Post Match Pre Season Trial 2- Warriors vs Storm

[Damo]

CNK is a workhorse. They are needed in the team for sure but most of the top teams have a creative fullback.

Tedesco
Edwards
Paps
Turbo
Walsh

CNK will get you 200m+ a game. Defends well too but he's just a bit safe.

Edwards a creative fullback? He's CNK in a better team.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Do you think ford did enough yesterday to say pick me?

Was physically outplayed, as happened last year in the middle.

Way to small for the middle.

I actually fear our pack running up against the bigger teams.

JFH isn’t huge
Barnett is smallish for a prop
Ford is small

With the loss of AFB the other smaller players suddenly could be outmuscled?

Bunty adds some size and with his form I would have him over Ford.


Vai

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

A few thoughts.

Egans inability to not get injured consistently, is actually a real burden on this team. Almost completely wasting a bench spot.

I feel we lack 80 minute forwards…..
Most teams have 2 of them.
Capewell can do it. But week in week out?
We could move Barnett to the right edge. At least then we’d have a captain on at all times. Or 13, I just don’t see he putting on the handbrake a tiny bit so he lasts the 80 in the middle.

I’m betting Webster is going to run JFH and Barnett ragged, risking a burnout for them.

Erin Clark has been fairly impressive in the trials, but because he isn’t an 80 minute forward, there’s absolutely nothing he brings that he can’t do from the bench. Which is where he has played most of his career. (Btw there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that)

I was TMM and Metcalf. I’m changing to CHT and Metcalf….
If TMM struggles to get in the game so often I’d rather take the slightly better defence and kicking game of CHT. At least he’ll actually use it.

I’d actually like Leiataua to start at left centre. At least that way we have threats on both sides. Pompey can and has done a job on the right in the past. (2023 against the Cowboys in Townsville, carved up Val Holmes. Essentially getting our season underway)

Size………

 

[Garry Saloon]

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

TMM had some great games, people forget that after those great games he had a few absolute shitters.

 

[John Nick]

TMM had some great games, people forget that after those great games he had a few absolute shitters.

Yes but mainly at 6 & mainly outside SJ.Had a couple of good games at 7.

 

[Makasene]

Edwards a creative fullback? He's CNK in a better team.

If so then he is RTS in a good team.

Love me some CNK but he ain't within three lengths of Edwards.

 

[Teets]

View attachment 11760
Check out the size of these two compared to Halasima

Cue Blocker "the big Warriors forwards looking tired here".

 

[Noitall]

Cue Blocker "the big Warriors forwards looking tired here".

The one on the right in that picture is Fonua Pole’s brother Suli Pole. Storm have some massive forwards

 

[Matiunz]

On rewatch it was pleasing that our tries were scored by the outside backs (bar CHT) and each of them were constructed (CHT the possible exception) rather than opportunistic

 

[Makasene]

View attachment 11760
Check out the size of these two compared to Halasima

Would love to see Halasima next to Taumalolo.

These two are massive but doubt they are as explosive as Leka

 

[Noitall]

Would love to see Halasima next to Taumalolo.

These two are massive but doubt they are as explosive as Leka

Would probably look similar to Utoikamanu next to him with Taumalolo and Utoikamanu similar dimensions at around 191cm and 115kg. There’s no doubt he’s more explosive than the two he’s next to in the picture and listed at 185cm and 100kg. Height probably won’t alter at his age, but probably still has some more muscle mass to add. Where do see his ideal position, second row or lock?

 

[Inruin]

On rewatch it was pleasing that our tries were scored by the outside backs (bar CHT) and each of them were constructed (CHT the possible exception) rather than opportunistic

It was good to see a lot of them were heads up play and taking advantage of numbers, particularly on short sides.

 

[defensivebomb]

would it be premature to book flights and prepaid accommodation to the grand final?

 

[John Nick]

would it be premature to book flights and prepaid accommodation to the grand final?

Depending on which year.

 

[france]

A few thoughts.

Egans inability to not get injured consistently, is actually a real burden on this team. Almost completely wasting a bench spot.

I feel we lack 80 minute forwards…..
Most teams have 2 of them.
Capewell can do it. But week in week out?
We could move Barnett to the right edge. At least then we’d have a captain on at all times. Or 13, I just don’t see he putting on the handbrake a tiny bit so he lasts the 80 in the middle.

I’m betting Webster is going to run JFH and Barnett ragged, risking a burnout for them.

Erin Clark has been fairly impressive in the trials, but because he isn’t an 80 minute forward, there’s absolutely nothing he brings that he can’t do from the bench. Which is where he has played most of his career. (Btw there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that)

I was TMM and Metcalf. I’m changing to CHT and Metcalf….
If TMM struggles to get in the game so often I’d rather take the slightly better defence and kicking game of CHT. At least he’ll actually use it.

I’d actually like Leiataua to start at left centre. At least that way we have threats on both sides. Pompey can and has done a job on the right in the past. (2023 against the Cowboys in Townsville, carved up Val Holmes. Essentially getting our season underway)

Size………

Laban looks like an 80 min player in the making js

 

[Makasene]

Would probably look similar to Utoikamanu next to him with Taumalolo and Utoikamanu similar dimensions at around 191cm and 115kg. There’s no doubt he’s more explosive than the two he’s next to in the picture and listed at 185cm and 100kg. Height probably won’t alter at his age, but probably still has some more muscle mass to add. Where do see his ideal position, second row or lock?

He's a total weapon on the edge.

Would like to see him causing havoc out there.

 

[snake77]

People commenting on TMM at fullback is interesting.

We’ve had Tuaupiki, RTS, DWZ and now TMM all full in at fullback and all with great reviews.

Perhaps it hints at something we’re missing with CNK there?

Like our halves they all have strengths and weaknesses. Any position you can analyse the same way but the halves and fullback are so critical to the way teams play. At fullback a few of them might not suit our game plan or our style of play may need to change.

CNK has a big motor and is good at organising our defence and cleaning up defensively. He's a big enough body on kick returns. His ball playing isn't as good as the best fullbacks in the competition. He has been better playing the modern fullback link role when we move the ball to the right.

Tuaupiki is a different player due to his body type. He probably doesn't have the top-end pace of some of the other smaller fullbacks. He has enough to keep the defence on their toes around the ruck. I've been to a few NSW Cup games the last few years. He is good atorganising the defence. He has stepped up as a playmaker and tactical kicker.

DWZ to me is like a fullback from the 90s. He is quick and is going to bring the ball back well as he will cover a lot of ground. He may have done well with the link plays when he filled in at fullback but to me his strengths at fullback would be his running/kick returns.

RTS if he gets moved back to fullback we will get a lot of hype, especially from the commentators. If we struggle the analysts will probably argue about this positional change. When he moved there during games last year it was reassuring as we know he can perform there and knows the position. We know he can pull off good defensive plays. The ball playing a lot of modern fullbacks isn't a strength. He has been moved to the wing, to me he should stay there and only cover fullback if needed if there is an injury during a game.

Martin played some fullback at the Broncos before he arrived here. I was interested to see where he was going to play. The weekend was interesting as it helped our attack. He got his hands on the ball more and looked like he took on more if he saw something was on. It was promising but the opposition needs to be taken into account. However, if we do struggle this season it shouldn't be written off. Sometimes with team selections, you uncover something by accident. Moving Tuaupiki to the wing on the weekend to give him time on the wing if he is looked at to cover DWZ meant we needed a fullback. It presented something interesting with Martin.

To me we are short of wingers. So DWZ and RTS stay there. CNK and Tuaupiki are the two main fullback options. Martin, presents an option if needed later in the season due to injuries or if we need to make a selection change to adjust how we play.

 

[snake77]

Depending on which year.

Booking flights ever year would get expensive. As every year seems to be "our year" at some point.

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

I think the bench is the hard part to pick.

I would go

14. Walker
15. Buntinator
16. Halasima for X factor.
17. TMM to cover a backline injury or some late game

CHT and/or Clark to cover Egan if injured.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Like our halves they all have strengths and weaknesses. Any position you can analyse the same way but the halves and fullback are so critical to the way teams play. At fullback a few of them might not suit our game plan or our style of play may need to change.

CNK has a big motor and is good at organising our defence and cleaning up defensively. He's a big enough body on kick returns. His ball playing isn't as good as the best fullbacks in the competition. He has been better playing the modern fullback link role when we move the ball to the right.

Tuaupiki is a different player due to his body type. He probably doesn't have the top-end pace of some of the other smaller fullbacks. He has enough to keep the defence on their toes around the ruck. I've been to a few NSW Cup games the last few years. He is good atorganising the defence. He has stepped up as a playmaker and tactical kicker.

DWZ to me is like a fullback from the 90s. He is quick and is going to bring the ball back well as he will cover a lot of ground. He may have done well with the link plays when he filled in at fullback but to me his strengths at fullback would be his running/kick returns.

RTS if he gets moved back to fullback we will get a lot of hype, especially from the commentators. If we struggle the analysts will probably argue about this positional change. When he moved there during games last year it was reassuring as we know he can perform there and knows the position. We know he can pull off good defensive plays. The ball playing a lot of modern fullbacks isn't a strength. He has been moved to the wing, to me he should stay there and only cover fullback if needed if there is an injury during a game.

Martin played some fullback at the Broncos before he arrived here. I was interested to see where he was going to play. The weekend was interesting as it helped our attack. He got his hands on the ball more and looked like he took on more if he saw something was on. It was promising but the opposition needs to be taken into account. However, if we do struggle this season it shouldn't be written off. Sometimes with team selections, you uncover something by accident. Moving Tuaupiki to the wing on the weekend to give him time on the wing if he is looked at to cover DWZ meant we needed a fullback. It presented something interesting with Martin.

To me we are short of wingers. So DWZ and RTS stay there. CNK and Tuaupiki are the two main fullback options. Martin, presents an option if needed later in the season due to injuries or if we need to make a selection change to adjust how we play.

Good write up. You say the fullback needs to suit the teams style of play.

Last year our style of play resulted in a dreadful attack with dominant field position unable to be turned into points, losing us multiple games.

Makes you question if more of the same with a defensive high work rate fullback that adds little in attack is the solution?