Warriors coach Andrew Webster does not want to see a repeat of the pitch invading debacle in Napier. Photo: Photosport
The Warriors are hoping to avoid a repeat of the pitch invader debacle in Napier.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster is imploring fans to stay in the stands when the Warriors travel to Hamilton this weekend to meet the Tigers.
The Tigers opted to play a home game in Hamilton to thank the Warriors for the sacrifices the club made during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Webster hopes the Hamilton fans will show their gratitude and there will not be a repeat of the dozens of pitch invaders in Napier.
The game against the Broncos at McLean Park saw more than 20 spectators try or succeed in running onto the pitch during the final quarter.
"I never want to be a party pooper, that's not my style but just that we just want to create momentum throughout the whole performance and it's hard to create momentum when people are running on the field, we want NRL teams to want to take game to all these towns for forever."
Webster said fans are running the risk of losing potential future fixtures.
"We want our fans loud, screaming, being lunatics like we love them being, lets celebrate it. We have the best fans ever but the jumping on the field, we lose momentum as a football team and then as a club in a country I don't think they feel they want to go back and take games there and I don't want the fans to miss out on those opportunities because we love them and the support we've had this year has been amazing."
At least 20 spectators tried or succeeded in running onto the pitch during the final quarter of the Broncos vs Warriors in Napier. Photo: Photosport
The Hamilton match will serve as a homecoming for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who was born in the city before leaving as a five-year-old.
"It's where it all began for me, I'm sure there will be a lot of Watene's there, being in a place where you were born is pretty cool."
Watene-Zelezniak starred again at the weekend, producing an incredible offload to set up a try with three Titans defenders swarming him.
"I knew Shaun (Johnson) was there, I just couldn't see him but I could hear him so I just passed it and hoped for the best and pulled off. I've thrown a few that haven't come off, so to do that is pretty cool."
He credited his coach for allowing him the freedom to express himself on the field.
"Webby has made it plain and simple."
However, he said the Warriors reacted poorly to a number of incidents during their match against the Gold Coast.
It was an ugly clash with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad knocked out cold and Marata Niukore sin binned after he was slapped in the face.
Watene-Zelezniak says they need to control their emotions when side's try to bait them into ill discipline.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns to the city he was born in this weekend. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"It was a bit scrappy at times, was a few moments where we should have reacted differently and that's on us."
Watene-Zelezniak said it was a scary moment seeing his teammate knocked unconscious.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was knocked out when a Titans player's shoulder collided with his head.
"They are basically family to you but no matter who it is, even on the other team, you don't want to see someone get knocked out like that. We've just got to react, the best way that we can."
Webster said Nicoll-Klokstad has recovered well though will sit out this weekend due to concussion protocol.
Meanwhile, Webster is backing Shaun Johnson, who produced another masterclass against the Titans, to claim the Dally M Medal this year.
The star halfback is a favourite to win the award which recognises the NRL's best player of the season.
Webster said Johnson is worthy of all the accolades heading his way.
"He deserves them, he's been fantastic. We don't look at awards at the start of the year, but he deserves praise, he's done a great job and I don't see him slowing down. He's got a real focus on the way he wants to play and how he wants to do it and it suits us and it suits him."
The Warriors meet the Tigers this Saturday night in Hamilton at 7.30pm.
Shaun Johnson is on target to win the Dally M Medal in 2023. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
