NZ Warriors owner Mark Robinson admits he's survived through some nervous times with the Auckland-based NRL club, but is finally seeing the fruits of his labour paying off.
After three seasons of COVID-19 exile across the Tasman and their worst-ever record in 2022, the Warriors have soared to premiership contention, as they face Brisbane Broncos for a spot in their third Grand Final.
Robinson first bought into the club in 2018 - the last time it reached the NRL playoffs - and took outright ownership 12 months later, stamping his own mark from his privileged position, as the organisation searched for the right culture to turn its fortunes around.
He has reportedly pulling the strings on coach and player departures, with his behind-the-scenes meddling often highlighted as an unforeseen cost of financial survival.
That intervention was probably highlighted by the cold sacking of coach and club legend Stephen Kearney during the early days of COVID, and the stand-up row that led to hardman Matt Lodge's exit last year.
Right now, Mark Robinson - not the NZ Rugby boss nor the former All Blacks/Warriors halfback - looks something like a genius.
"At times, I was pretty worried with COVID and the rest of it, but we all got in together and stuck together," he reflected. "We went through the club and worked out who needed to stay and who needed to go, and what players were important for our environment.
"This year, we're starting to see the fruits of it. From the bottom of the club to the top of the club, I've never seen a team or a group of people - from players to management and people who are involved in the backend of the club - so happy.
"Everyone is happy at the club, but when it comes to gameday, you can see the mood changes. Everyone is serious, and they know their job and we get on with it."
When he first arrived at Mt Smart, Robinson insisted the club was building for the next three years, but that timeframe was quickly swallowed up by COVID. Now he credits the pandemic pain for today's success, after fans were deprived of their team for most of 2020-22, while players and staff faced prolonged periods away from home and families.
"I think COVID had a lot to do with how we've ended up at the moment," said Robinson. "All living together wasn't easy for all the boys... and being away from your family.
"I think they learnt a lot from that, but it was never going to come right until we got home. The hard work and brave faces people put on in Australia was unreal, but at the end of the day, the club was never going to reach its best until we came home."
Like any proud dad, Robinson is often unapproachable during games, as he rides the highs and lows of his team, reaching a crescendo with the defeat of Newcastle Knights in last week's elimination fixture at soldout Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
"You couldn't talk to me during the first half," he said. "In the second half, when they scored that first half, I got a bit worried, but when the boys slammed back with two more, I started to loosen up a bit and started to enjoy it.
"It's really tough to watch at the moment, for me, because I'm so proud of them and I want them to be successful."
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