All the reaction from the fans, media and the Warriors themselves after an infuriating 36-12 loss to the Titans on Sunday.
What the Warriors said
‘Mooks’ didn’t hold back after a diabolical second-half collapse, labelling his charges ‘soft’.
“I don’t like using the word, but thought it was pretty soft in the second half,” coach Stephen Kearney said.
“That’s the disappointing aspect. There was a fair bit on the line today and to produce a second half of that standard makes it very disappointing.
“I’m scratching my head trying to figure that out [the second half fade-out]. I was very disappointed with our second half today and I thought there were signs of it in the first half.
“I just saw moments of softness – whether on the kick chase, whether it was trying to build some ruck speed and support each other. There were moments in the first half and we did enough to navigate around it and it must be said we came up against a very committed footy team today who put us to the sword.”
Gleaning a positive – albeit in another dig at the rest of the team – Kearney pinpointed his two youngest players as the clear standouts.
“I thought our two most committed players today were a 19-year-old back-rower [Vuna] and the other turned 20 last week [Papali’i] and they were our starting back-rowers. I think that said something about our performance when we had two young fellas leading the way for us.
“We have to stare that in the face. We have a big challenge ahead of us next week against the Dragons.”
Stephen Kearney blasts 'soft' Warriors after capitulation against Titans https://t.co/GXiNzWq3hc #NRLTitansWarriors pic.twitter.com/RlMdblVaDk
— Newshub Sport (@NewshubSport) July 29, 2018
What the fans said
Anger, disbelief, sorrow, desperation – Warriors fans had the full gamut of undesirable emotions covered after their team’s second-half capitulation.
It's hard being a Warriors fan. Just hoping we can turn things around. Dragons next Saturday. #NRLTitansWarriors #NRL #RugbyLeague #WarriorNation
— Christian Catley (@ChristianRocks2) July 29, 2018
Beaten by a far hungrier team. Need to move on and get better. No excuses. Great start to the season, don't let this become a slump @NZWarriors #NRLTitansWarriors #LetsGoneWarriors #KeepTheFaith https://t.co/hS8a2Qs84t
— Dion Price (@price_dion) July 29, 2018
Warriors 2nd half against the Titans. #NrlTitansWarriors #NRL pic.twitter.com/cO0X44gp6b
— Christian Catley (@ChristianRocks2) July 29, 2018
The Warriors are all a bunch of SOBs #NRLTitansWarriors
— Luke Garaty (@Gazza_121) July 29, 2018
I’ve been to the Gold Coast.
I’ve been to movie world and gone on the rides.But there’s no rollercoaster that compares to being a bloody @NZWarriors fan 😭#NRL #NRLTitansWarriors #AnotherSeason #StillInTheRace pic.twitter.com/Blc17Pyzkd
— Curtis Painter (@CurtisPainter4) July 29, 2018
Well the Warriors second half performance at least answered the question of "why is this called retro round?"#NRLTitansWarriors
— Ryan Nixitu'a (@NewYorkNixon) July 29, 2018
Fuck we suck again #NRLTitansWarriors
— mattyrulz666 (@MattyRulz666) July 29, 2018
SOCIAL MEDIA TOSSER OF THE WEEK
Still sour about being kicked out of the comp in 2000, pal?
The Warriors must be removed from the comp immediately! They have provided nil to the history of NRL. And clubs are sick of the costs of going to play there. Expensive for what? Fuck it off. Leave that awful country to their savage barbaric rugby union!#NRLTitansWarriors
— Mark Wissman (@RabbitohsMarkW) July 29, 2018
What the Kiwi media said
‘Shambolic’ and ‘capitulation’ got a deserved workout in David Skipwith’s match report for NZ Herald.
Marvin France bemoaned the lost opportunity for Stuff.
Was expecting a more dramatic response from Veitchy, tbh.
Well done Titans. They beat the Warriors for the first time since 2015, and the first time on the Gold Coast since 2010. They deserved to win that. I just hope the Warriors don’t rue that loss in round 25. At this rate, they might! #NRLTitansWarriors
— Ben Francis (@BenFrancis136) July 29, 2018
We defiantly have missed Issac Luke, today, but I think we also miss Tohu Harris. When Harris hasn’t been around, we barely attack down the right edge, which has our leading try scorer in David Fusitu’a… oh he hasn’t scored since round 14 either. #NRLTitansWarriors
— Ben Francis (@BenFrancis136) July 29, 2018
Johnson is the main man, but the Warriors lose so much when Harris and Luke aren’t there. Those two need to be fit if they’re to be a threat in September.
— Jason Oliver (@JasonNRL) July 29, 2018
What the Aussie media said
The Warriors headed the ‘Lows’ section of Mark St John’s weekend wrap for Fox Sports. They also made in into Andrew Voss’ ‘Dislikes’ in his column for the same outlet.
NRL.com quite rightly focused on a brilliant display by the Titans.
https://t.co/KVXhz2ApUK's Match Report for #NRLTitansWarriors:https://t.co/gEzdtHmIWg#NRL pic.twitter.com/F8WNLyL0uj
— NRL (@NRL) July 29, 2018
Warren Smith clearly wasn’t concerned with consistency from the Bunker. As long as they get it right once in 20 times according to your preferences, eh Waz?
I’m really tough on contact ahead of the ballcarrier between decoys & defenders, but they got that call correct.
Despite Hipgrave taking out Vuna, he was never going to influence Hurrell’s run to the line.
If there’s no disadvantage the try should be awarded.#NRLTitansWarriors— Warren Smith (@WarrenSmithFOX) July 29, 2018
Travis Meyn took a trip down to clichésville for his ‘hot take’.
Hot take – if all Kiwis live on the Gold Coast, then who lives in New Zealand? #nrltitanswarriors
— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) July 29, 2018
Matty Russell had a far more astute takeaway after the Sunday action:
So Dragons & Warriors concede 36 points within hours of each other. Head to head next Sat @FOXNRL in ‘Gong. Pressure game. #NRLRoostersDragons #NRLTitansWarriors
— Matt Russell (@MattRussellFOX) July 29, 2018
Christian Nicolussi was just stoked the shock loss had left the door ajar for the Tigers.
Thanks @NZWarriors. Fire up the bus, Ivy boy …🐯🐯🐯🐯🚌🚌🚌@WestsTigers
— christian nicolussi (@mrchrisnico) July 29, 2018
What we said
The @NZWarriors lost after leading at halftime for the first time this year in an inexplicable second-half implosion to rank alongside any in the club's history. #NRLTitansWarriors #ThisWarriorsLifehttps://t.co/4erEaHKBcz
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 29, 2018
A cathartic edition of TWL @NZWarriors player ratings after a Sunday afternoon shocker on the holiday strip, with Shaun Johnson's class-above performance and a strong return from Leivaha Pulu rare bright spots. #NRLTitansWarriors #ThisWarriorsLifehttps://t.co/XacvV7z5cR
— This Warriors Life (@thiswarriorslyf) July 29, 2018
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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