NRL: Ryan Hoffman's regrets at Warriors - 'I wish I had done things better'

Ryan Hoffman of the Warriors runs with the ball during the round 14 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors. Photo / Getty Images.

Former Warriors captain Ryan Hoffman is proud of what he's achieved at the Auckland-based NRL club but admits his straight-talking approach didn't always go down well with his teammates.

The 33-year-old second-rower is preparing to leave New Zealand at the end of the season after a three-year stint in which the Warriors failed to make the NRL playoffs and will make his final appearance at Mt Smart Stadium against Manly on Sunday.

The three-time NRL grand final winner was handed the Warriors captaincy last year, in his second season under former coach Andrew McFadden, but following the arrival of new coach Stephen Kearney, he was replaced, with fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck preferred as the new skipper this season.

Their poor run continues however, ahead of their match against the Sea Eagles, with the Warriors currently occupying 13th spot on the NRL ladder, and desperate to avoid equalling a club record eight-straight defeats.

Hoffman is disappointed he was unable to help the Warriors break their six-year finals drought and, reflecting on his time as captain, admits to having a few regrets.

"I was very proud to captain the club and there were times last year certainly where I wish I had done things better," said Hoffman.

"But I'm certainly proud of the effort I've put in for this team and the faith that I've tried to repay in the club for bringing me over.

"I'm certainly disappointed that I didn't get the results for the club that we wanted, but unfortunately that's rugby league, and only eight teams a year can play finals."

Hoffman has won plenty of admirers over the years for his no-nonsense playing style and hard-nosed professionalism and work ethic at training.

Off the field he can be similarly blunt and direct and he certainly doesn't suffer fools or mince his words when dealing with the media.

However, at times - particularly last season, as the defeats, pressure, and criticism of the team continued to mount - he struggled to mask his frustrations and could come across as being gruff or off-hand.

Comparisons were inevitably drawn with former skipper Simon Mannering's unwavering composure and seemingly endless patience, which was perhaps unfair, given Hoffman's relative lack of captaincy experience.

The 303 game veteran concedes he was learning on the fly and admits he sometimes lacked an awareness and empathy for how some of his teammates were feeling.

"As a captain, it was my first time doing it, and I was sort of thrown in the deep end a bit," he said.

"I handled things the way I wanted to and I think being direct is the only way to go.

"But, look, I suppose it was mostly recognising moods, sometimes, amongst the rest of the group.

"There were certain occasions where I wish I had handled it better, my approach, and the way I handled a bit of adversity, but I learned from it."

Hoffman is unsigned beyond this season but considering returning to the Storm while he is also weighing up offers from other clubs in the NRL and UK Super League.

Despite a lack of success with the Warriors, he insists his time here has been enjoyable and worthwhile for him and his family.

"I've really loved my three years here regardless of what's happened on the field.

"Off the field has been fantastic and it's been a great move for me and my family and I certainly want to finish off on a good note here in New Zealand.

"The supporters have been fantastic for me and we certainly want to repay the faith, trust and loyalty that the Warriors parochial fan base has given us this year and we certainly need to show that with our actions on Sunday."