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CNKs extension is a bit of a must have imo, he bleeds the jersey.
Bro
It's round 8 lol.
There's still 19 weeks to go until finals....we might just have enough time to recoup even if we drop this game....keep ya chin up
I wasn’t initially a fan yesterday but I’ve come around to CNK resigning.
1) He’s not blocking a spot for any young talent.
2) His salary isn’t going to prevent us signing anyone as we have plenty spare.
3) He strikes me as a good dressing room influence.
4) He has utility value should someone else become a better option at fullback.
1) He’s not blocking a spot for any young talent.
2) His salary isn’t going to prevent us signing anyone as we have plenty spare.
3) He strikes me as a good dressing room influence.
4) He has utility value should someone else become a better option at fullback.
We have to balance marquee signings with development of our young talent. When mohawk took over he stated that he wanted us to win the premiership with home grown players. Thats where we are investing.
Look at our team this year. Ali, Leka, Demetric, Laban and now TT. All have become regular first graders. behind them? MGT, EIT, Jett, TSS. That’s the bones of the 2028 - 2029 premiership team right there. On top of that, we are investing in Metcalf as our million dollar half with Jett coming in behind him.. CHT will be under threat with Jye Linnane next season.
The major change is investment in our systems up and down the grades. This investment is bearing fruit and over time will be our biggest strength. We won’t keep everyone. Good players will be let go. Thats sport.
In terms of what we need right now? Another 30 minute impact prop - likely Bunty replacement. Walker replacement. DWZ /RTS replacement in 2 years - we need pace! We already have a TMM or Boyd replacement in Jye..
Long Story short why throw money at players close to past their prime versus keeping the guns we have? Best nursery in the world is in our back yard. Our cap will reward the talent we have as they continue to grow through good performances. Invest in coaching and facilities.
The key to all of this is a great coach. Amazing pathways and a system that is embedded from a young age coupled with some flair and pace. We have most of that already.
This is why we are winning ugly versus losing closely this season. A bit more time and I firmly believe we will develop into the Melbourne or Penrith style club who are consistently threatening for titles every season.
Let’s hope Webby is still here in 20 years because that is what it will take.
Exciting times.
Look at our team this year. Ali, Leka, Demetric, Laban and now TT. All have become regular first graders. behind them? MGT, EIT, Jett, TSS. That’s the bones of the 2028 - 2029 premiership team right there. On top of that, we are investing in Metcalf as our million dollar half with Jett coming in behind him.. CHT will be under threat with Jye Linnane next season.
The major change is investment in our systems up and down the grades. This investment is bearing fruit and over time will be our biggest strength. We won’t keep everyone. Good players will be let go. Thats sport.
In terms of what we need right now? Another 30 minute impact prop - likely Bunty replacement. Walker replacement. DWZ /RTS replacement in 2 years - we need pace! We already have a TMM or Boyd replacement in Jye..
Long Story short why throw money at players close to past their prime versus keeping the guns we have? Best nursery in the world is in our back yard. Our cap will reward the talent we have as they continue to grow through good performances. Invest in coaching and facilities.
The key to all of this is a great coach. Amazing pathways and a system that is embedded from a young age coupled with some flair and pace. We have most of that already.
This is why we are winning ugly versus losing closely this season. A bit more time and I firmly believe we will develop into the Melbourne or Penrith style club who are consistently threatening for titles every season.
Let’s hope Webby is still here in 20 years because that is what it will take.
Exciting times.
I think Taine stays put. I think the club will put a good offer together. He covers 1,2,5,6,14. He's next man up at 3 of those 5 and is obviously highly rated by the club. If we have missed signing our marquee FB, now is the perfect time for him to negotiate.
At the very least, even if you don't rate him as a player. I think CNK helps quite a bit with warriors culture in the club. He does not back down when hurt, will play in any position given to him, encourges the boys on there acheviments, doesn't sulk and trains his heart out every week. Which overall should impact all of the players around him to play better, to train better. As well as having an amplfying effect on fish's.
Small plus is that he keeps repping us to the fellow kiwis every internatinal game.
Small plus is that he keeps repping us to the fellow kiwis every internatinal game.
I feel like I'm taking crazy pills with some of the back line opinions in here.
TT is a fine backup but from reading these comments you'd think he was the second coming of Slater. He's agile and has a spark, but he's also a massive defensive liability, gets dominated 9 times out of 10, and really struggles on yardage sets.
On the other hand, Berry is hugely underrated by many on here. Did he play well again the Storm? No, but who did. He also did a pretty nifty finish despite the obvious rust.
The backline at full strength will be CNK, RTS, Ali, Berry, DWZ, I can guarantee it.
TT and Pompey are next cabs off the rank. They will get their moments. Great teams rely on depth to win titles - how many grand final teams have trotted out their strongest possible 17?
TT is a fine backup but from reading these comments you'd think he was the second coming of Slater. He's agile and has a spark, but he's also a massive defensive liability, gets dominated 9 times out of 10, and really struggles on yardage sets.
On the other hand, Berry is hugely underrated by many on here. Did he play well again the Storm? No, but who did. He also did a pretty nifty finish despite the obvious rust.
The backline at full strength will be CNK, RTS, Ali, Berry, DWZ, I can guarantee it.
TT and Pompey are next cabs off the rank. They will get their moments. Great teams rely on depth to win titles - how many grand final teams have trotted out their strongest possible 17?
I love the CNK extension. Not as down on him as most. Love his work rate, his passion and I think he is better than Taine overall but they are quite different types of player.
CNK extends for two more years
Charnze resigned for 2 more years
Couldn’t care less if he could or not, he’s been deserving of every minute he’s played this season
The energy, arrogance, and aggression Vaimauga and Leka bring to this team is crazy. These young kids contribute so much. We have to lock these boys up for a long time. The attitude reminds me a little of those Penrith boys as they were going on their run. Luai, Leniu, Crichton etc very healthy to have.
Berry is a gun, no idea what some people are talking about. Our edge got ripped to shreds the moment he left in 2024, he’s defensively one of the best in the comp imo. Hits a mean line too.
At the beginning of the season I would have said a fit Berry is a lock in but forcing Ali and Pompey out of the positions they have looked good in for most of the games changes my view now
Great to see all four young bulls in the starting 17!
Happy the full spine is back again. Could see Laban doing some donkey work in the middle.
Can we win just one Anzac Game! Please!!!!!
Happy the full spine is back again. Could see Laban doing some donkey work in the middle.
Can we win just one Anzac Game! Please!!!!!
Leka, Vaimauga and Laban on the bench...we're in such an exciting part of the Wahs history I feel. The next 5 years are going to be a wild ride
View: https://youtu.be/fpfNZ5LfV78?si=75OMIJBZgoX1dqET
Seeing Tom Ale so excited near the end was mean! Lol.
All Metcalfs short comings are thing that can be coached. In one off season he's improved his general play kicking immensely. He already has the intangibles. Which is probably why veterans like SJ and Cronk are backing him.