Humbling Loss Reveals Hidden Insights
The Warriors have an opportunity to bounce back against the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend after stumbling against one of the early form teams of 2007 in Melbourne last week. The Auckland-based franchise were simply outclassed by last year's Minor Premiers, and the result was essentially decided inside the first twenty minutes.
But Warriors fans can take heart from their team's turnaround. Coach Ivan Cleary recognised the need for a bit of extra power in the forwards, and brought Epalahame Lauaki onto the field, moved lock Simon Mannering to centre, Lance Hohaia to standoff, and Michael Witt was shifted to the bench. Even though Witt returned to the field at a later stage, the initial changes solidified the team and the defense against a very elusive Melbourne Storm backline.
If nothing else, this positional switch proved that Cleary isn't afraid to recognise when the initial game plan isn't working, and that he is prepared to make the big calls during the game. It also highlights his ability to read the game, to analyse where the team's strengths and weaknesses are, and to decide what needs to be done to bolster the side where it is needed.
Too many coaches would have stood back and thrown their hands up in frustration after conceding almost a point a minute early on, but once Cleary had changed his tactics, the points scored thereafter totalled a narrow 16-10 lead in favour of the Storm.
An interesting aspect of the match against the Storm was the statistics. They usually tell a fairly conclusive story, but in that match, the Warriors were either on par or had the upper hand in almost every department, including metres gained and penalties conceded. Errors were made by both sides, but those committed by Warriors players proved to be at more crucial times, and ultimately proved to be more costly. Cleary will be aware of this, and will have drilled the appropriate concentration and tactics into his side.
The Manly Sea Eagles will witness firsthand just how much of a turnaround the Warriors have been able to make on the training ground during the week.
Thursday, 5 April 2007
Life And Death And Rugby League
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” – Bill Shankly
One man.
Peter Taylor. A remarkable man, and the person solely responsible for my discovery of rugby league, it was he who taught me the rules and educated me about the teams to watch. He let me stay up way past my bedtime to watch his beloved Easts taking on all and sundry. He pointed out the greats of the day: Andrew Ettinghausen; Allan Langer; Mal Meninga. We spent many evenings watching these legends as he taught me all I needed to know about rugby league.
In 1995, he took me to my first match. The date was March 10th, 1995, and for the previous week, I had been practicing my role in the Warriors’ opening ceremony. After the game had begun, I was rushed up to a corporate box to enjoy the spectacle. Dad was right behind me all the way.
One moment.
In the final home match of the 1999 season, the Warriors took on the Newcastle Knights. It was my first year as a season ticket holder, and I had taken my father along to the game in the hopes of convincing him to buy one for himself the following year. It was a tough ask. The opposition was class, led by the brilliant Andrew Johns. And to add to my poor chances of persuasion, it was raining heavily.
But after eighty minutes of dominant football, and with the Warriors securing an unprecedented 42-0 win, the seed had been sown and Dad bought a season ticket for every season from 2000 onwards. It was always a special time at the game. We bonded as a father and son should, discussing everything from team selections to politics, as our team either excited or embarrassed us with their performances on the field.
One heart.
We united in our support for our club. From the dizzying heights of our Grand Final appearance in 2002, to the dismaying depths of our fall from grace in 2004, we were at the ground every week, cheering from the sidelines. We were there when the club farewelled Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion after their final home game in 2002, and we were there in the final round of the 2004 season when we waited with hesitation to find out if it was us who had won the wooden spoon, or if it belonged to the Rabbitohs.
And then, all of a sudden, that bond was shattered.
On the evening of Friday, March 23rd, 2007, just two days before the Warriors hosted the Brisbane Broncos, my father passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack. It was a sudden and unexpected death, but the slight smile that rested on his face assured us that there had been no suffering.
One empty seat.
I still attended the Warriors match that Sunday, and sat next to where Dad would have watched the game from. Prior to kickoff, the ground announcer spoke of his passing and of his support of the club. I proudly watched as 16,738 fans listened in silence, soaking it all in.
While it felt somewhat awkward to watch the match in my father’s absence, the 24-14 result was a fitting tribute to a league man who had seen his fair share of highs and lows, both on and off the field. I took pride in cheering and booing on his behalf, and called Warriors captain Steve Price to thank the team for earning what was for me a very sentimental victory.
One less voice to boo the ref; one less voice to cheer on the team.
Peter Taylor wasn’t a former international league player, nor was he a foundation club member. He didn’t coach a first grade side or train youngsters about proper tackling techniques. But he did raise a son and teach him to love the greatest game in the world.
Perhaps the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly wasn’t so far from the truth when he spoke about life and death as they pertain to sport. Sometimes they can mean the one and the same.
One man, one moment, one heart. One empty seat. One less voice to boo the ref; one less voice to cheer on the team.
One man.
Peter Taylor. A remarkable man, and the person solely responsible for my discovery of rugby league, it was he who taught me the rules and educated me about the teams to watch. He let me stay up way past my bedtime to watch his beloved Easts taking on all and sundry. He pointed out the greats of the day: Andrew Ettinghausen; Allan Langer; Mal Meninga. We spent many evenings watching these legends as he taught me all I needed to know about rugby league.
In 1995, he took me to my first match. The date was March 10th, 1995, and for the previous week, I had been practicing my role in the Warriors’ opening ceremony. After the game had begun, I was rushed up to a corporate box to enjoy the spectacle. Dad was right behind me all the way.
One moment.
In the final home match of the 1999 season, the Warriors took on the Newcastle Knights. It was my first year as a season ticket holder, and I had taken my father along to the game in the hopes of convincing him to buy one for himself the following year. It was a tough ask. The opposition was class, led by the brilliant Andrew Johns. And to add to my poor chances of persuasion, it was raining heavily.
But after eighty minutes of dominant football, and with the Warriors securing an unprecedented 42-0 win, the seed had been sown and Dad bought a season ticket for every season from 2000 onwards. It was always a special time at the game. We bonded as a father and son should, discussing everything from team selections to politics, as our team either excited or embarrassed us with their performances on the field.
One heart.
We united in our support for our club. From the dizzying heights of our Grand Final appearance in 2002, to the dismaying depths of our fall from grace in 2004, we were at the ground every week, cheering from the sidelines. We were there when the club farewelled Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion after their final home game in 2002, and we were there in the final round of the 2004 season when we waited with hesitation to find out if it was us who had won the wooden spoon, or if it belonged to the Rabbitohs.
And then, all of a sudden, that bond was shattered.
On the evening of Friday, March 23rd, 2007, just two days before the Warriors hosted the Brisbane Broncos, my father passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack. It was a sudden and unexpected death, but the slight smile that rested on his face assured us that there had been no suffering.
One empty seat.
I still attended the Warriors match that Sunday, and sat next to where Dad would have watched the game from. Prior to kickoff, the ground announcer spoke of his passing and of his support of the club. I proudly watched as 16,738 fans listened in silence, soaking it all in.
While it felt somewhat awkward to watch the match in my father’s absence, the 24-14 result was a fitting tribute to a league man who had seen his fair share of highs and lows, both on and off the field. I took pride in cheering and booing on his behalf, and called Warriors captain Steve Price to thank the team for earning what was for me a very sentimental victory.
One less voice to boo the ref; one less voice to cheer on the team.
Peter Taylor wasn’t a former international league player, nor was he a foundation club member. He didn’t coach a first grade side or train youngsters about proper tackling techniques. But he did raise a son and teach him to love the greatest game in the world.
Perhaps the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly wasn’t so far from the truth when he spoke about life and death as they pertain to sport. Sometimes they can mean the one and the same.
One man, one moment, one heart. One empty seat. One less voice to boo the ref; one less voice to cheer on the team.
Peter Taylor
1946~2007
Father; fan; warrior; friend.
Until we meet again.
***Published in Issue Two of Super League Magazine, 2007***
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Offload Preview - Storm -V- Warriors, Round 3, 2007
The Matchup:
The
Sunday 1st April, 2pm (NZT), Olympic Park,
History:
The Storm have long had a Kiwi connection associated with them, dating back to their inception when they fielded players like Stephen Kearney and Tawera Nikau – something that has always added that extra bit of meaning to their matches against the New Zealand-based Warriors. The passing of Melbourne Storm team manager Michael Moore in 2000 has added a sombre aspect to the clashes, with the Michael Moore Trophy contested each time the two teams meet. The Warriors currently hold the trophy.
Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 16: Storm 42-6 Warriors
2005, Round 14:
2005, Round 23: Storm 22-10 Warriors
2006, Round 1: Warriors 16-22 Storm
2006, Round 24:
Last Week:
The Warriors blitzed the Brisbane Broncos in the second quarter of their round two match at Mt Smart Stadium, but failed to capitalise on their lead in the second half. Their early efforts proved enough, however, as they ended up winning 24-14.
The Storm won their second consecutive match, beating a keen but inexperienced Canberra Raiders side 32-16. That follows their first round defeat of the Wests Tigers, with a narrow 18-16 score line.
In The Engine Room:
It should come as no surprise that Warriors captain Steve Price should be the man to watch when it comes to gaining metres up the middle. Against the Broncos he continued his strong early season form, gaining 148m.
The Storm props, Antonio Kaufusi and Brett White, struggled against the Raiders last week, gaining only 54m and 77m respectively. It was their backs who provided most of the gains.
Out The Back:
Warriors winger Michael Crockett scored another brace of tries last week, and he now leads the try scoring statistics across all sixteen teams. Michael Witt stood up against the Broncos, as did Tony Martin and Manu Vatuvei.
Billy Slater returned to form against the Raiders, scoring a try, breaking the
Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati (hamstring) failed to return to the field last week, but it is hoped he will be back by round four. Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), and Aiden Kirk (knee) are all still unavailable for selection. Patrick Ah Van (shoulder) makes his return in reserve grade for the Auckland Lions.
The Storm are without Adam Blair (unknown), Matt Rua (wrist), and Steve Turner (ankle). Michael Crocker returns from injury this week.
Taking The Punt:
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has selected an unchanged team to face the Storm. With both teams undefeated, the quality of opposition must come into account, and the Warriors have dispatched better sides, particularly the Broncos. The Warriors look stronger in the forwards, but the Storm have always excelled with their backs. Look for some great match ups including Slater versus McKinnon and Inglis versus Witt. This will be a close match, and a tough one to call. Warriors by 4.
Friday, 30 March 2007
Offload - Issue 2, 2007
Cleary’s Crew Makes It Two From Two
The Warriors made club history when they beat the Broncos 24-14 on Sunday, the first time the club has won both of its first two matches in a season. They sit fourth on the table, one of only six teams undefeated in 2007, alongside the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm and Knights.
After two rounds in 2006, the Warriors were eight competition points off the lead, but one year later it is only point differential that prevents them from sitting in first place. The strong start is evidence of coach Ivan Cleary’s impressive start in his second year as a first grade coach, ignoring the much talked about ‘second year syndrome’.
Another who appears to be performing well in his second season in the top grade is 2006 Dally M Rookie of the Year nominee Grant Rovelli. The 24-year-old halfback has guided the team effectively behind a forward pack that has dominated its opposition. With freedom to roam, and time to plan, the halfback has averaged 1.5 try assists in his first two matches, twice that of his 2006 average.
That has helped the team to average five tries and 29 points per match, compared to just over four tries and 23 points in 2006. Six points may not sound like much, but the Warriors lost five matches last season by that margin or less. If they had won each of those matches, the team could have finished the regular season as high as fourth.
The ability to extract extra points from all aspects of the attacking formation seems to have officially arrived, with points being scored on both flanks and in the centre. New recruits Michael Witt, Wade McKinnon, and Michael Crockett, have already proven their worth, claiming six of the ten tries scored so far. Crockett especially has excelled with regards to finding the try line, with four tries to his name. He has shown a lot of pace – impressive for someone who has previously snapped a hamstring.
Defensive efforts have also improved across the board, and if captain Steve Price and vice captain Ruben Wiki continue to lead the way up front, the signs are positive for a season in which the Warriors are likely to return to the finals series.
The Warriors made club history when they beat the Broncos 24-14 on Sunday, the first time the club has won both of its first two matches in a season. They sit fourth on the table, one of only six teams undefeated in 2007, alongside the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm and Knights.
After two rounds in 2006, the Warriors were eight competition points off the lead, but one year later it is only point differential that prevents them from sitting in first place. The strong start is evidence of coach Ivan Cleary’s impressive start in his second year as a first grade coach, ignoring the much talked about ‘second year syndrome’.
Another who appears to be performing well in his second season in the top grade is 2006 Dally M Rookie of the Year nominee Grant Rovelli. The 24-year-old halfback has guided the team effectively behind a forward pack that has dominated its opposition. With freedom to roam, and time to plan, the halfback has averaged 1.5 try assists in his first two matches, twice that of his 2006 average.
That has helped the team to average five tries and 29 points per match, compared to just over four tries and 23 points in 2006. Six points may not sound like much, but the Warriors lost five matches last season by that margin or less. If they had won each of those matches, the team could have finished the regular season as high as fourth.
The ability to extract extra points from all aspects of the attacking formation seems to have officially arrived, with points being scored on both flanks and in the centre. New recruits Michael Witt, Wade McKinnon, and Michael Crockett, have already proven their worth, claiming six of the ten tries scored so far. Crockett especially has excelled with regards to finding the try line, with four tries to his name. He has shown a lot of pace – impressive for someone who has previously snapped a hamstring.
Defensive efforts have also improved across the board, and if captain Steve Price and vice captain Ruben Wiki continue to lead the way up front, the signs are positive for a season in which the Warriors are likely to return to the finals series.
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
In Memoriam - Peter Taylor - 1946-2007
Peter Raymond Taylor1946 ~ 2007
Peter Taylor was my father for as long as I can remember. He didn’t like to be made a fuss of. Even when it came to his birthday, he only ever wanted deodorant and socks. But I’m proud to be his son, and I’m happy to boast of how wonderful he was.
Dad had an infectious personality, and he loved to tell stories, even if you’d heard them before and knew how they ended. He loved telling jokes, but had a dismally small repertoire, which resulted in a lot of repeated punch lines. I lost count of the number of times I heard him say “I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous”.
Dad was a non-conformist who did things his way. He didn’t like working in a suit. Even now, he’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt. And he taught me how to shave with a manual razor over the phone.
He often got called a Barnabas – an encourager. I saw this in action many times. He would never shy away from an opportunity to encourage or uplift someone when he saw the need.
Dad was a great giver, too. Not just of his finances, but also his time. He used to like sharing certain things exclusively with those close to him. With me, our special times were spent at Warriors matches. When I first convinced him to buy a season ticket, in 2000, we entered the stadium as a father and son, but over the following seven seasons, we grew together as best friends – my closest male friend was a baby boomer! We would talk about anything and everything: league, of course, but also religion, politics, girls, relationships, and life in general. That was where our friendship grew and blossomed, in Row L, seats 3 and 4. We laughed, we cried, (and as Warriors fans we were entitled to our fair share of tears), and we booed and cheered our way through each match.
Dad’s seat was empty last week, but I cheered on his behalf, and the team’s win was a fitting tribute to him. The ground announcer also spoke of his passing prior to the match, passing on the club's condolences as more than 16,000 people silently heard of Dad's dedication to the club.
Peter Taylor was a humble gentleman with a big heart for anyone, friends and strangers alike, who just needed love. It seems only fitting that it should be his heart that eventually called him up to heaven.
Friday, 23 March 2007
Offload Preview - Warriors -V- Broncos, Round 2, 2007
The Matchup:
TheNew Zealand Brisbane
Sunday 25th March, 4pm (NZT), Mt Smart Stadium,Auckland
History:
These two teams have a rivalry that goes right back to season one, round one. The Warriors have managed to beat the Broncos only seven times from twenty-one encounters. All seven victories have come during the last twelve matches, since the Warriors initial defeat ofBrisbane
Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 22: Warriors 14-21 Broncos
2005, Round 2:Brisbane
2005, Round 16: Warriors 30-18 Broncos
2006, Round 13: Warriors 18-23 Broncos
2006, Round 26:Brisbane
Last Week:
In round one, the Warriors were decisive in putting the Parramatta Eels to the sword, running out 34-18 victors. Their first half effort was particularly impressive, and the went to the break with a 24-0 lead.
The Broncos did well to come back from a 16-6 half time deficit to draw level, before letting the Cowboys escape their grasp in the dying minutes. The final score was 23-16.
In The Engine Room:
In Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, the Warriors have a significant advantage when it comes to gaining metres. Against the Eels in round one, they gained 304 metres between them, Price in particular carrying on his impressive 2006 form.
For the Broncos, on the other hand, Dane Carlaw and Petero Civoniceva managed a respectable 216 metres, but Carlaw only contributed to 64 of those. He will need to provide more if theBrisbane
Out The Back:
The Warriors found two of their new signings, Wade McKinnon and Michael Crockett, to be of particular use, as the pair started and completed attacking plays respectively. The Australians scored three of the Warriors’ six tries against the Eels.
BrisbaneNew Zealand
Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati has recovered from a hamstring injury, but has failed to make the first grade side, while Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), Patrick Ah Van (shoulder), and Aiden Kirk (knee) were unavailable for selection. Captain Steve Price fractured a finger the day before the match againstParramatta Brisbane
The Broncos lost playmaker Darren Lockyer (ankle) and second rower Corey Parker (wrist) in round one, while David Stagg has yet to recover from a shoulder reconstruction.
Taking The Punt:
With Evarn Tuimavave joining the Warriors bench, it looks like coach Ivan Cleary is looking to turn this into a battle up front. If he gets his way, and Dane Carlaw performs similarly to the way he did last week, look to the Warriors backs to make easy metres around the tiringBrisbane
The
Sunday 25th March, 4pm (NZT), Mt Smart Stadium,
History:
These two teams have a rivalry that goes right back to season one, round one. The Warriors have managed to beat the Broncos only seven times from twenty-one encounters. All seven victories have come during the last twelve matches, since the Warriors initial defeat of
Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 22: Warriors 14-21 Broncos
2005, Round 2:
2005, Round 16: Warriors 30-18 Broncos
2006, Round 13: Warriors 18-23 Broncos
2006, Round 26:
Last Week:
In round one, the Warriors were decisive in putting the Parramatta Eels to the sword, running out 34-18 victors. Their first half effort was particularly impressive, and the went to the break with a 24-0 lead.
The Broncos did well to come back from a 16-6 half time deficit to draw level, before letting the Cowboys escape their grasp in the dying minutes. The final score was 23-16.
In The Engine Room:
In Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, the Warriors have a significant advantage when it comes to gaining metres. Against the Eels in round one, they gained 304 metres between them, Price in particular carrying on his impressive 2006 form.
For the Broncos, on the other hand, Dane Carlaw and Petero Civoniceva managed a respectable 216 metres, but Carlaw only contributed to 64 of those. He will need to provide more if the
Out The Back:
The Warriors found two of their new signings, Wade McKinnon and Michael Crockett, to be of particular use, as the pair started and completed attacking plays respectively. The Australians scored three of the Warriors’ six tries against the Eels.
Brisbane
Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati has recovered from a hamstring injury, but has failed to make the first grade side, while Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), Patrick Ah Van (shoulder), and Aiden Kirk (knee) were unavailable for selection. Captain Steve Price fractured a finger the day before the match against
The Broncos lost playmaker Darren Lockyer (ankle) and second rower Corey Parker (wrist) in round one, while David Stagg has yet to recover from a shoulder reconstruction.
Taking The Punt:
With Evarn Tuimavave joining the Warriors bench, it looks like coach Ivan Cleary is looking to turn this into a battle up front. If he gets his way, and Dane Carlaw performs similarly to the way he did last week, look to the Warriors backs to make easy metres around the tiring
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Offload - Issue 1, 2007
Warriors Look Impressive While New Coaches Have Mixed First Round
The 2007 season of the NRL is well and truly about fresh starts. With the Gold Coast Titans entering the fray for the first time, numerous players have scattered far and wide to find new teams, new homes, and new contracts. But another group of people have been spinning the turnstiles into overdrive in the off season: coaches. Of the sixteen teams contesting the Premiership, only half have retained their head coaches from the previous season. The other eight, comprising of the Eels, Knights, Sharks, Roosters, Titans, Rabbitohs, Raiders, and Panthers, have a fresh face at the helm, and after one round they have brought about mixed results.
Only the Knights, (25-24 over the Bulldogs), the Sharks, (18-0 over the Panthers), and the Rabbitohs, (18-6 over the Roosters), were victorious in their first non-trial game under the helm of new coaches, but it is far too early to predict how these teams might fare throughout a full 25-round competition.
However, it could be said that the added stability that other teams have could count in their favour. Warriors captain Steve Price cited this steadiness as a contributing factor to the club’s opening 34-18 victory over the Eels.
With greater depth in the squad and a more believable desire to put together genuinely solid performances, the Warriors are already looking like potential top eight material. And with an even starting position in 2007, they are already six points ahead of where they were this time last year.
The game day experience has also improved, with local band The Black Seeds entertaining the crowd shortly after the Auckland Lions ran out 27-8 victors over the Paramatta Eels Premier League team. A three hundred member kapa haka group performed to a respectfully silent crowd who soaked in the impressive display, and fireworks were set off above the Eastern Stand shortly before the two teams took to the field.
All of these things are contributing to the atmosphere of seeing a game live at Mt Smart Stadium – an atmosphere that has waned over recent years.
With better performances on the field, and better entertainment off it, the Warriors are working hard to win back fans. A sizeable crowd for their round two match against reigning Premiers the Broncos would be just desserts for a solid pre-season from the players and staff alike.
The 2007 season of the NRL is well and truly about fresh starts. With the Gold Coast Titans entering the fray for the first time, numerous players have scattered far and wide to find new teams, new homes, and new contracts. But another group of people have been spinning the turnstiles into overdrive in the off season: coaches. Of the sixteen teams contesting the Premiership, only half have retained their head coaches from the previous season. The other eight, comprising of the Eels, Knights, Sharks, Roosters, Titans, Rabbitohs, Raiders, and Panthers, have a fresh face at the helm, and after one round they have brought about mixed results.
Only the Knights, (25-24 over the Bulldogs), the Sharks, (18-0 over the Panthers), and the Rabbitohs, (18-6 over the Roosters), were victorious in their first non-trial game under the helm of new coaches, but it is far too early to predict how these teams might fare throughout a full 25-round competition.
However, it could be said that the added stability that other teams have could count in their favour. Warriors captain Steve Price cited this steadiness as a contributing factor to the club’s opening 34-18 victory over the Eels.
With greater depth in the squad and a more believable desire to put together genuinely solid performances, the Warriors are already looking like potential top eight material. And with an even starting position in 2007, they are already six points ahead of where they were this time last year.
The game day experience has also improved, with local band The Black Seeds entertaining the crowd shortly after the Auckland Lions ran out 27-8 victors over the Paramatta Eels Premier League team. A three hundred member kapa haka group performed to a respectfully silent crowd who soaked in the impressive display, and fireworks were set off above the Eastern Stand shortly before the two teams took to the field.
All of these things are contributing to the atmosphere of seeing a game live at Mt Smart Stadium – an atmosphere that has waned over recent years.
With better performances on the field, and better entertainment off it, the Warriors are working hard to win back fans. A sizeable crowd for their round two match against reigning Premiers the Broncos would be just desserts for a solid pre-season from the players and staff alike.
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