Gameday 2024 Trial 2 - Warriors vs Dolphins

[Warriors4lyfe]

With cnk out why not give tuaupiki the full back spot?
He has showed he is up to it.
Long term plan is to have RTS in the centres so I wouldn't want to be messing with that.

​

 

[John Nick]

Not a fan of switching players positions.
Tuaupiki is the back up fullback , play him

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Woot game day threads! Seasons really feels like it is about to start now!

 

[WarriorsForever]

 

[Inruin]

Metcalf seems to be the preferred 6, he’s there for his x-factor which is speed that you can’t coach, he was improving very well until he pulled his hamy again, hope he stays injury free & we’ll have him, RTS, DWZ etc terrorizing the defense

Marata rumor seems true then? Pompey not starting so Berry’s spot to lose?

Taine to be our FB for the next month, don’t mess with RTS’s rhythm and learning the new position

He has speed. He is good for backing up a line break - when he doesn't over run the play. I haven't really seen him break the line himself with that speed and I don't see much in the way of elusiveness. And I don't see a lot of urgency in defence when the opposition make a break. His running game is supposed to be his strength though. I hope he has learnt to distribute quickly and effectively and has worked on his defence. We saw last week the potential of RTS and Montoya with CHT giving that.

For me, Metcalf is a bit of a one trick pony and the trick isn't that good IMO. He is a very handy back up 6 (I actually think he is better suited to fullback./wing) but I prefer a 6 that makes his outside men look better and can organize his edge.

I hope he can do that against the dolphins. Otherwise I can see RTS and Montoya getting frustrated as the season goes on, much like Pompey and Montoya did last season.

We need to improve on last season and that left edge % of tries created was lowest in the comp. If we are to take it to the next level and truly compete for the top prize there needs to be more threat coming from the left edge to help balance the team. And with RTS there, the only reason it won't be more of a threat will be because of a lack of good quality, early ball.

 

[sup42]

Well said! I often find our opinions to be like minded. I know this the isn’t round 1 team but ever since Capewell was bought - this is the team I believed Webby would go for. I even think he will take Lussick on the bench into the season as we can afford to… and maybe can’t afford not to with head knocks etc. Lussick can play other forward positions and probably stand off too (I know Walker will play there first though - off the bench). I think Chanel will also get a run on the bench at times as a utility (Hooker, 13, 6, back cover). Apparently he has been training in those positions pre-season.

With 2 x 80 minute backrowers - Niukore can play more of an impact middle role and cover second row. With Bunty and Ale playing so well in pre-season week 1 - the pressure is massively on Jazz, otherwise he will be leading the cup team.

Love our leadership group - (Who I think they are): Tohu / SJ / AFB / RTS / Capewell / Walker / Barnett - That will add patience, belief, trust to our squad / team!

Total trust in Webby! Something big is brewing and this year is going to be bigger and better than the last…. Yes that is possible! Let’s eat!

As far as the leadership group goes, Montoya seems to be taking up the mantle as well, given he was named Captain of trial one and was the Warriors player selected alongside our Captain to attend the Halbergs.
I see Montoya is starting to pop up in media a bit as he has as contagious enthusiasm about the Warriors and he is a bit of a laugh too.

Montoya did not have his best season last year, but it looks like Webster is looking past that and trying to give him an esteem boost, which as we saw in the trial and have seen in his good games....a happy Montoya is a hard guy to stop.

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Of the 12 games Metcalf played last year we won 10 of them... A few of them with fairly decent points differential which I don't think we would have gotten without him in the team. He's also only played 19 first grade games...
But according to some he should be the perfect running half with perfect distribution skills.... He may have had a lot more games through NSW cup etc. but first grade is a completely different beast to the lower grades. And for a half especially takes time to develop the timing, distribution etc.

Idk how some can call themselves fans of the game and expect kids to come in at the highest level and be perfect from the get go, only a few players have managed to smash it instantly and they're usually generational talents.

 

[watcher]

Personally I thought Montoya was struggling with some form of injury from about mid season. To me it is testament to his courage and professionalism that his standard of performance did not drop too much. At NRl level all the players have talent but it takes character to excel. Marcello has character. That is why he is a leader.

 

[Old Sid]

Hopeful that LM will do real well for us if chosen, but I cant help thinking that he'd jump on a plane tomorrow should someone stump up with a first team halfback 'level' offer.
TMM I believe desperately wants to be here, as does CHT. Not qualifications for selection, but with all 3 with significant 'work-on's' is a great leveller. LM's game vision (and hence decision making) for me leaves much to be desired at this point in time. If anything he'd be a 6 and not a 7.

Only time will tell for all 3 though. Internal competition might just work wonders. My opinion only.

 

[janfin]

Bring it on …
Love my team .

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Funny thing is i never really liked or rated Watene Zelezniak until he got here......pretty much everything you want in a winger really.

 

[JaggedJ]

Funny thing is i never really liked or rated Watene Zelezniak until he got here......pretty much everything you want in a winger really.

Once he realised he was a winger and not a fullback helped.

Has simplified his game since, like Webby has done for most of the team. Helped eliminate a lot of those mistakes.

 

[Rizzah]

RTS' 1 on 1 defence is fantastic.

 

[tajhay]

Capewells workrate is immense. Wasn't overly excited about his signing but this is a very good debut from him.

 

[Hatchet Harry]

missed the start of the game so the first things i saw were those 6 again calls they got on our line which look like a mass stranding from the pod, flopping around and milking it - then that offload from them that hit one of our guys in the butt and was called a knock on ...

other than those even ups our defence looks tight, it's great

Not having a go here…. But we fans need to take a page out of Webbys book and stop bitching about the refereeing. Calls will go against us for dumb reasons. All I care about is our team responds and shows grit during those occasions. I like that we had dud calls - we have to keep our heads. So far so good.

Need to see Jazz settle down and just do his job. Our top side looks outstanding. Lock for top 4 as long as we stay reasonably healthy and don’t get too many judiciary issues.

I’m delighted with where we are at. With addition of Capewell and Roger, we’ve closed the gap on Panthers and Broncos

We have a real shout of winning this thing this year with this side. Exciting.

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Jeez thats a good try for Niukore!

 

[Dlenai]

Niukore in this new role is perfect

 

[Matiunz]

Marata with some very strong runs today

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Montoya not trusting Pompey (can’t really blame him) and ends up being skinned easily…

The left edge was looking much more solid with RTS there.

 

[bringinthebulls]

Seen enough. Potential round one team took a decent lead first half, the mix of reserves and first graders didnt succumb and drop their heads to the penalties. Same with the drop balls etc in first half. We on again this year guys, we are fuckin on!

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

Well I've seen enough, RTS hasn't missed a beat coming back and is going to make a huge difference to this side. Adding him and Capewell to last year's team could put this team over the edge.

 

[the WARs]

warriors look the goods ...fuck the ref(but we need to tidy up in the tackle) ...JAZZ to NSW cup ..RTS my MOM what a beast he must be loving this new Warriors team of hard men Vs many of the last lot powderpuffs he played with..

and #1 for me the FUCKING DEPTH never in all the years a WAR fan have we had the depth

..

 

[j_p]

Tell ya what. I know theyve said its not happening but if Charnze is out for a bit, Rog at the back then whoever of Berry/Pompey/Leautaua at centre seems damn solid to me.

I'm a tuaupiki fan and thought he stepped up but this isn't a bad option either. When the hell have we ever had so many options in the past? If injury gods and judiciary is good to us this truly could be our year. Shaun Johnson the stage is all yours.

 

[the WARs]

we are going see heap of try's off RTS shoulder .. I actually really like him in centre more than FB

 

[Worried2Death]

Dare I it we're starting to look a bit like Penrith with multidimensional players covering multiple positions, forwards chiming into backline moves, set plays for Africa, no big boppers except Addin and Marata but huge motors, I think IT'S HAPPENING!!!

 

[WA Warrior]

Team Just looks in sync with each other on the field.
We are playing to a system and everyone is on bored by the looks.
Jazz can’t make my side at full strength.
Too many errors, would rather Bunty, Ale, Maiu’u.
Capewell fitting like a bloody glove.
RTS looks like an elite centre and FB.
Make the most of AFB for the year, one of the best props in the game.
No real negatives.
We could take it out this year, it’s a real possibility.

 

[snake77]

I was sceptical of moving Niukore when it was suggested. Mainly as before he moved here and the Eels were playing him in the middle he didn't really stand out to me. Look that could be due to the Eels having injuries which affected them overall. I was also keen for us to have the big body for Johnson to feed down the right like we saw last season.

What we saw today moving him has a lot of promise. He is a big body and will give us leg speed in the middle along with aggression.

If we can get him working off some ball playing off Harris or Walker in the middle he could cause some headaches.

Capewell looked good down the right. We had an experienced player to plug the hole Niukore leaves moving in field.

Last year when the Broncos tore us apart it seemed like we were short of a big damaging runner. Moving him in the middle may even us up there and also have his aggression to shut down the opposition.

 

[Popdukes]

Niukore runs beautifull well timed and powerful lines, DANGEROUS.

RTS penultimate RL player all around and will improve as the season goes on & will give a leg up for Montoya. DANGEROUS.

Berry, I’m converted. DANGEROUS

CapeWah is ready to go and seems like his heart is here, very pleased with his signing and effort. DANGEROUS.

I’m 99% sure we’ll get the best out of AFBs final season here. DANGEROUS

We all know what the rest of the team are capable of. DANGEROUS.

Cant wait for the RD 1 team list will be.

My only gripe was defence although there were some solid individual efforts.

The attack is there so a matter of forming & maintaining combinations with and without the pill.

Ali will push for a spot, natural and powerful ball runner.

Walker > Jazz

Plenty to be excited about, we’re in contention and I completely trust Webby to pick and get the very best out of our squad.

Refs will be a thorn in our side though, so discipline is key and unfortunately we have to out play them.

Keep the Faith, It’s on ladies and gents.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

My thoughts on this trial.....

1 And most importantly, Egan is critical to any success the warriors have in 24.

2 Capewell and niukore positional swap will work a treat.

3 Metcalf is 100% Ahead of Martin, and that's no knock on Martin at all!

4 We are blessed in the Fullback, and centre positions.

 

[~Navigator~]

Shout out to Mr Capewell definitely fitted into our line up 2 hand salute my friend

 

[Makasene]

Roger should be fullback sorry Charnze

Lol, thank goodness it's not up to you.

 

[Tonbridge(aka Swanley)]

Thoughts

Not missed any beats

Stronger than last year with RTS and Capewah added.

Errors I think are coming from competition for spots, peeps trying too hard.

Egan has upped his running game

Metcalf looked good, which surprises me.

Barnett doesn't bend the line much

Niukore is a beast

Top 4 is possible again this year

 

[watcher]

I think people are forgetting CNKs workmates which is vital to the team. He creates so much by always being ever-present on the right in attack. Solid defender too. It would not surprise me if they are keeping Taine's powder dry and not revealing too much. RTS needs to be Centre.

 

[Beastmode]

We don't but what does Wayde want?
Isn't origin the pinnacle of the sport if he's done enough to warrant selection then good on him it will bring confidence and experience to his game.

Representing your country is the pinnacle no? Not a state. Don’t believe the hype.. don’t fall for it…

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

Just watched the game and I thought we looked really composed on defense. Barnett may not bend the line very much but his line speed on defense is a thing of beauty. Niukore off the bench worked really well. Thought Metcalf has the the number 6 but TMM did have some nice touches. We need to stop with the leg pulls. The NRL has said they will crack down on it but we just kept on doing it.

Jazz looks to have played himself out of the 17. Likely would replace him with Ale. Leiataua had some good moments but he needs to stop just trying to go over the top of players all the time. RTS looks like he can play anywhere he is just that good and Capewell is class.

Dolphins defense was pretty shocking. 6 tries and none from kicks. With D like that they will not make the 8. Overall good hit out for us and barring injuries there is no reason we cannot make the top 4 this season.

 

[Noitall]

One last thing on Egan. That try to Barnett, Barnett ran a beautiful line at pace and Capewell made a great bust and quick play the ball but fuck that pass from Egan to Barnett was deadly. Deception and a crisp pass right on point.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Absolutely no way to Roger at FB. How long has it been since we’ve had 1 let alone nearly 2 strike centres? And now we finally have one, people want to move him to FB? Madness.

Montoya and RTS is going to be the #1 wing and centre pairing this season. On both sides of the ball. Montoya nearly killed a bloke yesterday and RTS put the shot on like 3 dudes. I haven’t even started on the big don’t argues BOTH players posses. Some poor bloke is going to get fended by both in one play this year.

Bye to Jazz and Lussick. I’d rather CHT play 14.

 

[Completion Rate]

One last thing on Egan. That try to Barnett, Barnett ran a beautiful line at pace and Capewell made a great bust and quick play the ball but fuck that pass from Egan to Barnett was deadly. Deception and a crisp pass right on point.

His ruck deception is lethal. He's got the no-look pass down to an art. He can fein left and pass right to Johnson for that sweep play. He's the one creating the overlap on the edge and is the reason Dallin scores so often. Forget top 3 he is the 9 with the best pass in the game. We win nothing without him.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Some more notes on the RTS / Montoya combo.

I don’t think Montoya gets enough credit for his dedication to absolutely belting cunts on his edge. Let’s be real, at least twice a game he’s absolutely leveling a ballplayer who takes it to the line. Now with Roger, there’s two absolute Hulks who can smash you from any angle on that channel.

It should be shaping up for a shut down edge. It worked sometimes with Pompey, but it’s on another level with RTS on the inside. Trust is a beautiful thing. Add in Metcalf and just watch the counter attack opportunities open up after players cough the ball up after being chopped in half.

 

[Cces]

Preseason is always hard to gauge where the team are at in comparison to everyone else, including the Dolphins because of the way they dispersed their minutes, but we have every reason to be hopeful of another top 4 & beyond. Being the second year under Webster everything appears just a little more refined than 12 months ago. A lot of it is simple stuff too. The @Wahs Up Podcast did a good job of showcasing that mid week by highlighting some shifts off of taps from kicks into touch to help our Front Rowers be less of an easy target to the opposition D line.
Couple of other thoughts:

- I've previously been in favour of Niukore starting at Prop & Barnett off the bench because Barnett would provide an increase in line speed on his arrival but I now think it needs to be the other way around like it was yesterday. A middle of Barnett/Tohu/Walker in the second quarter doesn't really have anyone to create momentum off static ball. All are fantastic off the back of momentum though but that's my reasoning in favour a combo of Niukore/Tohu/Walker from something like the 25th-45th minute. Walker does provide his own boost in line speed & overall intensity as well.
- Ford has his critics (& weaknesses) but will be under no pressure to retain his spot unless he has a shocking first month.
- Metcalf locked in the #6 with TMM his back up. If SJ went down though I think CHT is first man up to replace him because the right hand edge is all about shape & he plays the most square in attack.
- Lussick would be a third stringer at many clubs but we probably need to have him in the 17 during the regular season to ensure Egan isn't burnt out come playoffs. That leaves Ale, Tevaga & Bunty all competing for the #16 jersey which will probably only be a 20 minute role. That's my pecking order but I can understand cases for all 3.
- Crazy to think how far the club has come in such a short space of time when you consider Euan Aitken was our 2022 Player of the Year (& rightfully so) but wouldn't be guaranteed a spot in our 17 today.
- Dolphins will miss Gilbert immensely (slid from 6th to 13th without him in 2023) but, when they're at full strength, they should float around the edge of the top 8 & be a good watch.

 

[Cces]

Ali is not going to learn anything in the lower grades.

Sure he is. The NSW Cup side play the Jets in RD1 & he would have a good challenge up against someone like Iro or Hiroti. He has just 13 starts as a Reserve grade Centre (+ x2 on the Wing & x1 Five-Eight) & was playing as a Fullback prior to 2022. Undoubtedly good enough for the NRL but still plenty to learn about the position.