General Turning Point.

[da mad maori]

We were cruising. The forwards were setting the platform to what COULD have been a comfortable win. And then, Faumuina tried one of his 50/50 passes, which didnt stick.
What I mean is, why cant our players tell the difference. Winning rugby league games is all about two things. Defence and possession. We had it all over St George in the first fifteen minutes. Price and Wiki were giving us good yardage. Even Faumuina was doing the basic's well. Then the 'brain' explosion."
There have been too many'brain explosions' this season, and Ivan has got to do something about it. I am one for playing yourself into form but when a player, repeatedly puts the team under pressure then its time to take serious action.
The trouble with us, is that we are living on memories. Its been a few years now since Faumuina ran rampamt. The same with Toopi. These two are developing into a liability case, and must be dropped from the next game. Nobody else, Just these two.

 

[one-eyed-warrior_old]

I fully agree, 2002 and 2003 were totally different teams with different coaches. Everybody keeps talking about the razzle dazzle and when the stupid passes come of they are magic. When was the last time we scored of one of those stupid passes?????. Other teams in the nrl have razzle dazzle but dont need to throw stupid passes. They throw calculated passes and can also play football. One the topic of toopi and faumuina I also agree, send them to ESL and be done with it. How many games have those two screwed up?? too many. Defend them if u want but u better enjoy losing also.

 

[LeagueNut_old]

I'd keep Faumuina, but boot Toopi (for now).

Remember, if the 50/50 pass had worked out then we'd probably all be calling him a hero right now. We're already rivalling the Raiders as one of the most boring teams to watch, and to have guys like Sione in the team who can be a bit creative has got to be a good thing.

I agree that the "speculators" are being thrown a bit too often, and that can (and should) be fixed quick smart. Hopefully Sione can be given more time on the field (wasn't last night the first match he'd started in a while??) so that he can "work his way in" to the match instead of having the mentality to make a difference with every touch.

 

[da mad maori]

Yeah that fine LeagueNut, but the point I am making is this. Sione has been on the scene for a while now. He has, or should be experienced enough to know what is best for the team. We have a group of guys playing in new positions, and he is regarded as a senior player amongst the ranks.That in itself should bring a calm to his play. But no. not Sione, him and Toopi dont know how to do the basic's, or think they are above the team with their straying away from the gameplan.

 

[LeagueNut_old]

I agree with you completely, although it must have been difficult for Sione this year after being "locked in" at #6, then punted to the bench, then #13 .... I say give him a few weeks to settle in one spot, then take another look at what he's bringing to the table.

Toopi ........ well he's had plenty of chances already.

 

[KeepingTheFaith_old]

A fair bit of it comes from frustration I'd say. In 2002-2003 guys like Toopi, Ali and Faumuina were always able to get themselves into one on one positions. When was the last time Sione had the ball without 2-3 tacklers hanging off him?

 

[Iafeta_old]

DMM, you make a valid point. A large part of footy is the top two inches - making good decisions. There are times in the game in terms of the sense of momentum where a 50/50 pass isn't on, or in terms of territory. This is what frustrates me with Toopi, against the Dogs, stupid offload 20m out with 2 minutes to go, try to the Dogs decisive. For the Kiwis a week later, 5-10m out from his own line, stupid offload to an unsuspecting Leuluai, try, decisive play.

I'd hate to be the coach at the Warriors, perhaps they should look at instilling a bit of "Campion"itis. You drop the ball at training, drop for press ups. If you throw a bad pass at training, drop for press ups.

In terms of the match, the turning point for me was Misi Taulapapa knocking on with the try line begging. That was it, game set and match. Hook, line and sinker.

 

[Guest]

I remember when Ali left, Faumuina started offloading as much as possible, and at the time I thought it was because he was trying to make up for Ali's absense. But three years later, he's still bloody doing it! It's like you guy's said, it's great when it comes off but there is a time and a place for it. We may be leading the offloads stat, but it's ineffective offloading, pushing passes that dont need to be thrown. Clinton, Sione - "you should only ever pass to a player in a better position than yourself." They put themselves, and the team, under unnecessary pressure and these days, more often than not, it's leading to opposition tries. Pull your heads in, fellas!

 

[2big2strong_old]

what about him tryna start that fight with 5 minutes to go? it could've been a penalty to us. Not to mention that in that scuffle, Webb and Barrett had words and so when the next time Webb got the ball he ran straight at Barrett and got the ball knocked out. stupid brain explosions, fair enough if we're winning by 30 points, not when all we need is one try to win

 

[Ronnie_7_old]

These are the reasons why I can't stand the guy. He comes and and tries to do stupid staunch stuff when it is needed he just needs to get on with the bloody game. He's a "senior" player he should bloody well be showing it. No matter how much an offload might look like it's on doing it in your red zone is just plain stupid. I know he's not the only one but I can tolerate them more than him

 

[D Generation X_old]

yea im with you

 

[hoanihorsfall_old]

Hiho All

I totally agree with you guys .. my thought are that they will drop Toopi for Mannering next year and he will goto Wigan (hpefully they will be still inthe Super league next year). I dont know what they're gonna do with Sione ... flog him off to the UK aswell.

All we have to do is minimise the teams mistakes and we will maintain pressure and field position and WIN games .

Misi was unlucky with his try bec a Dragons player got a hand to him int he tackle. But Toopi and & Sione played like chumps yet again.

The Warriors have been suffering for the past 2 years bec of chumps like Meli, Betham, Sione and Toopi ... I say kick their ass tot he kurb.

They are so frustrating to watch !!! at least Webb is secure at the back of the feild ... highballs cover defense bar Barretts try.

cheers

Hoani

 

[Brucer_old]

Toopi should be in BC for the remainder of the year and then punted!! He is an absolute shocker. Maybe Sione needs a week in BC as well to think about his choices.