Where the Warriors still fall down is development this may seem off topic but it isnt in the long run as we have to buy established players which cost more.
Catch 22 though. Until NZ junior development, coaches and pathways match those of Australia's we will always be better getting battle hardened Aussies or Australian developed Kiwis back. The dog eat dog competition over there is unmatched here. You make the Warriors you have made it. You make a team in Australia you better aim up or there are 14 other Australian teams full of players that would love to take your place. Some clubs have two feeder teams to pick from and players are less reluctant to move interstate as they are trans-Tasman.
You think any Aussie team would develop a centre like Solomone Kata who can't draw and pass? He would never have made it out of ISP or QLD Cup.
I'm really interested to see what Auckland RL are going to do about the mooted semi professional Fox Memorial. I still think its a huge mistake and step backwards. We should be fielding Jersey Flegg, Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams and pitting them against the best kids Aussie has. All Auckland age group teams from U16 up should act as feeder teams. Warriors House should be expanded to house the best 20 kids from outside Auckland.
That being said Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters don't develop jack shit yet they are both playing in the Grand Final this week lol! We don't have enough brown paper bags but it would be a lot cheaper than developing 300 kids in the hope that 5 or 6 of them come up trumps.
We are finally on the right track I believe in terms of having the right people at HQ. Peter O'Sullivan is the best in the game, no one knows the NZ junior scene better than Jordan Friend and Brian Smith has as much experience as any coach out there. The work O'Sullivan is doing won't bear fruit for sometime but I can't wait to see the first graduates of his class. Some of Friends picks we are already seeing...
