How the Warriors found self-belief
Big winger Ken Maumalo says new level of self-belief key to club’s strong start to the season ahead of tonight’s clash with the wounded Roosters. Marvin France reports.
Much was made of all the adversity the Warriors battled through in 2020 and it’s still having an impact on the team – in a positive way.
Ken Maumalo was one of a handful of players who returned to New Zealand for family reasons midway through last year’s Covid-19-impacted campaign and he’s noticed a new level of belief since reuniting with his team-mates.
There are several reasons for the Warriors’ strong start to 2021 — recruitment, attitude, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. But Maumalo says the enhanced sense of confidence across the squad has been equally important.
The powerful winger believes it stems from the way the club defied expectations after being stuck across the Tasman for all of last season, among a host of other hurdles.
‘‘I think that’s where it started. The group really became tight,’’ Maumalo said.
‘‘We had everything thrown at us last year, whatever you can name and I thought the boys’ resilience, the way they bounced from all of that adversity is probably what built that self-belief and just made the team stronger for this year.
‘‘I think just the self-belief within ourselves and within the group is a massive part to being a team and performing well.’’
While coach Nathan Brown will be wishing he hasn’t had to use it so early, an increase in depth has been another key factor to the club’s 2-1 start.
It’s only round three and the Warriors have already had their fair share of injuries, albeit not to the extent of today’s opponents the Roosters.
Halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita (foot) and first-choice centres Euan Aitken (ankle) and Peta Hiku (knee) have all been sidelined for lengthy periods. High-profile signing Kane Evans has yet to be seen while fellow prop Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is serving the second of a threegame suspension. Maumalo also revealed that he’s been carrying a sternum injury since round one that has limited his contact training and requires him to wear a moulded protective guard on his chest.
But after Sean O’Sullivan, Adam Pompey and Jack Murchie stepped up in last weekend’s comeback in Canberra, outside back Marcelo Montoya will be expected to do the same against the Roosters as replacement half O’Sullivan outlined the ‘next man up’ mentality that exists right throughout the squad.
‘‘Whoever pulls on the Warriors jersey, one through to 36, we have a belief that they’re going to do a job and everyone’s going to execute their role,’’ O’Sullivan said.
‘‘‘Brownie’ has a real clear focus on what he wants us to do each week. We have really good depth in this squad and we all back each other no matter who’s playing.’’
It’s the type of mentality that carried the Roosters to three premierships in the last eight years, which the Sydney glamour club will be looking to again draw upon after being decimated by injury.
Already without co-captains Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend, chief playmaker Luke Keary, halves partner Lachlan Lam and prop Lindsay Collins joined the Roosters’ bulging casualty ward last week. However, coach Trent Robinson has still been able to name a side full of internationals, led by star fullback James Tedesco, as well as having the luxury of bringing Kiwis forward enforcer Jared Waerea
Hargreaves off the bench.
The Warriors have also had to brush up on new Roosters halfback Sam Walker, an 18-year-old whiz-kid labelled by many astute judges across the Tasman as a future test star.
‘‘He’s really skilful and you can tell he’s got a really good footy IQ,’’ O’Sullivan, himself a former Rooster, said.
‘‘They’re one of the best organisations in the world so no matter who pulls on that Roosters jersey they will do a job and ‘Robbo’ will have them ready.’’