Warriors want to set early marker – coach
Warriors coach Andrew Webster wants to see his team set the tone for the season ahead, and that will determine whether he leaves Mt Smart Stadium with a smile on his face tomorrow night.
Whether the Warriors make the top eight this season won’t be defined by what happens in their season opener against the Sharks in Auckland, although a win in week one carries just as many competition points as a victory in week 26.
But Webster is looking for the team to show that the foundations are in place for what he hopes will be a successful season.
“It sets the tone with your mentality,” Webster said of round one.
“Imagine if we didn’t come out and try? That would be a complete disaster, wouldn’t it? Because there’s something wrong.
“But if we come out, try hard and don’t get something right, because we’re not going to be perfect, no team is, then you can correct those things as time goes on and make adjustments to make that better.
“But if our mentality is good, our effort is good, and we’ve got good intentions in what we want to achieve, then I’ll be fine. I’ll be calm whether we win or lose the game.
“The fact is, I didn’t see us once last year not try, in victory or defeat, and I just want to see that again.”
Webster has made the big call for this game to go with Luke Metcalf at five-eighth, rather than Te Maire Martin or Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Given that Metcalf started in the trials against the Wests Tigers and Dolphins, his selection wasn’t out of the blue, and Webster said the 25-year-old pressed him during pre-season.
“It was also the way he trained. He put a lot of sessions together,” Webster said.
“He’s put on six or seven kilos, he looks like he’s controlled and knows how to inject himself. He can play on the ball if he has to, if something happens.
“I feel like he’s going to be a threat on that left side of the field. I’ve been impressed with his defence, and if you want to play in our team, you’ve got to make sure you can do that. He’s certainly improved with that.
“Te Maire and Chanel are great footballers, but I also want to celebrate what Luke has achieved.
“It’s a long season, but I’m proud of what he’s done.”
Others who’ve missed out include Jazz Tevaga, Ali Leiataua, Ed Kosi and Adam Pompey.
“It came down to the way they played and trained,” Webster said.
“It’s not about the individual, and they’ve all taken it on well and want to get better.
“They’re going to force their way into the team, or if something happens, they’re going to be ready for that opportunity,” he said.