New recruit Shaun Berrigan sees Warriors as genuine threat

Former Bronco Shaun Berrigan has revealed that the reason behind his joining the New Zealand Warriors, is that he sees the Warriors as a genuine threat for the premiership title.

Berrigan, who was the Clive Churchill Medalist in 2006, managed to get a release from his ESL club Hull FC, for a swansong in the NRL.

Berrigan, who is 32, is capable of playing centre, hooker, and in the halves, and with experience like his, his addition will help the Warriors younger players, as he acts as a mentor towards them.

The Warriors, who were knocked out of the first round of the finals in 2010, improved greatly on their form of previous years, winning games away from home, which is something that they had previously struggled with.

Once Berrigan revealed that he wanted to make a return to the NRL, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was immediately interested, as Berrigan wanted to be closer to his family, who are based in Queensland.

Berrigan is confident that he can repay the faith that Cleary showed in him, as he does what he can to guide the Warriors to a maiden NRL premiership.

“I spoke to Ivan, he was keen to get me over here,” said Berrigan.

“The Warriors are a top-eight team and I thought they’d be the best match for me.

“The Warriors are a good up and coming side and across the board they’ve got a good young bunch of kids.

“The Warriors 10 years ago, people used to say you can get them in the last 10 minutes of matches. But these boys are very fit and very fast so it’s exciting to be a part of.”

When he departed the NRL in 2007 to begin his stint with Hull, Berrigan was regarded as one of the NRL’s fittest players, and he was able to maintain his fitness levels with the idea of one day, returning to the NRL.

It is likely that Berrigan will start the season in the hooker position, with Aaron Heremaia, who played at hooker last year for the Warriors, coming off the bench.

Berrigan has said however, that he is not concerned as to which position he plays.

“I’ve been moved around my whole career. I’m just one of those guys who loves playing rugby league and I’m happy anywhere the coach puts me,” he said.

“Even being a kid I don’t remember ever asking to play in a position. You just play in the position the coach puts you in, that’s the way I’ve been brought up.”