Team List Round 17: Team Vs Bunnies

[Miket12]

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TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Duo named for Perth trip


Vodafone Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei (pictured) and prop Russell Packer have both been named for Sunday’s 17th-round clash against NRL competition leader South Sydney at NIB Stadium in Perth (4.30pm kick-off local time; 8.30pm NZT). Photo: Photosport.

Vatuvei was forced off the field with a leg injury after 52 minutes of last Sunday’s 18-16 win against Brisbane while Packer was ruled out of the match with an ankle injury.

Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott included both senior players today in anticipation they will be able to travel with the team on Friday for the NRL’s longest trip.

“Hopefully they’ll be fine to play this weekend,” said Elliott.

“Manu has a contusion on his (right) shin which is responding to treatment while Russell is also a chance to return.”

To cover options, Elliott has named a seven-man bench including cover for Vatuvei in seven-game rookie Ngani Laumape and he has included back up for Packer in Vulcans regulars Suaia Matagi and Charlie Gubb.

Matagi made his third NRL appearance last Sunday while Gubb, consistently outstanding in the New South Wales Cup, is yet to appear at NRL level.

The Vodafone Warriors take the NRL’s best recent run of form – five straight wins – into Sunday’s contest in Perth, facing the competition’s most impressive side of the season so far in the Rabbitohs. They top the points table with 28 points, four clear of the second-placed Sydney Roosters, having won their last four matches with only two defeats in 15 starts.

“We’ve had a series of really tough contests lately, especially the ones against Manly, the Roosters and Brisbane,” said Elliott.

“We’ve had our character tested each time but now we go to another level again. This is unquestionably our ultimate test given the way the Rabbitohs have been performing.”

The Vodafone Warriors’ five-game winning streak has been bettered only twice in the club’s history (six wins in 1995 and the club record eight in 2002).

If Vatuvei recovers he’ll be seeking to maintain an exceptional run of form which has seen him score 10 tries in his last nine appearances and 19 in his last 22 games stretching back to midway through last season.

Also fashioning an eye-catching scoring sequence is halfback Shaun Johnson who has kicked 15 consecutive goals across his last four games. After missing his first three attempts against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, he kicked eight on end in the 56-18 success, three from three in the 18-16 win against Manly, one from his only attempt in the 23-12 victory against the Sydney Roosters and all three attempts against the Broncos on Sunday.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
NIB Stadium, Perth
4.30pm, Sunday, July 07
Referees: Ashley Klein and Dave Munro

VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 KEVIN LOCKE
2 GLEN FISIIAHI
3 DANE NIELSEN
4 KONRAD HURRELL
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 THOMAS LEULUAI
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 SAM RAPIRA
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 BEN MATULINO
11 FELETI MATEO
12 SIMON MANNERING (c)
13 ELIJAH TAYLOR

Interchange:
14 RUSSELL PACKER
15 JACOB LILLYMAN
16 TODD LOWRIE
17 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX
18 NGANI LAUMAPE
20 SUAIA MATAGI
21 CHARLIE GUBB

HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT

https://www.warriors.co.nz/news-display/TEAM-ANNOUNCEMENT-Duo-named-for-Perth-trip/78502

 

[Miket12]

Pretty predictable squad - interesting to see that Gubb has been added to the mix.

 

[gREVUS]

The thing I like in the look of that squad is that there is no deadwood in the list. You would rightly expect every player on that list to stand up and be counted this weekend (maybe not Gubb, who has been unlucky not to get a start yet this year).

I'm still looking for improvements from Lowrie (who I congragulate on finally keeping his hands to himself) and Shaun Johnson who needs to find a better way to finish sets when under pressure.

I actually would rather see Matagi start instead of Packer, I thought he brought more in his game against the Broncos than Packer has done recently, however it may be that this game needs a bit of Mongrel to get the boys over the line and Packer defn brings that nasty (mostly in his shorts but if you got it, use it).

Also going on a common theme I would rather see Manu and Packer rested until both 100%, however given the stiffness of competition for spots now, I can understand why they wouldn't want to be sitting on the side line to long

 

[tajhay]

id love to see Matagi get 2 stints on the field. To be playing just 15 mins seems like a waste on the bench.

 

[ToiletDuck]

id love to see Matagi get 2 stints on the field. To be playing just 15 mins seems like a waste on the bench.

Yeah, and it seems to be the same amount of game time for whoever fills that role. Package played similar minutes the past few rounds, it seems a complete waste.

 

[Far Away Fan]

Yeah, and it seems to be the same amount of game time for whoever fills that role. Package played similar minutes the past few rounds, it seems a complete waste.

I'm not sure that ME's reasoning is along those lines. Packer had the sternum issue, yes? And Matagi, I felt that ME wanted to rely on his established players. I agree though, Matagi definitely deserved to play more minutes.

But I like the team and I'm really glad that Gubb has been named, though I doubt we'll see him on the pitch.

Gone the Warriors!

Can't wait for Sunday night.

Windguru (the best weather site) has Perth dry and about 14C at 5pm there, down from 15C at 2pm.

 

[Apus]

Can't change a winning side - though I'd punt Lowrie first chance I got.

Last week was easily Matagi's best game, I'd have him over Package, though I'd prefer both of them. I really think with both we could beat the Souths forwards if everyone plays to their potential.

I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of Lowrie, Mannering and Taylor on the field in this game. Get ready for not many points to be scored.

 

[gREVUS]

Can't change a winning side - though I'd punt Lowrie first chance I got.

Last week was easily Matagi's best game, I'd have him over Package, though I'd prefer both of them. I really think with both we could beat the Souths forwards if everyone plays to their potential.

I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of Lowrie, Mannering and Taylor on the field in this game. Get ready for not many points to be scored.

I know a lot of ill feeling for Lowrie out there in the web-a-verse, but I watched him real close in the game vs the Broncos and he was good in his tackling. He will never have the flair of Mateo but then who does? As long as he can keep his hands to himself I expect to see him grow into a mini Mannering.

 

[rugged]

Plus you have to remember Lowrie is used to playing with all the refs in Cam Smiths back pocket. It must be tough for him adjusting to a team where you get penalized when you cheat

 

[Apus]

I know a lot of ill feeling for Lowrie out there in the web-a-verse, but I watched him real close in the game vs the Broncos and he was good in his tackling. He will never have the flair of Mateo but then who does? As long as he can keep his hands to himself I expect to see him grow into a mini Mannering.

He's a good first grader - I'm not saying he's not. I just don't think he fits in the side when Taylor is at 13. I personally feel his bench spot is best used elsewhere. But hey, we're winning so who cares!

 

[Far Away Fan]

Plus you have to remember Lowrie is used to playing with all the refs in Cam Smiths back pocket. It must be tough for him adjusting to a team where you get penalized when you cheat

Sunday is going to be interesting with what the refs get up to, as Soufs have had it all their way most of the season. Sutton and McQueen are the kings of the illegal strip.

 

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

Don't know whether it was shown on TV or not but Sam Lousi was warming up with the boys on field at the Bronco game.
Would love to see him be unleashed on the opposition in the near future.

 

[rugged]

At the moment both Peyroux and Matagi/packer are being selected to play minimal minutes. I know Peyroux is their for insurance incase Konnie has a defensive nightmare, but couldn't Mannering cover that if things fell apart?

 

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

At the moment both Peyroux and Matagi/packer are being selected to play minimal minutes. I know Peyroux is their for insurance incase Konnie has a defensive nightmare, but couldn't Mannering cover that if things fell apart?

The minute Mannering plays Centre for any duration in a game Elliott is bombarded with 879 questions about Mannering playing Centre in the future and players playing out of position so I assume thats why Dominque is there.

 

[Magic Stick]

Man its awesome knowing there is no chance Captain Mud Bill Tupou will be in the lineup ...such a relief

 

[thehitman95]

Good having Bull and/or Mutts start on the bench. In the weekend Thaiday and McGuire were making too many yards, when those 2 came on the paddock together they put in a couple of good shots to slow them a bit. Big Bunnies pack with the likes of Sam Burgess could make huge inroads running at Friend (Lowrie when he's on) all game.
Need Taylor and Mannerism to defend like they did in the weekend and attack Everingham's wing....he's shithouse

LETS GONE WARRIORS!

 

[shuffle]

Sunday is going to be interesting with what the refs get up to, as Soufs have had it all their way most of the season. Sutton and McQueen are the kings of the illegal strip.

They will be targeting Mateo and Hurrell.

 

[rugged]

The minute Mannering plays Centre for any duration in a game Elliott is bombarded with 879 questions about Mannering playing Centre in the future and players playing out of position so I assume thats why Dominque is there.

Surely at that point he can answer that it doesn't make sense to carry a specialist centre on the bench and it's common if a centre gets injured in a game to be replaced by a 2nd rower and that he see no future in Simon at centre unless injury cover during a game.

 

[Paleaaesina2the20]

At first glance there are only two teams that have a genuine 80 minute hooker and an 80 minute lock, they would be Manly and the Warriors.

This allows you to play 'impact' or 'cover' guys on your bench, these are guys that are there to either give you a burst of enthusiasm or guys you turn to in a 'Plan B'. Packer/ Matagi fit the former and Peyroux fits both, but more the latter.

The swapping of your lock and hooker off for a 20-30 minute stint during the middle of the game and back on is 4 interchanges the Warriors do not have to use. They can rotate their props more regularly, playing the 3 best props a decent chunk of minutes without tiring them out.

It also gives you some leeway in the event you have an injury or two in the second half, meaning you likely not only have the interchanges up your sleeve, but also the players to fill those positions.

This is just my opinion as to what I think is going on, at the time being I am going to sit on the fence as to whether or not I think its viable... although I think if I listen closely... I can hear some results speaking for themselves.

 

[Miket12]

Rabbitohs
1 Greg Inglis
2 Nathan Merritt
3 Bryson Goodwin
4 Dylan Walker
5 Andrew Everingham
6 John Sutton
7 Adam Reynolds
8 Dave Tyrrell
9 Issac Luke
10 Roy Asotasi
11 Chris McQueen
12 Ben Te'o
13 Sam Burgess

Interchange
14 Nathan Peats
15 Ben Lowe
16 Jeff Lima
17 George Burgess
18 Tom Burgess
19 Justin Hunt
22 Dylan Farrell

Coach: Michael Maguire