But if you think they’re quaking in their boots, think again. The team’s battle-hardened coach, Andrew Webster, has thrown down the gauntlet with a rallying cry that’s got the rugby league world buzzing: “Bring it on.”
Gone are the days of wondering “is this our year?”
For Webster and his Warrior brigade, the only acceptable mantra is a relentless pursuit of victory, year in and year out, he told the warriors.kiwi website.
“Every year has got to be our year,” Webster said, setting a new benchmark for the club’s ambitions. This isn’t just a fleeting dream; it’s a vow for sustained success and a promise to the Warrior nation that their team is in it to win it, every single time.
After a pulsating run to the Telstra Premiership preliminary finals last season, expectations are sky-high, but Webster isn’t just embracing the pressure; he’s welcoming it with open arms. The squad’s preseason in Auckland has been buzzing with a new energy, sharpened by last year’s success and a deeper understanding of the game plan that’s expected to propel them to even greater heights.
Leading the charge is powerhouse prop Addin Fonua-Blake, whose enthusiasm for the upcoming season is palpable.
“It feels a lot more upbeat this year,” he exclaimed, reminiscing about the team’s transformative journey under Webster’s leadership. With the Warriors’ playbook now second nature to the squad, Fonua-Blake is bullish about their chances, warning rivals that last year’s success was no fluke.
But it’s not all rugby league for Fonua-Blake; the Tongan titan is set to make a splash with the Sharks at the end of the season, yet he’s committed to pouring his heart and soul into the Warriors’ cause. “This year is going to be a big year,” he promised, dismissing any notion of distraction despite personal challenges. For Fonua-Blake, the mission is clear: give everything to the club that’s given him so much.
As the Warriors gear up for a season where they’re marked men, the message from within is crystal clear: underestimate them at your peril. With Webster at the helm and players like Fonua-Blake ready to battle, the Warriors are not just aiming to repeat last year’s heroics; they’re out to create a legacy of triumph that will ‘echo through the annals of rugby league history.’
