Highlighted posts

What's new Featured content Highlights New posts New media New media comments New pickem comments New showcase items New showcase comments New threadmarks Latest activity
    That sums up the Kiwis v Australia for the last 40 years
    Key players injured or suspended
    Makeshift halves/spine
    Ill discipline at key moments
    Momentum killers by players overplaying their hand
    An inability to capitalise on possession
    Aussie scoring in the last 5 minutes of the fist half after we've slogged our guts out to be on par
    And the sheer class of a couple of Australian players putting the game out of reach. Edwards and Moses combining. Turbo and Lomax earlier
     
    I’ve been more vocal than most on RTS and I think a lot of it comes from frustration not just with him but also the players around him. I agree with the post yesterday that made the point that he was just fed the ball & expected to do the rest, & I think that expectation was symptomatic of a bigger issue that was a key reason of why 2024 was a failure for the club.

    As I’ve said many times (too many), I believe RTS is one of the most overrated players ever in the NRL. Now that doesn’t mean he isn’t NRL standard, he’s always been easily that, and at one point in his career he was possibly the best winger in the comp, and top tier at fullback. It’s also no fault of RTS that people hold him in such high regard - he comes across as a humble guy who always puts in max effort. However the players do seem to put him on a pedestal on the basis of performances that are well & truly in the rear view mirror. My theory is that his signing, along with our success in 2023, led to the club being complacent in the offseason. Too many were thinking that he was the missing piece in the puzzle that would now take the Warriors to premiership glory. Then a combination of that complacency & injuries to key player derailed our season.

    I’m hopeful everyone has learnt from last seasons mistakes. I’m also happy to see RTS given his chance to excel on the wing, but definitely not at centre or fullback, I think that would be a big mistake. Anyway I’m getting behind him from this point forward & hope he smashes it in 2025.
     
    Zaggo said:
    I swear some people on this forum need to get their brains checked because there's some serious issues with memories that extend back beyond about 3 months ago.

    Berry was a cornerstone of our 2023 success with his defence and kick chases. He scored an elite solo try against the Knights in the playoffs. He's 23, and has demonstrated growth in his abilities year on year.

    All of the above, and some clowns reckon he's never amounted to much and never will. Heeeeeeyyyzus.... Stick to watching Kata and Konnie highlights.
    Click to expand...
    I agree, i reckon if Berry played this season we would have won more games,
    He had a great 2023👌
     
    I swear some people on this forum need to get their brains checked because there's some serious issues with memories that extend back beyond about 3 months ago.

    Berry was a cornerstone of our 2023 success with his defence and kick chases. He scored an elite solo try against the Knights in the playoffs. He's 23, and has demonstrated growth in his abilities year on year.

    All of the above, and some clowns reckon he's never amounted to much and never will. Heeeeeeyyyzus.... Stick to watching Kata and Konnie highlights.
     
    Feels like we're pissed off because we want a flashy, try-scoring, highlights reel centre - and we don't think Berry is it?

    From a performance perspective, did we have a bad year with Berry and his edge in 2023? (ignoring DWZ's defensive brain explosions).
    Berry was all effort, silky hands and made everyone else look better.

    Pompey also quietly goes about his business doing a solid job in pretty much the same manner.

    But fuck those guys, they're boring. I want a highlight reel I can jerk off to.
     
    Leon Black said:
    Some peeps have blinkers on, some of RTS’ games at fullback last year were phenomenal stats wise. He is not a centre, proved it in Rugby, confirmed it in league. He will do well on the wing or at fullback.
    Click to expand...
    Agree with this - but also think this is the reason RTS would be better suited to the wing in our current squad, he is a stats player... and, ultimately, always has been.

    When he arrived at our club, we needed an elite fullback, he had speed and was electric. He has never had a strong passing / ballplaying game, but back then it didn't matter as the game didn't require it and we had other players in the squad that could perform that role. (Although watching a lot less Yawnion than I used to, I feel that his lack of a passing game played a big part in him not reaching the heights he so wanted in the other code.) Roger has always been a stats machine, but that is not what we need now.

    In 2024/2025, the game has evolved and the model AW plays requires a fullback that can ball play - CNK can do what Roger can stats-wise and offers more ball-playing ability. What we all hope is that Taine can trump both Roger and CNK by adding a bit of flair / pace / elusiveness that the other two no longer have. If nothing else but a straight-swap for Montoya, there is little down-side to having Roger on the wing in his place (other than perhaps missing some hype / eno).

    So why is Roger suited to the winger? Well, to start with, he has won a Dally M positional award and a premiership there. "Yes, but that was 11 years ago!" Sure, but this is not a new position for him - and it is certainly a more familiar position than testing him in centre. (I was an advocate for trying him in centre - stats weren't terrible and he was moved around a lot, but will somewhat fairly be called a failed experiment.) Roger can offer what we want/need from a winger... prop-wing carries out of yardage, solid defence (playing to a system, whether that is rushing in (with the centre) or otherwise), safe enough hands under the high ball and an ability to finish. He has lost some pace over the years - he'd be the first to admit it - but he's still got a step, is strong as an ox and will no doubt continue to be a challenge for opposition defensive lines to put down in 2025!

    Can't wait to see some left-side cut-out balls from Metcalf, or some silky hands from CNK/Pompey on the left edge, before RTS dots down in the corner under the bright lights of Vegas and beyond!
     
    WahsaurusRex said:

    Two-year extension for Ford​

    Second rower Jackson Ford is the latest player to recommit to the One New Zealand Warriors after signing a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2027 NRL season.

    The deal, stretching his stay to five seasons, follows Ali Leiataua, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all being secured on new terms recently.

    Initially signed on a two-year deal from the St George Illawarra Dragons last season, the 26-year-old Ford was then extended to the end of 2025 after his breakout 2023 campaign.

    “Coming to the Warriors has been a great career move for Jackson,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

    “He immediately impressed with his work ethic and attitude, establishing himself as a first-choice back rower for us over the last two seasons.”

    Ford missed just three of his first 46 games at the club until a knee injury sidelined him for the last five games of the 2024 campaign.

    “Jackson has been terrific from the moment he arrived at the club,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

    “He works so hard every minute he’s on the field and competes on everything. The longer and harder a game gets, the better Jacko gets.”

    Ford made only 33 NRL appearances across four seasons with the Dragons, the majority of them from the bench, but earned selection as a starting second rower at the start of his first season and filled that role for 35 of his first 36 appearances. Later in the 2024 campaign he was switched to the front row.

    Consistently playing the full 80 minutes, he has averaged 103 metres and 36 tackles in his 43 games for the Warriors.
    Click to expand...
    Ford is an excellent player to have in the squad with his big engine and strong work and training ethic. Has some work ons but overall a good resigning.
     
    kos said:
    Looks like the fans views differ from AW
    Seems rumours on Bunty Adam Paul Roche suggest a push to get rid of local kiwis and bring in more import Aussies
    Shame Aw

    But - it’s only rumours
    Click to expand...
    I'd be damn sad to lose Pompey. His contract is value for money, and the guy is solid, no fuss.

    I think we all know who the guy in our backline is that doesn't fit that value for money. You'd hate to see others move on in his expense.
     
    Mr. Brownstone said:
    Remember when Fusitua switched sides with Maumalo, complete reversal in try scoring frequency, fairly sure at least one of them got most tries in the NRL.
    Click to expand...
    I don't think they ever switched sides - rather it was Hiku that switched from right to left centre from one year to the next. He played inside Fus in his big try scoring year and then inside Ken in his big year - said a lot about his ability to set up the outside man.
     
    DWZ two year extension. Really like this re-signing. Will be on a greatly reduced deal, (he was coming off 800k), still a fantastic finisher & has found a home in Auckland. Real mana man in our group, and his finishing is up there with the best in the comp.

    We’re locking up a lot of off contract nov1 available guys. Off contract November 1:

    Bunty
    Ale
    Ford
    Tohu
    Kosi
    TMM
    CNK
    Pompey
    Tuaupiki
    Walker

    IMG_6727.jpeg
     
    Last edited:
Show older items
Back
Top Bottom