NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster is adamant he's gone dark with his good mate-turned-temporary adversary Ivan Cleary for this weekend's bumper NRL playoffs clash.
Webster joined the Warriors this season from the Panthers, where he won consecutive NRL premierships as head coach Cleary's assistant.
He's made an immediate impact in his debut season in charge in Auckland, guiding the Warriors to their best ever finish in 21 years and their first post-season berth since 2018.
The pair formed a close relationship through their decorated years in western Sydney, but Webster has echoed the sentiments from Cleary, who - speaking after the Panthers had locked up the minor premiership to book a date with the Warriors - said they "aren't going to be friends next week."
"That's already done," Webster told Newshub, when asked what the cut-off point for communications with Cleary would be. "No mates this week, it's all about winning.
"I understand Ivan has already said the same and I agree, so that's good. We can just focus on our own sides and how we can get the win and afterwards we can be mates again."
The two sides have met once this season, when Cleary emerged with bragging rights after an 18-6 win during magic round in a highly competitive contest.
The visitors will have to contend with a hostile reception at BlueBet Stadium, although if recent trends are anything to go by - there will be more than a smattering of Warriors faithful among the black-clad locals on Saturday.
The Kiwi ex-pats in Australia have made their presence felt wherever the Warriors have travelled across the ditch this season, most recently last weekend at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium where the vocal contingent gave the impression it was the Warriors who were the hosts rather than the Dolphins.
Webster sincerely hopes that trend continues on Saturday, sending out a rallying cry for their loyal fanbase to make the pilgrimage to the foot of the Blue Mountains to get behind their beloved side once again.
"They've been unbelievable - on the weekend again we came out for warm-ups and thought it was our home game," he said.
"It's happened several times so if you're a Kiwi fan in Australia we want you along to it - any finals game you can, and particularly this week."
A Warriors win would see them advance directly to the preliminary final, affording them a bye in week two of the knockouts.
A loss will send them back to Auckland to host a sudden-death semi-final, likely against the winner of this weekend's elimination final between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights.
Join Newshub next weekend for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL playoff clash
