Recruitment 2019 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

[mt.wellington]

2019 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION​

Thread for all discussion of Warriors recruitment strategy, possible targets, hopeful signings that are not linked to the club through media. Basically anything you wanna say about Warriors 2019 recruitment that doesn't belong in the official thread.

THIS THREAD ACTS AS A 'WHO SHOULD THE WARRIORS SIGN' THREAD AS WELL
​

For official releases, news, leaks, rumours or good oil please post in the following thread...

https://www.nzwarriors.com/threads/2019-warriors-recruitment-rumour-news.61320/

 

[Gizzyfan]

We tend to think that recruitment is the be all but there is a can of worms there. Personally I think retention should be on the same level.

I believe our recruitment is improving. We are stsrting to acheive respect which helps.

Where the Warriors still fall down is development this may seem off topic but it isnt in the long run as we have to buy established players which cost more.

Identification will help the Cap our new Scout should help here as long as the Development and retention strategies are on point.

What I want to see at the Warriors as Recruitment goes is a belief in these systems that enable them to recruit players withe right characteristics to succeed starting with a good work ethic. The SAS is thinking about opening Selectio from outside the Military as ithose selected have the aptitude the Military skills can be taught.

The old adage about a convoy only goes as fast as its slowest ship applies. We have a squad. All must improve and that comes down to Trainers Coaches and individual attitudes.

It all comes down to who stands tall when you are physically stressed and the game is on the line on defence. That is character.

 

[mt.wellington]

Where the Warriors still fall down is development this may seem off topic but it isnt in the long run as we have to buy established players which cost more.

Catch 22 though. Until NZ junior development, coaches and pathways match those of Australia's we will always be better getting battle hardened Aussies or Australian developed Kiwis back. The dog eat dog competition over there is unmatched here. You make the Warriors you have made it. You make a team in Australia you better aim up or there are 14 other Australian teams full of players that would love to take your place. Some clubs have two feeder teams to pick from and players are less reluctant to move interstate as they are trans-Tasman.

You think any Aussie team would develop a centre like Solomone Kata who can't draw and pass? He would never have made it out of ISP or QLD Cup.

I'm really interested to see what Auckland RL are going to do about the mooted semi professional Fox Memorial. I still think its a huge mistake and step backwards. We should be fielding Jersey Flegg, Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams and pitting them against the best kids Aussie has. All Auckland age group teams from U16 up should act as feeder teams. Warriors House should be expanded to house the best 20 kids from outside Auckland.

That being said Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters don't develop jack shit yet they are both playing in the Grand Final this week lol! We don't have enough brown paper bags but it would be a lot cheaper than developing 300 kids in the hope that 5 or 6 of them come up trumps.

We are finally on the right track I believe in terms of having the right people at HQ. Peter O'Sullivan is the best in the game, no one knows the NZ junior scene better than Jordan Friend and Brian Smith has as much experience as any coach out there. The work O'Sullivan is doing won't bear fruit for sometime but I can't wait to see the first graduates of his class. Some of Friends picks we are already seeing...

 

[Gizzyfan]

Catch 22 though. Until NZ junior development, coaches and pathways match those of Australia's we will always be better getting battle hardened Aussies or Australian developed Kiwis back. The dog eat dog competition over there is unmatched here. You make the Warriors you have made it. You make a team in Australia you better aim up or there are 14 other Australian teams full of players that would love to take your place. Some clubs have two feeder teams to pick from and players are less reluctant to move interstate as they are trans-Tasman.

You think any Aussie team would develop a centre like Solomone Kata who can't draw and pass? He would never have made it out of ISP or QLD Cup.

I'm really interested to see what Auckland RL are going to do about the mooted semi professional Fox Memorial. I still think its a huge mistake and step backwards. We should be fielding Jersey Flegg, Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams and pitting them against the best kids Aussie has. All Auckland age group teams from U16 up should act as feeder teams. Warriors House should be expanded to house the best 20 kids from outside Auckland.

That being said Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters don't develop jack shit yet they are both playing in the Grand Final this week lol! We don't have enough brown paper bags but it would be a lot cheaper than developing 300 kids in the hope that 5 or 6 of them come up trumps.

We are finally on the right track I believe in terms of having the right people at HQ. Peter O'Sullivan is the best in the game, no one knows the NZ junior scene better than Jordan Friend and Brian Smith has as much experience as any coach out there. The work O'Sullivan is doing won't bear fruit for sometime but I can't wait to see the first graduates of his class. Some of Friends picks we are already seeing...

No argument here. That they are basing their pre seasons and training on hard work. The latest incarnation of selection of talent over ethic is Lolohea. When you compare his work ethic with Tevaga it is grand canyon wide. However Jazz has achieved through effort not talent.

Really when you think about it these kids need the Warriors not the other way. Clear expectations need to be laid down. People will fail that is a shame but it is the reality.

 

[AusWarriorsFan]

Definitely a first class centre, dont care who, whoever is open to all the money we have, because we look good. I think Ah Mau was kind of like adding more 40min a game mus to what we got rid of. Money we could have used to buy a dope centre and get our set plays making a misery of every back line with players in motion and reverse angles and whats this, the left centre passed to Ken, backs Ken up, and a no look pass to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck under the sticks.

I think dont let kata go, his defense is solid as. But teach him how and when to pass and how to draw players in to create the overlap.

 

[Blain]

We have 3 Kiwi Rep centres on our roster, and you want more? Add to that Ashyford and Fusitua, also this Fijian youth star from Rotorua that's probably the last position we need more depth in really.

If we keep Luke for next season, I'd say we need another back up half and an up and coming second rower. One more prop would be good, but if they have faith in Satae then no worries.

 

[Off The Bench]

I think our roster is solid
AhMau addresses a need in the forwards .
Our spine is sound even without Luke
An will look even better playing behind a pack
That's going forward
Our backs are more than adequate .
I'm happy with us upgrading an locking up our
Players long term.
The only recruitments we should be going for from now
On is genuine stars true marque players .
Everything else will come from development which with
Fusitua,Bunty,Ken,Papalii,Kata,Shaun Johnson, etc proves we can develop quality
NRL players with the right systems in place .
Im Looking forward to seeing more youngsters force
Their way in .An hit first grade ready to make impact

 

[AusWarriorsFan]

We have 3 Kiwi Rep centres on our roster, and you want more? Add to that Ashyford and Fusitua, also this Fijian youth star from Rotorua that's probably the last position we need more depth in really.

If we keep Luke for next season, I'd say we need another back up half and an up and coming second rower. One more prop would be good, but if they have faith in Satae then no worries.

3 Kiwi Rep centres that were good in their prime. Means SFA.

Drop 2 of them if you want. We need to score on both sides of the field and at the moment Beale is the only experienced centre that can break the line as well as draw and pass. Im talking centres who can do more than finger and toe tackles, ie above 80% tackle efficieny. Its obvious that is where we are lacking attack and a very large percentage was on the right side simply because Kata cant pass, cant step, cant draw. SK keeps him because he can tackle. simple as that. but we need a more dynamic offensive line. which also means Shaun Johnson putting his words on the field and playing for the money the fans have paid him over the years. him role to centre is critical as well and both him or centre stepping the line.

 

[playdaball]

Has anyone heard anything about the Warriors looking at Josh Cleeland from the Bulldogs as a replacement for Mason Lino.

Who ever replaces Lino is bound to get 1st grade games as both Shaun Johnson and Green will get injured throughout the season.

Sign Cam Cullen from Redcliffe.

 

[Selector]

Just having a look at who will be off contract after the 2019 season. Will be interesting who the club lets go, who they re-sign and who decides to move on.

I expect Blake Ayshford and Karl Lawton will be moved on wont re-sign. Would be surprised if Joseph Vuna isn't re-signed considering he made his debut this year and is only 20. I think the club would like to re-sign CNK, but i wouldn't be surprised if he decides to move on. He is a good backup who offers depth.

Re-signing Paasi is a no brainer. The last two for me will be most interesting Kata & Gavet. Clearly three (Kata, Hiku, Beale) doesn't go into two (I think Kearney considers their best positions to be centre). Both Hiku and Beale are signed till the end of 2020. With Kata's contract expiring at the end of 2019 and the depth the club potentially has coming through in the outside backs, from my perspective it would make sense to move him on. We have enough depth and it frees up cap space.

Lastly Gavet i think it will come down to what type of money he demands. If he demands starting prop money then I think the club wont re-sign him. At best in my opinion he is a bench/depth prop if we want to win the comp and i think the contract offer he will recieve will reflect that.

 

[AusWarriorsFan]

3 Kiwi Rep centres that were good in their prime. Means SFA.

Drop 2 of them if you want. We need to score on both sides of the field and at the moment Beale is the only experienced centre that can break the line as well as draw and pass. Im talking centres who can do more than finger and toe tackles, ie above 80% tackle efficieny. Its obvious that is where we are lacking attack and a very large percentage was on the right side simply because Kata cant pass, cant step, cant draw. SK keeps him because he can tackle. simple as that. but we need a more dynamic offensive line. which also means Shaun Johnson putting his words on the field and playing for the money the fans have paid him over the years. him role to centre is critical as well and both him or centre stepping the line.

3 Kiwi Rep centres that were good in their prime. Means SFA.

Drop 2 of them if you want. We need to score on both sides of the field and at the moment Beale is the only experienced centre that can break the line as well as draw and pass. Im talking centres who can do more than finger and toe tackles, ie above 80% tackle efficieny. Its obvious that is where we are lacking attack and a very large percentage was on the right side simply because Kata cant pass, cant step, cant draw. SK keeps him because he can tackle. simple as that. but we need a more dynamic offensive line. which also means Shaun Johnson putting his words on the field and playing for the money the fans have paid him over the years. him role to centre is critical as well and both him or centre stepping the line.

Oh you mean the 3 kiwi rep centres from our WC campaign, who did we lose to again? Give it a rest fullas. 3 AUSSIE rep centres and we would have a team.

 

[Gizzyfan]

We have one Aussie rep Centre. Wasnt Ayshfird an Aus schoolboys rep.

There is only so much money in the pot. We have to develop and improve our existing squad.

 

[Tony Martin]

Hopefully perham bulks up and trains at centre over the offseason. Can never have too many centres

 

[mt.wellington]

Anyone else concerned we have only one signing for next year? Last time I remember that happening was Nathan Friend in 2012 and what a shit season that was...

 

[matiunz]

Anyone else concerned we have only one signing for next year? Last time I remember that happening was Nathan Friend in 2012 and what a shit season that was...

Yep lol had a decent number which cancels it out a bit I guess, would like some more signings though

 

[Fazz]

Anyone else concerned we have only one signing for next year? Last time I remember that happening was Nathan Friend in 2012 and what a shit season that was...

Not really. We went HARD in the market last year. It's only logical we'd be a bit quiet this year. We haven't really had that many players leave AND we retained some key guys like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bunty, Maumalo and Fusitua who are as good as signing a few rep players.

- Tohu Harris
- Adam Blair
- Blake Green
- Agnatius Paasi
- Leivaha Pulu
- Pita Hiku
- Gerard Beale
- Karl Lawton

That's almost a third of our top thirty being fresh faces from 2018

 

[fizurg]

Anyone else concerned we have only one signing for next year? Last time I remember that happening was Nathan Friend in 2012 and what a shit season that was...

I feel like it’s slightly different to Blueys “I’ve got all the talent I need”
If anything they seem to have played the game pretty well this season with keeping Luke for a bottom dollar contract.
Sure makes for a boring off season though.

 

[razzrillinger]

The way some players structured their contracts to finish at the end of 2017 to coincide with the new TV deal meant there was a lot of player movement for 2018.

There aren't too many off contract players in positions that we need currently.

Happy with Ah Mau and no doubt there will be one or two other minor signings that pop up before Round 1.

 

[warriors4eva]

i thought i read we were short of cash for anymore big signings ?

 

[Gizzyfan]

Anyone else concerned we have only one signing for next year? Last time I remember that happening was Nathan Friend in 2012 and what a shit season that was...

I see what you mean but will hold judgement till after pre season
I think a bunch of young blokes will be next level after another pre season. Satae and Vuna in NRL and the ISP guys will be a lot closer. Roache and Lawton will be interesting as well.

My pick is Satae is going to be a beast next season.