Team List Warriors vs Raiders - [Round 12, 2025]

[snake77]

Happy to see Leiataua back from injury. Capewell has done well covering there while we've had Leiataua and Berry out. It is good to have Capewell back in the second row and a specialist centre back.

The injury list isn't as bad now. Let's hope it stays that way. It would be good to have some stability. Our defence has been good but keeping the same combinations could help even more. Our attack hasn't been great so having some stability on the edges would be good.

 

[snake77]

After Vegas this was shaping up as a game to look forward to. A chance to make up for that performance but also to get a gauge on how much we have improved.

A pity it has hit during Origin. Both sides have a player out. It would have been good having JFH available.

We are coming off a poor season so I've seen all our games as a challenge. A few of the teams we've beaten have been poor but that is with the benefit of hindsight and seeing the season play out.

Our two losses have been against teams that are going well this year. This week will be a good test.

We are going to lose games. I want us to lose in competitive games and not like our two losses which have seen the score blow out.

 

[Tonbridge(aka Swanley)]

I'm chalking this one up as a loss.

Two starting props out and to the Raiders almost full strength.

Hope I'm wrong, but just feel like we'll lose.

 

[KPWarrior]

I'm chalking this one up as a loss.

Two starting props out and to the Raiders almost full strength.

Hope I'm wrong, but just feel like we'll lose.

It's a very real prospect, but I can't help but back the boys to make a statement.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I'm chalking this one up as a loss.

Two starting props out and to the Raiders almost full strength.

Hope I'm wrong, but just feel like we'll lose.

If the depleted dogs pack that lost to the phins can hold their own against the Raiders then so can we. With Niukore back in the middle, we have a much stronger looking pack now. We don't need to own the middle, just hold our own and generate enough possession to exploit their serious defensive deficiencies on the edges. They are the 12th worst defensive team for a reason. Even the tits scored 24 pts against them last week. If we score 20+ pts, I back our defense to get us over the line.

 

[CWC]

 

[sydneywarrior92]

View attachment 13132

I think we like this.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Just a dumb thought: but how will the pitch hold up tomorrow given that there was an A-League semi-final hosted there tonight?

 

[Leighton Rhino]

It's a very real prospect, but I can't help but back the boys to make a statement.

Win this and I think it will make people sit up and take notice

Will also cement into the players that they are destined to win /find a way in tight games.....I think that sort of stuff really gets into a squads head when they are on a roll

 

[Leighton Rhino]

Just a dumb thought: but how will the pitch hold up tomorrow given that there was an A-League semi-final hosted there tonight?

What is the surface there? Is it a hybrid or anything ?

 

[Tpadds]

Agree with the sentiment that Niukore starting in the middle gives us a better chance of matching Tapine, a fired up Horsburgh and Big Papa.

I'm a bit surprised to see TMM maintained on the bench with Capewell providing outside back cover from the back row. I thought once the injury cover was less of an issue Healey would make more sense as a 14. Will be interesting to see if TMM is shaping as a genuine bench option further into the season.

Healey did mention in an interview having a bit of difficulty settling in NZ and that his partner is still based in Aus.. maybe he's a step or two behind where Webby was hoping he'd be by now??

 

[Tpadds]

And one more thing...

At what point does Metcalf's goal kicking become a genuine concern? He's at 63% which would have to be the worst in the NRL for first choice goal kickers I would imagine?

Nailing a couple of clutch kicks and not having lost a game on the back of missed goals maybe means he's avoided some scrutiny in that department.

Absolutely lovely that the boys are going so well I have to dig this deep for criticism though! Up the wahs!!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Excited to see how big Ali goes at right centre.

Lots of discussion around whether Ali or Berry is the best man for the right centre, imo if Ali wants it enough he can close off that argument in the next two games. If he puts on a show I think it's his spot for the rest of the year.

If he's average or below par, he leaves the door open for Berry, who imo will be picked as soon as he's fit enough.

Let's eat!

 

[CWC]

Just a dumb thought: but how will the pitch hold up tomorrow given that there was an A-League semi-final hosted there tonight?

If the groundsman knows his NRL he will skip maintenance tomorrow

 

[CWC]

And one more thing...

At what point does Metcalf's goal kicking become a genuine concern? He's at 63% which would have to be the worst in the NRL for first choice goal kickers I would imagine?

Nailing a couple of clutch kicks and not having lost a game on the back of missed goals maybe means he's avoided some scrutiny in that department.

Absolutely lovely that the boys are going so well I have to dig this deep for criticism though! Up the wahs!!

I have that on his list of KPI this week - easy goals, no drop balls hot on attack, and some grubbers when needed

I was impressed how quickly he fixed the drop outs and he’s fine tuned his bombs under the posts in a week

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I'm chalking this one up as a loss.

Two starting props out and to the Raiders almost full strength.

Hope I'm wrong, but just feel like we'll lose.

Every favourite has lost this round with origin sucking the best players and leadership out.

We’re impacted as you said, so we have to beat a trend. But like recently with the second half come from behind win all weekend, we managed to bucked that trend as well.

Let’s do it again!

 

[John Nick]

Every favourite has lost this round with origin sucking the best players and leadership out.

We’re impacted as you said, so we have to beat a trend. But like recently with the second half come from behind win all weekend, we managed to bucked that trend as well.

Let’s do it again!

Difficult round (as usual of late) to be a tipster but Gus has tipped the Raiders so we have something on our side.