https://www.stuff.co.nz/4700442a1823.html
The 2008 Warriors are nowhere near as flamboyant as the only incarnation of the club to make a grand final, but Stacey Jones says they defend much better and that's what wins premierships.
Jones, the halfback in the losing 2002 grand final side which included such entertaining talents as Ali Lauiti'iti and Clinton Toopi, would be willing to put money (if he was allowed) on this side winning the October 5 final.
He's not allowed to gamble because the now-retired halfback is the club's kicking coach.
"If it was a 50-50 bet, I would give them all the chance in the world," said Jones. "If they play like they have played in the last two weeks, they will give themselves a good chance."
The Warriors must unseat Manly on Saturday night to make the final, but Jones was confident.
"The difference between this team and our team [in 2002] is that, defensively, they are pretty sound: the last two months they have shown that, apart from the hiccup against St George [a 34-6 defeat in round 24]," he said. "We probably had a lot more offloading ability, but this team just defensively is so solid, and that's where championship teams win their games."
Jones attributed the Warriors' mid-year defensive improvement to "a lot of soul-searching", highlighting the huge improvement of centre Jerome Ropati. He was widely criticised for his defensive reads earlier in the year but made at least two crucial tackles on his own line on Friday night.
"Jerome has been their best defensive player in the last few weeks."
Among the capacity crowd were the prime minister, the governor-general, the consul-generals of China and Ireland, All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Ma'a Nonu and London-based club owner Eric Watson, who made a last-minute decision to fly in for the game. That's the other similarity Jones finds to 2002 the Warriors are again the hot ticket in town.
"The hype around it all was very similar," said Jones. "People have got a bit of a sense that this team can go somewhere."
The 2008 Warriors are nowhere near as flamboyant as the only incarnation of the club to make a grand final, but Stacey Jones says they defend much better and that's what wins premierships.
Jones, the halfback in the losing 2002 grand final side which included such entertaining talents as Ali Lauiti'iti and Clinton Toopi, would be willing to put money (if he was allowed) on this side winning the October 5 final.
He's not allowed to gamble because the now-retired halfback is the club's kicking coach.
"If it was a 50-50 bet, I would give them all the chance in the world," said Jones. "If they play like they have played in the last two weeks, they will give themselves a good chance."
The Warriors must unseat Manly on Saturday night to make the final, but Jones was confident.
"The difference between this team and our team [in 2002] is that, defensively, they are pretty sound: the last two months they have shown that, apart from the hiccup against St George [a 34-6 defeat in round 24]," he said. "We probably had a lot more offloading ability, but this team just defensively is so solid, and that's where championship teams win their games."
Jones attributed the Warriors' mid-year defensive improvement to "a lot of soul-searching", highlighting the huge improvement of centre Jerome Ropati. He was widely criticised for his defensive reads earlier in the year but made at least two crucial tackles on his own line on Friday night.
"Jerome has been their best defensive player in the last few weeks."
Among the capacity crowd were the prime minister, the governor-general, the consul-generals of China and Ireland, All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Ma'a Nonu and London-based club owner Eric Watson, who made a last-minute decision to fly in for the game. That's the other similarity Jones finds to 2002 the Warriors are again the hot ticket in town.
"The hype around it all was very similar," said Jones. "People have got a bit of a sense that this team can go somewhere."
