Bookies write off Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors have been written off by bookmakers on both sides of the Tasman.
If the money men are anything to go by, Warriors fans need to brace for the worst as the season gets ready to start this week.
The Kiwi franchise isn’t even forecasted to make the top eight playoffs with 11th seemingly the position that will haunt them this year on a variety of fronts.
They are 11th in several categories with both Australian and New Zealand betting agencies – to make the top eight ($2.75), to make the top four ($8), to make the grand final ($15), and to win the grand final ($26).
The Warriors ($41) come in at 12th to win the minor premiership.
The Sydney Roosters top all those categories, being clear favourites with all the bookmakers to take out 2019 honours.
The loss of stars such as Shaun Johnson is obviously seen as a major hurdle for the New Zealand outfit.
The Warriors ($10) are fifth to get the least wins and No 6 on the list of teams to miss the top eight, paying $1.44 in Australia at Sportsbet and one cent more in New Zealand.
The Bulldogs are expected to be the worst team in the championship this year.
The Warriors have had two pre-season wins.
They beat the Melbourne Storm 12-6 in Geelong, with the Storm featuring third or fourth in most top categories with the bookies for this NRL season.
The Warriors also beat the Wests Tigers 26-16. The bookmakers give the Tigers about as much hope as the Warriors for the season-proper.
The Warriors open their campaign against the Bulldogs in Auckland on Saturday night and are heavy favourites, paying $1.50 to the Dogs’ $2.55 on both sides of the Tasman.