Post Match Pre Season Trial 2- Warriors vs Storm

[Tookey 2.0]

I dunno, for me TMM had a small sample size of playing halfback where he was in charge, and killed it with really high end try assists and repeat sets. Essentially, better than most halves have been able to conjure up in the last few years.

If Webby's gone in a different direction from that, imo he's not going to then change his game plan (with CNK at the back) even if TMM killed it at FB, which he did.

It's nice to have another option at FB, but my bet is we don't see it at all this year unless there's multiple injuries at fb

 

[Noitall]

I dunno, for me TMM had a small sample size of playing halfback where he was in charge, and killed it with really high end try assists and repeat sets. Essentially, better than most halves have been able to conjure up in the last few years.

If Webby's gone in a different direction from that, imo he's not going to then change his game plan (with CNK at the back) even if TMM killed it at FB, which he did.

It's nice to have another option at FB, but my bet is we don't see it at all this year unless there's multiple injuries at fb

Touch wood it doesn’t happen, that if Metcalf was to get injured at some point, I don’t think TMM is even recognised as a backup halfback with Tanah Boyd recruited? If some are right that CHT starts the season with Metcalf in the halves, it’s starting to make TMM surplus to requirements because he’s far too good to be playing nsw cup. There’s no doubt that he looks best on the right, but Metcalf looks to be the direction they want to go, and to be fair so far he’s done nothing to prove them wrong. I think there’s a reason that they wanted to see TMM at fullback and I don’t think think he’s harmed whatever they were looking at

 

[Canonball]

I dunno, for me TMM had a small sample size of playing halfback where he was in charge, and killed it with really high end try assists and repeat sets. Essentially, better than most halves have been able to conjure up in the last few years.

If Webby's gone in a different direction from that, imo he's not going to then change his game plan (with CNK at the back) even if TMM killed it at FB, which he did.

It's nice to have another option at FB, but my bet is we don't see it at all this year unless there's multiple injuries at fb

On the game plan - i have a suspicion that there was something in that first half yesterday that they've been working on for a while - in the later games of cup last year playing from FB it was pretty common for TT to come up into the line as a playmaker and control the last few tackles on attack - which is where a lot of that Taine to halves discussion came from - all i'm saying is that there are bits of game plan from all over the place coming together and that was the significant thing for me in watching the first half yesterday

 

[Inruin]

Our halves situation. You are big on TMM at 7.

Still am. I get the Metcalf love but for the balance of the team I still think a TMM 7 and Metcalf 6 is our best opportunity for scoring points and winning games. I also think if we go with a LM/CHT combo we will struggle to do that.

 

[Inruin]

On the game plan - i have a suspicion that there was something in that first half yesterday that they've been working on for a while - in the later games of cup last year playing from FB it was pretty common for TT to come up into the line as a playmaker and control the last few tackles on attack - which is where a lot of that Taine to halves discussion came from - all i'm saying is that there are bits of game plan from all over the place coming together and that was the significant thing for me in watching the first half yesterday

Just a random thought going back to preseason game 1 and Metcalf saying after the game that they didn't get to show everything they had been working on. Is it a possibility that with the injuries and lack of depth in our outside backs that they had been working on a CNK at centre role with TMM at fullback but because both TB and CHT were injured they had to roll with LM and TMM in the halves for that first hit out.

Or it's just been a mix and match approach because of player availability with injuries and All Stars game

Going with a ball playing fullback like TMM seems way to out there for a conservative coach like AW.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

I wanna show some love to Bunty. He looks so good(So far) this year! Did anyone see the late step before he hit the line ? I was shocked! And he's driving through players too! Looking fitter than ever. Keep it up Bunty!

 

[Teets]

Still am. I get the Metcalf love but for the balance of the team I still think a TMM 7 and Metcalf 6 is our best opportunity for scoring points and winning games. I also think if we go with a LM/CHT combo we will struggle to do that.

I agree, if it's CNK right, CHT left, it's going to pretty much all on Luke Metcalf to create points.

 

[Noitall]

Webster: We want Roger to get more ball

Andrew Webster talks about Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's move to the wing for the 2025 season.

www.warriors.kiwi

16 minutes worth and prior to the hit out yesterday, but an insightful watch all the same. Get the impression Webster’s going to call the nrl out this year if there’s things he’s not happy with. Certainly do get the impression CNK is in that fullback jersey again after watching this, just hope Webster doesn’t make the same mistake as last year and commit him to it if there’s other options that could be beneficial. Does say though that they’re looking at whether the last bench spot is a forward or back? Could this be where TMM is seen with him just a handy footy player all around? Getting to get a bit of an idea with how it’s going to look here and there, Metcalf certainly has dibs on that halfback jersey

 

[John Nick]

I agree, if it's CNK right, CHT left, it's going to pretty much all on Luke Metcalf to create points.

Pretty much will be anyway

 

[sup42]

Webster: We want Roger to get more ball

Andrew Webster talks about Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's move to the wing for the 2025 season.

www.warriors.kiwi

16 minutes worth and prior to the hit out yesterday, but an insightful watch all the same. Get the impression Webster’s going to call the nrl out this year if there’s things he’s not happy with. Certainly do get the impression CNK is in that fullback jersey again after watching this, just hope Webster doesn’t make the same mistake as last year and commit him to it if there’s other options that could be beneficial. Does say though that they’re looking at whether the last bench spot is a forward or back? Could this be where TMM is seen with him just a handy footy player all around? Getting to get a bit of an idea with how it’s going to look here and there, Metcalf certainly has dibs on that halfback jersey

Yeah I figured the same about TMM and the bench. As soon as they announced he was gonna play fullback I figured he will be the 14 this season.

It fits with what Webster has been through in the past with the Warriors suffering horrific spine player losses mid match and it fits with Websters past use of often times a fourteenth spot that never gets used.

I like TT but for me still not a starting player esp wing ...storm try perfect example too short and any decent team will hammer the corner kick on his wing ...

The short winger vs taller opposition winger thing does not bother me. If opposition teams are resorting to kick and hope at a wing then it speaks of good defence from the Warriors.
Yes it sucks the taller guy is going to win the jump (if he manages to catch the ball) but all things being equal I struggle to think of our taller wingers being better at defending kicks than TT.

Öur usual wingers are crap at defending and or catching attacking kicks. So TT being out jumped means nothing given our alternatives imo.

Loved how the forwards gave us go forward which allowed the ball to go through the backline to the wingers who both got doubles. Long time since we have seen the ball go all the way through the backline on both sides.

I think the big takeaway from the trial was that our players can move the ball.

While some focus on the fact that it was a Storm C team (it was, they were horrid which is a Bellamy thing he plays his absolute shit against us) they are looking at the wrong thing.

Bro, you could put a Storm C side in front of our A+ line up most preseasons and not see that kind of ball movement.

For me it was a bloody big relief and a brilliant outcome to see we actually have blokes that can catch and pass on any level.
Hell I am so jaded from years of Warriors that i celebrate when they complete an attacking move against the coaching staff wearing bibs.

 

[SouthernWorrier]

Just watched a replay... Kosi in the clear twice and Capewell wouldn't pass to him. Rough. Not Kosi's fault and I feel for the kid - it was his opportunity to shine after last week and there's zero chance if your team doesn't trust you. But it does show his team doesn't trust him.

Time to move him to a years development in NSW cup @ Prop (if he's up for it) or off to Superleague.

 

[watcher]

For me the first half was very direct, straight and accurate. The spine meshed well but the forwards laid the go forward ball.

Of our starters I think Marata and Capewah needed to step up marata did, will Capewell be ahead of Laban?.

We are in the position of who to leave out, not who to put in.

 

[Beastmode]

Just watched a replay... Kosi in the clear twice and Capewell wouldn't pass to him. Rough. Not Kosi's fault and I feel for the kid - it was his opportunity to shine after last week and there's zero chance if your team doesn't trust you. But it does show his team doesn't trust him.

Time to move him to a years development in NSW cup @ Prop (if he's up for it) or off to Superleague.

I wouldn’t pass him the ball either

Coaches are doing his career a disservice keeping him on the wing

 

[Canonball]

Am I right in thinking that Ali didn't end up be charged with that high shot? Didn't see any judiciary referrals for us post game

 

[Warriorsfan92]

What do we think of this:

CNK
TT
POMPEY
LEIATAUA
RTS
CHT
METCALF
FISH
EGAN
BARNETT
NIUKORE
CAPEWELL
CLARK

WALKER
FORD
VAIMAUGA
LABAN/AFOA/HALASIMA

We’ve actually got insane depth. I really want halasima, bunty & ale in there but based off of experience and pre season trials, maybe this is the best line up? Unless Niukore starts on an edge & bunty/halasima are in the 17 over Laban. I really liked the look of Laban in the all stars though. Only critique would be his 54m in 55 min, but his 26 tackles for 1 miss against nrl quality opposition is a huge tick.

 

[Noitall]

Check out the size of these two compared to Halasima

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

What do we think of this:

CNK
TT
POMPEY
LEIATAUA
RTS
CHT
METCALF
FISH
EGAN
BARNETT
NIUKORE
CAPEWELL
CLARK

WALKER
FORD
VAIMAUGA
LABAN/AFOA/HALASIMA

We’ve actually got insane depth. I really want halasima, bunty & ale in there but based off of experience and pre season trials, maybe this is the best line up? Unless Niukore starts on an edge & bunty/halasima are in the 17 over Laban. I really liked the look of Laban in the all stars though. Only critique would be his 54m in 55 min, but his 26 tackles for 1 miss against nrl quality opposition is a huge tick.

No to Ford. He only makes this team if we are missing one of our starters Barnett or Harris.

Have pick Healey surely, covers Egan and lock at a pinch. Egans head knocks just has to be covered.

14 D Walker
15 D Vaimauga
16 T Ale
17 S Healey

I think Ale is so useful i think bunty would be so unlucky to miss out but this is a huge year for Ale, and i want webby to give him every chance.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

No to Ford. He only makes this team if we are missing one of our starters Barnett or Harris.

Have pick Healey surely, covers Egan and lock at a pinch. Egans head knocks just has to be covered.

14 D Walker
15 D Vaimauga
16 T Ale
17 S Healey

I think Ale is so useful i think bunty would be so unlucky to miss out but this is a huge year for Ale, and i want webby to give him every chance.

That’s a small bench, aside from vaimauga.

 

[3rdstriker]

No to Ford. He only makes this team if we are missing one of our starters Barnett or Harris.

Webster loves Ford though, he'll be there somewhere guaranteed!

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

That’s a small bench, aside from vaimauga.

Ford doesn't make it that much bigger though. Unless you are thinking bunty?