It's official. Shaun Johnson has been released by the New Zealand Warriors with request. And today as a Warriors supporter, I don't think a lot could have prepared you for the news of his departure. It's cheesy but I'm just going to go ahead and say it. "Life really is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." Shaun Johnson is one of the most exciting Rugby League talents' New Zealand has seen. When you think about the Warriors, you think of Johnson. And if you didn't know then you must of been living under a rock the last eight years. SJ as he was known around the park was determined to bring a NRL Premiership to the nation and there were very few players that could produce game winning situations and score like Johnson and that's what makes his farewell sting even more for Warriors fans. At 20 years of age, he made his debut in 2011 against the Sydney Roosters in Round 13. 162 games, 917 points and seven years later he's had a profound influence on the Warriors and has spurred a whole generation of kiwi kids to play the game. This image is one that I'm sure many fans will remember. It was round 3 of the 2018 season and the Warriors were trailing the Canberra Raiders in what looked to be a lost cause. In the dying minutes of the match, Johnson hit back-to-back field goals to win the game. This photo not only revealed the heartbreak of defeat and the jubilance of victory, but it signified just how Johnson made Warriors fans feel. He gifted fans so many moments to cheer about. And when the kiwi club weren't doing so well, he prevailed. This ultimately led to the signings of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke for 2016. And two years later when the Warriors lured New Zealand International's Adam Blair, Pita Hiku and Tohu Harris as well as acquiring Australian Blake Green. We may never be able to actually predict the future. But who knows, if Johnson wasn't playing for the Warriors, I don't think gaining these players signatures would've been a thought or even a guarantee. Right now we are not certain that the release of Johnson is a defining moment and that the club's chances are up in smokes because the season hasn't even begun. But what we do know is that Johnson is such a brilliant player that no matter where he goes, he is going to be very valuable and that for any opposing fan base is concerning. So on behalf of Warriors fans everywhere thank you SJ for the 70-metre solo tries, for the ankle breakers, for the infamous Johnson side-step, for the clutch plays, for your loyalty and hard work, for your passion for the sport, and for your love of the team. Not many of us would've imagined him wearing any other colours except for black and white. But now Johnson gets the chance to create his own destiny and choose where he'd like to spend the rest of his career. It seemed that he would be a one club man but I guess not everything works out the way you think. And that's okay because sometimes things that are unexpected are just what's meant to be. The superstar halfback shared a heartfelt message to the Warriors organization and his supporters via Instagram.
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The New Zealand Warriors came out victorious in their kiwi affair against the West Tigers. After having a nine day break to refresh and revamp from a 40 point loss to the reigning champions - Melbourne Storm in the Anzac Day special, the New Zealand Warriors were ready to play against what you could say was lthe Warriors B team with their opponents, the West Tigers having 7 kiwi born players in their starting 13. Not to mention their Head Coach - Ivan Cleary who was at the helm when the Warriors made the 2011 Grand Final against the Manly Sea Eagles. The kiwi affair began with big bulging runs, and solid tackle busts but once the Warriors got into rhythm early on, a back line move that mirrored a play you'd see the All Blacks do saw the Warriors acrobatic winger - David Fusitua score his 11th try of the season. The magic began with speedy passes out to the right side from Green then to Shaun Johnson who managed to get the ball despite being in a hospital pass situation in to Fusitua who got the ball to the try line once again with his body in the air. Fusitua's partner in crime - Ken Maumalo then got his chance to attack the try line and after a superb try from him to take the Warriors up 10-0, the Tigers came back roaring wanting to get on the board after being plagued by penalties which saw David Nofoaluma get sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Despite a slow star Tigers' Mahe Fonua bulldozed his way to the line to give his team four points ending the half with the Warriors leading 12-4. Penalties continued into the second half with another sin bin for the West Tigers, this time New Zealand international - Elijah Taylor was sent to the sidelines and the Tigers were for the second time in the game forced to play with 12 players. As soon as Taylor was sent to the bin The Tigers were able to dodge a bullet with the Warriors almost awarded a try but obstruction by Peta Hiku saw it ruled a no try.
Still with plenty of time the Tigers challenged the home team, but the Warriors class defense wouldn't let them in. Next minute Johnson was in space deciding not to take a kick on the last tackle of the set and after creating the breakout play finished it with an outstanding try. It was sensational to witness with some even saying it was worth the price of admission alone. As the match continued, the recently recovered Isaac Luke got into a bit of trouble dislocating his shoulder and leaving the field with an ovation from the Mt Smart faithful. It was a sad sight to see after Luke had just come back after leaving the Storm encounter with a knee injury and spent the week trying to prove that he was back to full fitness. Shaun Johnson and Adam Blair joined him on the bench with ankle injuries but the Warriors continued to fight. Luke was replaced by Karl Lawton who came on to make his Warriors debut, And not long after scoring 2 tenacious and well-deserved tries with a huge smile on his face to complete a dream debut. The West Tigers felt the pressure right to the final whistle and weren't able to execute with the Warriors coming out on top 26-4 and moving up to 2nd on the NRL ladder. Johnathan Thurston kicking a field goal in golden point to win the NRL Grand Final in 2015, Ekene Ibekwe shooting a buzzer-beater to give the New Zealand Breakers their 4th title in 5 years, Grant Elliott hitting that tremendous six into the crowd at Eden Park to take the Black Caps to the Cricket World Cup Grand Final for the very first time and Stephen Donald kicking that superb penalty goal to save the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup. All of these different scenarios are special moments that have happened in sport. Not all of them are from the same code, but they all tell the same story and mean so much. Each moment from League to Basketball to Cricket to Rugby tells a story about a team who wanted to win so bad, who wanted to do it not only for themselves, but also for their families, fans, and everyone who made it possible for them to be where they are. It tells a story of a team who worked so hard to get to the big day and wanted to make every second they were involved in it worth it, so that they could achieve greatness. But the achievements of sports teams don't only make incredible moments and memories for the athletes, but they also give the fans something to remember as well. But when a once in a lifetime game comes to an end, we can sometimes take for granted the players who were there, the moments that an athlete taught us something, or all the special finite moments in a game that we didn't know we'd never see again. I was thinking about this and every time I watch a sports game, whether it be during the finals or during the regular season I capture these incredible times when an athlete does something so amazing, like breaking records and hitting triple-doubles for a whole season like Russell Westbrook or scoring 22 tries in one season like Suliasi Vunivali and I think to myself maybe I should've really watched and appreciated every single juncture during that time, because it's history being made and I may not ever get to see it again. But a team like the Melbourne Storm have taught me about appreciating the special moments in sport. They just said goodbye to a club legend in Cooper Cronk and also the trio of the Big Three but throughout the whole season, they went game by game, not thinking about the future and having to say farewell. Instead they cherished every bit of what they had left together and when it came to the Grand Final, they all played with heart, character and dexterity and still absorbed everything that they could of what would be an unforgettable night. They have taught me that although they had remarkable players on their team and even though they had success for well over a decade, that they still made sure that they weren't taking for granted what sport can allow you to do, and that's make you happy.
I believe that sometimes I can get so locked into going on my device and when a game is on TV, I tend to watch bits of it and sometimes don't see the inspiring things that happen. So I think that will be something I really want to appreciate more of and not only watching full games of teams who I support. The Melbourne Storm may be a dynasty but they are also great teachers of the game as well. This weekend's Grand Final will see the last of the the Big Three in purple colours. Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk - The Big Three. It's been 12 long years of playing side by side, brothers in arms. The trio have won a title together, won 3 minor premierships and have made 13 Finals appearances including this year. There is arguably no better trio in NRL history. They're 3 Queensland kids who happened to all play for the Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia. It's not often that you have 3 players like Smith, Slater and Cronk on the same team. It was truly mean to be. But now the Big Three Era is coming to an end as we get ready for what is going to be an exceptional and entertaining Grand Final with the Storm taking on the resilient North Queensland Cowboys. This game will be the last time the Big Three play together in the purple jersey and you can say that it's going to be emotional not only for them, but also for Rugby League fans who over the years, got the chance to witness greatness and to witness once in a lifetime players revolutionize the game and create incredible moments to remember forever. Cooper Cronk (left), Cameron Smith (middle) and Billy Slater (right) at the 2012 Grand Final. Copper will most likely be off to a Sydney based club, after he announced at the beginning of the year that he will be leaving the Storm to focus on family and we are still unsure about what the future holds for Slater and Smith but pundits do expect the pair to retire if they are able to win the title on Sunday night and end their careers on a high after the Rugby League World Cup next month. It will be a fairy tale ending for Smith, Slater and Cronk if they come out premiership winners for one last time together on Sunday and I'm sure fans from around the World will be gelled to their TV screens to catch a glimpse of 3 legends on the biggest stage of all. Cronk will be greatly missed by the Melbourne Storm and he definitely has inspired so many kids out there and also his teammates and everyone who he has touched in his career thus far. It looks like he still has a lot of gas left in the tank and could play for 5 years. Cooper Cronk greets fans after the Storm's Preliminary Final win against the Sydney Roosters in his last game at AAMI Park playing for Melbourne. Although we may never get to watch the Big Three play together on the Melbourne Storm again, we will always have the stories and memories to tell and at least we still have the hope that they will be playing at the World Cup and I think I can speak on behalf of the whole Rugby League community and say thank you to Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk for giving us reason to love the game even more. You are true professionals and can never be replaced. Now the last thing left to do is win that title. Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater take Cameron Smith down the guard of honour on his record 355th NRL match.
Billy Slater: ".......It's pretty hard to walk away from.......this is why you play the game, the enjoyment. This is the enjoyment that the game brings you and to hear the crowd just driving on the bus I could hear the Queenslanders singing out "Queenslander" on the side of the road and it just sends goosebumps down your spine. It's a great feeling mate."
Since the establishment of the Warriors in 1995, (at the time they were named the Auckland Warriors) they have not won an NRL premiership. Every year Warriors fans suit up for a tough season and hope, just hope that somehow, someway the Warriors will bring home the title. Every weekend we cross our fingers, say our prayers, and watch as our team strives for a win. The game begins, the adrenaline starts pumping, as our team unravels from under the tunnel, not a sold out crowd, but a reasonable amount of fans are out to witness the game, which could result in fans going home feeling the heartbreak of another loss, another end to the season, or it could go the other way and instead we'll all be screaming, cheering, chahooing, and celebrating like we've just won the premiership, absorbing as much of the euphoria as we can because we all know that it's all we gonna get. But you know what, I think that the whole story of the New Zealand Warriors in their previous seasons isn't relevant now and it doesn't really matter because this is a new year and it provides a new opportunity for the Warriors to state their claim and show everyone else in the competition that they are, believe it or not championship contenders! They can turn it all around!
"Why not" (inspired by Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Russell Westbrook) Here are the reasons why I think they are: 1. The Big Four The additions of RTS and Issac Luke last year and then Kieran Foran this year was absolutely awesome for the Warriors, because it brought the whole kiwi spine together. As soon as the signing of Foran was confirmed many believed he was the perfect fit and that the Warriors were for sure going to make the NRL Grand Final. I predict that if the chemistry between the big four continue and from already seeing the impact that Foran has had on the players around him, that he can lead the team alongside the other players apart of the Big Four (Isaac Luke, Roger Tuivasa - Sheck and Shaun Johnson) to an NRL title. With the combinations and the tries that Foran and Johnson can create, the step and speed from RTS and the precision of passes and decision making from Luke, that's what will take the team further and hopefully will open up that finals spot. 2. The fans Mt Smart Stadium isn't the biggest or the flashiest stadium, but one thing that it does have is some of the biggest most supportive fans you could ever find. Although the New Zealand Warriors haven't done so well in the past, they still continue to flock up every weekend to chahoo hard or chahoo home. It doesn't matter what the occasion but you'll always see a massive sign here or there that might say "keeping the faith" and that just inspires the team to do better. Without the fans the Warriors wouldn't be the same and after 22 long years of waiting, the Warriors will surely want to make history and bring a title home for its loyal supporters. 3. Coach Kearney With Stephen Kearney sitting in the big chair, it brought something new to the table and called for some change which would improve the culture of the team and improve their game. One of the advantages of having Coach Kearney on board is that he has coached some of the players in the Warriors before internationally and understands their style of play, and that makes it much easier to figure out the combinations. He also has been an Assistant Coach to Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane Broncos and so he knows a lot about the Broncos and how they play and also some of their game plans, so that will help the Warriors when they face the Queensland team. It will also spread that Aussie game so that the Warriors can understand why the Australian teams are so successful. 4. Coach McFadden Andrew McFadden who is now the Assistant Coach for the Warriors also plays an important part in the teams success, and one thing that he can help out with is that from his experience being Head Coach, he can kind of tell Kearney the things they had tried previously and from that they can work together to improve on that. 5. Leadership The Warriors are very lucky to have some amazing leaders in Simon Mannering who was the former captain of the team and also the Kiwis and is a legend of the game, as well as Australian Ryan Hoffman who was also the former captain and displays all the characteristics that a leader has, Jacob Lillyman who is a Queensland representative has been apart of the Warriors for nearly 10 years and is also a great leader among his teammates. Then with captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has done an incredible job considering how young he is at 22 years of age and how long he's been with the franchise, he's definitely doing a great job. All of these leaders help the team, especially those coming up the ranks to improve their game and learn from their past experiences playing in big situations. |
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