Warriors coach keeps his focus
It’s currently the biggest story in the NRL but despite Stephen Kearney and four of his star players being dragged into the thick of it, the Warriors coach claims it’s no distraction.
Kearney, Kodi Nikorima, Adam Blair, Blake Green and Gerard Beale are all represented by controversial agent Isaac Moses who has had his accreditation cancelled.
The NRL issued a statement on Tuesday evening announcing that Moses’ accreditation as an NRL player agent would be terminated following the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him.
Kearney was not buying into the controversy on a media call yesterday.
‘‘That’s something that Isaac’s dealing with,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘As far as I’m concerned I’ve got a job to do here and that’s what I intend to do,’’ he said ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with the Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium.
The NRL confirmed Moses had breached his obligations as an agent in 2017 when he assisted former client and Parramatta prop Tim Mannah to ‘‘give evidence to the NRL that was false and intended to mislead an investigation of the NRL Integrity and Compliance Unit’’. Moses has the right to apply to appeal the determination to the independent appeals’ committee.
Kearney was also non-committal on where returning Warriors star David Fusitu’a will play but all but confirmed he will be a late inclusion after being named on the extended bench.
Fusitu’a completed yesterday’s training and Kearney said the only remaining barrier would be today’s captain’s run.
‘‘I’m pretty hopeful that he’s going to be OK to take his place in the team,’’ Kearney said.
Fusitu’a arrived in Australia a week later than the rest of the team, because of personal reasons, meaning he lost three weeks training due to having to spend two weeks in quarantine.
Fusitu’a was the NRL’s leading tryscorer (22) on the right wing in 2018 but Kearney has often spoken of him as a long-term centre going forward.
He started the Warriors first two matches of the season at centre but the jury is still out with many league pundits on exactly where he is best suited on the right flank.
‘‘That’s something we’re juggling at the moment.’’
Kearney said Fusitu’a will be placed where they see him being best suited for the Rabbitohs clash but it’s likely to be in place of either Gerard Beale or Adam Pompey.
The Warriors and Rabbitohs each take a twowin three-loss record into the round six match with only the winner likely to stay in touch with the top eight in the coming weeks.
But Kearney said there was no extra focus on the game and the Warriors would prepare as best they could to make sure they ‘‘turn up’’ ready to perform.
However, he acknowledges consistency is key and after starting the competition with two losses – before the Covid-19 break – the Warriors can’t afford to run at a one win, one loss ratio.
‘‘We let ourselves down really badly against the Panthers and we don’t want to make the same mistake again,’’ Kearney said.
With the Melbourne Storm looming in round seven, scoring two competition points against the Rabbitohs to record their first back-to-back victories shapes as critical if the Warriors are to be anywhere near the top half at the end of round 20.