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Outstanding year.. But better than Erin..
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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What a buzz reading that that PJ Marsh approached the club regarding his boyView attachment 14467
Another son of a former Warrior signs for three years
Braelan Marsh third son of a former Warrior on club’s roster next season after being signed up.www.warriors.kiwi
Another son of a former Warrior signs for three years
Braelan Marsh third son of a former Warrior on club’s roster next season after being signed up.
www.warriors.kiwi
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
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
tajhay
💙💚❤️
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.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
I'm going to harp on about this all offseason but just give Halasima the starting left edge spot. He can do damage on either side of the field & can step off both feet but every fend comes from his right palm. He's one of our best players so we need to make it a priority for him to play in his preferred position.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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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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.
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)
65 minutes in
Score is 12-8 to the panthers
We have the momentum, amazing defensive set, panthers only gain 20m
Cleary kicks from inside his own 20
CNK is standing out of frame.
Ball bounces favourably, forward pass, game over.
Score is 12-8 to the panthers
We have the momentum, amazing defensive set, panthers only gain 20m
Cleary kicks from inside his own 20
CNK is standing out of frame.
Ball bounces favourably, forward pass, game over.
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
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
Energy, effort and attitude was there tonight. That’s all I wanted from our team.
I wasn’t confident we’d win. But even after the loss, I’m still sad. I love this team man. I want to see us win it all.
I can’t wait for that day. But it won’t be in 2025.
But we over achieved this year. We were in the top 4 for the majority of it. Injuries ruined what was becoming a special run. Our depth was tested. We’re not ready to compete at the top just yet. And that’s all good.
But as long as this club keeps moving towards the end goal - to build a consistent sustainable club that develops talent through our family-first culture that ultimately cultivates winners on and off the pitch - we will see that success sooner than later.
Played like shit the last month or so, still good enough for a home final and we could’ve still beat the reigning premiers if things went our way today.
If anything, through the anger and sadness - im proud.
UP THE FUCKIN’ WAHS
I wasn’t confident we’d win. But even after the loss, I’m still sad. I love this team man. I want to see us win it all.
I can’t wait for that day. But it won’t be in 2025.
But we over achieved this year. We were in the top 4 for the majority of it. Injuries ruined what was becoming a special run. Our depth was tested. We’re not ready to compete at the top just yet. And that’s all good.
But as long as this club keeps moving towards the end goal - to build a consistent sustainable club that develops talent through our family-first culture that ultimately cultivates winners on and off the pitch - we will see that success sooner than later.
Played like shit the last month or so, still good enough for a home final and we could’ve still beat the reigning premiers if things went our way today.
If anything, through the anger and sadness - im proud.
UP THE FUCKIN’ WAHS