From tvnz.co.nz
The Warriors need to find a way to construct tries if they are to have any chance to overcome their points deduction and make a run for the playoffs.
Saturday night's loss to the Eels did little for one's confidence that they have picked up their attacking prowess after a disappointing season in that aspect last year.
Chief play-maker Nathan Fien looked out of sorts and had little help from his teammates, particularly in the kicking department.
Don't get me wrong, I rate Fien and maintain that halfback is his best position but I also believe he needs more tools to work with.
Fullback Brent Webb and hooker Lance Hohaia need to provide more options on attack, getting their hands on the ball and giving the opposition defence some doubt as to who is going to make the plays. Supplementing that must be support players, crying out for the ball and putting themselves in a position where they could get the ball.
Too often on Saturday night, Fien looked for options but couldn't find any. Same could be said for Hohaia and Webb, who were forced to take the line on.
The attack seemed to be more of an individual nature with players not looking to put other players through gaps or set up balls for players in motion around the carrier.
Grant Rovelli looked to add something off the bench again but I wonder whether he may be a better option for coach Ivan Cleary in the number six jumper.
With Sione Faumuina still a week a way from his suspension, and in my opinion more of a back-row option, Rovelli's genuine play-making skills and kicking ability puts him a head of Jerome Ropati in the five-eighth pecking order.
Ropati had a solid game against the Eels at stand-off but I see him as a better bench option.
His versatility provides cover for almost any back-line position but more importantly he would add some genuine impact coming on to run out of dummy-half late in each half.
With explosive speed, strong upper body strength and defensive capabilities, particularly in close quarters, Ropati could be a real weapon for the Warriors.
The back-row had a similar look to it with workaholic players Awen Guttenbeil, Louis Anderson and Michael Luck starting and Wairangi Koopu coming off the bench.
By playing Faumuina at lock you add a ball-playing back-rower to the mix upon his return, and the Warriors would have a better attack and a more balanced look to the side.
I would move Guttenbeil, who was one of the Warriors best on Saturday night, to the bench for Faumuina, letting the soon-to-be 150-game veteran to play in a second-row/front-row mix after 20 minutes or so.
He would give the bench some experience and some more much-needed impact.
The Warriors best attacking team could be: 1. Brent Webb, 2. Todd Byrne, 3. Tony Martin, 4. Clinton toopi, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Grant Rovelli, 7. Nathan Fien, 8. Ruben Wiki, 9. Lance Hohaia, 10. Steve Price (capt), 11. Louis Anderson, 12. Michael Luck, 13. Sione Faumuina. Interchange: Evarn Tuimavave, Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Jerome Ropati.
On a bright note, bench forwards Evarn Tuimavave and Epalahame Lauaki had their best games so far for the Warriors.
Tuimavave made good yardage and worked hard defensively, while Lauaki looked damaging on the right side attack and created a good opportunity for Tony Martin.
He improved his defensive workload also.
The Warriors need to find a way to construct tries if they are to have any chance to overcome their points deduction and make a run for the playoffs.
Saturday night's loss to the Eels did little for one's confidence that they have picked up their attacking prowess after a disappointing season in that aspect last year.
Chief play-maker Nathan Fien looked out of sorts and had little help from his teammates, particularly in the kicking department.
Don't get me wrong, I rate Fien and maintain that halfback is his best position but I also believe he needs more tools to work with.
Fullback Brent Webb and hooker Lance Hohaia need to provide more options on attack, getting their hands on the ball and giving the opposition defence some doubt as to who is going to make the plays. Supplementing that must be support players, crying out for the ball and putting themselves in a position where they could get the ball.
Too often on Saturday night, Fien looked for options but couldn't find any. Same could be said for Hohaia and Webb, who were forced to take the line on.
The attack seemed to be more of an individual nature with players not looking to put other players through gaps or set up balls for players in motion around the carrier.
Grant Rovelli looked to add something off the bench again but I wonder whether he may be a better option for coach Ivan Cleary in the number six jumper.
With Sione Faumuina still a week a way from his suspension, and in my opinion more of a back-row option, Rovelli's genuine play-making skills and kicking ability puts him a head of Jerome Ropati in the five-eighth pecking order.
Ropati had a solid game against the Eels at stand-off but I see him as a better bench option.
His versatility provides cover for almost any back-line position but more importantly he would add some genuine impact coming on to run out of dummy-half late in each half.
With explosive speed, strong upper body strength and defensive capabilities, particularly in close quarters, Ropati could be a real weapon for the Warriors.
The back-row had a similar look to it with workaholic players Awen Guttenbeil, Louis Anderson and Michael Luck starting and Wairangi Koopu coming off the bench.
By playing Faumuina at lock you add a ball-playing back-rower to the mix upon his return, and the Warriors would have a better attack and a more balanced look to the side.
I would move Guttenbeil, who was one of the Warriors best on Saturday night, to the bench for Faumuina, letting the soon-to-be 150-game veteran to play in a second-row/front-row mix after 20 minutes or so.
He would give the bench some experience and some more much-needed impact.
The Warriors best attacking team could be: 1. Brent Webb, 2. Todd Byrne, 3. Tony Martin, 4. Clinton toopi, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Grant Rovelli, 7. Nathan Fien, 8. Ruben Wiki, 9. Lance Hohaia, 10. Steve Price (capt), 11. Louis Anderson, 12. Michael Luck, 13. Sione Faumuina. Interchange: Evarn Tuimavave, Awen Guttenbeil, Wairangi Koopu, Jerome Ropati.
On a bright note, bench forwards Evarn Tuimavave and Epalahame Lauaki had their best games so far for the Warriors.
Tuimavave made good yardage and worked hard defensively, while Lauaki looked damaging on the right side attack and created a good opportunity for Tony Martin.
He improved his defensive workload also.
