NRL

Australian rugby league great Andrew Johns gave Warriors fans a heartwarming Christmas message last night when he said he was "blown away'' by the talent he's seen at the club.

Two Sunday afternoon games, two Saturday night encounters and a rare Monday night match are on the menu in the Warriors' first five matches of the 2012 NRL season.

The Warriors will take on the premiership-winning Manly Sea Eagles in a grand final rematch in the opening round of their 2012 NRL campaign at Eden Park next March.

The Warriors are hoping to lure Kiwis hooker Thomas Leuluai back to Mt Smart in 2013, a decade after he made his debut for the club as a 17-year-old.

Billy Slater has been crowned International Player of The Year for a second time at the Rugby League International Federation awards in London.

New Warriors coach Brian McClennan has wasted little time in getting his feet under the table and has already approached Andrew Johns to help develop the club's exciting halves.

Manly coach Des Hasler said one thing yesterday, his team's body language said quite another.

The All Blacks' and Warriors' stunning weekend victories created an unprecedented surge in fan support as the two sides took a massive step towards Rugby World Cup and National Rugby League glory.