New campaign begins with high hopes for Warriors – Stuff.co.nz

The Warriors left Auckland in a buoyant mood yesterday, but how will they be when they return from Sydney?

Tonight is the start of a new era for the Warriors when they play the Parramatta Eels. Memories of the eight-game losing streak at the end of last season have been banished and new coach Matt Elliott has brought a more focused approach.

There are plenty of question marks over how the campaign will go but it was evident from their win over the Brisbane Broncos in a trial game in Dunedin two weeks ago that there has been a big emphasis on shoring up the defence and no longer are they so leaky out wide.

Of course, all teams are enthusiastic at the start of the campaign and spirits can drop from there.

But having Todd Lowrie, Thomas Leuluai and Dane Nielsen come into the team this season gives the Warriors much needed experience.

“Early in the season a key thing for us is to make sure the players understand what their role is and having some real clarity about that,” Elliott said. “Also, that they’re not worried about the scoreboard, but about getting the job done.”

Shaun Johnson, who was under an injury cloud because of a hyper extended elbow against the Broncos, has been cleared to play but Ben Henry has been ruled out.

“Ben Henry won’t be travelling with us, his ankle hasn’t come right,” Elliott said.

“So Steve Rapira comes into the 17 and Charlie Gubb will be our 18th man.”

One of the senior players looking to make a big impact tonight will be Steve Rapira’s brother, Sam, who’ll be making his 130th appearance for the Warriors.

As a veteran, he appreciates it’s important that the team doesn’t get over-excited at the beginning of the game.

“The biggest thing is not getting too hyped and being patient, controlled and doing the little things right, catching and passing,” Rapira said. “The ultimate goal is to make sure we work together as a team and do what we’ve been training for.

“With the new guys coming in, their positions are pretty important and the boys have been guided by them in a way.

“It has been a massive benefit for us, but we’ve got to deliver on the field and show what we’ve been training for.”

– © Fairfax NZ News