Warriors

The Warriors had an impressive 32-20 win over South Sydney in Perth at the weekend and are crediting a breathing exercise Read showed them during a pre-season camp.

After each try they scored skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck got his side back in a huddle to make sure they stayed focus.

"It's just to bring everyone back in a re-focus and get ready for what's next.

On March 10th 1995 a New Zealand rugby league legacy was born. The Warriors make history running through a lit Mount Smart Stadium tunnel for the very first time.

Among those who ran out on that historic day was a 23-year-old Stephen Kearney.

Now 23 years on, the team he now coaches will begin their season on the exact same date in Perth with an objective to get the club back to winning ways.

"Certainly the hard work that the boys have put in during the preseason is about putting it all together for round one." says Stephen Kearney.

Tuivasa-Sheck, who joined the club from the Roosters in 2016, will remain at Mount Smart Stadium until the end of the 2022 season.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George said the 24-year-old "embodies all the qualities we want to see in our players".

"As one of the game's most exceptional athletes, Roger understandably attracted lots of interest, so we couldn't be more delighted to have him onboard for another four years," he said.

A home side missing several of their most-experienced players scored four tries to three on Saturday against the Storm, comprising personnel from reserve grade and feeder clubs.

Without their premiership-winning first-grade players - who beat Leeds 38-4 on Friday night in the World Club Challenge - Melbourne still put up a decent performance.

They opened the scoring with an exceptional team try finished by Sunshine Coast Falcons winger Matt Sopa-Lowler.

Saturday's matchup between the Celtics and the Warriors was the perfect cliched atmosphere. It felt like a playoff game, the two best guards in the league were battling back and forth in a potential NBA Finals showdown.

But there was nothing cliched about Curry and Irving's performances at Oracle Arena.

Two-time MVP Curry dominated the second half, but did so getting to the line just two times before the final minutes of the game, finishing with 49 points, five assists and four rebounds.

The message is simple - work hard.

Players have started on an even keel competing to impress at the upcoming trials ahead of game one of the season against South Sydney Rabbitohs in March.

"There was a gap we needed to close in certain areas, hence why we made a decision on the back end of the year to bring someone to the club like Alex (Corvo)." says Kearney.

"It's pretty demanding but that's because that's what the game asks for and the boys have really responded."

Manly released the 31-year-old five eighth yesterday after securing disgruntled Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Green, who was one of Manly's stars in 2017, had a year left remaining on his contracts.

Signed until the end of the 2020 NRL season, Green is moving to Auckland after helping the Sea Eagles surge to sixth this season from 13th in 2016.

The Scotland fly-half has spent his entire senior career with the Warriors and was a Pro12 winner under Gregor Townsend in 2015.

Russell, who earned his 31st Scotland cap against New Zealand on Saturday, says his decision came from a desire to try something new, with the club announcing his departure in a lengthy statement.

Speaking to the Warriors' official website, he said: "I've shared so many fantastic moments with people who are now friends for life and to do it in front of the amazing Glasgow Warriors supporters at Scotstoun has been a dream come true.

The other finalists Simon Mannering, a record five-time winner, and halfback Shaun Johnson.

While he wasn't able to lead the Warriors to their first finals appearance in six years - the club finished 13th - Tuivasa-Sheck appeared in all but one of their 24 matches.

The other backs to receive the award previously are Manu Vatuvei in 2010 Francis Meli (2003), Stacey Jones (1997) and Tea Ropati (1995).

Mannering won the People's Choice Award after a season in which he went past Jones' club record of 261 appearances.

Staring down the barrel of an eighth consecutive defeat, which would equal the club's record losing run, the Warriors are languishing in 13th position with two games remaining. 

‌‌But centre Blake Ayshford told NRL.com there was no chance his side would lack motivation come kick-off at Mount Smart Stadium.

"We have got the fans, it's our last home game, we are looking to build for next year, there's players playing for contracts and then obviously Benny Matulino, who has played over 200 games for this club, he will play his last home game," Ayshford said.