Warriors 2011 Season Opener

After a pretty successful pre-season, lots of media hype about the caliber of this years squad and a crowd of roughly 40,000 at Eden Park tonight, the Warriors came up short going down 24-18 to the Steve Kearny coached Paramatta Eels. There were too many mistakes and too many penalties given away, at half time we had made 100 extra tackles and our completion rate was dismal!

The boys mounted a second half come back and as seasoned fans who have seen it many times before Shane and I held out hope when the boys in black scored two tries in quick succession that we could scrape in with a win, at 18-24 with a good five minutes to go  there where moments where we really thought it could happen – but alas it was not to be. To rub salt into the wound it looks like “The Beast”, Manu Vatuvei will be out for the next 6-8 weeks with injury – although scans will need to be done on Monday to confirm this. On the opposite wing debutant  Glen Fisiiahi (a star of the Premiership winning 2010 U20’s side) showed us some glimpses of why Cleary choose to start him but made some silly mistakes and caved more than once under the pressure of the high ball, as did Lance Hohia. James Maloney gave away a stupid penalty when he took out Jarred Hayne with his shoulder and has ended up on report.

Personally, I’m not suprised by the loss – like many others I never agreed with moving the game to Eden Park. I was there for that unfortunate Kiwis game in November last year and the atmosphere was horrible, games like that (and tonight’s) attract a whole bunch of JCL’s (Johnny Come Lately’s) who behave like total idiots – case in point, the complete and utter losers who thought it was okay for them to yell and hoot during the minutes silence for those who lots their lives in the Christchurch quake. I wasn’t there tonight (with good reason, I have a month old little Warrior of my own – Max - at home to look after) so can’t comment on tonight’s atmosphere but I can’t wait to see league return home to Mt Smart (next home game is on 27/03 against the Dragons), hopefully we will make it along to a game or two (or three or four) with wee Max and he can experience the home of the faithful and what it’s like to win!

Introducing our “Wee Warrior” Max – in team colours at 11 hours old!

Next week the Warriors play another Saturday night game against the West Tigers at Leichardt Oval in Sydney – fingers crossed for a much improved performance!