All the reaction from the media, fans, the Warriors themselves and their vanquished opponents after an unforgettable Saturday afternoon in Sydney.
What the Warriors said
Stephen Kearney was typically understated despite the magnitude of his charges’ win, saying he thought the Warriors caught the Roosters on “an off day”.
He did concede that his team, “defended really well (and) stuck to the plan pretty good” – but tempering the growing excitement around the Warriors.
The coach was a little more generous in his praise of man of the moment, Blake Green.
"If he was a kiwi I’d be looking at him for the Kiwis" Kearney on Green 😜
[Video] https://t.co/ytszMelDvB pic.twitter.com/8lpsDF7G96
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) March 31, 2018
"I think there's a lot of guys that have come to the club that have taken over part of the responsibility there," Kearney. https://t.co/L2ZzClP828#NRL pic.twitter.com/SZ5z4Qj1Ct
— NRL (@NRL) April 1, 2018
"At the end of the day the boys turned up" Pulu
[Video] https://t.co/cTuGfFlBhl pic.twitter.com/TbdageJFI9
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 1, 2018
“Greeny’s a world class player, he controlled the whole game" Lino
*The background music is everything* 😂
[Video] https://t.co/5Z3cQE0yxQ pic.twitter.com/MEcblISPB4
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 1, 2018
“Greeny’s a world class player, he controlled the whole game" Lino
*The background music is everything* 😂
[Video] https://t.co/5Z3cQE0yxQ pic.twitter.com/MEcblISPB4
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 1, 2018
"The boys call you Michael Jordan at the moment" Vete to Fusitu'a
[Video] https://t.co/jNPPK3oywD pic.twitter.com/s6uIRd05KQ
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 1, 2018
What the Roosters said
“(We were) fighting a team that’s playing some really good footy and scrapping for everything,” disappointed Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“I thought (the Warriors) showed up and played really well. They started with some really good urgency. They were fighting and moving, they’ve been carrying the ball well, but their urgency in defence was very good.
“For the first four rounds they’ve been very strong. That’s why they’ve gone four from four – it’s a credit to them.”
See what the Head Coach had to say: https://t.co/vjtF1Qdjl7 #NRLRoostersWarriors pic.twitter.com/aHZLHMdwnE
— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) March 31, 2018
What the fans said
Warriors supporters were just as vocal on social media as their kindred spirits at Allianz Stadium – a mixture of elation and stunned disbelief at the remarkable result.
Lots of love for Mason Lino, too.
The Warriors getting their dues from across the Tasman is a novelty many supporters are enjoying, particularly in light of some of the pre-season rhetoric:
It’s so nice, yet so unusual, hearing Australian commentators saying positive things about the @NZWarriors. #NRLRoostersWarriors
— Erin Tasker (@TaskerErin) March 31, 2018
Why is nobody saying sack Kearney anymore? #NRLRoostersWarriors
— Ryan Nixadipo (@NewYorkNixon) March 31, 2018
What the NZ media said
‘Their year?’ asked David Skipwith’s match report headline for the NZ Herald.
Herald stablemate Michael Burgess isn’t one to get carried away after a couple of wins, so when he sees something a little deeper brewing you better start believing that the Warriors might finally be the real deal.
If this really is a new beginning for the @NZWarriors , then this match provided the most evidence so far. Long way to go for the team, but they are going somewhere. In Heritage jerseys, and looked a bit like the side of 02 and 03. @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) March 31, 2018
Over at , David Long was just as emphatic.
The horse has bolted – Veitchy is fizzing at the bung:
Biiiiiiiidwell. Biiiiiiidwell. Still nothing on the Warriors from Captain Doomsayer, who could well be in hiding after slagging off Frank Endacott, Monty Betham and Dean Bell last week.
What the Aussie media said
‘Vossy’ summed it up perfectly.
One of the most authoritative performances from a @NZWarriors side I have seen in a long, long time. @FOXNRL @skysportnz #NRLRoostersWarriors
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) March 31, 2018
‘Reborn Warriors soar to new heights after stunning Roosters’ screamed the Sydney Morning Herald’s headline to Aridan Proszenko’s match report.
‘No Johnson, no worries’ was NRL.com’s Dan Walsh’s hot take on the Allianz Stadium boilover.
https://t.co/KVXhz2ApUK's Match Report for #NRLRoostersWarriors:https://t.co/DwoXFg6cqp#NRL pic.twitter.com/V7BhreUBwW
— NRL (@NRL) March 31, 2018
Doubling down on the ‘No Johnson…’ lead-off, Fox Sports’ Simon Brundson confirmed the Aussies are sitting up and taking notice:
Wooden spoon forecaster ‘Buzz’ is slowly getting on board with the Warriors:
Think it’s time we started taking @NZWarriors seriously #NRLRoostersWarriors
— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) March 31, 2018
The Mole says the Warriors have to be taken seriously as title contenders.
Well, Moley sure didn't see this coming… absolutely OUTSTANDING, @NZWarriors
— The Mole (@9_Moley) March 31, 2018
Can @NZWarriors win the comp?
Discuss.— The Mole (@9_Moley) March 31, 2018
Meanwhile, Big League magazine’s Pam Whaley could be on course for some new ink in early-October:
Last bet I made was that the Sharks wouldn’t win the premiership in 2016. This year I said I’d get a Warriors tattoo if they won the comp. What is wrong with me. #NRLRoostersWarriors pic.twitter.com/kemOTpclms
— Pam Whaley (@PamelaWhaley) March 31, 2018
What we said
There’s no stronger way to put the @NZWarriors' 30-6 demolition of the Roosters than to say it was among the top half-dozen regular season victories in their 23-and-a-bit seasons. Gonna need a bigger bandwagon. #ThisWarriorsLife #NRLRoostersWarriors https://t.co/L5Pq82fc09
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) March 31, 2018
Thoughts, talking points, Mason Lino love and pun sub-headings galore in this week's #SevenTackleSet from a @NZWarriors performance that will live long in the memory. #WarriorNation #ThisWarriorsLife #NRLWarriorsRoosters #letsgoneMason https://t.co/TwYAAa14b8
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) March 31, 2018
Man did we enjoy slinging some numbers at the @NZWarriors 17 heroes after their 30-6 pummelling of the Sydney Roosters! #WarriorNation #ThisWarriorsLife #letsgoneMason #NRLRoostersWarriors https://t.co/EW2HPkej8x
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) March 31, 2018
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
Go boys let’s give it to the Cows !! 5 in a row !! Love your work !! What a weekend coming up !! WARRIORS 4 LIFE !!