League hopefuls without games
Even without any competition to play in, Tony Iro and Stacey Jones are still putting development players through their paces. David Long reports.
While the Warriors NRL team are spending another the year in Australia, back at Mt Smart Stadium the work goes on.
Tony Iro and Stacey Jones, employed in the club’s pathways and development programme, have been busy working with youngsters, hoping that the best ones go on to make it to the NRL, even though there are tougher than usual hurdles to overcome.
‘‘We’ve got 60-odd boys at the club,’’ Iro said.
‘‘So Monday to Thursday evenings ... getting some skill into them and hopefully in preparation for some games at the end of the year. Or some games next year in a much broader format.
‘‘We’ve been hoping for some developments around competitions for these kids later on and if they do get them, hopefully they’ll be a bit better prepared to get on with it.’’
Because of border restrictions, this year the Warriors don’t have age-grade teams in the Jersey Flegg, SG Ball competitions, or their own reserve grade team.
It’s not ideal and one source at the Warriors told the Sunday Star-Times it could negatively impact the development of players, but those responsible for bringing through these players just have to make do.
‘‘There was some disappointment among our older boys because they were supposed to play SG Ball this year,’’ Iro said.
‘‘But the boys were told in November-December, that it wasn’t going to be viable.
‘‘The thing is that it’s early in the first XV season, the club season has started and so has the school Wednesdays comp. So they’re pretty busy.
‘‘They would have liked to have played some rugby league between February and May, but given the current circumstances, that wasn’t going to be possible this year.
‘‘But they’re good kids, they’re having a crack and all enjoying it.’’
Playing first XV helps and there are plenty of players who’ve switched codes and had successful
careers in league, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Eliesa Katoa being two prime examples in the current Warriors squad.
But the best way to be a league player is to play league at a high level and Iro said there were a number of players who left the Warriors to join Australian clubs, once it became clear that there wouldn’t be an SG Ball team.
‘‘We had a handful of boys when they knew there wasn’t going to be a chance of any overseas competition, that decided to go to Australia,’’ he said.
‘‘We weren’t going to stand in their way, especially considering the current [pandemic] circumstances.
‘‘So a few have gone, most of them have stayed and we’re just hoping we can get something up and running next year.’’
Development players don’t often cross paths with those in the NRL squad, but they would see them on game days and occasionally bump into them.
With all the NRL team in Australia, including fringe players who play in the Queensland
Cup each week, plus numerous front and back office staff, there isn’t the buzz around
Mt Smart
Stadium that’s usually there.
‘‘Most of our kids on that development pathway had training sessions with the NRL players before Christmas, which was kids who are on the cusp of the NRL wider squad,’’ Iro said. ‘‘Most of the guys we’ve got now are [aged] 15-16, so with school, when they’re generally at the club they don’t see the NRL boys anyway.
‘‘We’ve been fortunate to have Adam Blair join our staff. He’s here once a week, so they get the benefits of his experience and it’s like being around an NRL player. Stacey is on the team too, so with his profile and coaching nous, that’s something the boys enjoy. ‘‘We’ve got a really good development staff, there are always a couple of physios and two or three trainers on board.
‘‘So in someways it’s better, because it’s pretty hands-on and there are a lot of staff around them.
‘‘For the young boys who are 15-16, it’s all stuff which is new for them. They’re only in on Monday and Wednesdays, but they always seem to be enjoying themselves. ‘‘I can see them getting better in the school component they’re doing, so I really enjoy it and there’s a good energy with them.’’ Iro and Jones were both assistant coaches for the NRL team last year, but there was a change-around when Nathan Brown came in as head coach. He brought Craig Hodges with him and Iro and Jones were moved. It doesn’t have the glamour of working with the NRL team and it takes years for the hard work to come to fruition. However, Iro says he has a passion for this area of coaching.
‘‘I’ve always loved this age group — I started back at the club in 2006 doing this role and it’s hugely satisfying, especially when you can see kids being as good as they can be. ‘‘Most of our kids aren’t going to be NRL players, but if we can get them playing at their best and they have a decent crack at it, then for me, that’s reward enough and I hope it’s reward enough for the kids.
‘‘I love it, it’s a different energy.
‘‘They bounce in with a smile on their faces and few cares in the world.
‘‘It’s a nice group to be around and it certainly keeps you young.’’
‘‘Most of our kids aren’t going to be NRL players, but if we can get them playing at their best and they have a decent crack at it, then for me, that’s reward enough and I hope it’s reward enough for the kids.’’ Tony Iro