LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Former Warriors stars credit Daniel Anderson, the former Warriors coach, for the survival and success of the club.
Anderson, an untried coach at the time, took charge of the new look club in 2001 and led them to an historic grand final just a year later.
His influence on the team and on Shaun Johnson, in particular, was crucial.
Johnson may have been lost to the game without Anderson's guidance.
Anderson, a life-long servant of the game, has also achieved success with St Helens and the Kiwis.
However, his greatest legacy is with the Warriors, who have even re-named their home ground in his honor for an upcoming match against Manly.
When Anderson started coaching in Auckland, the future of the Warriors was uncertain due to the NRL's reduction in the number of teams.