Price not right as Mannering named skipper

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Second rower Simon Mannering has today been appointed New Zealand Warriors captain for the 2010 NRL season.

Napier-born, Nelson-raised Mannering, the 2008 Warriors player of the year, is widely-regarded as one of the New Zealand's finest players.

He made his first-grade debut against Brisbane in 2005 and, after a belated start to the 2006 season, went on to make 92 consecutive appearances until a knee injury stopped his run late in the 2009 season.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said it was important Mannering had every chance to develop as a captain while 2005-2009 captain Steve Price was still with the club.

"Steve has been a fantastic captain for the last five seasons and has done an outstanding job for the Vodafone Warriors in that role both on and off the field," said Scurrah.

"For us, this decision is about the future. Simon has the qualities to be a great captain and the time is right for him to take on that role now.

"We realise that when Steve does eventually retire as a player, a leader of his experience going will leave a huge void and, for that reason, we saw the need to appoint Simon while Steve was still playing for the club."

Although still only 23, Mannering has already distinguished himself at both NRL and international level. He was ruled out of the Kiwis' current Four Nations campaign, ending a run of 19 consecutive Tests since his debut in 2006, during which time he was a World Cup winner in Australia last year. He brought up the 100-game milestone in the NRL in the New Zealand Warriors' final match of the 2009 season against Melbourne.

Mannering said he was humbled when approached to become captain.

"It's such a huge honour to be asked to captain the Vodafone Warriors," he said.

"I'm committed to doing the best I possibly can for the club. I'm very proud to play for the Vodafone Warriors and to now be named to captain the side is an unbelievable privilege.

"I couldn't hope for a better person than Steve to learn from. I have so much respect for him and for what he has done for our club. I intend to learn as much as I can from him."

Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary said Mannering would prove a great choice as captain.

"In all areas his attitude is second to none. Simon also has the utmost respect from everyone at the club and has got the personal qualities required to be an excellent NRL captain," he said.

"Steve has done a terrific job for us as captain over the last five seasons but this is the right time for us to make a change while he is still very much a part of the action. He can be a real strength for Simon and the team.

"We all see Simon being captain of the Vodafone Warriors for years to come."

Mannering becomes the ninth player to be appointed captain since the club's arrival in 1995. After Dean Bell in the inaugural 1995 season, the other official captains have been Greg Alexander (1996), Matthew Ridge (1997-1999), John Simon (2000), co-captains Kevin Campion and Stacey Jones (2001), Monty Betham (2002-2004) and Steve Price (2005-2009).

Mannering joined his fellow team-mates on Monday for the start of the New Zealand Warriors' off-season training programme