The One New Zealand Warriors’ bye week could not have come at a better time following their rigorous stretch of taxing games and ongoing personnel issues during the preceding four weeks.
It began inauspiciously on May 5 with the first of three games against the Knights in Australia, in what was at best unremarkable weather, and concluded magnificently when the team returned home and defeated the Dolphins, who were in fourth position.
The list of injured players
rose significantly over the course of four games, with the Roosters and Panthers in between. By the time the Warriors faced Penrith in the Magic Round, ten members of their starting lineup were out, and on game day against the Dolphins, they had eleven players out.
Recalling in the games against