In the wake of their record-equalling 60-point loss against the Gold Coast Titans, several former NRL players such as Andrew Johns, Gordon Tallis and Cameron Smith have expressed their dismay at the Warriors’ recent run of form.
And several league journalists across the ditch have speculated on dressing room issues.
Television chat show NRL 360 this week suggested that the impending departure of Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake had ruffled feathers within the club.
Asked whether any off-field issues contributed to the 66-6 defeat on the Gold Coast, coach Andrew Webster said: “I feel like they’re a happy group.
“The four weeks before that you saw how much spirit there was. Put it this way, there was something physically not right on the weekend. All signs to me were they were motivated and excited.”
The Warriors said they were as shocked by their performance as their fans even after a solid week leading into the game
Skipper Tohu Harris backed his coach’s claim that there aren’t underlying issues at Mount Smart.
“Within the walls here everyone is enjoying turning up each and everyday, there’s still that really good feeling around the place,” Harris said.
One confirmed piece of bad news is Shaun Johnson’s Achilles injury which will rule him out for four weeks.
“We’re going to make sure that when we get good signs and he can train with the team we will bring him back, but he’s just not physically good,” Webster said.
The Warriors play the Brisbane Broncos at a sold out Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 5pm.
