All Blacks dominated the Wallabies at Eden Park, Warriors claimed a third-straight victory, another top ten finish for Lydia Ko plus more. Video / NZ Herald
Warriors back rower Josh Curran is the definitive late bloomer, and proof that sometimes patience is best with young players.
From being barely sighted over the last two seasons, Curran is becoming one of the club's most important players.
He was outstanding in Sunday's 24-10 win over theBulldogs, continuing a series of impressive performances from the 22-year-old.
It's quite a turnaround.
Curran arrived at Mt Smart midway through 2019, amid little fanfare, after playing one NRL game for the Roosters. He had two interchange appearances under Stephen Kearney but failed to kick on last season.
Despite all the issues with squad depth in 2020, interim coach Todd Payten only used Curran three times, all off the bench.
He was at the crossroads.
Josh Curran in action against the Bulldogs. Photo / Photosport
But some timely words from coach Nathan Brown in January, both sweet and sour, together with his own realisation that things needed to change, have provided a breakthrough.
"Brownie sat me down and told me what he wants out of me," Curran told the Herald. "He said that he believes in me. He told me to go out each week and be the player I want to be. And that's what I try to do."
Brown was also firm.
Curran, who was a fullback in his school days, had obvious talent and athleticism, but needed to improve his discipline, fitness and work rate if he wanted to go places.
He has been a revelation. Until April, Curran had never started an NRL game, nor scored a try.
Now he's an ever present. He's averaging 81 running metres and 40 tackles a game, chipping in with three tries and five try assists.
"He is a natural footballer," said assistant coach Justin Morgan. "He has worked really hard on parts of his game that he needs to improve. What is really evident, not only in games but in training is how competitive he is."
Curran is an uncomplicated type.
Josh Curran. Photo / Photosport
He is satisfied with his ongoing progress and admitted that Sunday's match was "a lot of fun", as he ran for 175 metres (20 carries) and topped the tackle count (43). But he is quick to reset.
"I take each week as it comes," said Curran. "What happened last week and on Sunday, it will be the past tomorrow. I'm focussing on next weekend now. I want to try and be the best player on the field and leave everything out there."
But Curran has a steely desire, illustrated when he was thrown into isolation for two weeks in July, after being on the same plane as a Covid-19 infected flight attendant. It was a curve ball – especially as he was alone – but Curran turned it into a positive.
"He had that little bit of adversity being in quarantine," said Morgan. "[But] he worked really hard on his condition, as hard as you can work. He got a treadmill delivered to his room and came back and landed on his feet."
Like the rest of his team, Curran is unfazed around yet another move, after their relocation to the Gold Coast last month.
"We have been on the road for the last two years," said Curran. "It is something we are used to. Just pack up your bags and adjust to it."
Currently on a three game winning run – their first such streak since early 2018 - the Warriors are in a good space.
"We are playing for each other," said Curran. "We believe in each other, we know we have a good side and we know we can go far."
How far remains to be seen, but Curran isn't bothering with finals permutations.
"I haven't even looked at it," said Curran. "We are taking it game by game and will wait to see what happens. We know every game is pretty much our season, but we don't talk about it. We just go into each game with a clear focus on who we are playing."
