Off the Back Seat: Clint Roberts on why this could be the Warriors’ year
Warriors, superstitions and Shaun Johnson: Why Clint Roberts thinks this might finally be the year.
If you’ve ever blamed a Warriors loss on the socks you were wearing, refused to attend a game because you thought you were jinxing the team, or convinced yourself that this season feels different, then the latest episode of Off The Back Seat – Fan Edition is for you. ZM Drive Host and Wahs tragic Clint Roberts joins The Alternative Commentary Collective’s Mad Monday crew for a deeply relatable dive into what it means to be a Warriors fan.
For Roberts, the obsession began on day one. He vividly recalls watching the club’s inaugural match in 1995 and realising the significance of the moment when the tough, rugby league-mad adult beside him was moved to tears. It’s a story that perfectly captures the emotional hold the Warriors have had over generations of New Zealanders.
The conversation then swings through everything that makes supporting the Warriors such a unique experience: the heartbreak, the irrational optimism, the superstitions and the annual belief that this could finally be the year. Roberts opens up about his favourite Warriors memory, revealing why Shaun Johnson’s fairy-tale return remains one of the most emotionally satisfying stories in New Zealand sport.
There are plenty of laughs along the way , too. In the backseat of the GWM the team debate whether Mount Smart’s famous scaffolding is on its last legs, discuss the strange social hierarchy of high-school sprinting and share stories that range from Magic Round adventures to the sacred status of Stacey Jones at a suburban bowling club.
But beneath the humour is a fascinating discussion about the current Warriors resurgence. Roberts explains why the old jokes about blind faith and perpetual disappointment don’t quite land anymore, arguing that the club has become a genuinely respected contender. The episode explores whether New Zealand fans are finally allowing themselves to believe a premiership is possible and what that might mean for a fanbase carrying three decades of emotional baggage.
Part therapy session, part comedy podcast and part love letter to Warriors supporters, this episode captures exactly why rugby league remains such a powerful force in New Zealand culture. Watch or listen below to hear the full conversation, including the stories, theories and superstitions that didn’t make it into this article.