Pick Your Team Warriors v Raiders - [Round 3, 2024]

[Kav1]

It would be nice to get Egan and CNK back and see us humming again.
I really want an impact backrower on the bench. Ford and Capewell both playing 80 isn't good enough fo me.

I think we've got to give Jazz a go on the bench. He adds utility value, aggression and a bit of spark when needed most.

 

[peewee]

I think we've got to give Jazz a go on the bench. He adds utility value, aggression and a bit of spark when needed most.

What i've seen from Ale does'nt fill me with excitement.
So now is just the time to introduce the likes of Laban. He can't be any less impresive.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

What i've seen from Ale does'nt fill me with excitement.
So now is just the time to introduce the likes of Laban. He can't be any less impresive.

I mean, is that Ale's fault this year...blokes had 10 minutes lol.

Made 150m in the trial this year, averaged over 100m in FG last year when he was given 30 minutes plus, with very few missed tackles, penalties or errors.

I personally find it quite confusing - he seems to have done everything on the field that can be expected of him, and he's playing on a position that we desperately need. With AFB going at the end of the year, wouldn't you want to test Ale and see if he can step up and be a 40 minute prop? Would make our chase for props so much easier if we knew that we only needed one (or two if he shows he's not good enough)

I just don't get how anyone is going to look better than Ale when they're only given the same opportunities as him.

Still, in Webby we trust!

 

[CWC]

Comes on for 10 minutes to watch "try of the century" in close up

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dismisses calls for return to fullback as he savours new centre role with Warriors​

Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck doesn't believe he needs to shift from centre to fullback, despite some calls, including from ex-Kiwis captain Adam Blair, for the side to move him to his original position after their winless start to 2024.

After playing fullback for his entire NRL career, Tuivasa-Sheck was shifted to centre by Andrew Webster for his comeback season with the Warriors, making way for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to continue in his role at the back.

Even with Nicoll-Klokstad currently sidelined with an injury, Tuivasa-Sheck has remained in the middle with Taine Tuaupiki, 24, filling in.

But after losing back-to-back games to open the season, Blair, who played 65 games for the Warriors, recently told Stuff that shifting RTS back to his previous position would give the ex-All Black more chances to shatter opposition defensive lines.

Speaking on Wednesday Tuivasa-Sheck stated neither he nor the coaching staff have any plans to move him back.

"It's been fun, I've been enjoying it out there," he said.

"I've just got to play on the back of our forwards and halves and for me, it's always how can I get better as a centre and how can I get better as a player for my team."

The former Dally M Award winner also shared his thoughts on his former teammates' comments.

"Well, Adam Blair's not the coach, he's just a good friend," he laughed. "I've been enjoying centre."

Tuivasa-Sheck went on to explain he feels much more involved in the game than he did playing at the back, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

"You know in that first game I made 14 tackles and in the second I made 19. I think when I was at fullback I made 15 the whole season," he joked.

"It's about being on the front line and making those tackles, getting on the kick chase and making those back-to-back tackles like I said the body is definitely enjoying it.

"You know I'm closer to the action, I'm right up there in the front line and there is a lot of contact and action up there so I'm definitely enjoying it."

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has also been impressed with Tuivasa-Sheck's first two hitouts in his new position.
"I've loved it. I think playing centre for the first time in the NRL, I think he's done a fantastic job. I've just been rapt with his defence," he said.

"And I reckon in about four or five weeks that the role's going to look better. We'll see him with his hands on the ball more, but at the same stage, you know, he's doing what the team needs doing right now and it's having a real big impact on the side. So we're rapt with the way he's going."

It seems that RTS in the middle, is here to stay.

 

[CWC]

"Adam Blair's not the coach"

 

[ndp26]

For me, the other issue with putting Roger back to fullback is that our new game model doesn't suit him because his ball-playing is one of his weak points. I don't know what his passing game was like in Yawnion, but his chiming into the backline wasn't amazing before his left. Admittedly, CNK took a bit to warm into it last year, but probably had a better base than Roger.
Roger's strengths are his strength/power, step/elusiveness and work ethic - let's give him at least 6 weeks in the centre spot to see what he can do (as Webby said in the presser post the Storm game) and then judge things.
When CNK comes back, that will also give Roger more time on the left too, as Taine seems to be focussing on the right side (which CNK had nailed at the end of last year). Trust in Webby, CNK and Taine are our fullbacks with Roger a more than capable second drop.

 

[CWC]

Thought centres hold onto the ball more than distributing anyway, which suits RTS better, still quite amazed at Metcalf doing that tip on pass for DWZ to score on the right lol, if he can roam and sweep both sides it'd be great

 

[snake77]

Good we are playing the in form version of the Raiders. At least no one who understands this comp can logically argue that a Warriors win is not meaningful because it is only the Raiders.

That is rubbish, when they are in form they can be the best attacking team in the comp.

Big test for our defence, exactly what we need to find our mettle.

When the Storm had the ball late in the game on the weekend and the time remaining would typically indicate we should be safe. I was reminded of the Raiders game last year and their crazy come back. I soon went from reminded to getting flashbacks.

They have been pretty good this year. Not flash but getting the job done. Round 1 was a good win, the Tigers weren't great but the Raiders took advantage of that. They will be high on confidence so we will need to earn it.

Even if we are in front close to the end. The Storm game and the Raiders game last year mean I'll be more comfortable if we have the ball. Think some of our situation based training may need to include stopping momentum late in the game.

 

[sup42]

When the Storm had the ball late in the game on the weekend and the time remaining would typically indicate we should be safe. I was reminded of the Raiders game last year and their crazy come back. I soon went from reminded to getting flashbacks.

They have been pretty good this year. Not flash but getting the job done. Round 1 was a good win, the Tigers weren't great but the Raiders took advantage of that. They will be high on confidence so we will need to earn it.

Even if we are in front close to the end. The Storm game and the Raiders game last year mean I'll be more comfortable if we have the ball. Think some of our situation based training may need to include stopping momentum late in the game.

The Raiders back line will only get stronger this season when Seb Kris and Timoko are both fit and develop more, two power centers that are hard to stop and hit hard.
Bit of a dream combo.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

"You know in that first game I made 14 tackles and in the second I made 19. I think when I was at fullback I made 15 the whole season," he joked.

"It's about being on the front line and making those tackles, getting on the kick chase and making those back-to-back tackles like I said the body is definitely enjoying it.

"You know I'm closer to the action, I'm right up there in the front line and there is a lot of contact and action up there so I'm definitely enjoying it."

Thats what you want to hear from Roger

 

[The Warrior Waka]

The Raiders back line will only get stronger this season when Seb Kris and Timoko are both fit and develop more, two power centers that are hard to stop and hit hard.
Bit of a dream combo.

I tihnk we have a dream combo in the making. Roger & Rocco have it all. Both fit, Will develope more as the season progresses also.

 

[Kav1]

I expect 50 points from us this week. And less from them.
Anything else will be a disappointment.

Let's not get too sure of ourselves here. They are 2 from 2 and top of the table, having beaten the Knights away by a good margin. They have a strong pack and a top kicking half in Fogarty.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

I don't know if there is another team we have more all-timers against than the Raiders in the past decade

• Thrashing them in 2013, where Manu had a first-half hattrick, SJ had the "fastest ever" hattrick.
• Thrashing them in 2014, first win at Eden Park, I think Ngani Luamape had a blinder
• Comeback with the double droppys in 2018
• Mannerings 300th, Hiku with one of the best passes I've seen in person (they almost came back at the death there too)
• Our biggest comeback, and RTS with the clutch save (could've used that last weekend)
• Lodge showing the Milkmen what Milking really looks like, SJ droppy to win
• Big W in Canberra for Crokers 300th
• Wighton making us shit bricks, SJ droppy gets it done again

It'll be a good one, but I hope (and foolishly, expect..) this game first more into the 2013/2014 category than the heroics needed for the others lol
Nvm, it’s meant to be raining, we’re fucked lol

 

[Canonball]

I expect 50 points from us this week. And less from them.
Anything else will be a disappointment.

yeah, i'm with you on this - it will be a round of truth this week: are we as good as we think we are? (yes) are the dragons actually shit? (probably) are the bunnies an easter basket-case? ('but they have great juniors') etc.

 

[CWC]

The moment of truth tomorrow will be "have we trained and learned anything from wet weather footy over the pre-season"

 

[bringinthebulls]

It'll be a good one, but I hope (and foolishly, expect..) this game first more into the 2013/2014 category than the heroics needed for the others lol
Nvm, it’s meant to be raining, we’re fucked lol

It's not meant to rain, it never was, metservice was just up the shit lol

 

[WahsaurusRex]

It's not meant to rain, it never was, metservice was just up the shit lol

We are so back baby

Wahs -33.5 @12.00, lock it in

 

[Up the guttz]

I see saint Ricky was at the Crusaders this week to tell them all about what success looks like

 

[Inruin]

Raiders are a gritty side. They had close games all last season including against us. I can't see this being a cake walk 50+ result to us at all.