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Steve Price dumped as Warriors captain
15:24 AEST Wed Nov 4 2009
Steve Price
Long-serving Steve Price has been replaced as captain of the New Zealand Warriors.

Long-serving Steve Price has been replaced as Warriors captain by Simon Mannering following the NRL side's disappointing season.

Price - often dubbed the most popular Australian in New Zealand - steps down after five years in the top job.

The move is designed to prepare for the future and inject some fresh energy into the club, which finished a dire 14th in the 2009 campaign.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said it was important Mannering had the chance to develop as a captain while Price, who still has another year on his contract, was still with the club.

"Steve has been a fantastic captain for the last five seasons and has done an outstanding job for the Warriors in that role both on and off the field," Scurrah said in a statement.

"For us, this decision is about the future.

"Simon has the qualities to be a great captain and the time is right for him to take on that role now.

"We realise that when Steve does eventually retire as a player, a leader of his experience going will leave a huge void and, for that reason, we saw the need to appoint Simon while Steve was still playing for the club."

Mannering, 23, debuted for the Warriors in 2005 and has already distinguished himself at both NRL and international level.

He brought up the 100-game milestone in the NRL in the Warriors' final match of the 2009 season against Melbourne.

Mannering said he was humbled when approached to become captain.

"I'm very proud to play for the Warriors and to now be named to captain the side is an unbelievable privilege," he said.

"I'm committed to doing the best I possibly can for the club."

He said he couldn't hope for a better person than Price to learn from.

"I have so much respect for him and for what he has done for our club," Mannering said.

"I intend to learn as much as I can from him."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Mannering would prove a great choice as captain.

"In all areas his attitude is second to none," Cleary said.

"Simon also has the utmost respect from everyone at the club and has got the personal qualities required to be an excellent NRL captain."

He also paid his respects to 35-year-old Price's "terrific" efforts, but now was the time to make a change.

"We all see Simon being captain of the Warriors for years to come," the coach said.

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User comments
steve price is a proven leader.his experience will be missed.one of the only warriors forwards to step up last season. just another example of warriors management failing in the everyday running of a rugby league team. come home pricey!
Congragulations to both the Warriors and Steve Price. For the Warriors - it is for the timing to replace Pricey as he may have a year or so before he hangs up his boots. For Price - it is for his longetivity and services to NZ Warriors. Steve Price is a better player when he plays for Australia and Queensland simply because he concentrates on his individual game. Im not saying he doesn't play well when playing for the Warriors but that extra captain's role takes a bit out of him when the team doesn't go well. If Pricey plays as a player (not captain) next season, the Warriors will do well and can make the Top 4 if injury and other factors don't go against them.
Disgraceful. A captain like Steve Price should not be 'replaced'. How humiliating. He should be captain until he decides he has had enough. Is there no loyalty left? Its not like Steve Price did not try his guts out the whole of last year leading by example every game. Bad move Warriors. Come to the Broncos Steve, we need another big forward.
Mate, can anyone change the Headline - Steve Price 'Dumped'. He clearly was not Dumped!!! It is a strategic move and it should not be reported the way it has as. It cheapens one the true legends image.
Like most of the above said, the headline is just that, something to get your attention. Good move for both the men and the club. Steve is still playing footy at the highest level and at 35 years of age that in itself shows the quality of the man.
well i think that the warriors havent recovered from when they made the grand final in 02. i mean to sack price coz they hada bad yr thats ordinary,they should look at some of their so called big players and ask why they never contribute to the team....and mannering as captain,why not luck,he's the backbone of the team isnt he?
I agree with Footy fan.. the headline is much more sensationalistic than the actual truth. Never let the truth get in the way of a good headline. Of course it makes sense that they bring in a new captain while Price is still there.. he will teach him a huge amount before he departs the club.
I think it is a really clever strategic move. I can also say that Price will be providing a lot of input on the field as well as off....
Yep, I think he's definately being made the scape-goat for their poor season. Whilst I understand that they want Mannering to "learn" from price, I think this is the wrong way to go about it. Why not make him VC for the year? No, he can't turn the warriors around. Considering the squad they had this year and how they performed, I believe it's a coaching problem.
I think that he has been made the scapegoat....Come back to Australia and to the doggies Steve we still love you....
It is probably a good move to do this while Steve Price is still there. I don't like the headline, because it is obviously a move at club level to plan and I am sure Price will still take on the leadership role as required on and off the field, not like he is on the outer and shafted. I will say I thought Michael Luck was next in line with him being a stand-in for Price, but Mannering iseems an excellent choice.

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