There has been no shortage of superlatives over rookie NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster - and for good reason.
Club captain Tohu Harris has taken the accolades to the next level, with comparisons to TV sensation Ted Lasso.
Already this year, in his first season as a head coach, Webster has fronted a revolution at the Warriors.
Formerly NRL strugglers and coming off their worst season ever, Webster's Warriors are now guaranteed a place in the postseason, after Friday's 29-22 victory over Manly Sea Eagles.
Players have put that success down to the authenticity of Webster, who is now a frontrunner for the NRL's Dally M Coach of the Year award, sparking comparisons to the cultural phenomenon.
In Ted Lasso, an American football coach is appointed to lead fictional English football side AFC Richmond, inspiring his players to get the best out of themselves.
Played by creator and writer Jason Sudeikis, Lasso is backed by assistant Coach Beard (Brendan Hunt), captain-turned-coach Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) and kitman-turned-coach Nathan Shelley (Nick Mohammed).
All up, Ted Lasso has won 11 Emmy Awards and nominated for 61 in total.
While the show has ended after its third season, the Warriors squad have kept the narrative going through their coaches, jokes Harris - much to Webster's dismay.
"The coaches, all of them have been outstanding," began Harris. "We actually call them the 'Diamond Dogs'... I don't know if you watch Ted Lasso.
"They give you a good shoulder to lean on if you need some advice... 'Web Lasso' over here.
"Roy Kent? Justin Morgan is a very good Roy Kent. Rich Agar is Coach Beard, Stace [Stacey Jones] is 'Stace the Great'."
Jokes aside, the transformation at the Warriors under Webster cannot be ignored.
Victory over the Sea Eagles guarantees a first playoff appearance since 2018. One more win in their last two regular season matches would confirm a place in the NRL's top four.
This season will be the last for Morgan, who will move on to North Queensland Cowboys in 2024.
For Harris, the renewed spirit at the club comes back to the work done by Webster and his coaching staff.
"The coaches have been outstanding this year," Harris continued. "They've prepared us well every week, they've been positive every week.
"We've come a long way as a club and a lot of it comes down to the work they do."
The Warriors will conclude their regular season against St George Dragons on August 25, before a trip to the Dolphins at Brisbane on September 2.
