General Warriors Preseason 2025

[Noitall]

Halasima looking more back row than centre? Or do you think he'll still be youthful enough to cover both?

Seems to be what’s required of a second rower to be able to fill centre if required, Niukore and Capewell are capable and been required to do it in the past. Niukore’s actually played internationals at centre and Capewell has played origin at centre. I think from that reasoning that in terms of the young guys, Halasima could be ahead of Laban? He seems more like second row that could cover middle at a pinch if required? After Halasima’s debut, I’d be inclined to use Niukore from the bench and start Halasima if he shows that bulldogs debut wasn’t a one off and he has genuine X factor

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Seems to be what’s required of a second rower to be able to fill centre if required, Niukore and Capewell are capable and been required to do it in the past. Niukore’s actually played internationals at centre and Capewell has played origin at centre. I think from that reasoning that in terms of the young guys, Halasima could be ahead of Laban? He seems more like second row that could cover middle at a pinch if required? After Halasima’s debut, I’d be inclined to use Niukore from the bench and start Halasima if he shows that bulldogs debut wasn’t a one off and he has genuine X factor

I think webby needs some X factor, I agree I would start halasima for a while and see where it leads him.

I get you dont want to rush some kids but this guy just looks in every way a baller, him and Ali Leiataua would start for me.

 

[Boston Boy]

I think webby needs some X factor, I agree I would start halasima for a while and see where it leads him.

I get you dont want to rush some kids but this guy just looks in every way a baller, him and Ali Leiataua would start for me.

I hear you, but there’s no way Halasima will start. He will potentially be on the bench if he has an outstanding preseason. He will have to work his way into the starting line up as Webb’s is very conservative. Especially when he’s got Capewell and other experienced second rowers. I do think we need more impact and Xfactor too, I just don’t think it will happen. If it does it is a sign that Webby has shifted in a significant way re team selection.

Ali will most likely start however.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I hear you, but there’s no way Halasima will start. He will potentially be on the bench if he has an outstanding preseason. He will have to work his way into the starting line up as Webb’s is very conservative. Especially when he’s got Capewell and other experienced second rowers. I do think we need more impact and Xfactor too, I just don’t think it will happen. If it does it is a sign that Webby has shifted in a significant way re team selection.

Ali will most likely start however.

Ik ow there is no way.

 

[Five&Last]

I hear you, but there’s no way Halasima will start. He will potentially be on the bench if he has an outstanding preseason. He will have to work his way into the starting line up as Webb’s is very conservative. Especially when he’s got Capewell and other experienced second rowers. I do think we need more impact and Xfactor too, I just don’t think it will happen. If it does it is a sign that Webby has shifted in a significant way re team selection.

Ali will most likely start however.

To play devils advocate, Ali has way more positional competition than Halasima.

The only one who's a definite to start in the second row next year R1 is Capewell. The other spot is wide open with quite a few poor performers from last year in the mix.

In the centre's battle, they are all guns and will be hard to pick. Potentially have RTS, Ali, Charnze, Berry and Pompey.

 

[Noitall]

To play devils advocate, Ali has way more positional competition than Halasima.

The only one who's a definite to start in the second row next year R1 is Capewell. The other spot is wide open with quite a few poor performers from last year in the mix.

In the centre's battle, they are all guns and will be hard to pick. Potentially have RTS, Ali, Charnze, Berry and Pompey.

Was surprised to see the length of the extension for Ford and wonder if he stays on an edge or shifts full time into the middle?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

To play devils advocate, Ali has way more positional competition than Halasima.

The only one who's a definite to start in the second row next year R1 is Capewell. The other spot is wide open with quite a few poor performers from last year in the mix.

In the centre's battle, they are all guns and will be hard to pick. Potentially have RTS, Ali, Charnze, Berry and Pompey.

That's why I'm surprised about all this staggs talk.

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Nice to see SJ marketing NRL to Americans


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DESLAqFp1Fm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

[Noitall]

Nice to see SJ marketing NRL to Americans


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DESLAqFp1Fm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Seems to be able to build a rapport with whoever he speaks to. Think he’s going to be a huge asset to the club off the field going forward. Such a shame to think what could have been in those years he went to sharks and we’d just had a great 2018 season and recruited well

 

[Wrighty]

Seems to be able to build a rapport with whoever he speaks to. Think he’s going to be a huge asset to the club off the field going forward. Such a shame to think what could have been in those years he went to sharks and we’d just had a great 2018 season and recruited well

I blame Brian Smith for us losing SJ. Smith had to much time on his hands and figured our salary cap could be better spent than on SJ.

 

[Noitall]

I blame Brian Smith for us losing SJ. Smith had to much time on his hands and figured our salary cap could be better spent than on SJ.

Was a whole lot of factors. CG opening his mouth when it didn’t need to be said publicly, especially while SJ of the country. SJ for being a bit precious and not just sucking it up and speaking with his form. My view anyway and probably shouldn’t have dragged it up again, but just unfortunate all around

 

[Wrighty]

I would like to see Shaun become a coach. His holding people to account while it stopped him from being a captain could make him a tough but elite coach.

 

[Noitall]

I would like to see Shaun become a coach. His holding people to account while it stopped him from being a captain could make him a tough but elite coach.

His analysis on a fox panel at the end of the year for one of the games showed he has a massive wealth of knowledge. He’ll be great for guiding these young halves through in the meantime for the club

 

[Ever Hopeful]

Was a whole lot of factors. CG opening his mouth when it didn’t need to be said publicly, especially while SJ of the country. SJ for being a bit precious and not just sucking it up and speaking with his form. My view anyway and probably shouldn’t have dragged it up again, but just unfortunate all around

Losing SJ allowed us to rebalance the cap. The club desperately needed the reset as much as it hurt. SJ probably did too.

There wasn't a clean and nice way to do it with egos and hurt feelings at play.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Losing SJ allowed us to rebalance the cap. The club desperately needed the reset as much as it hurt. SJ probably did too.

There wasn't a clean and nice way to do it with egos and hurt feelings at play.

I think the thought was we could never win the competition with unstructured SJ at his significant cost (with RTS also on huge $).

Don’t forget the years of us complaining we could never get an elite prop to provide a platform for SJ - because the cap spend didn’t allow it!

He since evolved his game management, matured, and accepted less of the cap.

If we carried on our success, no one would have cared but disrupting the team when we didn’t perform any better left a sour taste.

I understood the logic at the time, even if it played out poorly and blew up on everyone.

 

[Noitall]

Losing SJ allowed us to rebalance the cap. The club desperately needed the reset as much as it hurt. SJ probably did too.

There wasn't a clean and nice way to do it with egos and hurt feelings at play.

Yeah you’re right. Would have been great to have a tilt at it in 2019 though all the same I reckon with us putting what seemed like a good foil for SJ in Blake Green. One forward pass not pulled up away from top 4 in 2018. Felt like RTS set the tone for that season with his try saver in Perth. The team got massive energy from it

 

[Wrighty]

I through my toys out of the cot on the forum when it happened. And the forum was split 50 50. Half were astounded we would let SJ escape our clutches, and the other half were delighted and said it was the right move as SJ was inconsistent. IE he was not a match winner every game.

I won't get too into this debate as it still irks me. I hope in the fullness of time it is regarded as a ridiculous decision. However organisations and people make their own narratives so who knows how history will record it.

 

[Noitall]

I think the thought was we could never win the competition with unstructured SJ at his significant cost (with RTS also on huge $).

Don’t forget the years of us complaining we could never get an elite prop to provide a platform for SJ - because the cap spend didn’t allow it!

He since evolved his game management, matured, and accepted less of the cap.

If we carried on our success, no one would have cared but disrupting the team when we didn’t perform any better left a sour taste.

I understood the logic at the time, even if it played out poorly and blew up on everyone.

We recruited well and put a good team around him. Even Adam Blair, who many have never been keen on him joining had a good 2018, Tohu Harris came over and Blake Green. Even the likes of Gerard Beale had a good season. After that we struggled to attract good players, Toby Rudolph backflipped thankfully and AFB fell into our laps with personal issues as our marquee signing for the following years

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

We recruited well and put a good team around him. Even Adam Blair, who many have never been keen on him joining had a good 2018, Tohu Harris came over and Blake Green. Even the likes of Gerard Beale had a good season. After that we struggled to attract good players, Toby Rudolph backflipped thankfully and AFB fell into our laps with personal issues as our marquee signing for the following years

Also overlooked is Robinson and ARL bought into the Warriors in 2018 which would have impacted the clubs direction and recruitment.

It is public knowledge there were major differences in direction between the owners, with Robinson taking full control in 2019.

We don’t know how much this affected SJ’s retention plus recruiting other elite players during this time. How disorganised behind the scenes were we with the new owners getting settling in?

 

[Noitall]

Today at 9:38 AM

#419
Heard on the Sports Nation nz radio station the other day that Mitch Barnett might end up as the new captain for the Warriors taking over Tohu Harris.






Knights fans over there talking about how much they’d love Mitch Barnett back