Cloudy nine: Warriors yet to find ideal hooker

Among the many items on the Warriors to-do list at present, arguably the most pressing, is solidifying their long term options at hooker.

It’s one of the most important positions in the game, but finding permanent solutions has been an ongoing issue.

Over the last decade the Warriors have rarely had stability at dummy half, nor found someone with the all-round skill set necessary.

Tackling machine Nathan Friend was the answer for a couple of seasons, backed up by Siliva Havili.

Marquee signing Issac Luke was brilliant in 2018 — at times the most effective player on the field — but not at the same level in his other three seasons.

Jazz Tevaga, Erin Clark and Sam Cook had occasional game time, while the luckless Nathaniel Roache endured a wretched injury run.

Wayde Egan was signed ahead of last season, with recruitment boss Peter O’sullivan likening elements of his game to Cameron Smith.

But Egan slipped behind Karl Lawton in 2020, before Lawton’s Achilles injury last December led to his move to Manly.

Now Egan is the man, though he polarises the fan base.

Most admire his work ethic, and he was effective in the early rounds as the Warriors displayed the flat, fast attacking approach that was the cornerstone of their pre-season.

He’s generally tidy, reflected by only one error this season, despite touching the ball more than anyone else.

But some of Egan’s option taking was poor against the Sea Eagles last Friday, and team-mates have struggled to read his short kicking game.

Coach Nathan Brown says patience is required with the 24-year-old.

“People have probably forgotten that Wayde hasn’t played many 80-minute games,” Brown told Newstalk ZB.

“With Karl rupturing his Achilles in the pre-season, it hasn’t allowed Wayde any sort of time off.

“Generally Wayde has been playing periods of games and having a spell and this year he’s been playing 80 minutes and it is tough in there.”

The club intends to add depth at No 9 but are yet to identify the right candidate.

“We have been looking around for another hooker to work with Wayde, but it’s not that easy at the moment to find a back-up hooker,” said Brown.

“Wayde is learning some really physical lessons, some tough lessons out there but when he plays well, we obviously play well and it is just a little process he is going through as a younger dummy half.” — NZ Herald