Inu finally out of picture
ANdso, with the release of a statement on Thursday, it became official – Krisnan Inu was being released by the Warriors. In the space of a year-and-a-half, nobody polarised the club’s fans more than the – and how many times have you read this? – ‘‘laconic but talented’’ Inu.
Signed on a three-year deal worth more than $250,000 a season ahead of the 2011 campaign, Inu was supposed to thrive in Auckland.
Instead, he played just 21 of a possible 39 games and was, to use another favourite of leaguies, either ‘‘rocks or diamonds’’.
In the finals last year after he was recalled for the injured Joel Moon, Inu scored that amazing try to knock the Tigers out of the premiership race. Without him, the Warriors’ season would have ended there and then.
Few, if anyone else, could have scored that match-winner.
But after the game, when Inu was pressed for his thoughts, it was with a shrug of his shoulders that he offered this: ‘‘It was just another game really. Awin’s a win and I did myjob for the boys.’’
Andthat, right there, is the problem with Inu.
Hewas a nice guy, no doubt, and always made time for the fans.
Hewas also a tweeting machine, showing more personality with his thumbs than he ever did in front of the camera.
But what Inu often conveyed –
1961: unintentionally perhaps – was that he just didn’t care enough.
Before interviewing Inu, you could almost guess what he’d say.
‘‘I’m happy to be here. I’m doing myjob. I’m not disappointed to be playing reserve-grade footy.
‘‘If it’s good for the team, I’m happy.’’
But where was the passion? The outrage?
If you were a ‘‘marquee player’’ consigned to surburban park footy, wouldn’t you be busting your boiler to get back to the big show?
Whatweall really wanted him to say was something along the lines of – ‘‘I’m pissed off. I care. I want to play first-grade and I’m determined to get back in the top team’’.
Clearly, behind his sleepy exterior, somewhere very deep inside, Inu did care.
Whyelse would he have sought a release from his contract, despite having another year to run?
Heobviously wants to play firstgrade. But it would have been nice to hear him say that.
Warriors coach Brian Mcclennan has spoken at length this year about wanting to pick players ‘‘the other 16 blokes have faith in’’.
Was Inu one of those guys? I’d guess not and judging by the fact both Ivan Cleary and Daniel Anderson – his coaches before Mcclennan – also often overlooked him, it’s easy to work out who the commondenominator was.
Under Des Hasler at the Bulldogs, Inu may just thrive. Lord knows, he has the talent to do just that. But asweall know, talent can only take you so far.
Onanother note, suggestions this week the Warriors should cutmanuvatuvei from their playing ranks are, what’s the word, ridiculous.
Unlike Inu, Vatuvei undoubtedly cares immensely about this football club.
Yes, he makes the odd howler. But his work rate more than atones for that.
In listening to the talkback airwaves, though, you have to wonder if some Warriors fans have short memories.
Whenthe going’s good, they love The Beast. Whenhe makes his trademark clangers, they call for his head.
Admittedly, I share some concerns about Vatuvei out on the wing but I wonder whether its time to think about moving him in-field, perhaps into the forward pack.
He’s certainly big enough and tough enough to do the job. Andhe’s too good a player to take Inu’s place in the Auckland Vulcans.