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    Horriors2013 said:
    Egan
    Healey
    Taufua
    Marsh

    4 good hookers.
    Or are we losing Taufua?
    Click to expand...

    I don't think we lose any of them under Cappy's new strategy.

    I have said this before, but earlier this year, like so many of us, I was trying to understand why McFadden was signing so many Australian juniors in the halves while we had four halves with experience already on our books in CHT, Metcalf, TMM, then they added Boyd, then Cleary, now Linane...then we have even younger Aussie kids log jamming the halves.

    Then it hit me, an epiphany, heavenly choir and all....

    It is not about signing them exclusively to be the NRL half back one day, the maths doesn't work. These kids won't even stick around that long, that would mean living in NZ for the youngest players for years.

    So what is it about? it is about fixing the New Zealand League system and bringing it into line with the Australian standards so that the positions where we produce world class players on these shores like our stellar back row prospects get to play off half backs that know how to direct them, how to get them in an Australian School boy/post highschool standard in terms of understanding the complexities of Australian structure.

    This model therefore ensures that our best Kiwi made players in all positions get directed around the park by organizers who can actually get them learning Webster ball at a much younger age than was possible before the McFadden era.

    And it is not just about the learning side, with these high quality players in key positions the local big fast talented back rower can get to shine - get to produce their best, give the coaches an accurate early picture of whether they are the kid you want to continue on with, or not - had this system been in place during the time of Katoa and Papalii, then perhaps those players would still be here, because they wouldn't need to go off shore to be able to see their abilities in full.

    Excuse the rant, but you can see how having hookers like Healy and Marsh will make a difference to players like Lennox Tuiloma and others in terms of making them better players, while making them easier to pick by the coaches since they can show their full ability with this Australian platform McFadden has created.

    Therefore as it stands we may not actually be looking at cutting any of our young hookers.
     
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    So I emailed NSWRL asking about how Matt Feagai was eligible for NSW Cup playoffs despite only 3 appearances in the competition. They replied almost immediately & said my query has been forwarded onto their Major Comps team. Hopefully I hear back soon otherwise I might need that dribbler, The Mole, onto the case to cause a stir
     
    sup42 said:
    Yeah a good season for sure. Especially now that the pressure is off and you can look back over the whole season and appreciate that we went from a club rebuild with multiple departures of senior players and the retirement of our generational half back. To ride in the top four for most of that was incredible.

    The best part was the last game, after all the talk about Penrith or any of the elite sides giving us a hiding, and the claims that we did not belong in the top four-we certainly were beating Penrith up in stages of that game.

    It shits me that people claim Penrith did not play well, ah are you blind? no team can play well when the opposition is folding them and driving them back in gang tackles through ultra fast line speed and uber aggressive contact.

    Add to that the way we fixed our edge defence when it mattered, leaving Penrith clue less when their deadly shifts couldn't do shit against our players.

    That was one of the best Warrior performances, it is unfortunate that it was spoiled by freak mix of talent and luck care of one player, Nathan CLeary, I really hate that guy.

    The best thing about this season was Webster went deep into the reserve grade drawer and the unlikely arrival of TSS and EIT as NRL regulars. I mean that is going really deep down the list of possibles.

    Next year we have some really exciting young forwards that will feature regularly, you have some genuine quality in Leka, Dimitric, Laban, Gannon and probably Fatialofa to look forward to seeing out there at some stage.

    Those guys can really play, all of them are talented, mobile, fast, aggressive and explosive.

    EIT, I haven't forgotten him, he is quick when he gets in the clear he is gone, and Fatialofa is faster than most NRL forwards.

    Also Webster found a place for Healy, so he knows exactly what we have, he knows Healy is a talent, people need to get off Websters back, he played the lad in the finals ffs.

    Then for those quibbling about our lack of pace out wide, consider that there are going to be some fast players pushing for spots next season.

    These guys are quick:

    Linane
    Leiataua
    Metcalf
    DWZ
    Kali

    Ali would be the slowest out of that lot, and he is not too slow for a center, but there is plenty of speed.

    We will be leaping for kicks on the try line next year.

    You have aerial players galore in this young crop.

    Mellars
    Leka
    Laban
    Eit
    Gannon
    Dimitric

    These are all known attacking kick contesting players.

    If this season has taught us anything it is that our team will change next year significantly as Webster sees when young players are ready.

    Metcalf will be another year older and more settled as a halfback, CHT will find a spot if Linane pushes him out, and of course we may even see Cleary get a run if there are a bunch of injuries to the guys ahead of him.

    All this is to say the club is in a great place and the defence this team constructed in that finals match is the key to winning a premiership, I am sure Webster will get the guys to watch their performance with some pride and lots of learning for next year.
    Click to expand...

    I couldn't agree more, on and off the field , through the grades and in the community this season must be considered a success. Building a Premierships and an enduring one requires patience.
    On a slightly different note I had the pleasure of a long chat with a current Warriors star and veteran, who when I asked what is important in an NRL sides successes that isn't given enough emphasis in the comments section and he replied pre season.
    Whilst I'm at it, he also said keeping concentration was an attribute that's hard to train but comes with experience and the next level is being able to distract the opposition, break their concentration, when fatigued without losing your own focus.

    Best
     
    CWC said:
    It’s funny even my dad told me TT was great why wasn’t he picked? 😂

    I think they have to seriously look at Roger as FB next season to give us an edge in the red zone, even if he ball hogs he’ll probably step through the defenders or create a quick PTB. I can’t see them signing AKP to put him in cup, the other wing we have Dallin, Kali, Mellars.

    Problem could be can Roger run so much and still keep his explosiveness or not pull a hammy, and do we miss his second or third hit up in the set

    Ali to right wing and he has support from Laban or Leka and Barney or Ford for kick and chase, might be easier to just keep up with someone alongside. Berry who could be retiring and CNK at cup to cover centres and TT to cover FB
    Click to expand...
    What is with this novel idea to move Roger to fullback? He is 33 next year. Who will be fb after next year or is the idea to extend him if he goes well? He just found some consistency and form at wing and we want to move him again? Roger's playmaking skills are worse than Charnz - both of them are used as hitup merchants.
     
    Warriors55 said:
    Let's say we only sign AKP as a new recruit for next season, we could still form a premiership winning team provided Jett and Kali are introduced at some point during next season and perform well.

    CNK and DWZ should be gone and not playing again unless injuries strike. I think Healey needs to start over Egan as well.
    That means RTS needs to go back to fullback.

    What does everyone think about the below 17. Any changes? Anyone else that we should recruit or bring through from Cup?

    1. RTS
    2. AKP
    3. Ali
    4. Berry
    5. Kali
    6. Jett/Metcalf
    7. Metcalf/Jett
    8. JFH
    9. Healey
    10. Barnett
    11. Leka
    12. Capewell
    13. Clarke

    14. TMM/Egan/CHT
    15. Vaimauga
    16. Laban
    17. EIT
    Click to expand...
    Unless Jett becomes his brother over the off season, he's still another season in Cup away from even being considered for first grade. He's not the saviour people think he is yet.
     
    Noitall said:
    Last night hearing Ivan interviewed before the game and asked about Jett, it was the first time I’ve got an impression Jett is just here to develop. Just the way Ivan said it was all part of his journey with a wry smile to a question asked had me wondering? Ivan was also very complimentary towards the club and what’s building and called this his second home too, would love to see him return to a role at the club
    Click to expand...

    I think you've got it all wrong, that wry smile is that part of Jet's journey is for Dad and bigger brother Nathan to sign with the Wahs in 2028 so that dad can coach him, and he can play next to his brother in the halves.
     
    www.nrl.com

    Panthers: Finals Week 1

    Isaah Yeo and Ivan Cleary chat to the media after their Finals Week 1 clash against the Warriors
    www.nrl.com www.nrl.com

    I thought this was really cool from Ivan. Saying he loves Auckland, his second home. Told us we can be extremely proud of our year, losing Metcalf & Barnett was the turning point & we’ve been incredibly brave & deserved to be there.

    He identified the threat that leka is & the freak he will become. He made mention of our nsw cup side dominating & that Leka is one of a few young warriors coming through. He said there’s a lot of promise & we will be a force to be reckoned with the next few years. This is coming from a 4peat coach, we’re on the up guys and girls.

    I just thought this was a really nice touch from Ivan, he’s always been full of praise & I feel there’s a mutual respect between the two clubs & they’re probably the closest we have to a brother club, with the amount of connections we have.
     
    I am proud of the team tonight. Leota tried to big Daddy intimidate Fish early on on Fish punched him back and that was leadership and she was all on from there. I Pap made a difference off the bench. Well played young man and former Warrior.
    Somehow they neutralised CNKs hit ups. I didn't see him to a single good carry all night and that seemed to be a game plan from them to stop our dominant back three metre makers. It was a great tactic by Ivan to take that strength away from us. They were putting a lot of forwards in their kick chase line and giving us stiff shoulders in the tackle. Ivan had his finger prints on that victory.
    Great game to watch despite the dissapointment.
     
    Is it weird that I feel we should’ve won that?

    We were pretty dominant for majority of the game, all their tries were either extremely opportunistic or just unbelievably soft D (the dummy half try and Capwell completely missing the defensive assignment on papalii)

    Like I don’t feel like they outclassed us. Tough pill to swallow. Can’t see Penrith going much further based on that display.

    I know it was wet but this game highlighted how we are never winning with a fullback that can’t pass. CNK’s poor pass gifted them the To’o try. He just can’t be our number 1 next year.

    Also for sixth billion time can we please fuck off DWZ this offseason.

    CHT stepped up and played well I thought.
     
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    Zaggo said:
    Webby had a shocker. Playing TMM as a lock, then late mailing in Healey to barely play. What was the sense in that? The bloke really cannot use a bench effectively and it has cost us time and time again.
    Click to expand...

    I thought he nailed the rotations.

    This to me was one of his best coaching efforts. Had the team up and liked his creativity in using TMM in that way.

    There probably isn't space for both TMM & Healey on the bench but I like the roll of the dice.

    The match was lost on the back of individuals who are simply not up to scratch.

    Webby squeezed every last ounce he could from what he had to work with.

    I've been a stern critic of his at times but I'm struggling to fault him this game.
     
    Leon Black said:
    Agree, Leroy Carter, Caleb Clarke would be nice, but plenty of quality in NPC too!
    Click to expand...
    Have you seen much of Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi in our Jersey Flegg?

    The last 3 or 4 games of the season he looked unbelievable after being pretty quiet prior to that. Size, speed and power for a wing.

    We poached him from the Auckland Club Rugby scene, he's 21 I believe. But he looks like he might have a future in first grade.

    After dropping Rapheal Sio for him, Brandon Norris and him were just terrorising teams on each wing.

    Give it two years and we will have some really strong wing stocks (age in two years time) -
    Sio Kali (22)
    Haizyn Mellars (23)
    Ezekiel Davidson Faaiuaso (20)
    Brandon Norris (22)
    Motu Pasikala (22)
    Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi (23)
     
    Anyone complaining about effort after that one can get fooked!

    Thought we played great. 2 of their tries were very fortunate - that bounce of the ball was nuts for the first try and then running 60m after a dropped ball from us...I don't think that's happened to us all year. Very unfortunate really.

    I thought it was largely even, and if it weren't for a few fortunate bounces of the ball our way, i think it would have been pretty close in those last 15 minutes.

    Still, I thought Penrith played really well after that initial 20 min period and really got in the grind and it was actually a great game. Probably sums up our year though, a couple of fortunate bounces in the wrong direction when we need all the luck we can.

    There's enough there for a premiership imo. A couple of small tweaks, a key signing and a bit of luck injury wise and I think 2026-2029 were looking really, really decent
     
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