NRL: Actions speak for man of few words

Captain Simon Mannering is the quiet achiever of the Warriors. Photo / Dean Purcell

Simon Mannering remains as unassuming as he is unrelenting as Warriors captain this season.

At 23, he is the youngest skipper in the club's history but has fashioned a formidable record of eight wins from 10 matches in charge. The Warriors have lost five of the seven in which he did not play.

Much was made of the decision to appoint Mannering in November as a replacement for Steve Price. Price had been captain for five years but - at the time - still intended to play another season.

The decision was questioned at length but it has ultimately proved a timely move, even if the dynamic between Price as mentor and Mannering as leader was never tested in a game situation because of the veteran's prolonged heel injury.

Trying to get Mannering to talk about himself requires considerable persistence. The wise interviewer is best to come equipped with several verbal crowbars. But being the leader of an NRL club side doesn't mean oratory of Winston Churchill proportions has to roll off your tongue each week.

Crucially, Mannering has the respect of his men and is a tireless worker, particularly on defence, where he ranks third in the team, making 29.7 tackles per game. He is held in awe for such toil while others reap the rewards over the tryline.

Coach Ivan Cleary is circumspect but proud of his appointment: "I picked Simon because I thought he could do the job as a younger guy looking ahead.

"He's not a big talker but his actions have always inspired the team. When he talks, his team-mates listen. He also has able support from lieutenants like Micheal Luck and Brett Seymour. Brett does a lot of the talking on the park anyway; it's his job to direct players around the field."

Seymour might do his share of the yapping but is under no illusion as to who is chief.

"Simon's put his stamp on the role with Pricey stepping down. He's not the greatest talker but his actions speak louder.

"Not a game goes by when we don't notice what he does for us. Our success rate speaks for itself when Simon plays. He's a Mr Fix-it."

His Rabbitohs opposite today, and former Kiwis captain Roy Asotasi, also has a soft spot for Mannering whom he has monitored since the Warrior debuted in the NRL aged 18 in 2005.

"He always had the traits of a leader. I'm not surprised the Warriors chose him over Steven Price. He's probably been their most consistent player over the last five years. He's still young too, so will probably get the opportunity to captain the Kiwis at some point.

"He's a quiet bloke but Ruben Wiki was like that when he led the Kiwis. He let his actions talk."

Mannering shrugs his shoulders when confronted with such praise: "I've had a funny season, having missed most of the start with injury. I haven't been thinking about the captaincy as much as getting on the field."

That has coincided with Mannering playing on the right side of the field rather than his more traditional left, since he returned in round 11.

"I've played there a couple of times before but the majority of the time I've been on the left," Mannering says. "It has meant adapting from holding the ball purely on my left side. Ivan needed someone to do the job with Lewis [Brown] playing well on the left. Whatever role the coach gives you, that's what you've got to do."

"Simon has adapted well on the right," Cleary says. "It was only meant to be for one game but I decided to keep him there. It's typical Simon, doing what is best for the team."

A further clue to the source of Mannering's respect comes when he outlines his dressing room policies.

While he's not renowned for yabbering pre-match - or post-match at media conferences for that matter - he's not daunted.

"No, not at all. I just never force anything out if it doesn't need to be said. Most of us are still fairly young and everyone feels comfortable with each other, regardless of experience. That is a good thing about this side. If someone wants to say something they'll say it; they don't feel out of line."

Mannering's statement is reassuring for its uncomplicated willingness to delegate. His desire to empower others comes naturally.

A more subtle indication of respect is visible on the Warriors' faces. The team is coy in its response to why most have followed Mannering's lead and sprouted beards.

Cleary says he's not privy to all team activities and Seymour claims it is due to basic laziness with the razor.

The Warriors employed the same tactic leading into the 2008 finals and it looks like they're doing it again.

The players could do worse than follow Mannering - in beard as well as spirit and competence.