Tony Kemp was absolutely delighted. The Warriors' final pre-season training camp before they take on Parramatta in a practice match in New Plymouth next Sunday had one major result - leadership.
In last year's annis horribilis, one of the most oft-heard criticisms was that the Warriors lacked on-field leadership and
seemed unable to right things when they were going wrong. Kemp doesn't agree with all the criticism but he did say: "I think that when we got tired, we tended to rely on the leaders, other team-mates, to pull us through. But you can't do that. We have to have a team full of people who can think quickly, make decisions and do the business - even when it is hurting and stressful."
That is why Kemp was so pleased with the results of the Warriors' final camp - a closed affair at Waiouru where Staff Sergeant Ray Warrender, among others, put the Warriors team and management through the crushing drills that are part of their renowned army training course.
The subjects are overwhelmed with physical and mental problem-solving tasks that require quick thinking and execution at a time when the body and mind are least capable of delivering.
"We were looking for people who'd lead and those who would follow," said Kemp. "What we found is that the group of guys we thought would lead - people like Steve Price, Monty Betham, Stacey Jones, Awen Guttenbiel, Tony Martin, Nathan Fien - all stuck up their hands. But what was surprising is that many of the guys we thought would follow also found their feet and stood up when the going got tough - people like Louis Anderson, Jerome Ropati and Toshio Laiseni."
Kemp said he found that really encouraging in terms of where the Warriors are heading as a team and where they needed to improve from last year.
"It was very hard work and stressful and I'm not saying we want a team full of leaders.
"But we will need people who can take the lead when required and when appointed leaders aren't on the field."
