Warriors’ summer of love
If last season was a good one for the Warriors’ Australian players, then a lovely summer in Auckland this year has ones like Dylan Walker primed for even more success this year.
The Warriors play the Dolphins in their final trial at Mt Smart Stadium today and it will be the best indicator yet as to whether the club will be able to back up last year’s success.
It’s an overlooked factor, but for the Warriors’ Aussie players, living through last year’s horrendous New Zealand summer did not help them settle into their new environment, after the club had been based on the other side of the Tasman for a couple of years.
Australian footy players are used to popping along to the beach during the summer months, having a swim after training and, of course, throwing a shrimp on the barbie at weekends.
But with the neverending rain and storms that hit New Zealand last summer, a number of the Warriors players wondered what they’d let themselves in for by relocating to Auckland.
This year, though, it’s been a glorious summer and Walker says it’s made a big difference
“It was a bad summer last year, something I wasn’t used to,” he said.
“But this summer it’s been more settled, because I’ve been able to find places I like.
“This summer, we’ve got out to the beach quite a bit, my family and other boys’ families. We have beach days.
"It’s been a lot calmer, we all know now how Auckland operates. It was a big shock when I got here last year and it was $3.30 for petrol and there were crazy prices for the houses.
“But once you come to terms with that it’s OK. It made me a better cook, because we stayed in more, instead of ordering food out.”
Walker was born in Sydney, the youngest of eight children, and like others who come from that city to play for the Warriors, there are adjustments to be made, especially if they’re bringing their family with them.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t like the place, it was how settled we were, because I was still getting my bearings for the place,” he said.
“My kids are in school now, my missus has got her flow, I’ve got mine and when it’s a beautiful day, you can go for a walk along the beach or go out of town.
“I’ve been to Tauranga a few times, because my sister is down there. I can see why people love the place. I’m a big fan.”
Walker played for the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles before heading to New Zealand and has noticed that a big difference now, compared with Sydney clubs, is that there’s an entire nation supporting the Warriors, not just part of a city.
“You’ve got to embrace it. You see how proud people are about the Warriors and what we did last year,” he said.
“It’s cool as a club, because it’s recognition of the hard work we showed last year to get that support.
“Now it’s about backing that up and being present each day to get better.’’