General Xmas fun - warriors best centre

[wizard of Tauranga]

Centre - a position with a lot of options!

Discuss

 

[Defence]

Toopi first picked.
I’ll wait to hear the arguments for and against the rest of them.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Toopi clear 1st & Vagana clear 2nd in my opinion - what a pity he didn’t stay longer at the Warriors.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Toopi clear 1st & Vagana clear 2nd in my opinion - what a pity he didn’t stay longer at the Warriors.

Who’s your 3rd, 4th, 5th… top 5

 

[Tragic]

Dean bell. Just because he was my favorite player pre warriors. But Toopi is the best Centre we have had in the warriors. Vagana second Jerome third.
Dunno why Tate is on the list, plenty better than him not there.

 

[Tragic]

Anderson > Tata kata or hurrell

 

[Tragic]

Whetu taewa?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Who’s your 3rd, 4th, 5th… top 5

From that list I’d prob go 3rd Ropati, 4th Tate, 5th Hurrell. But do some of the earlier names like Richie Blackmore. Tea Ropati & even Vinnie Anderson deserve a mention?

 

[Cces]

Toopi, daylight, then Ropati.
Vagana & Bell's best years weren't at the club.
Tea Ropati is worth a shout. Player of the Year in 1995 & 58 games (48% wins) for the club in the position if you factor in the WCC

 

[Noitall]

Hiku made those around him look better. Switched sides and got Maumalo and Fusitua a stack from season to season. Straight out league player that could fill a heap of positions

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Hiku made those around him look better. Switched sides and got Maumalo and Fusitua a stack from season to season. Straight out league player that could fill a heap of positions

If his defence was a bit better he would be the complete player!

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Couple of players added.

The lists are based on an NRL poll players with a few current options (eg Pompey, Barnett, JFH, etc) added to see the response!

 

[Noitall]

If his defence was a bit better he would be the complete player!

Reminds me of DWZ, though Hiku was often a shirt grab while DWZ is often caught out of position. Think combinations go a long way and a familiarity between the centre and wing is vital I reckon. When I think of Toopi, straight away Meli comes into my mind because of that potency of that edge

 

[Matiunz]

I went off Warriors form as some seem to associate form at other clubs *cough* Tate, Vagana*cough* even Bell*cough*
Went with Toopi it’s a shame his ego might have gotten in the way of prolonging it further. Next was Hiku, he mainly for his ability to set up those around him

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I went off Warriors form as some seem to associate form at other clubs *cough* Tate, Vagana*cough* even Bell*cough*
Went with Toopi it’s a shame his ego might have gotten in the way of prolonging it further. Next was Hiku, he mainly for his ability to set up those around him

Toopi’s ego wasn’t his problem.

 

[Matiunz]

Toopi’s ego wasn’t his problem.

My memory of that time is that along with the Anderson losing the dressing room a few players let the success go to their heads a bit- Toopi was the most visible with the antics and the out there hair styles etc.
What went wrong with Toopi?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

My memory of that time is that along with the Anderson losing the dressing room a few players let the success go to their heads a bit- Toopi was the most visible with the antics and the out there hair styles etc.
What went wrong with Toopi?

Nothing too major, just enjoyed a few too many drinks at the expense of training hard enough. Apparently he’s a really good bloke.

 

[tajhay]

Re Toopi, he was like a lot of our other players at the time.

The one thing I do regret is later taking all the hard work for granted. I think my form did drop off which saw me fall out of favour and led to me slowly exiting out.

And that is one of the unfortunate things I see with players at the Warriors. If we are not wanted we go for the easy out, rather than sticking around and fighting it out.

Why did you leave the Warriors at the end of 2006?​

I didn't see eye to eye with Ivan Cleary. There are no bad feelings towards him or anything … but I don’t think he had any faith in me. At that time I was in a lull in terms of form, so that didn't help the situation.

Legend Q&A: Clinton Toopi

Clinton Toopi rose to prominence with the Warriors in their stunning run to the 2002 grand final before his career took a couple of detours.

www.nrl.com

 

[BabylonPink]

Since I started watched in 2017 my favourite warriors centre has been Peta Hiku. Never saw toopi or anyone play.

 

[Matiunz]

Since I started watched in 2017 my favourite warriors centre has been Peta Hiku. Never saw toopi or anyone play.

Do yourself a favour and see if you can see some old replays on YouTube or something of the 2002/2003 seasons, very entertaining time to be a Warriors supporter