All the club, fan and media reaction after Sunday’s gripping loss.
What the Warriors said
Coach Stephen Kearney praised his team’s courage but admitted the result was a lost opportunity.
He also spent a fair chunk of the post-match press conference speaking about the questionable calls in the match and the refs’ failure to put the directives sent out to clubs by the NRL into practice.
"We kept fighting, kept staying in there and still gave ourselves an opportunity but like I said before we weren't quite good enough." – Kearney
[Watch] https://t.co/TqtTZnEJ4P pic.twitter.com/k66Lkn4fct
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) July 22, 2018
Meanwhile, quality from the Warriors’ generally controversy-free Twitter account.
Oh wait, it's Cam Smith https://t.co/lWgbo7dpjB
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) July 22, 2018
What the fans said
It was difficult for Warriors supporters to overlook the imbalance of 50/50 calls in the Storm’s favour – as well as decisions that were plain wrong against the home side.
Not a team in the game more than the Warriors that constantly are on the wrong end of decisions. Been happening for 10 years #NRLWarriorsStorm
— JP (@CowboyFan0408) July 22, 2018
Glad my phone ran out of battery while I was watching #NRLWarriorsStorm was going to go on a Cameron Smith rant for the ages….
— Renton (@rents1) July 22, 2018
In case anyone was wondering, it was even more frustrating living those decisions and mistakes at the ground compared to watching on the telly! Not our day (great hotdog though) #LetsGoneWarriors #keepthefaith @NZWarriors #NRLWarriorsStorm
— Suz Burgess (@suzikyla23) July 22, 2018
But there was certainly recognition of the heart shown by the heroes…and their poor execution.
Warriors has every chance to win that game just stupid plays, couldn't get a kick in to build pressure when the Storm were on the back foot #NRLWarriorsStorm
— Carl (@onpointcarl) July 22, 2018
What the NZ media said
NZ Herald’s Michael Burgess summed the game up succinctly on Twitter and covered the refereeing fallout afterwards.
Great effort by the @NZWarriors but it's that stage of the season where gallant defeats ain't good enough. @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) July 22, 2018
A victory could have propelled the @NZWarriors into real September contenders…what might have been. Too many errors/bad decisions and needed more from Shaun Johnson in second half. Another learning experience though…@nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) July 22, 2018
Herald stablemate David Skipwith had the match report duties and pinpointed the Warriors’ inability to convert a multitude of chances as the chief reason for the loss.
Marvin France was pounding the keyboard for Stuff and highlighted the Warriors’ lack of execution without Blake Green, before filing an interesting yarn with Shaun Johnson.
Ali Ikram won Twitter for the day.
Girls, find a man who looks at u like refs look at Slater and Cameron Smith 😂 #NRLWarriorsStorm
— Ali Ikram (@AliIkram) July 22, 2018
Newshub’s Ben Francis was feeling pretty bummed out post-match.
That was a tough loss. We had opportunities but we blew chance after chance after chance. Issac Luke going off injured didn’t help, along with some suspect calls but the Warriors only gave themselves to blame! #NRLWarriorsStorm
— Ben Francis (@BenFrancis136) July 22, 2018
What the Aussie media said
‘The Warriors are a good side and played well. They just weren’t good enough against a team that prides itself on rising to the occasion.’ Andrew Voss said in his Round 19 wrap for Fox Sports. We’ll take that.
‘Green absence costly, Warriors losing streak against Storm extends to six matches’ was the long and short of the AAP’s coverage of the home side’s contribution to hard-fought battle with the new competition leaders.
The Melbourne media were pretty keen on Jahrome Hughes’ forward pass to lay on the opening try for Will Chambers.
Jahome Hughes showing he is ready for the halfback role with this ripper assist to Will Chambers. Nice start! #NRLWarriorsStorm https://t.co/oKqxwFQ3Fh
— Roy Ward (@rpjward) July 22, 2018
What we said
If that wasn't proof NRL referees are terrified of Cameron Smith, nothing is. Weak. #nrlwarriorsstorm
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 22, 2018
The @NZWarriors belatedly proved they can go toe-to-toe with the premiership’s cream, but ultimately their 12-6 loss to @storm was an opportunity lost in 80 scrappy, disjointed minutes at Mount Smart Stadium #NRLWarriorsStorm #ThisWarriorsLifehttps://t.co/eh45dva4VC
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 22, 2018
Marks out of 10 for @NZWarriors heartening yet frustrating Sunday arvo at Mount Smart. RTS strong as always, Beale a nice surprise, Johnson first half 🤩 second half 😐, bench excellent, Big Ken best on ground.#NRLWarriorsStorm #ThisWarriorsLifehttps://t.co/lvPt6RPivz
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 22, 2018
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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