New Zealand Warriors has been attack dues to……

| September 5, 2024 | New Zealand Warriors | No Comments

Warriors season in the balance due to errors and ill-discipline says Mitch Barnett

Warriors new recruit Mitch Barnett says going to the club has got him out of his comfort zone and for him, that’s a good thing.

The 28-year-old forward has joined the Warriors after seven seasons at the Knights and he’ll add a steely edge to their pack, giving the team some of the aggression that Matt Lodge used to provide.

Barnett was one of the most popular players at the Knights and could have conceivably played in Newcastle for the remainder of his career.

But instead he did what so many Australian players seem to run a mile from, moving to New Zealand to play for the Warriors.

“It’s been a massive culture shock to start with and then learning a lot of new things,” Barnett said after the team’s training session on Thursday

“Learning new systems has been a challenge as well on the footy front.

“But it’s enjoyable, it’s keeping it refreshing and I’m looking forward to the footy.

Joining the Warriors has reinvigorated Barnett. The new environment has allowed him to experience different things on and off the field.

“Just getting out of my comfort zone is a big one,” he said.

“I made myself comfortable in Newcastle after being there for a long period of time.

“It was easy for me. I grew up and hour and a half, two hours up the road. So I found myself getting comfortable.

“But I wanted to get out of that comfort zone and I’m enjoying it.

Something Barnett has had to get accustomed to that he didn’t expect to be an issue is the Auckland weather.

Although it has improved the last couple of weeks, he’s had to endure a very wet November, December and half of January.

“They told me it’s never like this and I think I’ve had about five sunny days!” Barnett laughed.

“Nah, it’s been alright, as you can tell by the colour of my skin, I don’t do the sun too much.”

Barnett, who will play on an edge and in the middle this season, said there was never any issues from him about relocating to a country that’s similar to Australia in some ways, but not like it at all in others.

“It’s a different country, but it is what it is. It’s a nice place,” he said.

“It’s not like they’re sending me to a bad spot or anything. I’ve got a nice place and I’m doing what I love.”

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