All the media, fan, player and coach reaction from the Warriors’ gritty 26-4 over Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
What the Warriors said
Stephen Kearney talked about satisfaction in his team’s bounce-back performance, strategy around Adam Blair and Simon Mannering, and the team’s bevy of injuries in one of season’s longest press conferences.
Tough love turns the tide for Warriors
Stephen Kearney has revealed some tough love was the catalyst for the Warriors' dramatic turnaround.
One week after being thumped 50-10 by Melbourne, the Warriors bounced back on Saturday night to put away the… https://t.co/4yfQ6jGP6e
— ERLEAGUE (@ERLEAGUE) May 7, 2018
Stephen Kearney implementing strategy for Simon Mannering and Adam Blair – 'So we get the best out of them'https://t.co/TBMn0IMpeg pic.twitter.com/BqUUXST41I
— 1 NEWS – Sport (@1NewsSportNZ) May 6, 2018
What the fans said
Lots of love for the Warriors’ performance – collectively and individually – in the TWL comments threads:
But not everyone’s on the bandwagon – check out Ranty McRanterson over here!
Meanwhile, debate continues to rage over the high-quality-but-statistically-awful contributions of big-name recruit Adam Blair:
NRL | That great feeling when you’re watching the @NZWarriors with a mate and loving every minute of it! #LetsGoneWarriors #NRLWarriorsTigers pic.twitter.com/gWOofoaUFa
— Simon Kerr (@simonkerr73) May 5, 2018
I just can’t cheer Elijah Taylor being binned at Mt Smart and that was a tough call imho. #NRLWarriorsTigers (I am miles away in Sth stand though, hard to see)
— Suz Burgess (@suzikyla23) May 5, 2018
What the NZ media said
‘The Warriors are back – and it might be time to start believing’ began NZ Herald’s Michael Burgess. We like the sound of that.
Probably the best thing about tonight’s @NZWarriors win? They can play a whole lot better. Momentum steadily building. @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) May 5, 2018
Thoughts from Ivan Cleary “It wasn’t our night tonight, but @NZWarriors were very good. They built pressure well.” @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) May 5, 2018
Great way to bounce back from Melbourne meltdown for @NZWarriors Harris made a big difference, RTS immense. Defensive effort superb against tough @WestsTigers team. Another step forward. @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) May 5, 2018
But it was impossible to ignore the other big story of the night: the injuries. The Herald’s David Skipwith had the job of covering the downside of the win.
Issac Luke said his knee injury suffered against Storm surprised medical staff as it was lateral collateral ligament.
“It’s alright. The doctors diagnosis was a bit gangsta but it’s a pretty uncommon injury," he said 😂😂— David Skipwith (@DavidSkipwith) May 5, 2018
Marvin France was all over the game for Stuff, with David Long distracted by an unruly ‘neutral’ fan.
Don’t really get why there is a Rabbitohs fan booing the Warriors in their game against the Tigers tonight. #NRLWarriorsTigers pic.twitter.com/80Wvp4aSp0
— David Long (@davidlongffx) May 5, 2018
The injury toll was also the lead-off for NRL.com’s Jackson Thomas:
https://t.co/KVXhz2ApUK's Match Report for #NRLWarriorsTigers:https://t.co/x5sxw1Gxjh#NRL pic.twitter.com/bxkfkFNt53
— NRL (@NRL) May 5, 2018
Corey Rosser shrewdly pointed out the value the Warriors have got from cut-price hookers over the years as Karl Lawton added his name to the list.
The Warriors have picked up some great bargain buys at hooker over the years. George Gatis, Aaron Heremaia etc. Now this guy looks a handy player. https://t.co/bRjiXHGxNT
— Corey Rosser (@CoreyRosser23) May 5, 2018
If further evidence was needed that the Warriors have hit a seven-year high, there was a positive (if laden with backhanded compliments) article from Chris Rattue to remove all doubt!
Chris Rattue: How the crazy Warriors worked a miracle, via @nzherald https://t.co/WX5iGUM51P Nice writing. Bunny Afoa, zooming around like something North Korea might fire near Japan!
— humphrey hollins (@HollinsMrhump) May 6, 2018
What the Aussie media said
While most of the Aussie league scribes were focused on bagging the refs and Scott Bolton, the Warriors got a bit of airtime – including a plug from former Wallaby-turned-journalist Peter FitzSimons.
#NRLWarriorsTigers. Oddly enough I am here at Mt Smart Stadium, watching the teams warm up. Warriors will win, huge. You heard it here first!
— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) May 5, 2018
That just sucks. 🤞it’s not too serious for Johnson #NRLWarriorsTigers
— Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) May 5, 2018
These are the dead weeks of the comp where injuries have set in and it’s just a slog fest. Warriors are getting this part of the season right. #nrlwarriorstigers
— James Smith Inside Sport (@JamesSmith1001) May 5, 2018
Simon Brunsdon covered the game dutifully for Fox Sports, but his primary takeaway was purely skin deep.
Do the two best looking dudes in the NRL now play for the Warriors? Discuss https://t.co/SYUOCQ5MOE
— Simon Brunsdon (@SimonBrunsdon) May 5, 2018
What we said
There were some oh-so-pretty moments, but it was the ugly nature of the @NZWarriors 26-4 bounce-back victory over @WestsTigers that impressed most at Mount Smart Stadium. Some injury worries though 😬 #WarriorNation #ThisWarriorsLife #NRLWarriorsTigers https://t.co/ANRm2BUl5W
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) May 5, 2018
Tough to pick a man of the match out of that @NZWarriors team effort – and TWL has sat on the fence by dishing out an even 8 to six players, including these two wing studs. #WarriorNation #ThisWarriorsLife #NRLWarriorsTigers #AirFusandBigKenhttps://t.co/1wSE7wXRUw
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) May 5, 2018
Injury concerns, historically good defensive and turnaround stats, Karl Lawton's demon-crushing cameo, dynamic duos up front and out wide + MORE in #SevenTackleSet from @NZWarriors 26-4 win over @WestsTigers #NRLWarriorsTigers https://t.co/OAt5u7cfUe
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) May 5, 2018
What Kayla Cullen said
She’s clearly not marrying him for the sturdiness of his legs, but Kayla Cullen gave Shaun Johnson the YES!
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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