Warriors under pressure after humbling loss
Friday night was a humbling experience for the Warriors.
It’s far too early in the season to talk of crossroads but the 30-12 defeat to the Dragons was the kind of performance that will raise questions.
This kind of display has been rare in the Andrew Webster era but the Warriors had no answers once their opponents got going.
The Dragons are not seen as top contenders this year but were highly impressive and have improved under new coach Shane Flanagan.
It was another reminder of the demands of the NRL, as the Warriors were off their game and their opponents took full advantage.
There were some obvious turning points — an offside Jacob Liddle snaffled a goal-line intercept when Mitch Barnett was about to score the Warriors’ second try for a potential 12-0 advantage before the Dragons crossed moments later — but not enough to change the result.
First-half blues
For the third time this season, along with their Sharks and Raiders matches, the Warriors couldn’t make the most of a hot start, where they dominated possession and territory. They could have been two or three tries ahead but a combination of desperate defence and slightly off execution restricted them to six points, allowing the Dragons to stay in the contest and take advantage once momentum swung.
Fatigue
The Warriors lacked their usual spark, especially either side of halftime, as the efforts of the past six weeks, where every match has been a grind, took its toll. This was particularly relevant for the forwards, with all the starting pack making at least 43 tackles in the 90-minute draw against the Sea Eagles last week.
Injuries
Every NRL team has to deal with injuries but the Warriors have been especially affected. They have already used 27 players this season, more than any other club apart from the Rabbitohs. More importantly are the individuals missing. Marata Niukore is the big body they desperately need in a relatively small pack but has played only 20 minutes this season. Dylan Walker is the best impact forward at the club, Bunty Afoa is a solid senior prop, Jazz Tevaga offers a point of difference and Luke Metcalf has rare pace.
Structural imbalance
Compared with most teams, the Warriors have a relatively lightweight second-row combination with Kurt Capewell and Jackson Ford. If they are not delivering, it heaps pressure on the middles, especially Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris and Mitch Barnett, with the load they have to carry to lay the platform. While Ford and Capewell prioritise defensive work rate, the return of 57 run metres between them on Friday told a story.
Second-season suffocation
The rest of the NRL had the off-season to study the Warriors playbook — and it shows. There aren’t as many offensive surprises and teams are ready for what is coming from the Auckland club, especially the right-edge moves that were so productive last year. The Warriors have plenty remaining in their attacking arsenal but have to work that much harder to score tries.
Changes coming?
Webster is loyal to his players and not the kind of coach who drops them on a whim. He also doesn’t have too many options given the injuries but will be thinking hard, as some individuals are not delivering the week-to-week consistency required.
Big tests are on their way
The Warriors don’t have long to rediscover their best. They should rebound against the unpredictable Titans on Anzac Day in Auckland, even off a short turnaround. However, they then face one of their season’s toughest stretches, with three weeks on the road to play the Knights, Roosters and Panthers, a visit of the high-flying Dolphins, then a daunting trip to Townsville to face the Cowboys.