than a century".

"They already hold the World Cup from 2008, the Four Nations trophy from last year and now they're just 80 minutes away from the NRL trophy, the Toyota Cup and the NSW Cup," he said of New Zealand's dominance over Australia.

Reflecting the vast talent coming out of Aotearoa, Australian clubs are looking across the ditch for young talent, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

''Honestly, it sounds ridiculous, but they could find another two or three teams of similar ability over here,'' former Warriors coach Graham Lowe is quoted as saying to ABC radio.

''There is so much talent - and not only that, the young rugby union guys are starting to see these games on television and there is a lot of them just ready to pounce on the opportunity to jump codes as well.'

In his liveblog during the game for the Sydney Morning Herald, Adrian Proszenko asked readers who they will support in the grand final.

"Will Sydneysiders do the unthinkable and cheer for Manly? I asked Des Hasler this very question last night. He said: 'I think we'll get a good turnout there. But Manly is Manly - that will never change. I think it's good for footy, it's great. It's understood and it's appreciated,'" he wrote.

In another Sydney Morning Herald story Manly coach Des Hasler described the final against New Zealand as a ''quite scary'' proposition for his side.

''I'm very impressed with the Warriors,'' Hasler told the paper. ''They will go into the game with a lot of momentum. They're not scared. They've got players who can create something, and class finishers. And they're a big side - they punch hard at the opposition. This will be a very close game - and a very tough one.''

- HERALD ONLINE