Post Match Raiders v Warriors - [Round 1, 2025]

[MrFrankWhite]

Between Metcalf and Marata's defensive efforts I'm not sure we should be questioning Ali's defence as an issue with only a handful of first grade games to his name

Metcalf is a skinny half, he's MEANT to be the worst defender in the team. Marata is this supposed big nuts rep back rower who is getting embarrassed by CHT on edge defence

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

We are a botton 4 team on paper i just didn't think we would look like one in round 1 today!

They couldn't get out of Las Vegas quick enough.

 

[Inruin]

Metcalf is a skinny half, he's MEANT to be the worst defender in the team. Marata is this supposed big nuts rep back rower who is getting embarrassed by CHT on edge defence

Agreed. But we have seemingly sacrificed a 7 who was defensively strong, a creative ball player and a solid short kicking game for Metcalf who wants to be a 7 and can kick long, though fairly ineffectively in this game. CHT has his issues but at least he defends well and he should have had another try assist to his name today with a good little kick in behind for RTS. The sum of the two halves has dropped significantly imo.

Add in the two back rowers and we are fighting an uphill battle everytime. I think you can get away with having Capewell and a player like Laban there but Marata's efforts have been poor for a very long time.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Metcalf is a skinny half, he's MEANT to be the worst defender in the team. Marata is this supposed big nuts rep back rower who is getting embarrassed by CHT on edge defence

If Marata's nuts are to be kept in the team he has to stop dropping them and get in the middle and carry some weight.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

So how are we going to be over the next few games on a full size field against teams that are tipped to finish well inside the 8?

I also want to know the answer to this question

 

[Inruin]

I also want to know the answer to this question

If we run out with that same team the answer is badly. Hope for a wet track to hopefully bring us closer

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

So I watched the second half again. Capewell and Niukore seemed to have a competition to who could play the worst. We are in real trouble if we start with them and they keep playing like that. Would like to see Leka or Laban start with one of them. Not sure who out of Capewell and Niukore as they were both so poor. I could see Demitric playing there but would prefer him playing in the middle as he looks good there with the limited minutes he got.

CNK looks to have an injury with his right hand. Looked like the wrist. Might explain the piss poor performance. Leaning towards RTS playing FB for the meters he gains but like him on the wing as well. The halves had no platform to play with. If we don't match it up front they are always going to look shit. Liked CHT kick for RTS in the corner. Metcalf need to take the line on more. He just needs to pick the right times as it will put the oppositions defence in two minds. Feeling slightly better as with a few corrections we can play much better than that. Just depends on Webster.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

If we run out with that same team the answer is badly. Hope for a wet track to hopefully bring us closer

My solutions don't take everything into consideration at nearly enough layers and levels but:

Muscle up in the middle or we get dominated like today.

Build off that platform and pull your offensive triggers.

We knew we couldn't break or bend them in the middle so we desperately started trying to go around them.

Neither of those things work. In Barney's second stint he ran and tackled the way they all should have.

If we are to improve, our middles need to set the platform for the team to follow. Apart from that, we need to dig deeper when we are blowing because "sand dunes" that's why.

Apart from that, our halves need to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and inject themselves dominantly whether we are winning the ruck or not.

Should be right from there

 

[Inruin]

My solutions don't take everything into consideration at nearly enough layers and levels but:

Muscle up in the middle or we get dominated like today.

Build off that platform and pull your offensive triggers.

We knew we couldn't break or bend them in the middle so we desperately started trying to go around them.

Neither of those things work. In Barney's second stint he ran and tackled the way they all should have.

If we are to improve, our middles need to set the platform for the team to follow. Apart from that, we need to dig deeper when we are blowing because "sand dunes" that's why.

Apart from that, our halves need to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and inject themselves dominantly whether we are winning the ruck or not.

Should be right from there

I agree. The problem I have is that in our starting forward pack we have Capewell, Niukore and to slightly lesser extent Ford who really aren't contributing a hell of a lot in the way of forward dominance. That's a huge responsibility on Barney and JFH. Having said all that we didn't end up too badly in the game stats. As for the halves I don't believe we have enough there to create enough points for us.

Ah well, let's see if there is any improvement for next game. I don't have high expectations though

 

[John Nick]

I agree. The problem I have is that in our starting forward pack we have Capewell, Niukore and to slightly lesser extent Ford who really aren't contributing a hell of a lot in the way of forward dominance. That's a huge responsibility on Barney and JFH. Having said all that we didn't end up too badly in the game stats. As for the halves I don't believe we have enough there to create enough points for us.

Ah well, let's see if there is any improvement for next game. I don't have high expectations though

Doesn't matter who our forwards are unless we get go forward we are not going to be competitive

 

[Fonzie]

In terms of attack, I’m not reading too much into that game - we got dominated in the middle so had no platform to get going, and ended up going sideways.

I just can’t understand the middle rotation. I can see why you might want to start with bigger middles to match Canberra’s physicality early, but Ford is hardly a physical presence. Then to not bring on Vaimauga and instead run a Ford - Clark - Walker middle made my head explode.

The backrowers looked at sea and I agree Niukore is on thin ice.

Defensively the right edge was not connected, there’s problems to iron out there. But until we sort out the middle we aren’t going anywhere.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I agree. The problem I have is that in our starting forward pack we have Capewell, Niukore and to slightly lesser extent Ford who really aren't contributing a hell of a lot in the way of forward dominance. That's a huge responsibility on Barney and JFH. Having said all that we didn't end up too badly in the game stats. As for the halves I don't believe we have enough there to create enough points for us.

Ah well, let's see if there is any improvement for next game. I don't have high expectations though

Your point about our halves is hard to measure on the back of today but if it's true we're fudged until Jett gets his adult Cleary chin

 

[Warriorsfan92]

Also in what world does Jackson ford play more minutes than the kiwis captain? He played the same mins as Barnett too.

He also dragged Barnett & fish off after 22 and 25 mins. These two are the heart and soul of our pack, and not having at least one of those through to the half was a terrible use of exchanges.

Webby needs to own some of the issues today were on him.

This agar situation has further tainted a shit day for the warriors. Hope it’s sorted quickly, whatever the outcome is.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Also in what world does Jackson ford play more minutes than the kiwis captain? He played the same mins as Barnett too.

He also dragged Barnett & fish off after 22 and 25 mins. These two are the heart and soul of our pack, and not having at least one of those through to the half was a terrible use of exchanges.

Webby needs to own some of the issues today were on him.

This agar situation has further tainted a shit day for the warriors. Hope it’s sorted quickly, whatever the outcome is.

Niukore could have shouldered more weight. That may have helped.

 

[Mr Drag]

Can we call errors Kosi's now please

How many kosi's were there today?

Too Many!

 

[Noitall]

In terms of attack, I’m not reading too much into that game - we got dominated in the middle so had no platform to get going, and ended up going sideways.

I just can’t understand the middle rotation. I can see why you might want to start with bigger middles to match Canberra’s physicality early, but Ford is hardly a physical presence. Then to not bring on Vaimauga and instead run a Ford - Clark - Walker middle made my head explode.

The backrowers looked at sea and I agree Niukore is on thin ice.

Defensively the right edge was not connected, there’s problems to iron out there. But until we sort out the middle we aren’t going anywhere.

Barnett starting lock reminded me of Kiwis starting Leo Thompson lock and Naufahu Whyte off the bench. Thought we would have gone with Barnett prop and Erin Clark lock

 

[Inruin]

Your point about our halves is hard to measure on the back of today but if it's true we're fudged until Jett gets his adult Cleary chin

 

[Inruin]

In terms of attack, I’m not reading too much into that game - we got dominated in the middle so had no platform to get going, and ended up going sideways.

I just can’t understand the middle rotation. I can see why you might want to start with bigger middles to match Canberra’s physicality early, but Ford is hardly a physical presence. Then to not bring on Vaimauga and instead run a Ford - Clark - Walker middle made my head explode.

The backrowers looked at sea and I agree Niukore is on thin ice.

Defensively the right edge was not connected, there’s problems to iron out there. But until we sort out the middle we aren’t going anywhere.

38 tackles in the opposition 20 and against 12 for some of them, and looked devoid of ideas. That doesn't rely on our go forward.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

If your after a little gleam of light in what was a pretty dire performance (and i mean little) check out Halasima's chase when Timoko scores his long range try (incidently who the fark was Pompey defending there......Casper?). Now bear in mind Leka had just lead the kick chase down on the right hand side and made the tackle on the winger returning the ball. Canberra then spread it on the 2nd tackle where they find gaping holes on our left edge and Timoko goes the best part of 40 metres......however its Leka who's the only one in the picture who has hauled ass from his right edge to put himself in the frame and has at least stopped him from going under the posts. Was never going to stop the try but if u watch the replay from the end on view u see that when he recognizes the break he just pins his ears back to just try and get somewhere in the play.

Now its only a little thing but its that off the ball effort that you dont normally associate with boom Warrior youngsters (particulary prodigous attacking talents like Leka) and if u add that to his trial efforts where he was making effort on effort tackles after pulling up lame, it brings me comfort that while we're glaringly lacking in a number of areas across the board, we at least have ourselves a potential gem here.

Will be an absolute crime if Webby doesnt increase his (and Vaimauga's) game time as the season goes on.

 

[Mr Drag]

In terms of attack, I’m not reading too much into that game - we got dominated in the middle so had no platform to get going, and ended up going sideways.

I just can’t understand the middle rotation. I can see why you might want to start with bigger middles to match Canberra’s physicality early, but Ford is hardly a physical presence. Then to not bring on Vaimauga and instead run a Ford - Clark - Walker middle made my head explode.

The backrowers looked at sea and I agree Niukore is on thin ice.

Defensively the right edge was not connected, there’s problems to iron out there. But until we sort out the middle we aren’t going anywhere.

Welcome back to the mad house!