Rugby League: Real-life warrior holds together for fitting finale

By PETER JESSUP

The Auckland Warriors have lost lock Jason Death for Saturday's game against the Brisbane Broncos, but real-life rugby league warrior Terry Hermansson's knees look like holding him up for a glorious exit from the game.

Death was concussed and required several stitches behind his ear when he stuck his head in the wrong place in a tackle during their 44-12 thrashing of North Queensland at Ericsson Stadium on Saturday night.

It was Death's second "lights out" in a fortnight and he will not be risked in Brisbane.

The other locking option, Scott Coxon, received 20 stitches to a shin gash, and although he went back on the field he is an unlikely starter.

That will likely give a chance to rising star Henry Perenara, a ball-playing lock in the mould of Scott Hill at Melbourne.

Perenara has been awaiting his chance and building with games for Marist/Richmond in the Bartercard Cup and the Warriors' feeder club Brisbane Souths.

The 20-year-old came from the New Lynn Stags via Glenora. He was on the Aotearoa Maori tour to Papua New Guinea last year and had his first taste of the NRL off the bench a fortnight ago, but a twisted ankle marred that.

While Perenara is off contract, the Warriors have exercised their option for another 12 months to head off interest from the Broncos and Melbourne.

However, he is yet to re-sign and Auckland may have to match an overseas deal.

Prop Hermansson has played down the damage to his knees throughout the season and is hoping it has not finally caught up with him two games short of his 150.

"The Rock" has certainly lived up to that nickname in his time in Auckland after moving in from Adelaide. He also had stints with Souths and the Roosters after he left his home town of Christchurch.

In a lacklustre season he has been one of few Warriors worth their pay-packet - and more - but he was forced from the field for much of the second spell against the Cowboys.

Hermansson pronounced himself okay afterwards, and if that is true he is a first-choice starter given the metres he has been making and his end-of-career enthusiasm.

Approaching 33, he is likely to pull the pin at the end of the season, and the knee doctors are likely to do it if he won't after the next fortnight.

The Warriors put several good tries together on Saturday night and finally looked like they were enjoying the game. They scored eight times in all, and more went begging as Robert Mears, Joe Vagana and Stacey Jones, in particular, found holes and held up the pass but could not find support.

The forwards made good ground and shared the tackling, which gave Logan Swann an opportunity to show his attack, scoring two tries.

Jones' confidence is improving and, with it, the fortunes of the team.

But the highlight was the work of the young brigade - Henry Faafili, Odell Manuel, Ali Lauiti'iti and Clinton Toopi - all showing skill and confidence and backing themselves to score.

Off the field, negotiations continue regarding a new shareholding and the management structure that will follow. Tainui factions variously want to retain a part-holding or sell completely.

Chairman Niwa Nuri and director Michael Stiassny, of Tainui's financial advisers Ferrier Hodgson, both resigned from the Warriors board on Friday. It appears unlikely they will be replaced by the tribe, given the need to secure new cashed-up shareholders, who will doubtless require representation if they fund a rescue package.

The stagnation has stalled negotiations with skipper John Simon and Manuel, and means the club cannot chase other targets to replace Nigel Vagana, who is set to announce his departure to the Canterbury Bulldogs.

It has also put a hold on the review of the coaching staff and consideration of Mark Graham's resignation and possible reappointment.

Mt Albert's Bartercard Cup coach and former Warriors under-19, Lion Red Cup and 1998 reserve-grade coach John Ackland yesterday confirmed he was a runner in that race, having applied both to Tainui and club management.

His prospects rely on a change of management, given a fallout with current Ericsson bosses over him being a talent scout for the Bulldogs.