Player Nathaniel Roache

[mt.wellington]

A thread to discuss one the Warriors exciting young prospects. Set to debut today against the Tigers off the bench. Hopefully get some game time as he's just there in case Issac Luke goes down or needs a little breather...

Luke's Warriors legacy just starting
By Sam Ackerman
Friday 4 Mar 2016 4:18 p.m.

He may be one of the most experienced people on the roster but Issac Luke is "hella excited" about wearing the Warriors jersey for the first time on Saturday.

The Kiwis Test co-captain is one of six players making their club debut against the Tigers at Campbelltown to kick-start a three season stay with the Auckland-based franchise.

Much is expected of Luke and his partnership with Shaun Johnson and fellow new signing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, but the veteran hooker has many other vital combinations he's working on, namely with his new forward pack.

The man nicknamed 'Bully' insists he doesn't boss his big men around, stating he can't unleash the Warriors backline big guns.

Luke also has a mentoring role with 19-year-old NRL rookie Nathaniel Roache, who's first taste of first grade this weekend is just the start of his apprenticeship under one of rugby league's best hookers.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/lukes-warriors-legacy-just-starting-2016030416#ixzz41zhBQObE

 

[Fazz]

Looked excellent in the Nines and stood out to me in lower grades a few times, so I'm excited to see what he brings to the table.

 

[Rick O'Shay]

Looked excellent in the Nines and stood out to me in lower grades a few times, so I'm excited to see what he brings to the table.

Me too. Really rate this kid. Smart footy brain. Played a bit in the centres for the NYC side as well.

 

[Fazz]

Me too. Really rate this kid. Smart footy brain. Played a bit in the centres for the NYC side as well.

One thing I can't quite remember is how good he was on defence. Any ideas bro?

 

[Jordan G]

Reminds me so much of Craig Wing with ball in hand and when running, except rather than being a transplanted half he's actually gettintg developed for the role.

 

[OMG]

One thing I can't quite remember is how good he was on defence. Any ideas bro?

Solid, reads defence better than most we have seen come out of NYC.

 

[InsideBall]

If you go back and watch the 2014 u20s GF, he was actually a huge part of the reason they won. Pretty sure the hooker went down injured fairly early (was it Jazz Tevaga?) and Roaches darts out of dummy half tore the Broncos apart, in the first half particularly.

 

[Fazz]

Solid, reads defence better than most we have seen come out of NYC.

That's exciting. It's rare that we have even a competent defender come out of the 20s.

 

[OMG]

That's exciting. It's rare that we have even a competent defender come out of the 20s.

The only thing is getting his defensive workrate a touch higher.

 

[Rick O'Shay]

Solid, reads defence better than most we have seen come out of NYC.

Fully agree. Kid can tackle. Lost a lot of the season last year with a pec injury

 

[mt.wellington]

Club legend helps Roache before debut
Wed 09 Mar, 2016, 5:37pm
By Corey Rosser‌, New Zealand Correspondent

Rookie Warriors hooker Nathaniel Roache didn't have to venture far from home to get some quality advice ahead of his Telstra Premiership debut last weekend.

Nineteen-year-old Roache's partner is Jamie-Lee Price, daughter of former Warriors captain and Morons bookend Steve Price.

And while the former Mt Albert Grammar student doesn't make a habit out of talking footy with Price, he admits he cherished every bit of advice which was passed down ahead of his first run with the NRL side.

"I don't see him too much because he is living up in Waipu (around two hours north of Auckland), but when he is down he always gives me advice and we talk a bit of footy," Roache said.

"He pretty much just focuses on the defensive area with me because he played in the middle and he liked to run at hookers and that's where I am playing.

"He just told me to prepare well and try to be aggressive in the middle."

On the field Roache has gained another valuable advisor this year in Kiwi international rake Issac Luke, who has taken him under his wing since arriving in Auckland from the Rabbitohs.

"He has been mentoring me exceptionally well and just giving me advice on all areas of the game," Roache said.

"It's really a privilege for me to work with him and try and improve my game.

"My debut was definitely quick for me, I didn't get on for that long but it was a good experience for me.

"I didn't get on until something like the 60th minute so my anxiety was just building. I got out there and even though we were down I just wanted to have a crack and that's what I did.

"I was lucky enough to get on when we actually started to gain some momentum. I thought we could have had a crack (at winning) at the end, but it was just a bit unfortunate.

"I was happy with my defensive areas, I held my ground and didn't miss any tackles and that was a big area for me."

Meanwhile Warriors second-rower Ben Henry had surgery today to repair his badly damaged patella, which he injured 20 minutes into the 34-26 loss to the Tigers in Round 1.

The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday Henry had suffered a broken patella, but no further damage as was initially reported. Coach Andrew McFadden said despite this, it wasn't looking good for the 24-year-old utility who has already undergone two knee reconstructions.

"I can't confirm the timeframe but I can tell you it's going to be a while... All of us at the club are bitterly disappointed for Ben," McFadden said.

"I have got no doubt it's a big concern for him. He has had to endure major operations and to go into another one… That's going to be tough for him.

"We will get around him, he's a great kid and he has got a very level head, and he has done it before."

https://www.nrl.com/club-legend-helps-roache-before-debut/tabid/10874/newsid/93621/default.aspx

 

[Pete]

Good young player. I think the background shot with some players trying to pull faces shows Lowes supposed bro culture. Some pulling faces, others looking bored. Look how proud his Dad is. Give them a decent photo and let the outsiders looking in think that its a professional outfit. Of course if they were winning I wouldn't care.

 

[jonesy101]

Did I hear right on 1 news tonight that Nathaniel Roaches season is in doubt with an Achilles injury? Sport can be such a cruel thing at times, hope he doesn't end up with the same sort of horrible injury run that Ben Henry and Jerome Ropati endured.

 

[InsideBall]

He seems to get injured... a lot. He has massive potential, really hope this doesn't turn out to be a chronic thing.

 

[eric]

Did I hear right on 1 news tonight that Nathaniel Roaches season is in doubt with an Achilles injury? Sport can be such a cruel thing at times, hope he doesn't end up with the same sort of horrible injury run that Ben Henry and Jerome Ropati endured.

Oh god I hope it’s not as bad as they think. I had huge hopes for him this year.

We are seriously lacking a livewire hooker! Heremaia was the last guy who could actually create something out of nothing. Friend was a waste of a space and now it looks like we’re stuck with farken Luke and some reserve grader for this year.

 

[Chats271]

Fuck, if that is true, that really sucks for the kid. I thought he was really really solid last year for us, and he seems to have a good head on him.

That would also set us back, leaving us with one "recognized" hooker in Luke.... and if struggles again this season.... god help us all.

Come on down Cherington! Its your time to shine!!

 

[WarriorBall]

Hopefully it's not as bad as that, Hingano would be my pick to back up Luke if it is long term.

 

[Wellington Warrior]

Memo to Kearney... don’t use Tevaga as a hooker....his pass is pants!!!!!

 

[Chats271]

Hopefully it's not as bad as that, Hingano would be my pick to back up Luke if it is long term.

Truuuueee! I didnt think of putting Ata there, would definitely prefer Ata over Tevaga.

Hopefully Nate's ok though!

 

[fizurg]

Anyone know how his recovery is going? With Luke seemingly going and it being unlikely we will sign another top grade hooker we have a lot of eggs in his basket right now.