Hayden Meikle: What is it like for you, watching the NRL finals while the Warriors get ready for summer?
Dai Henwood: I love this time of year. I've already got my ticket to the grand final and I can't wait to get over there. To be honest, the eight teams that deserved to be in the top eight were there.
HM: What went wrong for the Warriors this season?
DH: I think the whole franchise has been in turmoil ever since John Hart was chased out of the club and then Ivan Cleary left. They've been going back and forth with coaches. It's a wonderful move to get Andrew McFadden in. You can't judge him on this season. We don't seem to play with enough aggression. We seem a bit loose and a bit lazy. One of the major troubles with the club is that we bask in a win, and when we lose, we just go, oh, whatever.
''You gotta have faith'' - the worst slogan a club could have.
HM: How long have you been a passionate Warriors fan?
DH: Since the get-go, mate. I was a big Balmain and Wests fan in the days of the good old Winfield Cup. When 1995 came round, I mean, having a local team, you had to support them. I've been a massive supporter since 1995 and it's only got stronger. I've got a 2-year-old and he's got his fair share of Warriors kit. I'll take him to his first game next year.
HM: Greatest moment as a Warriors fan?
DH: The 2011 grand final. I went over with Ben Hurley and a plane full of Kiwis. We lost that game, but just being a part of it was amazing.
HM: Favourite player?
DH: Lance Hohaia. He was short, and he was your classic Warrior. I loved the way he played the ball. Him and Hitro Okesene.
HM: Everybody says Hitro Okesene.
DH: I saw him speak the other day. He's an icon of the club.
HM: Which player would do well on 7 Days?
DH: Jerry Seuseu. He was chatting in the lounge during the season and he was really cracking me up. He's very cheeky, is old Jerry.
HM: Of the 37 different jerseys the Warriors have used, which was your favourite?
DH: The straight black and red home jersey. It's a big bugbear for me. I think the NRL needs to put a price limit on jerseys, so kids can get them, and the teams should be limited to three jerseys. It gets a bit ridiculous when you start to look like a 12-pack of Bacardi Breezers running on to the field.
HM: Did you play league yourself?
DH: No. I grew up in Wellington and went to Wellington College. You were sort of banned from school if you played league. I just played rugby until I stopped growing and all the Polynesian boys kept growing.
HM: Did you know there used to be a league team in Oamaru?
DH: No. Really?
HM: The North Otago Knights.
DH: Hey, how awesome would it be if the second New Zealand NRL franchise ended up being the North Otago Knights. That would be superb.
HM: Got any jokes with a Warriors theme?
DH: Oh, I'm just too passionate about the Warriors to make a joke about them. Nah, I can't help you out there. It's no laughing matter.
Dai Henwood performs at the Brydone Hotel in Oamaru tomorrow.
