General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Citygirl]

6 man bench will help Webby a lot I think. His bench usage has been a huge weak point his entire stint, and doesn't really seem to have improved. He often sets a scared and undersized bench. At least this way he can put a back on the bench without making us even smaller than usual.

Does it mean though that two will just sit there and not play when they could be playing reserves?

 

[Wrighty]

Does it mean though that two will just sit there and not play when they could be playing reserves?

Yes and No. It could happen they just sit there, Of if an injury happens they will get called into the game.
Right now 1 player just sits there anyway and doesn't play reserves and that is the 18th man. Now there will be two players on stand by instead of one.

 

[Neo]

Has anyone else heard the rumour of TMM training at centre?
I’ve only put any stock in it because of Websters comment in the finals game about getting the “best 17 on the park”

 

[Wrighty]

Has anyone else heard the rumour of TMM training at centre?
I’ve only put any stock in it because of Websters comment in the finals game about getting the “best 17 on the park”

No I havn't heard but I think centre would be his best position.

 

[Neo]

No I havn't heard but I think centre would be his best position.

You would hope there are specialists coming through that didn’t necessitate it, but I’m sure he would do some training there as the bench utility. Defensive decision making is sound but it would be a relatively small body out there.
Ivan did play Lance Hohaia there though so stranger things have happened

 

[Naynay]

You would hope there are specialists coming through that didn’t necessitate it, but I’m sure he would do some training there as the bench utility. Defensive decision making is sound but it would be a relatively small body out there.
Ivan did play Lance Hohaia there though so stranger things have happened

Surely Ali has to get the nod for first go with Rocco out, not a good sign for his career if TMM gets first go.

Would have to say that would probably spell the end for both of our up and coming centres

 

[Neo]

Surely Ali has to get the nod for first go with Rocco out, not a good sign for his career if TMM gets first go.

Would have to say that would probably spell the end for both of our up and coming centres

Yeah look it may have been in game situations or providing a bit of depth there, but he was running there for a while at training the other day apparently. Capewell was in the right with Leka on the left too

 

[Noitall]

Surely Ali has to get the nod for first go with Rocco out, not a good sign for his career if TMM gets first go.

Would have to say that would probably spell the end for both of our up and coming centres

They seem to really like the kick chase aspect that Berry brings, could it be that they don’t see Leiataua has the endurance with how he was switched to
the left? Could have been purely injury enforced too? Leiataua looking bigger too I think

 

[Noitall]

Yeah look it may have been in game situations or providing a bit of depth there, but he was running there for a while at training the other day apparently. Capewell was in the right with Leka on the left too

You just made Cces’s day with the Capewell and Halasima information

 

[Wrighty]

Surely Ali has to get the nod for first go with Rocco out, not a good sign for his career if TMM gets first go.

Would have to say that would probably spell the end for both of our up and coming centres

Last year Ali was missing his off the ball assignments for example not knowing which play was on and not running a decoy line when he was supposed to. I think the Warriors will most likely use TMM as depth and Ali will get first go based on interviews I have heard with Webster stating we have three good centres at the club. This year will be Ali's last chance in my humble opinion.
He needs to listen to the Eminem song before he goes on the field before game one "You only get once chance, one opportunity".

 

[Neo]

You just made Cces’s day with the Capewell and Halasima information

Was just a snapshot that a mate who is a journo saw while at training. I’m sure they run many different combos at this time of year. Just thought the TMM one was interesting so threw it out there to see if anyone far more knowledgeable than I had heard anything

 

[Five&Last]

Thought that got leaked ages ago about Rocco's second shoulder surgey? Like back in October?

Wouldn't think it will affect him too much, he should've been able to do all fitness parts of the presason.

Then its just about easing him into contact over the next month or two

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Not sure how the dolphins are ahead of us. Also Storm at second is a bit of a joke seeing that there forwards are one of their weakest areas

they had the Raiders at like 8th as well. Raiders are definitely the best pack in the comp imo and the benchmark (both in terms of sheer size and mobility). But broadly speaking, I do think that we are in the top tier of packs when we are full strength.

 

[Completion Rate]

Done on the farm according to the Herald today. Which begs the question: Which farm animal would be against the Warriors?
Obviously not a goat because what would you have against a team of GOATS?
Sheep is maybe too obvious. They do live in a Rugby Union country, but surely that'd make them less likely to affect a Warrior as it's too obvious.
Either Cow or Chicken, for moine.
Cowboy Or Rooster? It's THAT! And beef or chicken make the best tasting meals, too, so, two birds one stone!
Never trusted Trent or Todd...

Mate I did my knee in hitting a pugghole on the farm in gumboots... a Chicken dinner rd 1 sounds good though...

 

[Neo]

Thought that got leaked ages ago about Rocco's second shoulder surgey? Like back in October?

Wouldn't think it will affect him too much, he should've been able to do all fitness parts of the presason.

Then its just about easing him into contact over the next month or two

I was reading it as a second surgery after the first one didn’t rectify the problem (eg more recently).
Second in total is definitely a better outlook

 

[Noitall]

they had the Raiders at like 8th as well. Raiders are definitely the best pack in the comp imo and the benchmark (both in terms of sheer size and mobility). But broadly speaking, I do think that we are in the top tier of packs when we are full strength.

If roosters pack play to their potential, I wouldn’t argue with them first. I’d probably swap raiders, dolphins and storm around and have raiders 2nd (or first as you say if roosters underperform), storm 4th because even though injuries occurred, I thought storm pack outplayed ours and dolphins 8th

 

[sup42]

Done on the farm according to the Herald today. Which begs the question: Which farm animal would be against the Warriors?
Obviously not a goat because what would you have against a team of GOATS?
Sheep is maybe too obvious. They do live in a Rugby Union country, but surely that'd make them less likely to affect a Warrior as it's too obvious.
Either Cow or Chicken, for moine.
Cowboy Or Rooster? It's THAT! And beef or chicken make the best tasting meals, too, so, two birds one stone!
Never trusted Trent or Todd...

Slipped on an Eel skiving off

 

[Noitall]

Interesting seeing that Tuaupiki is touch and go for round 1 and makes me think we could be going with him fullback for round 1 if healthy? Seeing TMM playing at centre could be trying contingency plans in case Tuaupiki isn’t healthy and CNK plays fullback? Could be CNK centre while Berry recovers?

 

[sydneywarrior92]

If roosters pack play to their potential, I wouldn’t argue with them first. I’d probably swap raiders, dolphins and storm around and have raiders 2nd (or first as you say if roosters underperform), storm 4th because even though injuries occurred, I thought storm pack outplayed ours and dolphins 8th

Totally disagree about Storm. Their supreme backline has been covering their deficiencies in the middle for years. I definitely rate our pack above theirs. We only played them once this year and it was one of those games where everything went wrong. So hard to glean anything out of it.

As for dolphins, I agree. We outmuscled them in both games this year, even that MSS game where we were missing like half our pack. Their pack is also aging fast.

Sharks were also rated quite low as well. I'd swap them and Phins around. Definitely one of the heaviest packs around with AFB, BHU and Rudolph.

 

[Theking267]

Interesting seeing that Tuaupiki is touch and go for round 1 and makes me think we could be going with him fullback for round 1 if healthy? Seeing TMM playing at centre could be trying contingency plans in case Tuaupiki isn’t healthy and CNK plays fullback? Could be CNK centre while Berry recovers?

It looks like Tuaupiki was going to be the starting fullback but got injured so they’re hoping he can recover in time to start the season. Looks like CNK will move full-time to centre. RTS to stay on the left wing. Pressure on DWZ to retain his right wing spot over AKP. Trial form will be the decider between the 2