Foran seeks stirring finish
Kieran Foran has shrugged off criticism of his form as he vowed to finish his brief stint at the Warriors on a high.
While the star five-eighth has managed to rebuild his life off the field in Auckland, he has not been able to reverse the Warriors’ fortunes on it as the club heads towards a sixth consecutive season outside the playoffs.
There have been flashes of brilliance from the Kiwi international, particularly earlier in the season when he led the club to back-to-back wins over the Eels and Titans.
But, generally, he has been more solid than spectacular, toiling behind a pack that has struggled to go forward while also battling quad and hamstring injuries.
Foran has signed with the Bulldogs from next season to be closer to his children. After two quiet performances last month his commitment to the Warriors was questioned by former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott, who suggested the 27-year-old had one eye on his return to Sydney.
Foran said such criticism was part of life in the NRL but insisted he has never been less than 100 per cent focused on the Warriors.
‘‘You’re going to come under the spotlight and under criticism so you’re always open to that. But I’ve tried to put my best foot forward and tried to play as well as I can every game,’’ Foran said. ‘‘I’m just focusing on finishing the year as strongly as I can and improving myself each week.’’
Despite five games still to play, four consecutive defeats have left the Warriors all but out of the finals picture. And with yet v another season that began with so much promise seemingly destined to end in another failure, many Warriors fans are struggling to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Foran, though, is adamant Stephen Kearney has the right building blocks in place to achieve ‘‘something special’’ over the next few years.
The results may not show it but Foran believes they are playing a more consistent brand of football than they did at the start of the campaign.
He says the team has bought into what the coach is trying to achieve and should reap the rewards with another pre-season under his guidance.
‘‘Stephen’s come in in his first year and I think he’s done a great job,’’ Foran said. ‘‘These players with another year under their belt are going to be so much better for it.
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‘‘There’s a lot of talent here but we’ve really improved as the year has gone on and hopefully the boys can continue to grow and get better.’’
With little to play for and a heavy injury toll, Foran and the Warriors face a big test of their character over next five weeks, starting with Saturday’s clash in Newcastle. The Knights are favourites for their thirdstraight wooden spoon but are more than capable of upsetting the Warriors if they turn up with the wrong attitude.
Foran said the players have made a commitment to each other not to let that happen and is determined to see them honour that pledge.
Meanwhile, a Warriors spokesman confirmed that Bodene Thompson has been diagnosed with a torn pectoral and will not play again this season. The off-contract back-rower suffered the injury during the second half of last Friday’s defeat to the Sharks and has been replaced in the team this week by 18-yearold rookie Isaiah Papali’i.