KEY POINTS:
Five things we don't want to see at the Warriors this season:
1. The Mt Smart Shuffle
The trail of fans making their way to the exits before the end of a game is normally a sign that things aren't going well for the Warriors. Win, and they won't rush home to catch the end of the Home & Away omnibus. More than 15,000 turned up at North Harbour Stadium last weekend for the trial against the Doggies. It would be nice to think those sorts of crowds are there every week.
2. Scandals, Sione and Salary Caps
There have been more dramas at Mt Smart Stadium than on the stages of West End theatres. Salary cap breaches, players shown the exit door, Sione Faumuina, Misi Taulapapa, Mick Watson... There's less chance of things going awry under the present administration but there's plenty of history there.
3. The Fumbles
Manu Vatuvei is the biggest culprit - either sublime or ridiculous when the pill comes his way. He scores some brilliant tries climbing for the high ball, but... The Warriors also need to eliminate the silly passes early in the tackle count deep in their own territory.
4. Injuries and Suspensions
The Warriors have greater depth in 2007 but not so much they can afford to lose key players. Injuries and suspensions are inevitable but it would be nice if they don't all come at once.
5. Naked Rugby League Calendars
They're for good causes, and all that, but this correspondent doesn't need to see players like Brent Webb and Michael Witt acting out passages from the Emperor's New Clothes. I know the female fans will be disappointed but rugby league is supposed to be a hard man's game (not that kind of hard) and it doesn't need this kind of exposure. One too many? Thought so.
Five key games:
The first five.
It's not exactly an easy start to the season - Eels (H), Broncos (H), Storm (A), Sea Eagles (A), Cowboys (H). In fact, it's downright difficult, but if they can pick up perhaps three wins here it will set the tone for the rest of the season. The Warriors have been relatively slow starters over the past three seasons - it's said things come in threes. Get a few wins and who knows what this side is capable of? One thing is certain, it's been too long since the heady days of 2002 and 2003.
Five key Warriors
1. Wade McKinnon
The new Warriors custodian has a difficult job taking over from the popular and successful Brent Webb but might have gone some way to convincing the naysayers with his handy display against the Bulldogs last weekend. He's rated as one of the NRL's best returners of the ball and is also safe under the high ball.
2. Grant Rovelli
The find of last season, Rovelli will not only be a marked man in 2007 but will also shoulder greater expectations.
3. Logan Swann
The 32-year-old is no stranger to the Warriors after making 146 first-grade appearances between 1997 and 2003 but he's something of a new boy in 2007. Swann could be used in much the same way Awen Guttenbeil was last season, starting on the bench and then coming on to provide stability and leadership when Ruben Wiki and/or Steve Price take a breather.
4. Lance Hohaia
2007 looms as a big year for the 23-year-old. On his day, Hohaia can be one of the most dynamic players in the NRL. On other days, well... His contract is up at the end of the season and it could become apparent whether he will stay in Auckland. Coach Cleary sees him as a utility these days and has promised Hohaia he will see gametime. It seems Hohaia is finally in the right head space to fulfil this role.
5. Steve Price/Ruben Wiki
The pair set the standard for forward play in the NRL and are invaluable to this Warriors side in terms of what they do both on and off the park. They'd love to add another title to their collections.
Warriors Season
* March 17 vs Eels, Mt Smart
* March 25 vs Broncos, Mt Smart
* April 1 vs Storm, Melbourne
* April 8 vs Sea Eagles, Sydney
* April 15 vs Cowboys, Mt Smart
* April 20 Anzac Test, Brisbane
* April 21-23 Bye
* April 27-30 vs Rabbitohs, Sydney
* May 4-7 vs Sharks, Mt Smart
* May 11-14 vs Knights, Newcastle
* May 18-21 vs Tigers, Mt Smart
* May 23 Origin I, Brisbane
* May 25-28 vs Eels, Sydney
* June 1-4 vs Bulldogs, Mt Smart
* June 8-11 vs Storm, Mt Smart
* June 13 Origin II, Sydney
* June 15-18 vs Sharks, Sydney
* June 22-25 vs Panthers, Mt Smart
* June 29-July 2 vs Titans, Carrara
* July 4 Origin III, Brisbane
