General 2023 Warriors Trial Games

[Blackdot]

Excited to see how the rookies go, and the B team spine, bring it on.

Anyone got the Tigers teamlist? Hope they're not wheeling out too many big guns, we'll get slaughtered.

1. Charlie Staines
2. Junior Tupou
3. Asu Kepaoa
4. Tommy Talau
5. Liam Scolari
6. Triston Reilly
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Aistasi James
11. Brandon Tumeth
12. Fonua Pole
13. Justin Matamua

Bench:
14. Jahream Bula
15. Jordan Hill
16. Trey Peni
17. Josh Feledy
18. Christopher Faagutu
19. Sione Vaihu
20. Zane Camroux
21. Sione Fainu
22. Ruatapu Ngatikaura
23. Alex Seyfarth
24. Tanous Sukkar

 

[Warriorshopeful]

First trial team is always B team with the odd NRL player who needs a run. Never can read anything into it apart from where the coach looks to be developing players. Last trial is where the moneys at...

Wonder if we could also be looking to see whether any of the development players are up to first grade to add to our top 30?

 

[Navigator]

New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers 6pm AEDT at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland


Star halfback Shaun Johnson won’t feature and neither will key recruit Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, which means new coach Andrew Webster has selected a halves pairing of two fellow new signings in Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin.

23-year-old Taine Tuaupiki — who joined the Warriors from Burleigh Bears — will get first shot at the No.1 jersey left vacant by Reece Walsh.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Marcelo Montoya 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Edward Kosi 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Bunty Afoa 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Tom Ale 11. Jackson Ford 12. Demitric Sifakula 13. Michael Sio 14. Maiu’u Zyon 15. Sanele Aukusitino 16. Ali Leiataua 17. Jacob Laban 18. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Kalani Going 21. Eiden Ackland 22. Ben Farr 23. Isaiah Vagana 24. Solomon Vasuvulagi 25. Paul Roache

 

[mt.wellington]

Wonder if we could also be looking to see whether any of the development players are up to first grade to add to our top 30?

You'll know with the 2nd trial and which of the fringe graders get named to play...

 

[6Again]

A handful of players aside I’m probably more interested in seeing how we play rather than who plays in this trial game.

Should reveal much to us about Websters coaching plans for 2023.

 

[Mullayo]

New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers 6pm AEDT at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland


Old halfback Shaun Johnson won’t feature and neither will Canberra castoff Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, which means new coach Andrew Webster has selected a halves pairing of two fellow new signings in Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin.

23-year-old Taine Tuaupiki — who joined the Warriors from Burleigh Bears — will get first shot at the No.1 jersey left vacant by Reecey Spoon.

Looking forward to this one. I have my eyes on a few players. The Tigers' props for two. Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole playing 12. Also that Bula on the bench for them. And Ali Lautiti's nephrew on ours.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

First trial team is always B team with the odd NRL player who needs a run. Never can read anything into it apart from where the coach looks to be developing players. Last trial is where the moneys at...

And even then id imagine the likes of Tohu Harris, Addin and S J get only 20-30 minute tops.......just enough to stretch the legs then get them off.

Trials really arent much more than that. I"d say barring maybe a couple of spots Websters already locked in a round 1 lineup.......someone would have to play exceptionally well (or bad) to force a change.

Be nice to see what the fuss is about some of these young kids tho.

 

[Defence]

Williame and viliame in the centers- could make it tricky if you’re listening on the transistor radio.
Berry is an interesting omission… does he have the inside running for round one?
Personally I rate the kid- just think they rushed his development a bit.

 

[Dannevegas]

Interesting to see Moala graham taufa

 

[Fonzie]

Williame and viliame in the centers- could make it tricky if you’re listening on the transistor radio.
Berry is an interesting omission… does he have the inside running for round one?
Personally I rate the kid- just think they rushed his development a bit.

Casualty Ward

Check the Official NRL Casualty Ward, which players are injured, and who is expected to make their way back onto the field and in the game.

www.nrl.com

Berry looks to have a mild injury

 

[Five&Last]

Indication maybe that Sifakula will join top 30 as he’s the only development player starting while the others are on the bench.

I’d back Graham-Tauafa to join top squad as well based on the train and trial guys listed.

 

[Defence]

Interesting to see Moala graham taufa

Very



Looks like volkman in the 7? Probably good mates.

 

[The Falcon]

A handful of players aside I’m probably more interested in seeing how we play rather than who plays in this trial game.

Should reveal much to us about Websters coaching plans for 2023.

You raise a good point.
By chance today I was reading an article about the 6 nations and there was a thoughtful quote from Kieran Crowley who is now coaching Italy which made me think of the Warriors.
His vision taking on the role as head coach - investing in youth and establishing a playing identity - for Italy this had been attack, attack attack. Do this and the results will eventually come and so will the growing popularity in the team both playing numbers and support base.

 

[playdaball]

Paul Roache is back in the NSW Cup mix too, by way of Richmond RL, Ponsonby RU, Canberra, Akld RU, MAGs …

 

[HornbyBrown]

Would love to see a prop and a outside back really stand up, that’s where I see our main weakness

 

[Defence]

Wow can even bet on this game.
We’re favorites @ $1.55.
Tigers paying $2.45.

 

[1995Warriorsfan]

 

[Canadian_WarriorFan]

Wish it was a little bit longer but still great to watch.

 

[Worried2Death]

First trial seems to have come around fast after the WC. We never signed a Kiwis prop in the end after all that speculation but I'm excited to get a look at Webby's new systems tomorrow, Metcalf and Te Maire Martin's audition, a few other young prospects we've got high hopes for, can't wait.

 

[Sup42]

This baby side is a new direction for the club.

It looks more like what the Storm play against us....a true C team packed with Ex Juniors, no big names.

Looks to me as though Webster has already made his mark.

Controversial, but I am just gonna say it, he is not trying to win this game. It shouldn't be controversial, coz it is simple logic, if you want to win, you pick a stronger contingent of your A side, simple as that.

Philosophically that will not sit well with some, who will argue, the club should always be about success.

Sometimes success looks like being smart and not placing winning trials above the long plan.

Let me be plain on the subject of winning, it should be hard wired into every kid who has ever played before they come to the Warriors, an expectation that they....not the coach...not the team line up...go out to win every game they play. The same way a kid tries to win at monopoly. It is not Rocket science, it is how life works.

Be assured no matter what I say there will be talk of sack the coach by round six. Largely based off us lot knowing better than Webster, 'who he should be selecting'.... and in what positions.

Anywho.....consider last year in the corresponding game.

This is round one Trials vs the Storm side:


Aaron PENE
Adam COOK
Adam POMPEY
Addin FONUA-BLAKE
Ali LEIATAUA
Ash TAYLOR
Bayley SIRONEN
Ben MURDOCH-MASILA
Bunty AFOA
ChaneL HARRIS-TAVITA
Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK
Edward KOSI
Eliesa KATOA
Euan AITKEN
Garrett SMITH
Jayden CORRIGAN
Jazz TEVAGA
Jesse ARTHARS
Junior RATUVA
Kodi NIKORIMA
Marcelo MONTOYA
Matthew LODGE
Otukinekina KEPU

Pride PETERSON-ROBATI
Reece WALSH
Rocco BERRY
Taniela OTUKOLO
Valingi KEPU
Viliami VAILEA

Compare this ridiculous line up to what we are fielding this year.


Under Brown we named everyone....for Trial one....against Melbourne C.

This year it is neat and tidy, no coach nodds to all to make friends with the players and congratulate people for doing the most Burpees in the Gym.

We have a plan people. We have a Coach who is checking out guys and combos that don't get a start in round one.