All the media, fan, player and coach reaction from the Warriors’ incredible 20-12 win over the Dragons on Friday night.
What the Warriors said
Stephen Kearney finally cracked! After keeping a lid on the emotion surrounding the Warriors’ incredible start to 2018 and playing a straight bat at press conference after media session, he admitted the heroic defeat of the Dragons was among the greatest of his career.
“Not only here [with the Warriors], but this is right up there in terms of the situation that was facing the lads tonight,” said Kearney.
“They showed a tremendous amount of courage…with the changes, 10 minutes in the bin and being up against the best side in the comp at the minute.
“The way they stuck in there, I’m really proud, it ranks up there, way up there. It had everything, in terms of the adversity that was chucked at the lads.”
The closest we’ve got to a toothy grin from the coach all season.
"A lot of spirit, a lot of commitment and energy" Kearney
[Video] https://t.co/22HoPmWl9g#LetsGoneWarriors pic.twitter.com/sPk2YyqeDA
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) April 21, 2018
What the fans said
Pretty much just 100 percent unbridled joy and adulation for one of the great wins.
And a fair bit of ‘I told you so’ from the Anthony Gelling apologists/repent from the Anthony Gelling baggers.
What the NZ media said
NZ Herald’s Michael Burgess lauded the Warriors’ all-time defensive performance and underlined the significance of Stephen Kearney’s post-match declaration, but he still had a bit a bake for the refs after a 13-5 drubbing in the penalty count.
Wow. Incredible defensive effort from the @NZWarriors , one of the best in recent memory. @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) April 20, 2018
But I have to say, in more than 10 years of covering @NRL I have rarely seen such a curious refereeing display. Perfection from the @NRL_Dragons it seems @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) April 20, 2018
That's some win. Best performance of the Kearney era. Defence incredible, against the odds, with not much rub of the green. @NZWarriors @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) April 20, 2018
Herald stablemate David Skipwith praised the Warriors’ bounce-back after a flat loss to Brisbane and Mason Lino’s stellar stand-in display for the second time in four rounds.
‘They’re the real deal this year’ crowed the Herald’s Dale Budge.
The defence, Luke, Lino, the bounce-back – Stuff’s David Long had it all covered.
Ditto Jackson Thomas for NRL.com.
Can’t argue with Sky Sports’ Glen Larmer on this one.
Now, THAT was a game of football.#NRLWarriorsDragons
— Glen Larmer (@GlenLarmer) April 20, 2018
Props for the D kept coming thick and fast…
Almost every Warriors side in history would have leaked points in that last 2 mins before halftime after giving away a couple of penalties. Jeez they're promising right now #NRLWarriorsDragons
— The League Fix (@LeagueFix) April 20, 2018
…while some couldn’t believe the Warriors’ superhuman defensive effort was unassisted.
Someone drug test the warriors this is unbelievable! #NRLWarriorsDragons
— Guy Williams (@guywilliamsguy) April 20, 2018
Guy wasn’t the only NZ comedy personality to get in on the Warriors’ stunning resurgence, with Oscar Kightley lauding the team for bringing the fans back.
Veitchy’s still fizzing at the bung.
Last and least: the widely-despised Chris Rattue has struggled to find an angle on the Warriors in 2018 since they’re actually going well. But he managed to rile everyone up this weekend with the absurd suggestion that Shaun Johnson should be permanently dropped for Mason Lino.
How does Chris Rattue still get work after all these years… https://t.co/QmNGZ9sp6S
— David Lim (@daviddavidlim) April 22, 2018
What the Aussie media said
Nathan Ryan covered the game for FoxSports and, like us, he was all about Issac Luke…
Bully turns back clock to spoil Dragons’ winning run – https://t.co/Gkm3vAdd2l via @Nath_Ryan #NRLWarriorsDragons pic.twitter.com/h8AzGvj6hQ
— FOX SPORTS NRL (@FOXNRLLive) April 20, 2018
…after some early love for Air Fus.
I could watch David Fusitua takes these catches all night #NRL
— Nathan Ryan (@Nath_Ryan) April 20, 2018
Vossy was enamoured with rugby league in general after back-to-back classics on Friday night.
Just a tremendous night of rugby league on @FOXNRL. Thank you @storm @brisbanebroncos @NZWarriors @NRL_Dragons. Best sport on the planet! #nrl #NRLBroncosStorm #NRLWarriorsDragons
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) April 20, 2018
You can always count on Big League editor Pam Whaley to provide the NRL-related lolz.
Um @issacluke_14 was more productive in a few minutes than I’ve been in 2018 so far. #NRLWarriorsDragons
— Pam Whaley (@PamelaWhaley) April 20, 2018
And new Big League scribe Darcie McDonald was trumpeting a bold tip coming up trumps.
Hands up if you tipped the Warriors 🙋🏼♀️ #NRLWarriorsDragons
— Darcie McDonald (@DarcieMcDonald) April 20, 2018
What we said
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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