Richie Barnett: Balance of talent and toil has Warriors in great shape

NZ Herald

1 Mar, 2012 04:30 PM3 mins to read

Manu Vatuvei. File photo / Wayne Drought

The balance between flair and work ethic is the thing I like most about the Warriors squad this season.

The way the game is these days, it takes consistency to get through the regular season but, to go on and win the title, teams have got to have a bit of X-factor about them.

I really think the game has moved on from teams being able to just grind their way to titles.

Look at Melbourne and St George last year. Those powerhouse clubs were super-consistent in the regular season but when it came to the playoffs they couldn't lift to a new level and got beaten. They just didn't have enough X-factor players to do so and they were far too predictable. The Warriors don't have that problem.

With the likes of Shaun Johnson, Kevin Locke and Manu Vatuvei in the side, they have got the game breakers - players who can prove the difference in those huge finals games.

The major concern I have about the team is that sometimes they aren't clinical enough. Sometimes they want to play the flashy football without earning the right to do so first. They went into a couple of games last season - the Brisbane match in particular - having got way ahead of themselves and they had their pants well and truly pulled down. Consistency is the key.

That was the hallmark of Ivan Cleary. For the most part he kept things pretty level. Maintaining that and even improving it is the big challenge for Bluey McClennan.

As well as the flair players, the new coach does have some great workhorses in his squad - guys such as Micheal Luck, Nathan Friend, Elijah Taylor and Simon Mannering. It's an exciting blend.

At full strength, the team also have the best propping rotation in the comp.

But the pre-season injuries to Jake Lillyman and Sam Rapira raise the same concerns I have every year about injuries putting pressure on key positions. We saw that last season when Jerome Ropati got injured and the club struggled all season to cover the gap at centre.

Lillyman and both Rapira brothers being out mean the stocks are depleted right from the start, so they won't want any more injuries in the front row.

Looking at the squad, trainers Craig Walker and Ruben Wiki have got the players in superb condition. You can't overestimate the importance of a good pre-season. Those three months spent working on speed, strength and endurance are what give the players confidence heading into a new season. They'll also have worked on the areas of their game that need improving, and will be coming into the season primed for a great start.

With a new coach backed by the hugely respected Tony Iro and John Ackland, and Dean Bell doing an amazing job unearthing talent on the recruitment side, the Warriors are in great shape heading into 2012.

WARRIORS DEPTH CHART

Fullback

Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu

Wings

Manu Vatuvei, Bill Tupou, Krisnan Inu, Glen Fisiiahi, Ivan Penehe

Centres

Jerome Ropati, Konrad Hurrell, Krisnan Inu, Carlos Tuimavave, Ivan Penehe

Five eighth

James Maloney, Carlos Tuimavave

Halfback

Shaun Johnson, Pita Godinet

Prop