Also while I am defending the downtrodden. Stacey has been maligned on this forum even though he is only the assistant coach. If Inch needs development then the Warriors can offer master classes with Stacey. That will be of great benefit to him. Maybe the club will also ask for some time from Shaun as well who I am sure will be happy to help. With Stacey Jones as a assistant coach the warriors aren't necessarily the best team to come to learn how to be a half, but we are pretty good team to come to. . And just maybe having Stacey as part of the value proposition helped get both Jett and Inch across the line as an added talking point for the recruitment team.
Recruitment Warriors 2026/2027 Recruitment & Retention
- Thread starter WahsaurusRex
- Start date
NZWarriors.com
Also a third thing while I am throwing some posts around, Now that the dust has settled on Shaun's career how will he be remembered relative to Stacey. Who was the better half and who can train young halves better? Stacey was the more text book half and can probably teach it more like a formula to a young kid while Shaun only learned game management at the Sharks and for the first half of his career was a side stepping machine.
We’re the only club in the comp with all our back 3 30 and above. Roger’s the only one who’s earnt his spot for next year the other 2 are up for grabs.
NZWarriors.com
Yeah no I’m just playing devils advocate here, I have no idea what contract is in play.
But I think he’s the same level talent as those the Mitch Woods and Coby Blacks. Even someone like 19 year old Toby Rodwell being top 30 this year at Roosters. They had to pick Savala from outside the top 30 because they've invested a top 30 spot in Rodwell who they clearly think will be good but isnt ready right now. Teams will do more than you think to secure a potentially elite half before they are ready. So it’s not unreasonable for it to be top 30
I think prioritising Cleary over Harry Inch would be a mistake. Cleary has done well this year but their ceilings or best outcome aren’t the same.
Hiraka has really dropped off this year for whatever reason. Didn’t perform well SG ball or when he appeared in Fox. If he had continued his 2024 into 2025 he’d be in the mix for a development contract and debut in 2026 imo.
Anyway, the point of my comment is about halves, not centers or props like Hiraka, Berry, Crosby. And how teams will promote halves early to secure them because it’s the most important position
Last edited:
SJ made a very valid point kind of related to this point. Their are coaches that have immense knowledge of the game but it doesn't necessarily translate into them being a great coach. Well that's what I took from his comments anyway.
View: https://youtu.be/UDPXYxT5ZOU?si=jeUdF3a3wL3ki-TN
Specific comment starts at 8:25 in the video but also worth listening from 6:30 for his views on coaches. Probably worth putting this in the Andrew Webster thread.
Apologies for going off topic, can move this to another thread if needed.
NZWarriors.com
That’s another thread in itself
If the warriors didnt get him, some other league club would have. Well done cappy.
NZWarriors.com
If you’re signing the Crusaders’ future first five who already played trial games 9 months ago then you probably want to lure him with a top 30 spot, I don’t think Berry was a highly touted prospect he was just the son of an All Black in an awful warriors team lol
One of the other award winner I could find was Leicester fainga'anuku
We’ve got Luke and CHT with 3 young halves coming through so I really hope with his size and our need he trains at 1 and ball play out wide. Extra option for kicks and field goal kicking too can do what Walsh or Burton do when they’re not in the halves, probably better kicker than most of our halves lol
Would be really interesting to see how Webby converts him cuz Aussies convert their players easily ie marky mark, backs should be fine just vomit from pre season running lol
One of the other award winner I could find was Leicester fainga'anuku
We’ve got Luke and CHT with 3 young halves coming through so I really hope with his size and our need he trains at 1 and ball play out wide. Extra option for kicks and field goal kicking too can do what Walsh or Burton do when they’re not in the halves, probably better kicker than most of our halves lol
Would be really interesting to see how Webby converts him cuz Aussies convert their players easily ie marky mark, backs should be fine just vomit from pre season running lol
According to Zero Tackle, AKP has signed with us for 2 years 26 / 27..
Berry was there or thereabouts (maybe top 20-40 player in the country). Would've def been in the discussion for NZSS if he hadn't had signed for us.
Inch was talked about as the no. 1 player in the country (although did come off the bench a few times for NZSS which was surprising to many)
But I agree. He would've clearly had a full time Crusaders contract next year. So you kind of want the equivalent to walk away from that.
NZWarriors.com
tajhay
💙💚❤️
View: https://www.tiktok.com/@waterboyrugby/video/7421349070058425608
Dallin would not be happy if there was better flowing locks in the team
On Inch by Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall
“He’s so tough. He’s just not afraid of anything. He’s a farmer, [with] farmer strength. He beats all the boys in the wrestles in the gym and he’s just a kid out of school,”
www.nzherald.co.nz
“He’s so tough. He’s just not afraid of anything. He’s a farmer, [with] farmer strength. He beats all the boys in the wrestles in the gym and he’s just a kid out of school,”
'Gutted': Tasman loses rising star to NRL move
Inch had featured in the Crusaders' pre-season, impressing alongside James O’Connor.
