Team List Round 20: Vs The Storm

[Miket12]

​

Richard Becht

Tuesday 23 July 2013 2:28 PM

Ngani Laumape comes onto the right wing for the injured Glen Fisiiahi in the only team change for the Vodafone Warriors’ 20th-round NRL encounter with Melbourne at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Suzuki).

Fisiiahi is out for the season requiring surgery after tearing his right pectoral muscle in last Friday night’s 24-14 win against Wests Tigers.

Rookie Laumape (20) has been given the chance to come back into the side for his ninth appearance after last being used on the left wing when he replaced veteran Manu Vatuvei for the July 7 clash against South Sydney.

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School product has consistently impressed this season as he has alternated between playing for the Vodafone Warriors and for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup. He tops the club’s statistics for most average runs per game (14.2) and average metres per game (131).

“It’s a shattering end to the season for Glen and we all share his disappointment," said Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott.

“He has been a key player for us but we also have great confidence in Ngani who has done a terrific job for us every time he has been called on at this level.

“Through Glen’s misfortune, Ngani now has the chance to put some games together.”

Elliott has retained the other 16 players used against the Tigers. Ben Matulino has been named in the starting front row as he was last week but he subsequently swapped places with Jacob Lillyman.

After selecting an extended bench in recent weeks, Elliott has stuck with four this week – Lillyman and Suaia Matagi as the propping options and interchange regulars Todd Lowrie and Dominique Peyroux.

With the Michael Moore Trophy at stake, this is one of the feature clashes in the NRL’s Rivalry Round as teams eye the last seven rounds of the regular season.

It will also serve as a testimonial occasion for Vatuvei, celebrating his 10th season in the NRL since he arrived on the scene in 2004. The 27-year-old, along with Jerome Ropati, will be honoured at a Sir Peter Leitch-organised double testimonial luncheon at the Ellerslie Convention Centre on Thursday.

In his 165th career appearance on Sunday, Vatuvei’s contribution to the club and the game will be acknowledged in a number of ways. With 112 tries in total, he has either led or shared top spot in the club’s try-scoring charts each of the last six seasons and is again leading the race this year with 10 in 12 games (just ahead of Konrad Hurrell with nine in 13 games). He enjoys a high strike rate against the Storm with 10 tries in 12 matches.

Melbourne, fortified by returning Origin players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hoffman, goes into the match third on the table with 27 points while the Vodafone Warriors sit 11th on 20 points with just two points covering seven teams sitting fifth to 11th.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, July 28

VODAFONE WARRIORS

1 KEVIN LOCKE
2 NGANI LAUMAPE
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 SUAIA MATAGI
15 JACOB LILLYMAN
16 TODD LOWRIE
17 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX

HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

I am happy with this team. Elliot obviously values consistency and combination and the results make it hard to argue.

 

[ryno]

Awesome love it when Laumape is in the side and he gets to team up with Konnie as well.

Lets Gone Warriors!

 

[Maraea]

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Vodafone Warriors v Storm

Richard Becht

Tuesday 23 July 2013 2:28 PM

Ngani Laumape comes onto the right wing for the injured Glen Fisiiahi in the only team change for the Vodafone Warriors’ 20th-round NRL encounter with Melbourne at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday (2.00pm kick-off; match day sponsor: Suzuki).

Fisiiahi is out for the season requiring surgery after tearing his right pectoral muscle in last Friday night’s 24-14 win against Wests Tigers.

Rookie Laumape (20) has been given the chance to come back into the side for his ninth appearance after last being used on the left wing when he replaced veteran Manu Vatuvei for the July 7 clash against South Sydney.

The Palmerston North Boys’ High School product has consistently impressed this season as he has alternated between playing for the Vodafone Warriors and for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup. He tops the club’s statistics for most average runs per game (14.2) and average metres per game (131).

“It’s a shattering end to the season for Glen and we all share his disappointment," said Vodafone Warriors head coach Matthew Elliott.

“He has been a key player for us but we also have great confidence in Ngani who has done a terrific job for us every time he has been called on at this level.

“Through Glen’s misfortune, Ngani now has the chance to put some games together.”

Elliott has retained the other 16 players used against the Tigers. Ben Matulino has been named in the starting front row as he was last week but he subsequently swapped places with Jacob Lillyman.

After selecting an extended bench in recent weeks, Elliott has stuck with four this week – Lillyman and Suaia Matagi as the propping options and interchange regulars Todd Lowrie and Dominique Peyroux.

With the Michael Moore Trophy at stake, this is one of the feature clashes in the NRL’s Rivalry Round as teams eye the last seven rounds of the regular season.

It will also serve as a testimonial occasion for Vatuvei, celebrating his 10th season in the NRL since he arrived on the scene in 2004. The 27-year-old, along with Jerome Ropati, will be honoured at a Sir Peter Leitch-organised double testimonial luncheon at the Ellerslie Convention Centre on Thursday.

In his 165th career appearance on Sunday, Vatuvei’s contribution to the club and the game will be acknowledged in a number of ways. With 112 tries in total, he has either led or shared top spot in the club’s try-scoring charts each of the last six seasons and is again leading the race this year with 10 in 12 games (just ahead of Konrad Hurrell with nine in 13 games). He enjoys a high strike rate against the Storm with 10 tries in 12 matches.

Melbourne, fortified by returning Origin players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hoffman, goes into the match third on the table with 27 points while the Vodafone Warriors sit 11th on 20 points with just two points covering seven teams sitting fifth to 11th.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v MELBOURNE STORM
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
2.00pm, Sunday, July 28
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 KEVIN LOCKE
2 NGANI LAUMAPE
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 SUAIA MATAGI
15 JACOB LILLYMAN
16 TODD LOWRIE
17 DOMINIQUE PEYROUX

HEAD COACH: MATTHEW ELLIOTT

Go Warriors! Go Matagi!

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

Anyone know if Package playing for Vulcans?

 

[ramps]

thats a mean team, minor adjustments would only be to bring in maybe sam lousi for lowrie? however im not too fussed. i guess wel need some good D but just not seeing lowrie as anything from off the bench. big loss with fish but im equally as happy to have laumape back. good luck trying to stop a laumape and hurrell. The barnstorming nuggets!![DOUBLEPOST=1374557722][/DOUBLEPOST]also good seeing Matagi getting picked over packer. matagi was a beast last week

 

[Matulino's Left Shoulder]

Inside our half,

1st hit up THE BEAST
2nd - THE KONDOM
3rd - LAUMAPE
4th - MATAGI

Kick !

WHAT A COMBO. WIN IT WITH BRUTE STRENGTH MUTHAFUCKAS.

 

[frankspence]

Was really worried matagi might be left out this week. Am rapt he's in, love his no nonsense hard running and always finds his front haven't seen him dominated yet.

 

[ryno]

Inside our half,

1st hit up THE BEAST
2nd - THE KONDOM
3rd - LAUMAPE
4th - MATAGI
5th - LOWRIE

Kick !

WHAT A COMBO. WIN IT WITH BRUTE STRENGTH MUTHAFUCKAS.

 

[Sup42]

Exciting times.

Ngani Laumape has really set a new standard for what is expected of up and comers. Professional , no sooks when your not picked , play the one percenters and be great full to wear the strip.

Matangi and Rapira's linking with Johnson was as move away from everything comes off Johnson / Mateo on attack.

Good , direct power running is NZ old school and Elliot could find himself addicted to it.

We've lost out quickest player but we have an average speed that is respectable / up there.

2015 will be nuts. A settled squad , Six Top Props , As much pressure on the secound row , three fine centers , Three class Full backs , Four quality halves options , PLenty pf cards in the deck to make wingers as required.

Johnson and these fowards could unleash hell , and Tomkins will be there on every single play.


Hire Nathan Friend , coach / train some hookers to follow him up and down the paddock for eighty minutes till they get it.

 

[Jay M]

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Maurice Blair 5. Justin O'Neill 6. Brett Finch 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: 14. Jordan McLean 15. Tohu Harris 16. Siosaia Vave 17. Slade Griffin 18. Tim Glasby 19. Ben Hampton

 

[SomehowStillKeepingFaith]

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Maurice Blair 5. Justin O'Neill 6. Brett Finch 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: 14. Jordan McLean 15. Tohu Harris 16. Siosaia Vave 17. Slade Griffin 18. Tim Glasby 19. Ben Hampton

Funny isn't it, I was more nervous about the Tigers game than I am about the Storm. Shook the rust off against the Tiges, we are at Fortress Mt Smart and we are the Storm's bogey team. I just hope ME gives the 3 Ms Monstalino, Mateo and Matangi more time on the field.

 

[Jay M]

Funny isn't it, I was more nervous about the Tigers game than I am about the Storm. Shook the rust off against the Tiges, we are at Fortress Mt Smart and we are the Storm's bogey team. I just hope ME gives the 3 Ms Monstalino, Mateo and Matangi more time on the field.

Preferably at the same time!

I'd aim our big boys at Finch all day long... he's getting on a bit and surely his defence isn't up to scratch anymore It'll be a big game for Hurrell if he's marking up on Chambers...

Fingers crossed Lowrie and Nielsen want to aim up on their old side. And also help out during the week on how to defend the Big 3.

 

[SomehowStillKeepingFaith]

Preferably at the same time!

I'd aim our big boys at Finch all day long... he's getting on a bit and surely his defence isn't up to scratch anymore It'll be a big game for Hurrell if he's marking up on Chambers...

Fingers crossed Lowrie and Nielsen want to aim up on their old side. And also help out during the week on how to defend the Big 3.

Let's hope Shaun Johnson doesn't give Slater catching practice like last time or we'll be in trouble.

 

[Nahz]

thats a mean team, minor adjustments would only be to bring in maybe sam lousi for lowrie? however im not too fussed. i guess wel need some good D but just not seeing lowrie as anything from off the bench. big loss with fish but im equally as happy to have laumape back. good luck trying to stop a laumape and hurrell. The barnstorming nuggets!![DOUBLEPOST=1374557722][/DOUBLEPOST]also good seeing Matagi getting picked over packer. matagi was a beast last week

Sam Lousi for Lowrie? not at this stage..Lousi needs to work hard and earn his spot first..tho heaps of potential i dont think hes a player at this point that deserves an instant walk into the side...not a big fan of Lowrie but reckon he'll be aiming for a big one against his former club

 

[BA-AD Luck]

So can't wait for this game on Sunday. We have a team more than capable of shaking it up on Sunday. How Johnson and Leuluai link the forwards to the backs will be critical to our chances. Who did Hurrell continue to run over on ANZAC Day? Watched the highlights and three players who played in that game and are not this week are: Tupou, Ropati and Henry. Vatuvei, Mannering (I think) didn't play either. I want to see Taylor hitting the ball up near the try line this week. Four Direct runners, four playmakers, four decoys and one beast!

 

[Sup42]

Sam Lousi for Lowrie? not at this stage..Lousi needs to work hard and earn his spot first..tho heaps of potential i dont think hes a player at this point that deserves an instant walk into the side...not a big fan of Lowrie but reckon he'll be aiming for a big one against his former club

You would think for this one Lowrie could pull out all his dirty storm tricks and just blend in with his prey

 

[Gizzyfan]

They will be running at Hurrell, when they do I want him to hit someone like he hit Lawrence last week, if he gets penalised, so be it, but make sure they know that if they run his channel it will hurt.

 

[Hitman82]

Good team! There's no way Matagi should be dropped, and if Package isn't 100% then he shouldn't play. If we make the finals, we need our 4 props all in top condition.
I hope Matagi has another blinder - so much potential in that guy.

Also awesome to see Laumape back. Every time he's dropped I feel he's being utterly jewed.

 

[Nahz]

You would think for this one Lowrie could pull out all his dirty strom tricks and just blend in with his prey

indeed