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Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and the other Warriros players have appreciated the support they’ve had from Kiwis this season.
There was a small but passionate turnout of Warriors supporters to give the team a heart-warming welcome when they arrived at Auckland Airport on Sunday evening, but those 200 or so fans who were there wanted to express to the players how much they’ve appreciated this season.
The 42-12 loss to the Broncos on Saturday night in the Preliminary Final meant there will be no Grand Final appearance or ticker tape parade down Queen Street this year.
However, it’s been a campaign that’s revitalised rugby league in the country, made ‘Up the Wahs’ a national movement and left fans hopeful that the team can build on this success in 2024.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was one of the first players through the arrival gates and received a big cheer, but he had mixed emotions as he smiled back and waved to everyone.
“We’re disappointed obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted and not the game we were wanting to play,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
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Broncos score against the Warriors after referee misses forward pass.
“But to see the turnout here, overall, it’s a proud year for us.
“They (the fans) have been here since the start of the season and they’ve been strong, faithful and loyal the whole way. So it’s cool to see how they’ve supported us.”
Had the Warriors played well, the Broncos loss might have been easier for the players to take, but knowing they didn’t perform to the level they’ve been at for most of the season, does make this defeat hurt more.
“It was disappointing, we didn’t give ourselves an opportunity,” Nicoll-Klokstad said.
“In finals footy you’ve got to take your opportunity and we missed it.
“There was that forward pass (from Reece Walsh to Selwyn Cobbo), but it shouldn’t have got to that moment.
“A moment like that shouldn’t have defined our game and we should have played better, but a lot of learnings.”
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Mitch Barnett has enjoyed his first season at the Warriors.
The ladder and results in the playoffs don’t lie and they give a true indication of where the Warriors are at. One of the best teams in the NRL, but a step or two behind the Broncos and Panthers.
Nicoll-Klokstad said the team have got to work on closing that gap and do what those two teams do so well.
“Just win this little moments and in finals footy, especially, when they’re worth double,” he said.
“We’ve got to do a better job winning those small moments and that will take us a long way towards getting to where we want to get to.
“Overall it’s been a great campaign,” he added.
“A really good foundation for us to build from and one game doesn’t reflect our year.
“There are promising signs moving forward and sustained success is what we’re after.”
However, Warriors prop Mitch Barnett said the team can’t fall into a trap of expecting to make it into the top four again next year.
“We can’t just expect it to happen again,” Barnett said.
“We’ve got to lay the foundations again. We’ll enjoy some time off now and when we come back, lay the platform for a good, successful couple of years.”
The former Newcastle Knight missed a chunk of the early part of the season because of a neck problem, but once over that he became an invaluable member of the squad, teaming up with Addin Fonua-Blake to create havoc up the middle.
“I came over here to make a difference,” he said.
“I’m glad that we finished in the top four and had a reasonably successful year.
“It means that I’m doing something right and everyone else in the organisation is too.
“It has been enjoyable, winning is enjoyable and hopefully we make a habit of it.”
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