Warriors eyes only on Storm
Back-rower denies that contract talks are a distraction, reports Marvin France.
The Warriors have zero concerns about Kieran Foran’s focus as speculation about his future kicks into overdrive.
Arguably the most in-demand player in the NRL, barely a day goes by when the star five-eighth’s future is not brought up in the media, with reports out of Australia this week claiming he had agreed to join the Bulldogs.
But despite being in talks with the Belmore club, the 26-year-old has yet to decide his future.
It all has the potential to be a big distraction ahead of the traditional Anzac Day clash against the Storm.
But veteran back-rower Ryan Hoffman says the constant contract chatter is part and parcel of playing in the NRL and is confident Foran will be ready to fire against the premiership frontrunners.
‘‘There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone’s committed,’’ Hoffman said.
‘‘We’ve got plenty are off-contract.
‘‘I know for a fact there are guys talking to other clubs – I’m talking to other clubs.
‘‘This has been going on as long as rugby league’s been going on.
‘‘So certainly it’s not a distraction, we’re professional players and this is the way the game is. And I think everyone at this club has been handling it in the most professional way.’’
Warriors boss Jim Doyle says the possibility of Foran staying in Auckland for another season is not of blokes who There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone’s committed. out of the question, but the deciding factor will be how he copes with living away from his two young children in Sydney.
As a father himself, Hoffman sympathises with his teammate.
‘‘It’s hard going away to Canberra for four days,’’ he said, referring to last week’s road trip. ‘‘Certainly, when fathers are away from their children it makes it pretty hard.’’
The Warriors, meanwhile, travel to Melbourne for the first time since last year’s embarrassing 42-0 defeat, a result that Hoffman says has little bearing on this year’s team.
Far more relevant is the round two clash at Mt Smart, though both teams have made significant additions to their roster – Foran for the Warriors and Billy Slater at Melbourne.
The Storm won 26-10 on that occasion as the Warriors fell away in the second half. But provided they fix their execution, Hoffman has no doubt they can pull off an upset.
‘‘It was very tough conditions for both teams and we just lacked that bit of polish,’’ he added. ‘‘I thought we competed really well and showed the desire and the effort.
‘‘If we can have all that stuff with a bit of polish at the end we should be in good stead.’’
Coach Stephen Kearney is hoping to unleash Kiwis prop Ben Matulino for the first time this season, with a final call to be made on his mended knee closer to kickoff.
Following a slow start to the season, the Warriors forwards have shown signs of improvements in recent weeks but there is no doubting the impact a fully fit Matulino would have on the pack.
‘‘Benny’s been chomping at the bit to get out there for a while,’’ Hoffman said.
‘‘I think our forward pack has been heading in the right direction in the last couple of weeks and doing some really good things so to be able to have a boost like Benny in the team is going to be a real benefit for us.’’