Post Match 2023 Warriors vs Knights - Week 2 Finals (Post Match)

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01 Jan 1970

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Tears in the eyes kinda stuff that. So many storylines. SJ, Niukore and Curren you absolute legends playing through pain. Berrys best game in first grade. Montoya back in form. Probably Sironens best game in the jersey in what couldve been his last. CNK was a monster all night, safe under the high ball and 30+ runs. Amazing. Massive ups to the crowd also. Huge.
 
Props to Pompey and Montoya, their defense of their edge was solid all game. CNK immense at the back with his carries, and Sironen a well-deserved try as he made a great impact with his running. Everyone had a great game tonight. If the team had lost tonight it would have been a disappointing finals series but they've probably already exceeded expectations and next week is a bonus if they win.
 
What a ride, the crowd was incredible…..what a momentous movement that’s happening nationwide with our beloved team. Ain’t afraid to say as a man my eyes are leaking a bit.

Tonight’s result was exactly what I was expecting…….

Incredible 🥺

Bring it in Broncos, we’re ready for war.
 
Some big efforts tonight. Hard to single everyone out as I'll likely miss some.

Johnson controlled the game well. After a long career seeing him playing a home final, wow. He waited for this opportunity and owned it.

Harris. Definition of the word Warrior. Owns the middle, does a ton of work. Great having him as out leader.

CNK this guy is a machine at the back. Totally dependable. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes into the dressing room and collapses.

Berry he is maturing well. Had a great game.

Sironen I thought he had some great runs when he first game on. Found his front or got his head through the line. Then covered at dummy half.

Egan, great service.

Montoya has been a bit off. Really stepped up tonight. Some good early set carries.
 
snake77 said:
Some big efforts tonight. Hard to single everyone out as I'll likely miss some.

Johnson controlled the game well. After a long career seeing him playing a home final, wow. He waited for this opportunity and owned it.

Harris. Definition of the word Warrior. Owns the middle, does a ton of work. Great having him as out leader.

CNK this guy is a machine at the back. Totally dependable. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes into the dressing room and collapses.

Berry he is maturing well. Had a great game.

Sironen I thought he had some great runs when he first game on. Found his front or got his head through the line. Then covered at dummy half.

Egan, great service.

Montoya has been a bit off. Really stepped up tonight. Some good early set carries.
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Don't forget about the much maligned Pompey. Was great tonight.
Not one bad player but for me CNK was awesome
 
John Nick said:
Don't forget about the much maligned Pompey. Was great tonight.
Not one bad player but for me CNK was awesome
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The only valid criticism of performance is probably TMM on attack - looked at sea a lot of the time with ball in hand.

However, solid as a rock defensively and it's not hard to see the difference it makes on that edge with him there on defence.

He is still surely underdone, I'd expect a better outing from him with ball in hand next game.
 
The turn around from last year is amazing.

Last year we limped to the end of the season and it was arguably one of our lowest points. Sure being back home is big but who would have expected this?

A top 8 finish would have been acceptable. Instead we made the 8 with ease and earned a top 4 spot.

Now playing for a spot in a Grand Final. WOW.
 
No one has mentioned the Refs face when he got two of his calls wrong against the Warriors and the bunker had to over turn him. He was like I didn't get backed up that time, and now they got two more tries.

I laughed at him both times.

Tahi Rua Toru Wah - was another highlight for me. Great poster well thought out.

Very pleased of the team tonight. Was on the end of my seat most of that game.

Then the crowd started singing 'Good Bye' with 15 minutes to go and I thought shit 10 minutes too early, that'll make the Knights want to come back. Lucky for us they couldn't.

I wanted SJ off with 15 minutes to go, but they took him off with 10 to go. So happy with that.

Webster didn't smile all game, not even at the end. He did look a bit worried.

UP THE WAHS
 
davidmckay1974 said:
What are the actual words to the team song? And is it really approprate for the fans to be doing it? because after all it is for when a team wins.
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The words are around and we watch it every winning week on socials. But honestly the fans taking it on as their own is unprecedented. I fucking love it personally. That’s our fans ands they feel like they’re part of the team!
 
rugged said:
I was pretty surprised at the Canberra game when it came on. This kind of thing is usually reserved for the changing room. But ultimately you are selling fans an entertainment package and if it adds to the match day experience all good
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It’s our team…us loyalists sitting through 40 point drubbings and six wins in a season…. we shed tears…so why can’t we be ecstatic when the good times are here? I cried twice in this game (that isn’t something I do) …SJ’s send off - as I have been a staunch fan of his throughout including preseason... and when the crowd were singing. I watch a ton of support and I’m passionate for a few teams… but none have made me have tears running down my face and a cry sound from my mouth! Love the Warriors….Our Team!
 
don't want to be anything but jubilant, was at the ground and screamed myself hoarse -- however we better hope we don't get Adam F- as the ref again this year, he really don't like us eh? he was atrocious - the signature at the end when he called a fumble against us when a pass hit him directly in the chest ... doh
 
i cannot comprehend that we are 80 minutes from a grand final… The fact that I had a throbbing Rocco from kickoff to the final whistle probably doesn’t help, haven’t had much blood get to my brain this evening..

It’s hard to think of anything that went wrong out there tonight. They were ruthless right until the end.

4A938397-56B5-429A-BB18-11E0423B6CEF.webp

“ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!”
 
Sometimes in Rugby league you see a game from the Warriors that is too beautiful to describe.

Those moments are so rare that I have seen so few as to not be able to rattle off a list to compare with tonight.

The Knights are the best attacking team in the NRL and Adam Gee was determined to help them prove it.

'I was chanting at the television "hold the line" the entire match, on every single Newcastle possession.

Three Warriors won that game, our version of the 300, the men defending against the best attack in the competition on their strong side.

1, Adam Pompey

2. Marcello Montoya

3, Te Maire Martin.

They destroyed the Knights plan to rape the Warriors weak side with the Knights best attacking plays.

'Ok so we scored lots and that is what fans tend to toss off about, but it was our shut out strangle that won that game and gave our attack the impetus to go crazy,.

The Bald Bros returned tonight, they carved up mercilessly and shut up all the calls for Bunty and 'ALE.

Webster got everything correct as he has done all year.
 
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The Broncos are deserved favourites next week, but I don't see them on the same level as the Panthers who are utterly clinical and just shut teams out. The Broncos are probably the most dangerous team from anywhere on the park, but also the more likely to give opportunities that can bring us into the game. Plus, we are one of the most successful sides in the NRL against the Broncos, and Suncorp will have a tonne of Kiwis.

I'm really surprised to hear anyone write us off as if it is a formality. A win is probably unlikely and we may even have a big score put on us by an electric Broncos after a hugely mentally emotional game today. But, play like we did today...

The schadenfreude in me is dying to see Reece on his haunches crying at the end of the game. It's mean, but it would make me really happy.

I don't think we get the Panthers though.
 
Almost cried tonight, long time on and off fan, what an atmosphere and occasion. You can see the crowd cheering every player when shown on screen, like celebrities. The team got so good they are literally national darlings right now, the beacon that makes people forget about their worries for a few hours. When you achieve that level you know you’ve contributed to society
 
Just gotta say.

That game was the best atmosphere I have experienced at MSS since the first night in 1995, and it was better because that game was all expectation which didn't really deliver, and tonight's really did.

The refereeing?

Heyzeuss spare me was he one of the best two referees in the NRL?

Fair suck of the sav ladies and jellybeans, that was a shocking performance. The NRL has to work on this problem urgently.

Also, the club needs to decide if it wants mexican waves. I wa screaming at the feckers in front of me to sit down so I could watch the bloody game.

Maybe I am just a farking dinosaur, but that game did not deserve the crowd doing a Mexican wave while the boys were tackling their guts out on the field.

I have to work in the morning so I am gong to watch a replay and do my stats report tomorrow.
 
Pains me to say this, but I'm gonna agree with @Bruce - that mexican wave bullshit can fuck riiiiiiiiiight off. Especially when you've got dickwads in the rows above you throw their 3/4 full cans of Lion Red in the air when it comes around. Nothing like being belted in the back of the head by one and having it absolutely soak your $20 kebab.

Shout out to all the East Stand bay 42 folk who turned out and gave them more of an earful than poor old Adam Gee was getting.
 
That was a statement and brought a tear to my eye at the end with the crowd singing the team song.
All those tough years since 95 evaporated in an instance. To get to this point where we are legit top four and to do it in a season with a new coach is truly remarkable and a credit to all involved.

That was a total team effort and all deserve a 10.

Mr Gee deserves a boot up the arse for another incompetent performance. He's obviously numb from the waist up to not realise the ball had hit him.
 
Here’s some running stats for you….. CNK made 297m and all of the rest of the backs contributed running over 100m.

Captain Harris led the forward pack with 228m while Jackson Ford ran for 188m exactly half of them being post contact. Both starting props ran for over 100m.

But, most astonishingly, because I thought he was managing the game by passing before the line to avoid contact, SJ ran for 94m. Off the bench, Walker matched SJ by also running 94m.

While the Knights backs also each ran over 100m, it was containing the Knights pack which hurt them with only Saifiti running over 100m (163m). But the real damage was done in the impact of the bench, the Knights bench could only manage 150m combined and didn’t score any tries while the Wahs bench ran for 288m and contributed with 2 tries.
 
Pretty much all been said, that was just one helluva feel good performance.........another Warriors game that'll probably go down in folklore.

Said in the pre game enjoy the moment and what a moment that was.

SJ truly is our talisman player, Was expecting the injury to lessen his impact but he was just as influential as ever, ........Tohu, Charnze......everyone really.....outstanding.

Truly is a Warriors movement throughout the country atm.......my son works the luge here in Rotovegas and he said all he heard all day from the charlifts going up the mountain was a never ending "up the wahs!"

May all come to an end next week but i dont really care......this season has been such a great ride and im just glad im on it.
 
Absolutely insane atmosphere at the Mt. Usurps the 07 and 08 finals matches there imo.

The first 15 mins were relentless. Absolutely knocked the stuffing out of the Knights. They did well to respond but as soon as we brought the starters back on we dominated again.

Same big name players as always leading the way. I think they're all as valuable as each other. We should do a new "Warriors of all time" voting this off season. I think a few new names will be very popular.

If anyone still tries to tell you RTS should be fullback for us.. point them to this game. CNK was IMMENSE. That man just does not stop.

Tohu with the captain's knock of all captains knocks.

Egan is a visionary. I was with Fonzie on his Egan bandwagon for the last few years and holy shit has he silenced the doubters now. Best Warriors hooker of all time without a single doubt.

SJ. This was his game. Fairytale stuff. While he stamped his mark on the game with his control and outstanding kicking game keeping the Knights pinned, the biggest moment was when he left the field. That walk around half the stadium when he came off was the most special Mt Smart moment I've ever seen. The jubilation and amazement on his face when he looked up into the East Stand will stay with me forever. For the next 3 minutes I barely watched the game. I watched SJ walk around the field as thousands of people stood and applauded our Man. It brought a tear to my eye 🥲

Bring on Brisbane.
 
Wah's Up said:
Not wanting to piss on anyones parade but had to wait until minute 75 before a highlight reel appeared for TMM, his defence was great all game but even walker offers more.
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This will sound like excuse making but I truly believe that the best suited half next to SJ is one that pretty much appears invisible in games.

A highlights reel guy is not the best foil for the way Johnson plays.

I came to this conclusion after watching how sweet Foran played at international level with SJ (at first I used to criticize Foran for being invisible).

When a highlights guy like Metcalf plays next to SJ the left and right flanks do not appear to be sync.

I thought we looked very smooth yesterday with cohesion and timing.

Also bear in mind that TMM and SJ have hardly played together, less than ten games in their entire careers.

TMM has a running game, when that leg comes fully right and his game fitness is back we will see it, and he has some nice slight of hand ball playing tricks too.

Just needs time.
 
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Still can't get over the fact that what I saw on the refs face when both his decisions were overturned he felt he was left hung out to dry, and looked like he was fuming. Too bad.

We kept the pressure on Ponga all game which was a rarety at times during the years. He just carves us up. The pressure was so intense that he dropped a ball near the end, to give us the victory over him in mental pressure.

If we can do that against Ponga, when can surely do that against Walsh.

Let's go Wahs.
 
Listening to both press conferences.

Webster is always good to listen to win or loss. Win and he's obviously relaxed and happy and jokes a bit. Lose and he is realistic about what happened on the field. Win or loss he analysing the game well which is refreshing to a lot of the other coaches that just blame refs, or say we need to kick better or complete our sets.

Adam O'Brien was good for someone whose season is over. Realistic on how things went. Said after how they played the last 10 weeks they didn't deserve to go out like that but how they played last night they deserved to go out like that.

The Knights gave us a good game in round 1 and got over us a month or so later. They have been good to watch the last 10 weeks. Like the Warriors I hope they back it up next year it will be great having some different clubs making the 8.

They have had a tough 5-10 years like us. Good seeing them turn things around.
 
Leon Black said:
TMM and a few others, not at their best, BUT 40-10 win… fuck me

What a performance. Their 2nd get a blatant forward pass too.

Not been so dominant defensively in 2 months.

Good luck Reece, Barney and the boys will destroy you next week 💪🏼
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TMM has been better in each game he has played, and is probably about where you'd expect after his layoff. I think he'll be ready to deliver now. In any regard, having two strong defenders in the halfs is invaluable.
 
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Having watched the replay I noticed CNK has introduced a bit of a dummy pass in this game. Saw it a few times when he was running in near the middles and thought that was SJ :ROFLMAO:

Also that pop pass - the one he did to DWZ for his try was absolutely perfect

Luckily he did not have to make too many tackles so gassed up all his energy on running m instead...

The guy is the quiet achiever, and doesnt get anywhere near the level recognition deserved last night. Especially from the commentators.

If I had to pick a MOM - CNK
Honorable second's - Tohu Harris, SJ, Egan
 
Atmosphere was electric last night at the grounds. Special. Still buzzing.

We had to win last night to prove we were a top 4 team. Regardless of who Newcastle were missing, they were riding a 10 game winning streak and were one of the form teams heading into finals.

We destroyed them, as we should of. Just a crisp performance, something we have needed for a long while now as it seemed we were running out of steam.

Making the prelim final, for me, makes this season a success.

We are capable of beating the Broncos, but regardless we can be proud of this turn around and the aura it has brought back to the game of Rugby League in NZ.

We’ve set a benchmark of where we want to be every season. I don’t think this season will be a anomaly - we are about to embark on a successful period for this club and the game in NZ.

At the same time - this team believes right now. The teams Marketing isn’t the usual “keep the faith” but simply, “our year”.

Now that would be special. Onto next week.
 
Watched it last night with the mother-in-law who is an All Blacks / rugby fan who doesn’t usually watch league.

Some things she mentioned during the game..

“wow, this game is fast, it doesn’t stop”.

“do they (the backline) practise that? they all know automatically where to run and who to pass to”.

“is that the one with the sore leg?”

“this is faster than rugby”

“That grizzly ones good”

“up the wahs!”
 
I don't think there is any point worrying about Martin's attack at this stage of the season. He's been out most of the season, and still looks awkward running on it, that's not going to change in a week. Possibly a mental thing, not feeling completely confident of it getting a heavy knock in contact?

But we finally got to see what his defence does to that left edge last night. He gave them confidence that he can handle his man, and that flowed out to our edge who had a season best performance on D.

His defence will be pivotal on Riki helping that edge shut down Walsh's favoured sweep edge with Staggs and Cobbo.

Stop three and score one is always going to trump let three in and score one.
 
SJ almost made me cry. The way he schooled the knights with his kicking & passing game with sensei level accuracy was incredible to watch! What calf injury!?

Cap Harris is a weapon! He always looks broken. But keeps battling! His work rate is second to none. Mr Dependable is our rock!

CNK is similar to Tohu. Looks so fit. Maybe our fittest? Mr energizer battery!

Rocco , Pompey & Montz proved me so wrong. They were awesome! Montz trusting his insides to stay on his man everytime and shut down their opponents was heart warming. Rocco? Keep it up young man!
Pompey Is a big man. When he's on he causes his direct opposite grief. Especially when he has a significant size advantage. He just needs to stay focused and communicate with his team mates.

Forward pack were enormous! Barnett & Harris the most impressive. Ford looked strong. Curran brings so much enthusiasm & heart. Nuikore is a mean bastard! Egan was all hustle & flow !

Our form had dropped off the past month or 2. It looked like we were done. Exhausted. Mentally drained.
I think we've found our mojo again! I feel it in my bones! We can dare to dream!?

And a special shoutout to the Mt Smart faithful! Oooweee! Y'all guys & gals rock !!

Two more games to go folks 👀👐
 
Since95 said:
It wasn't a fumble initially, it became one after he missed the first attempt, then pulled it towards in damage control.

Yeah we were operating @ 100% completion for the first 20 definite advantage being so good with ball in hand and also smothering them with the D during that period.
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If we play at that level we can beat anyone, horses and cats included.
Anyone else having having a few beers and watching the replay again?
This one is going down in history...


Until next week, then the week after...
 
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Beastmode said:
Having watched the replay I noticed CNK has introduced a bit of a dummy pass in this game. Saw it a few times when he was running in near the middles and thought that was SJ :ROFLMAO:

Also that pop pass - the one he did to DWZ for his try was absolutely perfect

Luckily he did not have to make too many tackles so gassed up all his energy on running m instead...

The guy is the quiet achiever, and doesnt get anywhere near the level recognition deserved last night. Especially from the commentators.

If I had to pick a MOM - CNK
Honorable second's - Tohu Harris, SJ, Egan
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I was fucking gutted when Charnze went to canberra, he has come back a well rounded player. He is up there with the best full backs we have had and will no doubt leave the club as the best we have had. He has made a massive difference to how that back line functions and is a beast on defence.

MOM for me as well
 
Pretty much all has been said so won’t try and rehash the same thoughts but add a couple of different thoughts.

It definitely was one of the best occasions in Warriors history.

- Atmosphere: It was a cracking atmosphere no doubt but found it to be more of a party/fun type atmosphere than the 08 semi as the games were so different. Did anyone else smile and think of Bruce when the Mexican wave kicked off?

- Funniest moment: Jazz rub of Curren’s taped up fingers on the bench 😆

- CNK was just everywhere. All heart that guy. He had some deft touches and tip ons in attack which are great to see.

- Fav moment: There were loads but I enjoyed Berry’s try. It was a cracking effort on his part and Dallin. There were 7 defenders trying to stop a try there and he showed some great strength and grit to get it there. The floodgates opened from there. Siro’s try a close second for the feels.

- TMMs defence. I really noticed it today and what he brings comparatively to Metcalf. He will take some confidence from that heading into next week.

- Back 5: Lead by CNKs massive effort, hats off to our back 5. They all had great games. Pregame that’s where I thought the Knights would have the edge and pressure us but we > them all night long.

- It was a true all round performance where we were polished in attack and smothered them in defence.

- Momentum: My last thought is that they will take a heap of confidence out of that and truly believe they can take it to the Broncos. Most definitely they can do it. I reckon it’ll be tight and the longer it goes the more faith I’ll have in our boys.

Enjoy this everybody. Those cold wet nights sitting in bay 29 for seasons on end when we had a myriad of coaches, players who didn’t want to be here, and ultimately shithouse performances, make nights like last night truly special. I tried to take a few moments where I looked around the stadium and tried to soak up what I was seeing. What a fantastic occasion.
 

The top 10 performances of Finals Week 2​

6. Rocco Berry​

Did a consistently reliable job on Newcastle's left edge defensively, which not many centres have been able to do through the second half of this season. Made 17 tackles and kept the edge in shape with some nice reads.

Turned plenty of good Shaun Johnson long kicks into great ones with his kick chases and then got over for a rare try with a determined effort.

(*The rest of the list: CNK 1, Munster 2, Tohu 3, SJ 4, Wishart 5, Grant 7, Barnett 8, May 9, Marzhew 10)
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F*** yeah the GOAT.

If you smellllllllll what the Rock is cookin'
Untitled design (28) (1).webp
 
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