KEY POINTS:
There is no club in the NRL which will continue to benefit as much from the new under-20s competition as will the Warriors.
There's a simple reason: the talent is finally learning it has to harden up. Good talent-spotting has certainly uncovered some great new prospects and now
there is a pathway whereby they can stay in New Zealand and reach top level, stay with their families and their mates, rather than signing to shift to Australia at the age of 16 - a la the likes of Sonny Bill Williams.
Not that there is any slowing of the drain of young players to Australia.
But the Warriors now have a better handle on who is worth pursuing and what grooming they need to bring them up to NRL level, plus the opportunity to do that development in a pressure-cooker not unlike that of the top grade.
The under-20s train at night after school, tech and university or work but they train hard. They travel every second weekend to Australia for a curtain raiser ahead of the big boys. It's a bit unfortunate that local crowds have yet to cotton on to the fact there is some seriously good football being played at under-20s and that amongst this team are players the club is backing to fill many places in the top squad of 26 in future, including the key one, six, seven and nine jerseys.
After a slow start the team started to gel under coach Tony Iro and with two games to go the Warriors under-20s are now running second to Canberra, with a finals place virtually assured and a chance at the minor premiership.
Some years ago, a young bloke by the name of Ali Lauiti'iti came from nowhere to make the Warriors team then coached by Mark Graham. He startled everyone with his power attack and big-hitting defence.
But early on he was also prone to dumb errors. After he cost a try late in a crucial game by failing to play the ball properly, right in front of the opposition posts and early in the tackle count, I asked Graham why that was.
"Ali never had to play the ball in junior grades," Graham answered. They gave him the ball and he scored.
It's those rough edges that are getting knocked off now under the watchful eye of Iro and youth development manager Dean Bell, along with the top side coaching staff. The step up to the NRL isn't as big or as daunting as it used to be, as already proved by Sonny Fai, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.
So far, they've mostly been asked to step up when injuries have hit. Next season it'll be more regular, provided they hold form, because there are a significant number of players leaving.
Some of the under-20s, including their captain Daniel O'Regan and Mataupu Poching, will be over-age and ineligible in 2009 and so have been fitted under the top-26 salary cap.
O'Regan, the five-eighth, is a nephew of former Kiwi Ron and son of the sister of another Kiwi, Shane Cooper. He has so far displayed the toughness of the former uncle and the cool approach guiding teams around the field of the other. He's already played a Bartercard Cup final. "He's a great leader," Bell said. "He provides stability and a cool head."
At fullback they have Kevin Locke, safe under the high ball and a very good positional player for a 19-year-old, with the explosive kick-return running of the likes of Matt Bowen and Billy Slater and good vision for when to come into the line. He's smaller than Bowen and would get smashed in the NRL right now but has another season in the under-20s in which to hone his skills and bulk up with age and weights work.
Second rower Matulino doesn't need bulk, he's already the size of Steve Price. His tackling style staples opponents and leaves them on the ground searching for air. "Ben has really taken to it," Bell said. "He's obviously not the finished article yet and he knows that, but why would he be at 19? He's still learning his trade, like Sonny."
This week, the Warriors held an information evening for those teenagers who have been given a chance to trial for the under-20s and their parents, to let them know what to expect. "The demands are high, we do pretty much everything the NRL side does," Bell said.
The under-20s comp will also provide a big boost in the numbers available for the Kiwis selectors to chose from in the future. There are more than 40 New Zealand-born players in under-20s teams other than the Warriors, every team of the 16 clubs featuring at least one who is eligible for the Kiwis.
There was a time when you could count them on one hand and it's not that long ago.
And Bell is confident there are already more Fais, Packers and Matulinos in the programme and that more will come through. "We're out there all the time looking."
Bell said the under-20s performance was a big plus for the club as a whole this season and praised Iro for "pushing all the right buttons".
Pretty well all the squad is contracted, for periods between one more year as time to prove themselves or for up to three - the ones they want to keep. "As an ex-pro, I'm really proud of the way they are picking up the challenge," Bell said.
Players eligible for Kiwis at other NRL clubs:
Broncos: Shaun Cotter (Otahuhu), Alex Glenn (Northcote Tigers), Leon Panapa (Te Atatu Roosters), William Tupou (union).
Bulldogs: Sene Tala (Wellington), Mason Pure (union).
Cowboys: Dylan Smith (New Lynn), Darren Toniki (Papanui), Chippie Korostchuck (Invercargill), Leo Faagutu (Auckland).
Dragons: Dean Whare (Wellington).
Eels: Mase Togagae (Auckland).
Knights: Jason Schirnach (Wainuiomata).
Panthers: Joseph Paulo (Auckland), Daniel Penese (Auckland), William Isa (Auckland).
Rabbitohs: Hala Laula (Manurewa), BJ Nathan (Te Aroha), Taioala Vaivai (Auckland), Malaki Seumanatafa (Auckland).
Raiders: Diego Godyre (union), Kose Lelei(Auckland).
Roosters: Antonio Winterstein (Auckland), Mose Masoe (Wellington), Mark Talanoa (Auckland), James Tamou, Galu Te'o (Auckland).
Sharks: Bracken Karauria-Henry (Auckland), Tu'u Maori (Marist, Auckland), Jeremiah Walters (Auckland), Fred Pakatoa (Auckland).
Titans: Kingi Akau Uloa (Otahuhu), Jordan Rapana (Wellington), Bodene Thompson (Bay of Plenty).
Storm: Louis Fanene (Christchurch), Theodore Stuart (Papakura), Joseph Tomane (Wellington), Pulou Vaituutuu.
Wests Tigers: Benson Tupou (Palmerston North), Sideli Makaui (Auckland), Linton Price (Hawera).
