After taking time to take in the surprise
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck announcement I've concluded that this might be a winning idea, despite being completely left field.
I draw to the recent Sione Faumuina autobiography (a great read and highly recommended), more specifically his comments about the culture at the Warriors during the Anderson era.
Anderson built his culture based on what worked for his playing group, as opposed to throwing the Aussie-way onto the team. Ando would observe what made the boys tick and built his customs on that.
Thus, the so-called "bro-culture" was born but it was more than that - it was a brotherhood where each player had each other's back on and off the field. A sense of togetherness built on the family-oriented Polynesian culture, which dominated the make up of the team. Natural leaders were born through the likes of Monty, Awen, Seuseu etc. who would enforce on the field and get any player back if they laid a "cheap shot" on one of the brothers.
For that period between 01-03 we saw the best ever Warriors incarnation. Because the Warriors played to the strengths of its core playing group. The culture was built on the norms of its core demographic because they had a coach who understood them.
We often talk about taking on board the Aussie way. 2013-2016 shows that it doesn't really work - from the spin master Elliot, to out of place Cappy. While the latter had a good crack at trying to relate to his playing group, the results on field didn't relate.
Ivan did a relatively good job understanding his group (being apart of the Ando led teams) and we had perhaps the longest run of sustained success under his watch.
Bluey tried to over do it. To the point where he lost respect because his players thought he was a idiot more than anything.
But now, 2017 we perhaps have the best combination of the 2 worlds in one man.
Mooks is a Kiwi through and through and knows the Polynesian culture and what makes our boys tick. He was also a player who gave his all on field, for the brothers and also to win.
He's also been an understudy to arguably 2 of the best RL coaches ever. He knows the Aussie way and the hard work which entails.
The balance between the two, which Mooks will bring, is why I'm confident we could be set for the best period in Warriors history.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things Sione mentioned in his book was the appointment of Steve Price as captain when he arrived. It didn't bode well because, despite his accomplishments which were respected, he hadn't proved anything to the team that he could be someone they could be led by. But more because local guys like Monty had been overlooked - who already lead on the field and pioneered the brotherhood.
Perhaps the same notion was drawn to Hoffy last season. And the logic which led Mooks to picking
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as captain.
It's interesting because Rog is still quite young. But so was Mannering when he was appointed.
Thing about
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is he's dedicated to his craft. He trains the house down and sets a good example for the younger kids coming through the grades.
He's also focused on leaving his all on the field for his team - 2015 he set records for most metres ran in a season from out back - He's also a premiership winning player and sets pretty lofty standards for himself.
Unfortunately a guy like
Shaun Johnson has been nurtured through the rough Warriors periods and, outside his rookie season, hasnt been able to lead us to success. Probably better Mooks decided to let
Shaun Johnson just focus on his game.
Roger, like Mannering and the brothers before them, will lead through his actions. He's someone I believe will have an Infections effect on those around him - I remember reports last season of players trying to lift their game in training in owe of how
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck would bring the house down.
It's also the long term plan which will see through the new generation of Warriors - the "Above the Line" era.
And I trust Mooks judgement because, just like Ando, I believe he knows how to get the best out of this team (ala The Kiwis).
He knows what will make us tick, and if that starts with
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck running us out into the field every week then I'm all for it and bloody excited.
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