Warriors aim to leave their mark
The Warriors are threatening to kick Australian teams in the butt when they head over the Tasman to resume this year’s NRL competition.
The Warriors suffered heavy losses to the Knights and Raiders, with no player scoring a try, in the two games played before the season was suspended.
But Warriors CEO Cameron George said on Newstalk ZB yesterday he told ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys it will be an incredible story when the team starts playing again and defeat the Australian NRL clubs.
‘‘I signed off on an email to Peter V’landys the other day and said this will be the greatest story in rugby league when we come to Australia and kick your ass,’’ George said.
‘‘I feel like this has galvanised the mindset of a lot of people in our club. It’s different and maybe that’s what we need.
‘‘For 25 years the normal approach hasn’t been great success for us.
‘‘I was saying to [coach] Steve Kearney, and our playing group, ‘take this opportunity, seize it, and do something no one thinks we can do. Let’s go with the best attitude’.
‘‘I’ve got to give credit to our players. Their mindset through all of this has been all about our club, fans and getting a result.’’
Australia’s national cabinet is meeting today, where a decision will be made on whether the NRL can resume on May 28 and if the Warriors can travel to the country.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Wednesday that no decision has so far been made.
‘‘That still hasn’t been determined. The Commonwealth has made no decision about the
‘‘For 25 years the normal approach hasn’t been great success for us.’’
Cameron George
Warriors CEO
access by the Warriors into Australia, that hasn’t happened,’’ he told a news conference.
‘‘The best way for those things to be resolved and progressed is in that normal way, but there’s still a bit of work to do. As I said at the outset, I like the aspiration, it’d be great to see it back on there, but it’s got to satisfy all the health requirements.’’
If the green light is given, the Warriors will leave Auckland on a charter flight on Sunday and, like the other 15 clubs, will begin training on Tuesday from their quarantined base in Tamworth, NSW. In all, 48 players and staff will be on the plane, with families potentially coming over afterwards.
After two weeks the Warriors will relocate closer to Sydney.