It has been quite an off-season for the Vodafone Warriors after their heroic charge to the NRL Grand Final from 6th place on the regular season ladder.
Highly acclaimed coach, Ivan Cleary is gone but in steps another coach of equal acclaim. Back from his OE in the UK with Leeds, former Kiwis coach, Brian McClennan is back at the helm of the Warriors - this time as permanent full-time coach after a temporary stint as caretaker at the end of 2004. He comes back to Penrose with several Super League titles under his belt in addition to the 2005 Tri Nations title he won with the Kiwis and the respect and popularity he has with the rugby league club.
There is no doubt New Zealand rugby league loves Bluey and that Bluey is a good coach. He is not so much known as a tactical thinker but rather someone who can exert passion into a team. If you had to have someone volunteer to go out there and die for the jersey, Bluey would be instantly put up his hand and run up to the front desk to put his name down.
It is this sort of passion that suits the Warriors franchise, a franchise that has always played by the heart, always playing exhilarating rugby to thrill not just its fans but all fans of rugby league, never afraid to chance its arm.
But while in the past, the Warriors franchise have been dogged by a highly disorganized backroom and club structure, this time, the Warriors appear to have the most organized structure out of the NRL clubs. It is quite evident on the field with all its teams making all 3 Grand Finals last season. The Warriors have effectively become a nursery club, a place where the most talented young league players from all over New Zealand can go to to enhance their chances of playing in the NRL - whether its for the Warriors or another club.
Ever since the salary cap scandal of 2006, the Warriors have changed their ethos, focusing on youth - especially with the new Toyota Cup gaining such a high profile now. John Ackland and his coaching staff have developed a tremendous support cast of young players that could easily make it into the first team - and have, i.e. Glen Fisiiahi, Shaun Johnson, Steve Rapira, Elijah Taylor, Kevin Locke amongst those who have come from the Warriors' highly successful age grade team.
And now heading into 2012, the Warriors are certainly tapping right into that deep well of young New Zealand talent and competition could be hot for spots - let's not forget the Auckland Vulcans reserve team which is nearly as good as any NRL first grade team.
The question is can Bluey McClennan make the most of that well? You know what, I think he could potentially do a better job than Cleary did in turning those Junior Warriors into first-grade Warriors - look what he did with a young, talented but mercurial Kiwis side between 2005 and 2006.
The Warriors of 2012 will be looking to win their first game at Eden Park when they face Manly on Sunday afternoon. They'll also be looking to minimize the mid-season blip that cost them a much higher place in the ladder - it's imperative now they finish in the top 4 with the new AFL style finals system. But there is a good vibe amongst the rugby league faithful that perhaps the Warriors' time has come to be truly a force in the NRL. Not only that, there is a new rich sugar daddy owner in Owen Glenn too.
Maybe not this season, but maybe next. Exciting times though.
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