Demitric Vaimauga and the Warriors are hoping to prove their doubters wrong against the Panthers on Saturday. Photo: David Neilson
Warriors v Panthers
Kick-off: 6:05pm Saturday 13 September
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
As well as a maiden NRL crown, the Warriors are also hoping to earn respect after 30 title-less years in the competition.
The team has limped into the 2025 playoffs in poor form, amid a host of injuries and criticism.
Having lost their last two games, the Warriors are rank outsiders with the odds makers, and have largely been written off by the Australian media as they get set to host the four-time reigning premier Panthers.
However, coach Andrew Webster is unconcerned with the predictions of the pundits.
"If the disrespect motivates players in our team, then good, but I only care about what we think."
Webster believed that while the Warriors were respected by their on-field rivals, the same could not be said about those on the sidelines.
"I don't think the media respect us. I think teams do. Where we get the respect and where we don't is in different parts of the rugby league world."
He said the odds were irrelevant in sudden-death football.
"Rather than worrying about how much everyone thinks we can't do it, we are just focused and excited about the ones who think we can."
Webster said they have never doubted the support of their fan base.
"We don't think New Zealand has [written them off] or our Kiwis in Australia. We know there's belief from every single person at Mount Smart and from the top of the country to the bottom, so that's a great feeling."
Forward Erin Clark said they have largely shut out the external noise.
"All that matters is what happens in these four walls," he said.
"We are the only ones that can go out there and perform well - everyone that's doubting us, it doesn't affect us."
Though others such as Chanel Harris-Tavita said they used the derision as fuel.
"As a team that hasn't won the comp yet, there are always going to be doubters, so we are always going to play with a chip on our shoulder."
His halves partner Tannah Boyd shared similar sentiments.
"We'll be looking to silence a few people."
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