General 2014 Warriors NYC U20 Thread

[mrblonde]

Not many around here realise this. Same for Reserve Grade. All hail Stacey Jones lol...

U20s coach/NSWs coach and their assistants do the boring detail (how they divvy which bit of the detail gets run by which guy, who knows), but it does make perfect sense that Cappy's basically moving chess pieces around ("Given what you're telling me I say: This guy to U20s second row, that guy to NSWs centre means therefore other guy does...") as ultimate boss/kommisar, seems to me the logical end point of making everything Warriors-based - U20s to NSW to NRL.

 

[Sup42]

I thought it was made clear across the boards when Elliot got rid of Akland was that the whole idea was for the first grade coach to say who plays where.

All the more remarkable in that environment to win. Really hard to get combinations within that model.

I thought Jones had those twenties looking pretty crisp.

If some of the players don't rate him I wouldn't listen to their opinion one iota.

The Boys loved the Willy Wonka eccentricity act of Akland....offering them lollies at half time when they were down instead of a bollocking...that sorta thing.....motivators will always be more popular with children.

Appreciating tech training is an adult trait / comes later.

 

[mt.wellington]

U20s coach/NSWs coach and their assistants do the boring detail (how they divvy which bit of the detail gets run by which guy, who knows), but it does make perfect sense that Cappy's basically moving chess pieces around ("Given what you're telling me I say: This guy to U20s second row, that guy to NSWs centre means therefore other guy does...") as ultimate boss/kommisar, seems to me the logical end point of making everything Warriors-based - U20s to NSW to NRL.

Warriors are only just catching up. Been that way in some clubs for a couple decades. Should be the head coach who decides who gets selection as all roads should lead to 1st Grade in the end...

 

[mt.wellington]

If some of the players don't rate him I wouldn't listen to their opinion one iota.

The Boys loved the Willy Wonka eccentricity act of Akland....offering them lollies at half time when they were down instead of a bollocking...that sorta thing.....motivators will always be more popular with children.

Appreciating tech training is an adult trait / comes later.

IMO the U20 look no different. Plenty attack and intuitive playing but still lacking fitness and defensive structure.

Nice theory and analogy on the whole Willie Wonka thing but you got it completely wrong. The roles were actually reversed. Ackland was the one giving them a bollocking while Jones hands out the lollies. Heard enough first hand accounts to know fact from your fiction.

The garbage about tech training being an adults thing is just that, garbage. Think you underestimate the quality and ambition of younger kids these days. Especially those that rise to the top to become part of the NYC system in the first place. Their are many kids out there who are easily better then some of the ones that make it. Difference is they havent got their head screwed on and have the drive and ambition. For every Lisone in this country there's a dozen others that went the other way. Every now and again you'll get one back like Matagi. Half of Manu Mau's 6-8 co-offenders were in the Kiwis junior development program.

No need the patronise these young men...

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

New Warrior 20's coach, done a year under Ackland 2013, 2014 under Stacy, 2012 Premier Fox coach at Bay Roskill, 2011 Assistant coach at Otara - his appointment had a few people around the grounds in shock at how fast he has gotten up there. I played against him years ago and IMO was a good player at local level. Nice bloke to talk with but it's going to be interesting how he goes on his own in the hot seat; He's close with Ackland being Mt Albert. I suppose you get fast tracked these days and don't really have to win anything at local level to progress up the ranks Good luck to him anyway.

I know I questioned Ricky Henry on here when he was in FG Assistant coach but I thought he would of got moved into the 20's role since he had done the Warriors development stint - keep him in the organisation?

Wonder if Cappy still going to pick the 20's team during regular season?

Agreed - but I agree with the fact a good coach doesnt have had to winn foxes etc.
As you have stated the top few teams are non-comparable to the rest of the competition - Blue//Ackers had super star teams at local level at Mt Albert / Hibiscus. Nobody questions
How many and central and South Auckland boys were driving up to Hibiscus Coast lol.

Otara & Bay Roskill arent exactly top teams. It more the experience and skill level.

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

IMO the U20 look no different. Plenty attack and intuitive playing but still lacking fitness and defensive structure.


Nice theory and analogy on the whole Willie Wonka thing but you got it completely wrong. The roles were actually reversed. Ackland was the one giving them a bollocking while Jones hands out the lollies. Heard enough first hand accounts to know fact from your fiction.

The garbage about tech training being an adults thing is just that, garbage. Think you underestimate the quality and ambition of younger kids these days. Especially those that rise to the top to become part of the NYC system in the first place. Their are many kids out there who are easily better then some of the ones that make it. Difference is they havent got their head screwed on and have the drive and ambition. For every Lisone in this country there's a dozen others that went the other way. Every now and again you'll get one back like Matagi. Half of Manu Mau's 6-8 co-offenders were in the Kiwis junior development program.

No need the patronise these young men...

I think there is less arrogance in the NYC side this year.

In past years Ackland put key players on a pedestal ....Havili, Lolohea, Palavi etc. - I dont undestand passes out the lollies etc.
I have heard Ackland played favourites and attention to those he liked. Those players as good as they are take longer to improve.

Look at Lolohea - apart from some flashes of brilliance - he has been ordinary the whole final series.

Yet players like Robinson & even Maumalo were written off by Ackland. Two of the key players this year.

I agree they would be pretty hungry to achieve.

I wouldnt want to patronise them or put them on a pedestal - they might be good footy players but some of them really know much about football.

 

[Sup42]

IMO the U20 look no different. Plenty attack and intuitive playing but still lacking fitness and defensive structure.

Nice theory and analogy on the whole Willie Wonka thing but you got it completely wrong. The roles were actually reversed. Ackland was the one giving them a bollocking while Jones hands out the lollies. Heard enough first hand accounts to know fact from your fiction.

The garbage about tech training being an adults thing is just that, garbage. Think you underestimate the quality and ambition of younger kids these days. Especially those that rise to the top to become part of the NYC system in the first place. Their are many kids out there who are easily better then some of the ones that make it. Difference is they havent got their head screwed on and have the drive and ambition. For every Lisone in this country there's a dozen others that went the other way. Every now and again you'll get one back like Matagi. Half of Manu Mau's 6-8 co-offenders were in the Kiwis junior development program.

No need the patronise these young men...

I'm trying to remember which player told that story about the lollies....it was a novel insight into the world of Akland who was very good at doing things his way.

It was an interesting tactic. The usual as you say was for the school master type bollocking...instead Akland could be really upbeat when least expected and do what's least expected ( that player said he broke out the lollies and it was an inspired move ).

You only have to watch Akland interview to see that he had a unique personality.

I wasn't being patronising at all. I don't know if you remember being 18, but at that age you are looking for inspiration and mentoring, more so than someone who is technically focused.

These kids don't play because they love kick chases and wrestling. They play for the adrenalin and passion....the buzz. A coach that inspires those 'motivational' drives is likely to appeal more to young people than a new environment that is all about trying to copy the top sides template.
There is nothing patronising in observing kids like what they like and that evolves as they mature. That's just life.

Mason Lino made the type of rapid improvement under Jones that we wish had happened with Johnson at the same age.

Lino's game took on an organsitational and technical maturity.

If that was because of Akland then it was some dormant latent coaching phenomena.

The twenties out the back door plays and timing was a shift from the dummy half running style of their big players past.

The twenties backline this season enjoyed less dominance from their pack through the middle, they did really well and they were very organised when compared to the instinctive power second phase game of teams past.

 

[mt.wellington]

I think there is less arrogance in the NYC side this year.

In past years Ackland put key players on a pedestal ....Havili, Lolohea, Palavi etc. - I dont undestand passes out the lollies etc.
I have heard Ackland played favourites and attention to those he liked. Those players as good as they are take longer to improve.

Look at Lolohea - apart from some flashes of brilliance - he has been ordinary the whole final series.

Yet players like Robinson & even Maumalo were written off by Ackland. Two of the key players this year.

I agree they would be pretty hungry to achieve.

I wouldnt want to patronise them or put them on a pedestal - they might be good footy players but some of them really know much about football.

He played huge favourites old Ackland. Had an interesting conversation with Ken Maumalo about that very topic. Ken wasnt impressed but he never gave up. Looking at the squad that played the 2013 Grand Final you cant really fault any of the selections Ackland made in the centres or 2nd row where Ken plays...

1. David Fusitua, 2. Metia Lisati, 3. Ngataua Hukatai, 4. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, 5. Viliami Lolhea, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Mason Lino 8. Albert Vete, 9. Siliva Havili. 10. James Taylor, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Michael Sio 13. David Bhana

Interchange: Eko Malu, Sam Lisone, Kouma Samson, Solomone Kata

 

[OMG]

He played huge favourites old Ackland. Had an interesting conversation with Ken Maumalo about that very topic. Ken wasnt impressed but he never gave up. Looking at the squad that played the 2013 Grand Final you cant really fault any of the selections Ackland made in the centres or 2nd row where Ken plays...

1. David Fusitua, 2. Metia Lisati, 3. Ngataua Hukatai, 4. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, 5. Viliami Lolhea, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Mason Lino 8. Albert Vete, 9. Siliva Havili. 10. James Taylor, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Michael Sio 13. David Bhana

Interchange: Eko Malu, Sam Lisone, Kouma Samson, Solomone Kata

It's hard to fault any of his play offs team bro.. over the years we have played and lost against some quality opposition when we haven't got the big prize..

 

[OMG]

Another thing ive been having a wee laugh about is this years 1st grade, we had the closest comp ever maybe but come finals time, how u20s like were most of those games?? Big scorelines and massive momentum changes, i miss quality 12 to 14 point games..

 

[drake83]

Any news on the Junior Kiwi Squad yet?

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

He played huge favourites old Ackland. Had an interesting conversation with Ken Maumalo about that very topic. Ken wasnt impressed but he never gave up. Looking at the squad that played the 2013 Grand Final you cant really fault any of the selections Ackland made in the centres or 2nd row where Ken plays...

1. David Fusitua, 2. Metia Lisati, 3. Ngataua Hukatai, 4. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard, 5. Viliami Lolhea, 6. Tuimoala Lolohea, 7. Mason Lino 8. Albert Vete, 9. Siliva Havili. 10. James Taylor, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Michael Sio 13. David Bhana

Interchange: Eko Malu, Sam Lisone, Kouma Samson, Solomone Kata

I can fault it quite easily - Hukatai is and will only be a winger. Better than Lisati and Maumalo plays centre.
Maumalo is a fringe NRL centre talent.

He never gave Maumalo a real shot....should never write off players.
Junior coach job to get the best out of all the players etc.

 

[ramraider78]

I can fault it quite easily - Hukatai is and will only be a winger. Better than Lisati and Maumalo plays centre.
Maumalo is a fringe NRL centre talent.

He never gave Maumalo a real shot....should never write off players.
Junior coach job to get the best out of all the players etc.

Thing is for me from what I've seen of Ken this season he has grown as player , watching him on TV but he's still got bad defensive reads IMO awesome with the ball in hand but needs development on tackling TBH; it's good to see him actually passing the ball these days because in past years he'd take it up every time he got it, no matter how many numbers he had on the outside of him.

I think there is less arrogance in the NYC side this year.

In past years Ackland put key players on a pedestal ....Havili, Lolohea, Palavi etc. - I dont undestand passes out the lollies etc.
I have heard Ackland played favourites and attention to those he liked. Those players as good as they are take longer to improve.

Look at Lolohea - apart from some flashes of brilliance - he has been ordinary the whole final series.

Yet players like Robinson & even Maumalo were written off by Ackland. Two of the key players this year.

I agree they would be pretty hungry to achieve.

I wouldnt want to patronise them or put them on a pedestal - they might be good footy players but some of them really know much about football.

We should invest some time in developing Robinson IMO Specialist hookers are hard to come by these days - there's not much coming through the juniors in terms of decent Hookers IMO and the lot running around the Fox have things missing in there game TBH.

 

[mt.wellington]

We should invest some time in developing Robinson IMO Specialist hookers are hard to come by these days - there's not much coming through the juniors in terms of decent Hookers IMO and the lot running around the Fox have things missing in there game TBH.

Early days but Im liking the look of him. Looks sharper than Siliva Havili at the same time of his development...

 

[goku]

Early days but Im liking the look of him. Looks sharper than Siliva Havili at the same time of his development...

I think Robinson even played 5/8 this season and looked really good pairing up with Lino.
He would be a good investment

 

[mt.wellington]

I think Robinson even played 5/8 this season and looked really good pairing up with Lino.
He would be a good investment

From Porirua as well aint he? Paul Ulberg is another exciting prospect from the Wellington region...

 

[ramraider78]

From Porirua as well aint he? Paul Ulberg is another exciting prospect from the Wellington region...

Yeah I watched him play in the Fox last year and thought he held his own in the premz for Northcote - him and sam cook gave it to us at home for parts of the game.

 

[slaughterhouse.sa]

Yeah I watched him play in the Fox last year and thought he held his own in the premz for Northcote - him and sam cook gave it to us at home for parts of the game.

Not as much flair as cook but both are solid footballers.

Yeah probably wont get much game time if Cook & Michael Sio hang around in NSW Cup.
Sio got named in Samoan team so massive exposure for him

Robinson would have to hang around in the Fox - waiting for injuiries.

 

[goku]

Yeah probably wont get much game time if Cook & Michael Sio hang around in NSW Cup.
Sio got named in Samoan team so massive exposure for him

Sio played samoa last year at world cup too.
He has good utility value but then again he's not a specialist hooker like robinson

 

[Rick O'Shay]

Sio played samoa last year at world cup too.
He has good utility value but then again he's not a specialist hooker like robinson

Didn't Nathanial Roache play a few games earlier in the season at hooker also? I seem to remember he and Robinson subbing each other.