'No-excuse' mantra driving Warriors' record year in Oz
The Warriors have lauded a "no-excuse" mantra to travel as a large part of the reason behind the club's best ever record in Australia.
Andrew Webster's men will attempt to win five straight away from New Zealand in Cronulla on Saturday night, as part of their hot start to 2025.
For so long among the NRL's poorest travellers, the Warriors have spent this season dispelling the theory they are a different team at home to away.
With a five-from-six record in Australia this season, the Warriors' win record of 83 per cent in the country is the highest in the club's history.
That has been crucial in the Warriors' rise to third spot, given they have historically won nearly 55 per cent of games in New Zealand and 36 per cent in Australia.
Changes to the Warriors' travel approach this season have been small, but not insignificant.
Officials decided after a review at the end of last season to no longer have week-long camps in Australia between away matches, as they had at times in the past.
The difference there has already been notable, with the Warriors winning three straight games while travelling back and forth between rounds nine and 11.
The club now try to train in the morning before flying in the afternoon when possible, allowing players to have a full 24 hours off on the previous day.
And crucially, players have made a point to embrace being together away from home, becoming more social and going out to dinner more on the road.
"Nothing is an excuse. We want to enjoy our travel," Webster said.
"The boys talk about it more than I do. The last thing they say before they get on the plane is let's enjoy this and enjoy each other's company.
"We don't talk about it. (It's not) let's go and win, this is going to be hard, let's find a way.
"We just don't believe in that. We just enjoy it and attack the situation."
The Warriors' five victories in Australia this year is already more than they had in all of 2024.
That number is significant when considering that of the 27 seasons the Warriors have been based in New Zealand, they have won more than five matches in Australia just seven times.
A win on Saturday night would also mark their equal-best winning streak in Australia since 2002, and just the fourth time in history they have won five on the trot.
It's a feat not lost on ex-Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake, who on Saturday night will meet the club for the first time since leaving.
"It was pretty hard, but it's only hard if you use it as an excuse," Fonua-Blake said.
"While it wasn't ideal coming back and forth every week, a lot of the times we've seen it as a bonding opportunity.
"I feel like they're getting it right at the moment. Hopefully they don't get it right this weekend."
The Warriors have lauded a "no-excuse" mantra to travel as a large part of the reason behind the club's best ever record in Australia.
Andrew Webster's men will attempt to win five straight away from New Zealand in Cronulla on Saturday night, as part of their hot start to 2025.
For so long among the NRL's poorest travellers, the Warriors have spent this season dispelling the theory they are a different team at home to away.
With a five-from-six record in Australia this season, the Warriors' win record of 83 per cent in the country is the highest in the club's history.
That has been crucial in the Warriors' rise to third spot, given they have historically won nearly 55 per cent of games in New Zealand and 36 per cent in Australia.
Changes to the Warriors' travel approach this season have been small, but not insignificant.
Officials decided after a review at the end of last season to no longer have week-long camps in Australia between away matches, as they had at times in the past.
The difference there has already been notable, with the Warriors winning three straight games while travelling back and forth between rounds nine and 11.
The club now try to train in the morning before flying in the afternoon when possible, allowing players to have a full 24 hours off on the previous day.
And crucially, players have made a point to embrace being together away from home, becoming more social and going out to dinner more on the road.
"Nothing is an excuse. We want to enjoy our travel," Webster said.
"The boys talk about it more than I do. The last thing they say before they get on the plane is let's enjoy this and enjoy each other's company.
"We don't talk about it. (It's not) let's go and win, this is going to be hard, let's find a way.
"We just don't believe in that. We just enjoy it and attack the situation."
The Warriors' five victories in Australia this year is already more than they had in all of 2024.
That number is significant when considering that of the 27 seasons the Warriors have been based in New Zealand, they have won more than five matches in Australia just seven times.
A win on Saturday night would also mark their equal-best winning streak in Australia since 2002, and just the fourth time in history they have won five on the trot.
It's a feat not lost on ex-Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake, who on Saturday night will meet the club for the first time since leaving.
"It was pretty hard, but it's only hard if you use it as an excuse," Fonua-Blake said.
"While it wasn't ideal coming back and forth every week, a lot of the times we've seen it as a bonding opportunity.
"I feel like they're getting it right at the moment. Hopefully they don't get it right this weekend."
The Warriors have lauded a "no-excuse" mantra to travel as a large part of the reason behind the club's best ever record in Australia.
Andrew Webster's men will attempt to win five straight away from New Zealand in Cronulla on Saturday night, as part of their hot start to 2025.
For so long among the NRL's poorest travellers, the Warriors have spent this season dispelling the theory they are a different team at home to away.
With a five-from-six record in Australia this season, the Warriors' win record of 83 per cent in the country is the highest in the club's history.
That has been crucial in the Warriors' rise to third spot, given they have historically won nearly 55 per cent of games in New Zealand and 36 per cent in Australia.
Changes to the Warriors' travel approach this season have been small, but not insignificant.
Officials decided after a review at the end of last season to no longer have week-long camps in Australia between away matches, as they had at times in the past.
The difference there has already been notable, with the Warriors winning three straight games while travelling back and forth between rounds nine and 11.
The club now try to train in the morning before flying in the afternoon when possible, allowing players to have a full 24 hours off on the previous day.
And crucially, players have made a point to embrace being together away from home, becoming more social and going out to dinner more on the road.
"Nothing is an excuse. We want to enjoy our travel," Webster said.
"The boys talk about it more than I do. The last thing they say before they get on the plane is let's enjoy this and enjoy each other's company.
"We don't talk about it. (It's not) let's go and win, this is going to be hard, let's find a way.
"We just don't believe in that. We just enjoy it and attack the situation."
The Warriors' five victories in Australia this year is already more than they had in all of 2024.
That number is significant when considering that of the 27 seasons the Warriors have been based in New Zealand, they have won more than five matches in Australia just seven times.
A win on Saturday night would also mark their equal-best winning streak in Australia since 2002, and just the fourth time in history they have won five on the trot.
It's a feat not lost on ex-Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake, who on Saturday night will meet the club for the first time since leaving.
"It was pretty hard, but it's only hard if you use it as an excuse," Fonua-Blake said.
"While it wasn't ideal coming back and forth every week, a lot of the times we've seen it as a bonding opportunity.
"I feel like they're getting it right at the moment. Hopefully they don't get it right this weekend."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Cronulla Sharks to debut historic Pasifika jersey in game against the Warriors this weekend
This evening the Cronulla Sharks NRL team will debut their historic 'Tangata Moana' Pasifika jersey when they run out against the Warriors at home, honouring and acknowledging the Sharks Pasifika players who have laid down the foundation for the players today and for those who will continue to be leaders. The jersey design and concept had been driven by the club's Pasifika and Maori NRL players - KL Iro (Cook Islands), Braden Hamlin-Uele, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Oregon Kaufusi (Samoan), Addin Fonua-Blake, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai and Chris Vea'ila (Tongan) and Briton Nikora, Mawene Hiroti, Tuku Hau Tapuha and Niwai and Hohepa Puru (Maori). The jersey itself 'Tagata Moana' honours the strength, resilience and legacy of Pasifika people. Cronulla Sharks prop and Tonga Rugby League co-captain Addin Fonua Blake says that these qualities show up in the Pasifika community here in Australia. Cronulla Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake is also Tonga Rugby League's co-captain. ( Supplied: Cronulla Sharks ) "Obviously moving countries, working so hard to provide for their families and for their children for a better opportunity in their upbringing," he said. "So you know, they're very resilient people, obviously get knocked about a lot but the determination to keep working hard for their families, it's a strong pillar." Sharks Centre KL Iro agreed, pointing out that most Cook Islanders live abroad but as a nation they're strong and when they go home, everyone's just family. "I think there's 200,000 that live in Australia or New Zealand or everywhere else and there's only 16 or 18 thousand back home," he said. "We've always been a voyaging country but we're proud to be Cook Islanders." Renowned Pasifika artists Allen Vili and Katrina Iosia from the Katal Creative Studio in New Zealand and with Samoan/Maori and Niuean heritage respectively, are behind bringing the designs to life on the jerseys incorporating symbols and patterns from the Pacific. Now that Pacific representation in the NRL is over 50 per cent, fellow Sharks Centre Siosifa Talakai says it's special to have pacific culture represented on the jersey because growing up there weren't many Pacific Islanders in the game. "There wasn't much representation when we were younger in the NRL, but now to have our culture on a jersey, yeah that's something special to all of us," he said "It makes it that much more special that we're going to run out in it come Saturday night." Siosifa Talakai says it'll be special running out wearing the Pasifika jersey. ( Supplied: Cronulla Sharks ) Some of the patterns on the jerseys have special meaning to the players and are patterns that they also have inked on their own bodies. Iro says the Cook Islands designs used on the jerseys are designs he has tattooed and asked to have included on the jersey, the main one being the Tiki Tiki Tangata. "It represents our people holding hands, I've got it tatted on my back as well as the spearhead pattern which represents our warriors as well," he said "It's pretty special to actually see it on our jersey, I don't think an actual Cook Islands design in itself has been on a (NRL) jersey before." This round also doubles as the 'Sharks have heart' round in celebration of the community coming together as one and will be a memorable round for Iro with at least 75 people coming from Rarotonga to watch the game including his father, former Cook Islands and Kiwi international Kevin Iro. The senior Iro is in town coaching the Arorangi Bears Under 13s team, a club that the younger Iro grew up playing for in Rarotonga. KL Iro heads over the try line to score for the Cronulla Sharks. ( Supplied: Cronulla Sharks ) The team played the Kurnell Stingrays last night with cultural performances and a BBQ to celebrate the unity between the clubs after the game. KL who has just recently decided to go by his unofficial birth name which are the initials of his father Kevin Leslie, has fond memories growing up in Rarotonga and is one of only two Cook Islanders who grew up in the Cooks to have made it to the NRL. "Hopefully I can be a role model to younger kids looking up to me, and they can know that it's possible and they can know that they can get here as well," he said. One memory in particular stands out when his father used to coach the Titikaveka Bulldogs and would make the team train longer if they couldn't beat a young KL. "When I was a little kid, I used to be really fit, just a little crazy fella and I used to join the fitness drills with the adults," he laughed. "I think my Dad used to give them a challenge, if I beat them, then they'll keep going so yeah, it's pretty funny. With his father and a big group of Cook Islanders watching on tomorrow, KL and the rest of his Pasifika Sharks team mates will be hoping to emulate the strength, resilience and legacy that their jerseys represent.
Courier-Mail
9 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
NRL news: Braith Anasta calls for Bulldogs to make tough call after Lachlan Galvin scalp, latest news, Parramatta Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Braith Anasta has warned that the Lachlan Galvin signing could disrupt the Bulldogs' momentum and will likely result in a major backline reshuffle. The 19-year-old's contract saga has dominated the rugby league news cycle for several weeks before it finally came to a head last week when he signed with the Bulldogs on around $750,000 a season. Many expected Galvin to make his debut in the Easter Monday clash against the Eels, but the teen phenom has instead been named outside the 17. Although a late change could be on the cards. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. His arrival at Belmore had many speculating he would take the spot of No. 7 Toby Sexton, who has been a revelation in 2025 and is a large reason why the Dogs sit pretty at the top of the NRL ladder. But Anasta told that he believes Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has other ideas and instead representative centre and current Dogs five-eighth Matt Burton will shift to fullback, with Galvin handed the No. 6 jersey and fullback Connor Tracey playing off the bench or dropped to reserve grade. 'I think Galvin is a 5/8 not a halfback,' Anasta told 'I know many are saying he will play seven but the Galvin signing isn't a short-term play. Where he fits their system right now is tricky. 'I'm sure the Dogs would have spoken to him openly about where he could potentially play but there isn't an obvious spot for him to come into. I would think they will most likely give Sexton the next few weeks to see if he continues to knock it out of the park. 'If he does they have two options, play him (Galvin) off the bench for the year or if not I don't mind the idea of playing Burton at fullback. Braith Anasta has called for Matt Burton to play fullback, pushing Toby Sexton out of the side. Image: Getty 'It doesn't mess up the team chemistry, Burton's kicking game isn't taken away by being at fullback, and of course that is tough for Tracey, but Burton fits the mould of the modern fullback arguably better. 'Fullbacks these days are runners, who are real ball players and it (playing fullback) would allow him to inject himself into the game as he likes. If it was up to me I'd be doing that before anything else so as to not interrupt the team as much. 'I could see them really having success with Burton at fullback along with Sexton and Galvin in that spine but again a lot of it really rides on Sexton.' If Galvin is to be a late inclusion, he will likely be met with a mixed reception from fans, coming up against the team he turned down, the Eels. While Tigers fans also feel aggrieved by his decision to exit the club and his return to the joint venture will almost certainly result in him being booed and jeered every time he touches the ball. That reaction is nothing new to Anasta, who in his playing career had a mixed reaction after he joined the Roosters, due to the fact he was a Rabbitohs junior. So ahead of Galvin's possible debut, the player-turned-Fox League pundit passed on some words of wisdom to the teenager. 'My words of wisdom with anything like this is you've made your decision now and have to just back yourself,' Anasta told Canterbury Bulldogs signing Lachlan Galvin. Lachlan Galvin is pushing to be a late inclusion. 'He (Galvin) sounds like a really switched-on kid with a high footy IQ. All I'd say is block out the noise as it's really irrelevant. 'What people think, feel all their opinions about you are irrelevant unless they're the ones closest to you like your family, friends your boss and your coach. 'Because everyone's always going have an opinion and not everyone's always going to agree with the decisions that you're making in life but it doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter as long as you know you're confident in your own ability, confident in the decision you make and you work hard. 'For Galvin, the sky is the limit, the decision to leave has been made, he can put all that behind him and look forward to playing footy.' The Bulldogs take on the Eels in an epic Kings Birthday blockbuster on Monday. You can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports. Originally published as Braith Anasta calls for Bulldogs to make tough Connor Tracey call after Lachlan Galvin coup
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Comeback Crows sink Brisbane in AFL thriller
Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full.
