Price surprised but not angry at losing captaincy

NZPA ©

Steve Price says he was shocked and surprised but not angry at being dumped as New Zealand Warriors rugby league captain.

The Warriors yesterday announced that Price, captain for five seasons, was being replaced by 23-year-old Simon Mannering as captain of the Auckland-based National Rugby League (NRL) team.

Price, 35, said he was disappointed when given the news by coach Ivan Cleary but that he would support Mannering.

"I never took the captaincy for granted but it was a shock given it came the first week back to training," Price told Brisbane's Courier-Mail.

The Warriors said Mannering was given the job because Price wouldn't be around forever and they wanted Mannering to learn his way as captain while Price was still at the club.

"I wouldn't say I was hurt but I was surprised. But at the end of the day the club thinks it is the right way to go and I will work hard to help Simon," Price said.

"I understand the club's thoughts. I'm not angry. I'm a club man. I support their decision."

Mannering yesterday said Price's offer of support made him happier about the job.

"It was the weirdest thing about it, being captain of a side that's still got a player like Steve Price in it, but when he said `I'm fully behind you', it did make me feel a bit more comfortable about it," Mannering said.

"Obviously he'd be a little disappointed not having the job, but he said `mate, I'm behind you 100 percent and if you need anything during the year just come and ask'."

The decision came at the end of a disappointing season where the Warriors, rated as NRL title contenders at the start of the year, finished third from bottom.

A mix of injury and State of Origin duty meant Price played just 14 games for the Warriors last year.

Mannering has played for the Kiwis 19 times but was ruled out of the present Four Nations tournament in England and France because of a knee injury.