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

[run_it_str8_again]

I wonder how much damage this game has done and how long it will take the team to recover from it. I mean it feels like they have gone in to it thinking they have made good selections, prepared well, in control and then that horrible feeling of getting in to the contest and finding you aren't at the level you need to be. They were basically out played in every facet. Just from a confidence perspective that's got to make a dent in an already mentally weak team. I'm sure they will make all the right noises over the next 10 days or so but I don't think they have the answers to fix it, certainly not in that space of time.

The answer is to up the effort and attitude. And don't let it slip. For the hiding we got there were signs of life.

What if we get our why sorted? Then the how.

 

[Inruin]

The answer is to up the effort and attitude. And don't let it slip. For the hiding we got there were signs of life.

What if we get our why sorted? Then the how.

And the who?

 

[Mr Drag]

I wonder how many NRL prems has this group been involved with.

View attachment 11951

WTF is That!!!!! Looks like bludgers outside the WINZ office!

 

[Noitall]

The answer is to up the effort and attitude. And don't let it slip. For the hiding we got there were signs of life.

What if we get our why sorted? Then the how.

If there was a time that that game reminded me of, it was when we used to make our way to Perth and always lose until 2018 where Kearney used some common sense and went early. It’s obviously a cost thing, but reports say we were the last team to Las Vegas and it didn’t look like we handled the occasion and lethargic in comparison to the 3 other teams. Also thought Metcalf looked like he was playing within himself and I wonder if the early injuries he’s picked up in the last two seasons are in his mind?

 

[Beastmode]

Physiognomy is real. Agar looks like a rat and is a losing coach. I’d back a random journo over him. People only get hurt over the truth.

Learnt a new word today

I guess if it looks like a duck
Quacks like a duck….

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Learnt a new word today

I guess if it looks like a duck
Quacks like a duck….

Always judge a book by its cover; thats why its the cover...

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Problem we are facing as a club. Is most of our 1st grade squad are nearing their 30s or are in their 30s.

Cnk is 30 this year.
Rts 32 this year.
Pompey turns 27
Dwz Turns 30
JFH 29
Egan 27
Barnett turns 31
Nuikore Turns 29
Capewell Turns 32
Erin Clark turns 28
Afoa Turns 29
Ford 27
Walker turns 31
TMM turns 30

Then we have players in the mid 20s range like CHT & Metcalf who should of reached their potential by now. And they play in the most important positions on the field. CHT is a defensive half, Not much else. Metcalf goes missing when it counts.

So we need the young ones to step up and show the older ones their time is nearly up. They need to prove they can handle the big time

Webby is to loyal for his own good. His reluctance to inject more youth more often and put the older blokes on notice will not only be his, But our downfall if these young blokes decide to jump ship for more opportunities.

Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban , Ieremia-Toeava, Kali , Amituanai , Berry & Leaitaua are not the future. They should be the now.
Be a long dismal season if we don't see more of them included.

 

[John Nick]

Problem we are facing as a club. Is most of our 1st grade squad are nearing their 30s or are in their 30s.

Cnk is 30 this year.
Rts 32 this year.
Pompey turns 27
Dwz Turns 30
JFH 29
Egan 27
Barnett turns 31
Nuikore Turns 29
Capewell Turns 32
Erin Clark turns 28
Afoa Turns 29
Ford 27
Walker turns 31
TMM turns 30

Then we have players in the mid 20s range like CHT & Metcalf who should of reached their potential by now. And they play in the most important positions on the field. CHT is a defensive half, Not much else. Metcalf goes missing when it counts.

So we need the young ones to step up and show the older ones their time is nearly up. They need to prove they can handle the big time

Webby is to loyal for his own good. His reluctance to inject more youth more often and put the older blokes on notice will not only be his, But our downfall if these young blokes decide to jump ship for more opportunities.

Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban , Ieremia-Toeava, Kali , Amituanai , Berry & Leaitaua are not the future. They should be the now.
Be a long dismal season if we don't see more of them included.

Couldn't agree more

 

[afakasi247]

@Wrighty, I think this year is a defining one for Webster. It’s unfortunate because he’s clearly a long-term thinker, just getting started in his coaching career. But the hype machine driven by Cam and the NZ media around "Wah-mania" has created expectations that commercial success alone can't sustain if the team keeps floundering. And it’s not just about losing — it’s how they’re losing.

Webster seems determined to turn the Warriors into a Penrith clone, mirroring their style and development model. The problem? He’s not Ivan Cleary, Metcalf is not Nathan Cleary, and the roster isn’t built for that approach. Where Penrith have game-breaking talent, the Warriors have inconsistency. Where the Panthers excel at disciplined, structured play, the Warriors have players who, in many cases, wouldn’t start at most NRL clubs.

The only coach who truly unlocked the Warriors’ potential was Daniel Anderson. He didn’t try to copy anyone — he built a team around the talent he had, blending work ethic, competitiveness, and natural skill into a style uniquely suited to them. No one since has replicated that formula.

Coaches imprint their personality onto their teams. Ricky Stuart’s Raiders reflect his hard-nosed, win-at-all-costs mentality. Craig Bellamy's Melbourne sides mirror his relentless work ethic from his playing days. Des Hasler's teams, like him, are intense, unorthodox, and tireless.

And Webster? He’s a nice guy, a personable guy, and his Warriors play exactly like that — safe, predictable, and completely lacking in bite. There’s no aggression, no spark, just rigid adherence to a system that already feels outdated.

Love your posts. Always on the money and saying things people don’t want to hear.

I couldn’t sit in the positivity of 2023 because I didn’t believe it was a sign of things to come, it felt like an outlier then and has proven to be an outlier ever since.

On the business side the club has turned around its image through taking advantage of the success of that season, Wah-mania and the like. Their social media presence and branding really helped transform the club after the effects of COVID.

This created an expectation that the playing/coaching squad have failed to replicate since. The players Webby has don’t fit the playstyle he’s trying to implement - like you said, Penrith-esque.

The club needs to figure out whether they’re playing the long game or trying to win now. If it’s the latter, Webby won’t last the season because we aren’t good enough with what we have.

Webby needs to throw away what ever idea he had for this team, look at the cattle he has available, and the type of talent they’re developing/looking to recruit, and mould a play-style that’s suitable for our team moving forward.

We can afford losses if they’re competitive and we see a clear vision - what was served up last weekend was utter trash and provided us with no hope (or faith) moving forward.

I don’t think firing Webby is the go because we need to build some level of consistency and I think Webby has shown he can grow into a top level coach. He wants to be here and is passionate about the club.

But he needs to grow a pair and make tough decisions. Who gives a fuck who he upsets? If players don’t want to buy into what we’re trying to build Towards then fuck them off.

Fuck off anyone that isn’t pulling weight, that isn’t upholding values or showing respect to the jersey.

Upper management needs to be looked at too. George has been here for a while now. Cappys offseason recruitment efforts left a lot to be desired.

We know the development pathways that have been established wont bear fruit for another few years yet. What are we doing between then?

Having cool social media content and nice looking jerseys will only get us so far. Such a shame since Rugby League has taken over the scene here in NZ recently but that won’t last. And it’ll be harder to win them back next time.

All I know is I’m over following this team, and it absolutely sucks because I truely love this club and just want to see it succeed.But there’s much more to life then allowing this team to continually ruin my (and in turn, my family’s) weekends 5-6months a year.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Problem we are facing as a club. Is most of our 1st grade squad are nearing their 30s or are in their 30s.

Cnk is 30 this year.
Rts 32 this year.
Pompey turns 27
Dwz Turns 30
JFH 29
Egan 27
Barnett turns 31
Nuikore Turns 29
Capewell Turns 32
Erin Clark turns 28
Afoa Turns 29
Ford 27
Walker turns 31
TMM turns 30

Then we have players in the mid 20s range like CHT & Metcalf who should of reached their potential by now. And they play in the most important positions on the field. CHT is a defensive half, Not much else. Metcalf goes missing when it counts.

So we need the young ones to step up and show the older ones their time is nearly up. They need to prove they can handle the big time

Webby is to loyal for his own good. His reluctance to inject more youth more often and put the older blokes on notice will not only be his, But our downfall if these young blokes decide to jump ship for more opportunities.

Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban , Ieremia-Toeava, Kali , Amituanai , Berry & Leaitaua are not the future. They should be the now.
Be a long dismal season if we don't see more of them included.

We were old last year too

 

[The Warrior Waka]

We were old last year too

Sure was bro.

 

[Naynay]

Problem we are facing as a club. Is most of our 1st grade squad are nearing their 30s or are in their 30s.

Cnk is 30 this year.
Rts 32 this year.
Pompey turns 27
Dwz Turns 30
JFH 29
Egan 27
Barnett turns 31
Nuikore Turns 29
Capewell Turns 32
Erin Clark turns 28
Afoa Turns 29
Ford 27
Walker turns 31
TMM turns 30

Then we have players in the mid 20s range like CHT & Metcalf who should of reached their potential by now. And they play in the most important positions on the field. CHT is a defensive half, Not much else. Metcalf goes missing when it counts.

So we need the young ones to step up and show the older ones their time is nearly up. They need to prove they can handle the big time

Webby is to loyal for his own good. His reluctance to inject more youth more often and put the older blokes on notice will not only be his, But our downfall if these young blokes decide to jump ship for more opportunities.

Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban , Ieremia-Toeava, Kali , Amituanai , Berry & Leaitaua are not the future. They should be the now.
Be a long dismal season if we don't see more of them included.

I get what your saying but unfortunately covid kinda put us back years.

Berry and Ali i would expect to be starters, CHT i agree probably should be showing more but still he debuted in 2019 so might be a covid casualty.

Metcalf hasnt really played much NRL at all especially for his age.

I would expect all the 3 forwards you mentioned to see game time. I do agree I want them to be starters now especially given the display the others in their positions have dished up.

I cant comment on the other two as I haven’t really seen them play but will keep an eye on this year.

 

[Noitall]

Problem we are facing as a club. Is most of our 1st grade squad are nearing their 30s or are in their 30s.

Cnk is 30 this year.
Rts 32 this year.
Pompey turns 27
Dwz Turns 30
JFH 29
Egan 27
Barnett turns 31
Nuikore Turns 29
Capewell Turns 32
Erin Clark turns 28
Afoa Turns 29
Ford 27
Walker turns 31
TMM turns 30

Then we have players in the mid 20s range like CHT & Metcalf who should of reached their potential by now. And they play in the most important positions on the field. CHT is a defensive half, Not much else. Metcalf goes missing when it counts.

So we need the young ones to step up and show the older ones their time is nearly up. They need to prove they can handle the big time

Webby is to loyal for his own good. His reluctance to inject more youth more often and put the older blokes on notice will not only be his, But our downfall if these young blokes decide to jump ship for more opportunities.

Halasima, Vaimauga, Laban , Ieremia-Toeava, Kali , Amituanai , Berry & Leaitaua are not the future. They should be the now.
Be a long dismal season if we don't see more of them included.

Think there’s also a large amount of players that don’t hit their straps until later stages, especially front rowers and halves. Think it’s about the young guys making it impossible to not select them and the right balance of experience and youth

 

[PhilsySH35]

I find it interesting comparing Webster to Cleary. It took Cleary six years to take the Warriors to a Grand Final, so it's not like his approach didn’t work—it just took time. Now, the debate is whether people liked the 2006-2011 playstyle or if it was completely different from how he coached the Panthers.

That said, I don’t think missing out on Cleary long-term is a major issue. It worked before, so there’s no reason it can’t work again. Losing him as a coach was arguably the worst decision Warriors management ever made, but success doesn’t happen overnight—it took time back then, and it will take time now.

As for whether Webster can reach Cleary’s level? Who knows yet. Do the warriors still suit a ivan style? I'm also unsure.

I guess my point is, i don't know if its a bad thing to be bringing a ivan style culture back to the warriors as it worked before. But it took time to do so, as does any system that needs juniors. But you bring up great points and i agree that we seem to of lost some aggression and spark.

Dam everyone makes sense, agree AW is a nice bloke, however he's forgotten more about this butiful game than I will ever know in a 100 lifetimes. I would have put on leka and vaimaunga after the 20 minutes mark, but maybe webby had a reason why he didn't. the only thing I can put it down to was the occasion, not in the right headspace. just need to have faith in management and the players.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Think there’s also a large amount of players that don’t hit their straps until later stages, especially front rowers and halves. Think it’s about the young guys making it impossible to not select them and the right balance of experience and youth

In short, That's what I was getting at. Starting with Fish, Egan , Barney , Nuikore, Capewell is to damn old lol

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

In short, That's what I was getting at. Starting with Fish, Egan , Barney , Nuikore, Capewell is to damn old lol

Is this coaching style affecting recruitment?

Why come here as a mid tier player looking for an opening if the coach will favour experience and your form doesn’t open doors?

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Sure was bro.

Imagine being too old in this game and you become redundant then someone wise and all knowing says you don't hit your straps till you're older.

Then imagine being too young for first grade but then that all knowing bloke says your team needs to inject a bunch of young blokes.

 

[Noitall]

In short, That's what I was getting at. Starting with Fish, Egan , Barney , Nuikore, Capewell is to damn old lol

And to be fair the young guys making it impossible to not be selected are being selected in Leiataua, Vaimauga and Halasima. I can agree with you regarding Capewell and Niukore on what they’ve put out largely but feel like JFH and Barnett have plenty to offer. Egan is 27, but certainly his body has limitations. Like commentators were saying, he needs to take a big role with these inexperienced halves and is important to getting them space. Healey is highly regarded and has a real opportunity if he can grab it

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Imagine being too old in this game and you become redundant then someone wise and all knowing says you don't hit your straps till you're older.

Then imagine being too young for first grade but then that all knowing bloke says your team needs to inject a bunch of young blokes.

The physicality and demands on the body in the current game is making a rugby league pros career shorter and shorter. Players are getting bigger and faster every year.
Warriors in particular worry me. Very often we have a reliance on 1 or 2 players to take the game by the scruff of the neck and make the big plays. Or make a thousand tackles.

We love a good mid tier player. And we have always had players clubs don't want and expect our Shaun Johnsons and Simon Mannerings, Tohu Harris's to guide them to the promise land.

We seem to burn out players quicker than other clubs. Because of this heavy reliance on 1 or 2 players.
If Addin stayed , How long would he last before his body gave up?

Panthers had/have Cleary , Luai , Yeo , Fish, Leota , Dylan Edwards , Chricton, To'o to share the workload.

Melbourne have Papz, Munster, Hughes , Grant, Asofa Solomona, Coates , Wishart , Warbrick to share the workload.
Last year we had, SJ & Addin. This year we don't have either.Hard when big stars don't want to come here.
I guess we make do with what we have.

 

[Noitall]

Imagine being too old in this game and you become redundant then someone wise and all knowing says you don't hit your straps till you're older.

Then imagine being too young for first grade but then that all knowing bloke says your team needs to inject a bunch of young blokes.

Think it’s a fair estimation when considering the top front rowers in the game that this has some truth in that position anyway? We can all sit here and write as keyboard coaches but the coach is there at trainings etc to know firsthand why he’s making these selections. Obviously some experienced players are there setting standards too, it would be interesting to know the players that were apart of those late nights etc that was mentioned?