Will Evans2009 Season Review - New Zealand Warriors
September 7th 2009 06:19
The Warriors have roundly been dubbed the biggest disappointment of 2009, and with good reason. Tipped by many good judges as top-four specials and genuine title contenders, New Zealand started the year with two great wins but from that point on could not secure back-to-back victories, and finished above only the woeful Sharks and Roosters. After last season's rousing charge to the preliminary final, it is difficult to pinpoint what went wrong in 2009, but the Warriors' chronic inconsistency brought back memories of the bad old days of the late-1990s and 2004-05. Injuries put a big dent in the club's plans, and Ivan Cleary had difficulty settling on a steady line-up throughout the year, particularly in the halves. Stacey Jones' comeback was largely a success, and much of the criticism aimed at the Kiwi legend mid-season was unwarranted. Similar performances from the club in 2010 will surely see Cleary's head on the block, while management's decision to let World Cup halfback Nathan Fien go halfway through the year was a head-scratcher. His form in helping the Dragons secure the minor premiership is a clear indicator the Warriors got it wrong.
Best Performance
The thrilling Stacey Jones-led win over Manly in Round 2 had fans talking about grand finals. Steve Price and Manu Vatuvei were at their best, and Jones dragged the Warriors back from a big deficit with some individual brilliance for a 26-24 triumph.
Worst Perfomance
Although they escaped with a draw, the Warriors' effort in letting a 32-6 lead against Penrith slip to finish 32-all after golden point summed up their season.
Standouts
Jones and Lance Hohaia provided most of New Zealand's attacking spark throughout the year, while big Manu poached 13 tries from 19 games despite a famine of quality ball. Rookie winger Kevin Locke barely put a foot wrong after coming into first grade. Sam Rapira and Russell Packer provided the muscle up front, and part-time skipper Michael Luck finished as the NRL's top tackler.
Disappointments
Former Bronco Denan Kemp arrived amid high expectations after crossing for 19 tries in 2008, but ten games yielded just one try before he was banished to NSW Cup duty. Fullback Wade McKinnon, one of the game's most dangerous ball-runners in 2007, seemed a shadow of his former self and could only muster six line breaks all year.
Rookies
Locke has been on the NRL's finds of the year. Lightning quick and elusive, determined and confident, Locke seemed likely to produce something special every time he touched the ball in 2009. Finished as the Warriors top pointscorer despite playing just 12 games. Creative No. 9 Aaron Heremia displaced 2008 hero Ian Henderson by the end of the year, and Lewis Brown proved himself as a tough and versatile customer. Explosive forward Ukuma Ta'ai looks to be a fine prospect if he can eliminate the errors from his game.
Recruits
Kemp's arrival was a disaster, but fellow Bronco recruit Joel Moon was a good buy at centre and five-eighth. Moon unveiled a towering boot in 2009, and collected four tries in match against the Panthers. Former Queensland rep Jacob Lillyman had a solid season.
Injury impact
Injuries weren't kind to the Warriors, robbing them of strike centre Brent Tate after just three games. Representative stars Price, Vatuvei and Jerome Ropati were also sidelined for extended periods.
2010 Prospects
The Warriors' main concern is replacing Stacey Jones and settling on a stable halves combination. There are big question marks on whether recent signing and serial misbehaver Brett Seymour is the man to steer New Zealand around the park. Has proved himself as a quality first-grader in a support role for players such as Brett Kimmorley and Trent Barrett, but can he take the lead role? They will be stronger for welcoming Brent Tate back, and they have sufficient forward strength to provide opportunities for their bevvy of backline stars. As always with the Warriors, consistency will be the key.
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