'It's heartbreaking': Warriors captain's sympathy for injured teammate

Mitchell Barnett can sympathise with New Zealand Warriors teammate Jackson Ford’s situation.

In the midst of a career-best year, Ford suffered a torn pectoral muscle early in last weekend’s win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Christchurch. The 28-year-old is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks, with the team hopeful the star prop will be back in time for the playoffs.

Ford has been on a tear in the middle for Andrew Webster’s side this year, playing big minutes and putting up the numbers to sit second in the Dally M Player of the Year race when voting went behind closed doors at the end of round 12.

He joins a casualty ward brimming with talent; match-day regulars James Fisher-Harris (calf), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (leg), Tanah Boyd (ACL), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ACL) and Leka Halasima (hamstring) also out of action.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash against the Redcliffe Dolphins in Brisbane, Barnett said it was a tough blow for Ford.

“I know exactly how he feels. To be at the top of your game and have an injury like that, it’s heartbreaking. Especially for him, who’s worked so hard to get to where he’s at,” the Warriors captain said.

Jackson Ford on the charge against the Roosters. Photo / Photosport

“But there’s a small window of positivity there that he will hopefully get to play footy again at the end of the year. And if there’s anyone that can not play footy for 12 weeks or 10 weeks – however long it is – and come back out and play big minutes, it’s Jacko Ford, because he’s got a motor on him.

“I know he’ll do everything he can to get back out there and we’ll hold it down in the meantime and yeah, looking forward to getting him back late in the year.”

Barnett is no stranger to major injuries. Last year, he missed the second half of the Warriors’ campaign due to an ACL injury. He also underwent surgery for a damaged disc in his neck in 2020, an issue that reared its head again early in 2023 and he considered walking away from the game.

Despite his experience with recovering from major injuries, he said he would not be offering any advice to Ford, as everyone had their own way of approaching such journeys.

“Oh, mate, to be fair, no one can really tell you anything. It’s just you’ve got to walk in your own shoes. You find out what works for you and that sort of thing. What works for me mightn’t work for the next person,” Barnett said.

“So I’m not here to, I guess, try and give anyone advice in that sense, but just as a friend, as a teammate, I’m just here if people need me. If they want to talk about it, chew the fat and whether it’s a good or a bad day for them, I’m happy to celebrate the good wins and on the bad days, happy to put an arm around them and make sure they’re all good. That’s all I can do as a mate and as a friend.”

Ford’s injury will see Tanner Stowers-Smith return to the starting line-up alongside Barnett in the middle, while Kurt Capewell returns in the second row after not backing up from State Of Origin duties with Queensland last week. Hooker Sam Healey is also set to return after a thumb injury from the interchange.

The Warriors travel to meet a fast-moving Dolphins side who have won seven games in a row, scoring an average of 37 points per game in that stretch. Over the last three weeks, the Dolphins have a lowest score of 36.

Their most recent loss came in their last encounter with the Warriors, with the New Zealand side claiming a 20-18 win in Wellington in late April.

“They were very hard in Wellington. They’re just a very fit, well-coached side,” Barnett said.

“I think they get the basics right in terms of the physical side of the game every week. They’re very physical, they go after the game and then they’ve got some special players that, around their structures, they just seem to ... score points, obviously with Hammer [fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow] and [halfback] Isaiya Katoa there, [centre] Herbie Farnworth, so we’re going to have to be at our best to go with them this weekend.

“It’s a great opportunity for us where we’re at and looking forward to getting out there.”

Warriors casualty ward

James Fisher-Harris – prop: calf, due back round 19

Alofiana Khan-Pereira – wing: leg, return date TBC

Leka Halasima – second row: hamstring, return date TBC

Tanah Boyd – halfback: ACL, out for the season

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – wing/centre: ACL, out for the season

Warriors v Dolphins team lists

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett (c), 11. Jacob Laban, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange (from): 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Marata Niukore, 18. Kayliss Fatialofa, 20. Luke Metcalf. Reserves: 21. Makaia Tafua, 22. Jye Linnane, 23. Jason Salalilo

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles

Interchange: 14. Max Plath, 15. Kurt Donoghoe, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Felise Kaufusi, 18. Bradley Schneider, 19. Oryn Keeley. Reserves: 20. Tevita Naufahu, 21. Brian Pouniu, 22. Trai Fuller

(Three players to be omitted from each team.)

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.