League: Opening up the Warriors

Wairangi Koopu (left) and Awen Guttenbeil. Picture / Richard Robinson

The Warriors unveiled a sleek new jersey yesterday, as well as a friendlier attitude towards the Auckland Rugby League and its clubs, the New Zealand Rugby League and the fans.

Warriors will attend registration days at the start of the season and prizegivings at the end for each of Auckland's 32 clubs.

A "junior Warrior" promotion will see player-of-the-day certificates issued to all Auckland junior teams up to age 16.

Clubs can earn money by selling season passes.

New chief executive Wayne Scurrah promised the club would be "open and transparent" regardless of whether news was good or bad.

He said work was needed to rebuild connections that had faltered so the club could reach its potential. He wanted the best playing for the Warriors, not against them.

Unlike his predecessor, Mick Watson, Scurrah will not rule on who comes and goes from the player roster. Those decisions will be made by the coaching staff, with former All Black coach John Hart overseeing as director of football.

"It's my aim that we do not lose players who are on contract," Scurrah said when questioned about the weakening of the playing roster through players shown the door and others who sought early release.

The players have new attractions with investment and other off-field training to make them feel wanted. It was a two-way street, said Scurrah, and in return the club expected discipline and accountability.

He has attended one ARL meeting of clubs, the first time the franchise has been represented in five years.

The Auckland league is already looking to improve its links to the Warriors by making Ericsson number two its major ground, with talks continuing with the Auckland Regional Authority to move the old Railway Stand from Carlaw Park to the northern side of number two.

NZRL chairman Selwyn Pearson, the national body's Warriors board member, is now getting the information available to other board members.

Talks continue to see the NZRL minor shareholding assumed by the Warriors' majority owner, Cullen Sports, an issue Scurrah hoped would be resolved within weeks.

The Warriors are seeking NRL help to avoid Friday nights, which are bad for crowds, as well as Saturdays that clash with Auckland Blues games.

They are readjusting travel schedules, trying to avoid long hauls to Perth and Townsville.

Ten teams at the soccer World Cup will wear the new Puma "Pace" jersey, but the Warriors and AFL club Essendon are the only sides in Australasia to have it. The home jersey is still black and the away strip grey.

* The Australians have shown how keen they are to regain their international superiority by calling an early camp for 44 potential Kangaroos. Warriors' captain Steve Price is among those called to a two-day camp this weekend.