Gameday Witzer Pre-Season challenge Dolphins vs Warriors

[Barzak]

Praise be your eyesight

I thought Tannah looked average last week, as did Gannon. Both definitely stepped it up this week. Thought Hanson looked good but he looked very comfortable last night. Much more optimistic about our opening rounds if we can keep that kind of standard up. Wouldn’t be mad to see Hanson start at 6 Rd 1. Side note, don’t think I’d wish an ACL on Ford, but as a long time detractor I see your vision.

 

[sup42]

I think TSS and Gannon were probably the biggest winners in that trial. TSS continues to improve and he’s using those little tricks for a couple extra yards or a quick play the ball very well.

Gannon adjusted well from last week, much better physically. He’s got good footwork and nice ball playing ability. An intriguing prospect, not sure whether he will be playing round one, but feel it will be sooner rather than later.

I missed most of the first trial so this was the first time I had seen Tanner in 2026.

Funny thing is I had seen the hype videos from Clark and others saying Tanner had been training the house down and my eyes literally rolled. I wanted to say last year with all the Tanner hype that he was too fat (good fat-prop fat) but he was built like a Rugby Union hooker.


So many times you see heavy Warriors players lean down and lose power, speed, and stamina, especially Warriors forwards - Tanner has made gains in all three - so I presume he has been given outstanding advice from our trainers and dietician - and used his brain to apply it optimally and be patient to wait for the muscle to grow.

Btw excuse the rant, but I am not making this shit up, there is a pattern of success at the Warriors in converting athletes who commit to what is on offer at that club. Ford put on lean muscle and built power in a season. Barnett, an ageing athlete boosted his fast twitch and became an explosive middle with acceleration and power, Capewell has maintained his pace on old legs, Leka and Dimitric are both growing into their naturally explosive genes with their specific training clearly targeting endurance (Laban and EIT too).

We have outstanding trainers at the Warriors and you can see why Webster is fussy about who makes the first grade side, because there are no excuses for being in the wrong shape at the Warriors.

So well done Tanner. And on Gannon, yes he is settling in, he was doing a lot of ugly defensive work in the middle which is a good sign.

 

[Noitall]

I think Ali just further underscored what a lot of us have been saying (well I have gotten carried away on this topic in the past tbf) but he is why he never gets out of NSW cup - not Andrew Webster.

He cannot be selected in that form. So no need to worry, he won't make the team anyway. I certainly won't bash him anymore, he has a problem, a psychological hurdle to overcome, hey look at it this way, most of us would arm grab in that competition, I mean sure maybe make the first hit full of adrenaline with the Whanau watching and TV camera's - but I recon after the buzz wore off I would either be getting carted off or bloody trying not to kill myself in the next four tackles - and I used to play center...

If it were me coaching the bloke, I know one old trick that has worked since the first footy was kicked....tackle around the waist or legs side on, at least make tackle, even if you get dragged over the line - Taine Tuapiki and guys like him have to make a career out of side on legs tackles. Do that and eventually you stop being scared to go higher.

He might get a one game reprieve to see if he improves with our best defensive line up on his inside. But I think Ali is going to learn a hard lesson this season.

In terms of the lack of intensity till the young guns came on....it is clear Webster has told the old boys to just get some contact in and try combos and ignore the scoreboard, you can see after two games that they have been told to hold back and save the body for round one.
The boost we get from the bench is a thing in Webster ball, we get through our seasons well using youthful energy, everything is working as it should be imo.

I thought there were times CNK and DWZ had some good moments on the right and wondered if CNK could line up right centre and Tuaupiki fullback? CNK certainly looks in good form so fullback could be best for the team? I think with the extra bench spots that Tuaupiki is carried on the bench either way

 

[Noitall]

I missed most of the first trial so this was the first time I had seen Tanner in 2026.

Funny thing is I had seen the hype videos from Clark and others saying Tanner had been training the house down and my eyes literally rolled. I wanted to say last year with all the Tanner hype that he was too fat (good fat-prop fat) but he was built like a Rugby Union hooker.

Wow man, he has done exactly what I would have done with his build, converted the heavy fat and bulk muscle down to lean muscle (basically he has changed slow twitch for fast twitch - not easy to do, you have grow the muscle not diet it away by restricting carbs and fats - you have to grow the fibres with protein synthesis at its peak and sprint training body mechanics....and that takes months to years depending on lots of variables like diet, specialized resistance (gold standards like squats, box jumps, skipping, sprint training, compound work) diet, in that order - with genetics last.

So many times you see heavy Warriors players lean down and lose power, speed, and stamina, especially Warriors forwards - Tanner has made gains in all three - so I presume he has been given outstanding advice from our trainers and dietician - and used his brain to apply it optimally and be patient to wait for the muscle to grow.

Btw excuse the rant, but I am not making this shit up, there is a pattern of success at the Warriors in converting athletes who commit to what is on offer at that club. Ford put on lean muscle and built power in a season. Barnett, an ageing athlete boosted his fast twitch and became an explosive middle with acceleration and power, Capewell has maintained his pace on old legs, Leka and Dimitric are both growing into their naturally explosive genes with their specific training clearly targeting endurance (Laban and EIT too).

We have outstanding trainers at the Warriors and you can see why Webster is fussy about who makes the first grade side, because there are no excuses for being in the wrong shape at the Warriors.

So well done Tanner. And on Gannon, yes he is settling in, he was doing a lot of ugly defensive work in the middle which is a good sign.

TSS looks to me like he’s added a lot to his arsenal in the space of the offseason. He’s got some late footwork at the line, hit and spin and really doing everything effectively in each tackle to make the most of post contact metres. Seems like a sponge that’s gathering all the information of our forwards

 

[SouthernWorrier]

I thought there were times CNK and DWZ had some good moments on the right and wondered if CNK could line up right centre and Tuaupiki fullback? CNK certainly looks in good form so fullback could be best for the team? I think with the extra bench spots that Tuaupiki is carried on the bench either way

I think all musing on fullback needs to end... like it or not CNK is our guy. Personally, love him - effort, skill and suits our teams game. Agree, Tuipiki on the bench but I expect #5/6 and only called on for injury.

one thing I am getting fed up with is our guys slow to play waiting for the video ref to spot something. CNK, DWZ & Demi are the worst. Yes it works sometimes, but mostly we just lose momentum and it makes us look like the biggest sooks in the league

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

What are peoples thoughts on Kayliss Fatialofa? I was underwhelmed considering what I have heard about him. I suppose coming on with the all the young guys at the end doesn't do any favours.

 

[Bippidydoodah]

Was pleased to see the boys getting their offload game out, Something I think we will need this season to generate opportunities.

Tanner showed some good form.

 

[Noitall]

I think all musing on fullback needs to end... like it or not CNK is our guy. Personally, love him - effort, skill and suits our teams game. Agree, Tuipiki on the bench but I expect #5/6 and only called on for injury.

one thing I am getting fed up with is our guys slow to play waiting for the video ref to spot something. CNK, DWZ & Demi are the worst. Yes it works sometimes, but mostly we just lose momentum and it makes us look like the biggest sooks in the league

I’m more looking at shifting him to right centre to make the edge stronger defensively and mentioned he looks in good form so fullback probably best suited, nothing like a demotion or anything. I find the whole staying down premise ridiculous because all the officiates like refs and video refs are the ones who have missed it and it’s often when a player is down that footage is reviewed and a decision made. I agree we look weak sometimes doing it but I also think playing on is dumb too if you’ve taken a whack to the head. It’s hard to know what the line is because Ford was hit in the head and nothing mentioned so perhaps there’s a level this season they’re abiding by?

 

[Makasene]

Easy to forget he is very young even though he looks 35. A Sam Rapira 2.0 with his speedy play the balls. Best yet to come from TSS.

He looks remarkably advanced. Bloody impressive.

There is a serious question to ask, at what point do the young overtake the old?

At the moment, if all are fit, two of the below are unlikely to make the 19!

8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Niukore
12. Capewell
13. Clark

14. Healey
15. Demetric
16. Ford
17. Halasima

18. TSS
19. Laban
20. Eit
21. Gannon

All of a sudden, Capewell and Niukore look very expendable to me...

 

[Noitall]

He looks remarkably advanced. Bloody impressive.

There is a serious question to ask, at what point do the young overtake the old?

At the moment, if all are fit, two of the below are unlikely to make the 19!

8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Niukore
12. Capewell
13. Clark

14. Healey
15. Demetric
16. Ford
17. Halasima

18. TSS
19. Laban
20. Eit
21. Gannon

All of a sudden, Capewell and Niukore look very expendable to me...

RTV seems like he’s chugging along too. We missed the opportunity to get a look at Salalilo with his injury to know how far along his is

 

[Naynay]

He looks remarkably advanced. Bloody impressive.

There is a serious question to ask, at what point do the young overtake the old?

At the moment, if all are fit, two of the below are unlikely to make the 19!

8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Niukore
12. Capewell
13. Clark

14. Healey
15. Demetric
16. Ford
17. Halasima

18. TSS
19. Laban
20. Eit
21. Gannon

All of a sudden, Capewell and Niukore look very expendable to me...

I think you could probably argue Niukore is already on the out, Laban looked one of best on ground last night and marata has been treading water really for the last 2 years.

Capewell i like and wouldn’t mind maybe a 1 year extension and take it year by year leading by example and always putting im max effort.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I think Ali just further underscored what a lot of us have been saying (well I have gotten carried away on this topic in the past tbf) but he is why he never gets out of NSW cup - not Andrew Webster.

He cannot be selected in that form. So no need to worry, he won't make the team anyway. I certainly won't bash him anymore, he has a problem, a psychological hurdle to overcome, hey look at it this way, most of us would arm grab in that competition, I mean sure maybe make the first hit full of adrenaline with the Whanau watching and TV camera's - but I recon after the buzz wore off I would either be getting carted off or bloody trying not to kill myself in the next four tackles - and I used to play center...

If it were me coaching the bloke, I know one old trick that has worked since the first footy was kicked....tackle around the waist or legs side on, at least make tackle, even if you get dragged over the line - Taine Tuapiki and guys like him have to make a career out of side on legs tackles. Do that and eventually you stop being scared to go higher.

He might get a one game reprieve to see if he improves with our best defensive line up on his inside. But I think Ali is going to learn a hard lesson this season.

In terms of the lack of intensity till the young guns came on....it is clear Webster has told the old boys to just get some contact in and try combos and ignore the scoreboard, you can see after two games that they have been told to hold back and save the body for round one.
The boost we get from the bench is a thing in Webster ball, we get through our seasons well using youthful energy, everything is working as it should be imo.

I think he will make the team though.

 

[Spence]

I haven’t seen much of Putoko, but got a bit nervous around his defense - seemed very slow laterally and was getting beaten easily. Is this a one off poor outing or is it a thing that his defense does need improving?

 

[Boats n Hoes]

All of a sudden, Capewell and Niukore look very expendable to me...

I think with their contracts ending id be going all in with our young 2nd rowers.U still have Fish, Barney, Egan and Erin Clark so thats still a lot of experience and leaders there. With RTS also in his last year this should give us the oppertunity to address our lack of strike (particulary out wide) which is probably hamstringing us from taking that next step in the top 8. We generally have the defensive, effort, possession and territory part of the game sorted, just a couple of genuine strike players in that backline would make us whole different proposition. Keanu Kini and Casey McLean like.

 

[Noitall]

I haven’t seen much of Putoko, but got a bit nervous around his defense - seemed very slow laterally and was getting beaten easily. Is this a one off poor outing or is it a thing that his defense does need improving?

Cant see the mentioned in articles debut coming this season without some major improvement. Seems like there’s a lot to centre in the modern game and he’s played a few different positions in fullback and five eighth so concentrating on a permanent position would probably be beneficial to him

 

[sup42]

What did Leka do for such a demotion in minutes?

Are they keeping him humble?

Or managing his workload for the season?

Looked like he is getting marquee treatment. Too valuable to risk in a trial. It fits with the theme of the whole preseason with Webster seeming to be happy with a who gives a shit approach to the preseason comp.

I take it that the Warriors are maturing.

 

[WHB]

I haven’t seen much of Putoko, but got a bit nervous around his defense - seemed very slow laterally and was getting beaten easily. Is this a one off poor outing or is it a thing that his defense does need improving?

That was not the kid playing well for Kuki Arani in the international windows.
Hoping it was an off day.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

At the moment, if all are fit, two of the below are unlikely to make the 19!

Very rarely will all be fit.

Players like EIT/ Gannon/ TSS can be rotated in and out so fatigue doesn’t hammer them as they are still very young players.

 

[sup42]

What are peoples thoughts on Kayliss Fatialofa? I was underwhelmed considering what I have heard about him. I suppose coming on with the all the young guys at the end doesn't do any favours.

I think we need to assess these guys when they have experienced players around them. By the time Kayliss got on the whole squad looked like deer in the headlights (expecting our NSW cup side will get some smashings first six rounds). Having said that I loved the defensive attitude of a couple of Juniors out there.

 

[WAH MAN]

I think Ali just further underscored what a lot of us have been saying (well I have gotten carried away on this topic in the past tbf) but he is why he never gets out of NSW cup - not Andrew Webster.

He cannot be selected in that form. So no need to worry, he won't make the team anyway. I certainly won't bash him anymore, he has a problem, a psychological hurdle to overcome, hey look at it this way, most of us would arm grab in that competition, I mean sure maybe make the first hit full of adrenaline with the Whanau watching and TV camera's - but I recon after the buzz wore off I would either be getting carted off or bloody trying not to kill myself in the next four tackles - and I used to play center...

If it were me coaching the bloke, I know one old trick that has worked since the first footy was kicked....tackle around the waist or legs side on, at least make tackle, even if you get dragged over the line - Taine Tuapiki and guys like him have to make a career out of side on legs tackles. Do that and eventually you stop being scared to go higher.

He might get a one game reprieve to see if he improves with our best defensive line up on his inside. But I think Ali is going to learn a hard lesson this season.

In terms of the lack of intensity till the young guns came on....it is clear Webster has told the old boys to just get some contact in and try combos and ignore the scoreboard, you can see after two games that they have been told to hold back and save the body for round one.
The boost we get from the bench is a thing in Webster ball, we get through our seasons well using youthful energy, everything is working as it should be imo.

This being true does not negate our lack of quality durable available centres. He is lacking consistent enough game time over the length of his career to gather from. I back him to start game one and stay in the team until form, injury or the mighty Berry returns. Basically, we need him.