The first time I met Warriors’ coach Andrew Webster, I asked him the question on everyone’s mind.
It was a few weeks before Christmas last year, when I had been invited to watch a training session at Mt Smart and then observe a team meeting.
At the end of the day we were sitting in his office – which was threadbare – with a desk, a laptop, a couple of chairs and a single sheet of A4 paper on the wall.
We talked about the progress so far and his plans, before I cut to the chase.
“How are you going to improve this team? What is going to make the difference?”
Webster didn’t take long with the answer.
“We need to get better in every area,” said the Australian. “The key is doing things a little better than everyone else.”
It sounded simplistic and generic and not something that would inspire fans, who enjoy buzzwords and secret methods. It also sounded hard to believe.
But it has happened. The Warriors have improved across the board and consequently leap up the NRL pack.
It’s been a remarkable transformation, one of the most profound in the club’s chequered history, especially considering their miserable 2022 season, where they equalled a franchise record with 18 defeats.
Webster hasn’t just turned the ship around, he’s changed the course of the club. Most importantly, he has established accountability among the squad, something that hasn’t always been there. Every aspect of their preparation and training is much more professional and that is showing on the field. The rookie head coach has built a different culture – with a ‘no excuses’ mentality – and refuses to use travel, injuries or refereeing calls as reasons for below par performance.
After conceding almost 30 points a game last season, the Warriors have become renowned for their resilience.
They are also attacking with verve, evolving into a much more dangerous proposition out wide, while also having the ability to barge down the front door.
But the most impressive aspect of 2023 are the individual gains; virtually every player is performing better than they have before.
That is best epitomised by Shaun Johnson’s renaissance. He has been a revelation, with a series of sublime all round displays.
This campaign was meant to be a farewell tour for the veteran, who turns 33 in September, but has turned into one of the seasons of his life. Credit goes to Webster who believed in him, empowered him and challenged him.
“If Shaun performs up to the standard he has set in pre-season, he will be one of the best in the NRL,” Webster told me in January. “If he doesn’t hit that standard, we have plenty of competition for places here.”
Johnson has delivered, with arguably the most consistent form of his 14 year career. He’s already scored more tries than in any season since 2016 and has 15 try assists, a figure only topped by two other players across the NRL, while his game management has been superb.
But it is his defensive application that has caught the eye. Johnson was never a terrible defender – he was always adequate – but it wasn’t exactly a strength. It is now. He has been superb on the right edge, despite plenty of traffic, with a career high 18 tackles per game. Johnson is often leading the kick chase and has come up with some superb stops near the line.
“His defense gives him energy in attack and everyone really respects the way he is defending,” said Webster. “The boys love what he is doing, they love his toughness.”
Micheal Burgess
Sports Writer