34 replies to this topic

[Sneakdefreak]

After deciding to injure themselves for a couple of weeks the "big three" are back after the break with captain Mannering, Vatuvei and Seymour returning to the lineup.
A load of changes this week to face the Cowboys.

1 LANCE HOHAIA
2 KEVIN LOCKE
3 BRENT TATE
4 JEROME ROPATI
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 JAMES MALONEY
7 BRETT SEYMOUR
8 SAM RAPIRA
9 AARON HEREMAIA
10 MATAUPU POCHING
11 SIMON MANNERING ©
12 UKUMA TA’AI
13 MICHEAL LUCK
Interchange (one to be omitted):
IAN HENDERSON
BEN MATULINO
JEREMY LATIMORE
RUSSELL PACKER
JESSE ROYAL

- As I thought the Warriors were waiting for the ANZAC test to pass before the brought back Mannering and Vatuvei.
- I'm happy with the backline, that is probably the best firepower on offer there (though Seymour should be at standoff)
- No Lewis Brown- word is he is carrying an injury but still thought he would be on the bench.
- Good to see Upu Poching getting a run, he has been doing well in the lower grades for a few seasons now, hope he is another diamond in the rough.
- Matulino could be playing for his future at the club so be interesting to see how he goes in the coming weeks.

[KiwiMurph]

Sneakdefreak said:

Matulino could be playing for his future at the club so be interesting to see how he goes in the coming weeks.

Best side of the year - good to see Locke back as well - hopefully he has improved from his last outing.

What is with the negativity towards Matulino? He's one of the best young 2nd rowers in the game and came off a good test match for the Kiwis - he might be going through a rough patch but you don't just punt 21 yr old test match backrowers from your club

[papamoan]

without going through all the warrior forums can you guys tell me how Locke has done in the lower grades - has he "earned" his recall a such or has Cleary sort of realised that Locke is a better option than any of the others he has been fluffing around with?

[mariner4life]

I like the look of the team, looks very strong "on paper" lets hope its cold as shit, cause its still pretty hot up here in NQ.

The Cowboys looked alright on Monday, the return of Bowen was huge for them, he was into everything. But don't let the scoreline fool you, the Roosters are completely without heart, and once the game was gone they gave up and the Cowboys got a couple of cheap ones to finish.

If the Warriors are to make anything of this season they should be aiming to not only win this one, but win it well.

[Razbra]

mariner4life said:

I like the look of the team, looks very strong "on paper" lets hope its cold as shit, cause its still pretty hot up here in NQ.

The Cowboys looked alright on Monday, the return of Bowen was huge for them, he was into everything. But don't let the scoreline fool you, the Roosters are completely without heart, and once the game was gone they gave up and the Cowboys got a couple of cheap ones to finish.

If the Warriors are to make anything of this season they should be aiming to not only win this one, but win it well.

Damn you!

Back on topic. I have a reasonably good feeling about this week. This Poching bloke has a pretty big job ahead of him lets hope he's up for it.

I have to say I've been underwhelmed by Matulino from the start. But then Im a Randwick man and he's from Te Aroha.....

[Chiefy]

Agree on Matulino, hasn't backed up the promise of his debut season IMO. With Mateo coming to the club next season and Lewis Brown and Ukuma Ta'ai constantly improving along with Mannering and Luck, I just don't see how the Warriors can justify keeping him on his current form. I'm glad to see Locke back, hopefully he can regain the spark he had been missing.

IMO this is the Warriors strongest backline and only a couple of players away from being our strongest pack we can put out.

[Sneakdefreak]

Quote

What is with the negativity towards Matulino?

More the fact that the club has a large amount of backrowers with Mannering as captain, Brown and Luck re-signed , Mateo and Steve Rapira signed for 2011 and Ta'ai now starting. Plus Matulino is in the final year of his contract which means he is playing for a new one.

[ACT Crusader]

I like Matulino's game and my views about his form last year are well known on here. I'm hoping we don't get rid of him.

Also I'd be interested in Kearney's views on why he selected him and if he was just an injury replacement callup

As for the team this week, is Moon injured? Actually think he's played not too bad. Seems to be more workmanlike with the odd touch of brilliance rather than the guy we got last year who was trying way too hard to make the big play and ending up with egg on his face.

[Sneakdefreak]

Nah, Moon is playing for the Vulcans this week at Mt Smart #2

1 Wade McKinnon
2 Fetongi Tuinauvai
3 Niuvoa Taka
4 Joel Moon
5 Johnny Aranga
6 Jordan Tuarae
7 Pita Godinet
16 James Gavet
9 Dane Shelford
10 Nathaniel Neale
11 Lewis Brown
12 Sione Lousi
13 Tulson Caird
8 TBA
14 Howie Matthews
15 Toshio Laiseni
16 TBA
17 TBA
18 Kurt Tehira
19 Sialii Tufeo

[Midge]

Looks great, here is hoping it translates to a return to form. I'm quietly optimistic

[ACT Crusader]

Sneakdefreak said:

Nah, Moon is playing for the Vulcans this week at Mt Smart #2

1 Wade McKinnon
2 Fetongi Tuinauvai
3 Niuvoa Taka
4 Joel Moon
5 Johnny Aranga
6 Jordan Tuarae
7 Pita Godinet
16 James Gavet
9 Dane Shelford
10 Nathaniel Neale
11 Lewis Brown
12 Sione Lousi
13 Tulson Caird
8 TBA
14 Howie Matthews
15 Toshio Laiseni
16 TBA
17 TBA
18 Kurt Tehira
19 Sialii Tufeo

Where's McTricks? Played 1st grade a week or so ago and now can't get a Vulcans jersey?

On the team, Ropati needs to start performing better and more consistently IMO, or else start playing Lewis Brown in the centres

[Sneakdefreak]

McTricks has a broken jaw and is out 3-4 weeks.

[Nepia]

Man I hate it when NRL teams stop Kiwi players from playing test matches. I hate it even more when it's the Warriors. You can't tell me it was a happy coincidence that Mannering and Vatuvei magically reappear this week. John Hart hang your head in shame - you should know better. (If he's no longer involved with the club then my apologies to him for jumping the gun. )

[Razbra]

Nepia said:

Man I hate it when NRL teams stop Kiwi players from playing test matches. I hate it even more when it's the Warriors. You can't tell me it was a happy coincidence that Mannering and Vatuvei magically reappear this week. John Hart hang your head in shame - you should know better. (If he's no longer involved with the club then my apologies to him for jumping the gun. )

I get it but I don't mind as much. Its a one off game and I would be fucking filthy if either of those guys got injured and obviously don't play for the Warriors.

Smacks of hypocrisy as there'd be hell to pay if the same was done with the AB's but Tests don't happen in the middle of the Super 14 or NPC.

[Nepia]

I'm an international's before club guy and don't think that we should accept under strength teams just because the Aussie's don't value internationals. I like the Warriors but Kiwis come first.

[kiwiinmelb]

Razbra said:

I get it but I don't mind as much. Its a one off game and I would be fucking filthy if either of those guys got injured and obviously don't play for the Warriors.

Smacks of hypocrisy as there'd be hell to pay if the same was done with the AB's but Tests don't happen in the middle of the Super 14 or NPC.

Aussie league players do anything to play origin , and their clubs are very cooperative as well.

[Razbra]

kiwiinmelb said:

Aussie league players do anything to play origin , and their clubs are very cooperative as well.

I knew that was coming. I was pretty vocal last year and got right royally slammed by mariner for mentioning such a thing, but, I hated that Price put SoO ahead of club.

Again its hypocritical on my part as I love Origin but with league my loyalty and the majority of my interest is with the Warriors.

Edited by Razbra, 13 May 2010 - 09:04 PM.
grammar

[Razbra]

Nepia said:

I'm an international's before club guy and don't think that we should accept under strength teams just because the Aussie's don't value internationals. I like the Warriors but Kiwis come first.

Growing up in a league family I should be the same mate but I have always been more interested in the club aspect. That likely has more to do with my fickle nature more than anything. Back the Ab's because they win....

[Nepia]

I guess for me the Kiwis really are 'my' team to support, they're a New Zealand team. The Warriors are an Auckland based team with heaps of Ockers.
Each to their own aye bro.

[scruffy-lookin]

I'd wait to see how Mannering and Vatuvei go this weekend before complaining that the Warriors held them back from playing for the Kiwis.

I don't see much point in rushing a couple of guys who haven't played for a few weeks into the test environment. Manu has already been set back once by coming back too early and Mannering's game is built around being able to run all day - something he's unlikely to be able to do after a lengthy period on the sidelines.

[Razbra]

Nepia said:

I guess for me the Kiwis really are 'my' team to support, they're a New Zealand team. The Warriors are an Auckland based team with heaps of Ockers.
Each to their own aye bro.

Hey I never said I don't support them :knuppel:

I guess my reasoning is that it is a mid competition test so I 'care' less. End of year then all bets are off.

[Nepia]

Razbra said:

Hey I never said I don't support them :knuppel:

I guess my reasoning is that it is a mid competition test so I 'care' less. End of year then all bets are off.

Sorry bro - I didn't mean to imply you didn't support the Kiwis.

[ACT Crusader]

scruffy-lookin said:

I'd wait to see how Mannering and Vatuvei go this weekend before complaining that the Warriors held them back from playing for the Kiwis.

I don't see much point in rushing a couple of guys who haven't played for a few weeks into the test environment. Manu has already been set back once by coming back too early and Mannering's game is built around being able to run all day - something he's unlikely to be able to do after a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Agree. I think the days when the Kiwis only had a handful of RL players playing in OZ that "had to be there" for test matches is long gone. Kearney had options up his sleeve despite all the injuries. No point taking a risk on a couple of non-match fit players. IMO that wasn't necessary.

The fact that they are coming back now would have been part of the "return strategy" that the trainers/medics had planned out for both players. I'm sure the players themselves would have been doing everything to make it back, but the extra 8 days of rehab to get things right DOES make a difference, especially with these two who have already been sidelined during the season.

[Razbra]

I see betting in OZ has been suspended on this game due to the possibility Thurston may be made available.

Whats the deal? Since this Storm BS the agencies seem to suspending betting at the drop of a hat. This latest instance is fucking stupid. Next they'll be suspending it because of a weather forecast!

Edited by Razbra, 14 May 2010 - 03:20 PM.
grammar

[mariner4life]

I fucking knew he would play, otherwise i doubt they would have bothered flying him around with them. Thurston + Bowen = Trouble.

[Sneakdefreak]

Now the Warriors have lost Mannering....AGAIN.

Quote

Skipper Simon Mannering has pulled out of the New Zealand Warriors' National Rugby League match against North Queensland in Auckland tomorrow night.

Mannering was due to make his return after seven weeks out with a hamstring injury, but coach Ivan Cleary today said the second rower did not feel he was ready.

"He has trained well throughout the week but Simon doesn't feel he's quite ready," Cleary said.

"He's not completely confident so we're taking a cautious approach this week but he'll be a definite starter against South Sydney next weekend."

Lewis Brown comes back into the line-up to take Mannering's place, while loose forward Micheal Luck will again be the stand-in captain.

[Razbra]

Sneakdefreak said:

Now the Warriors have lost Mannering....AGAIN.

Is anyone more injury hit, front line players anyway, than us right now?

[Sneakdefreak]

Warriors win 24-12 after leading 20-0 at halftime.

Ta'ai scores yet another try (I think that is 4 from 4) and Lewis Brown shows why he should always be in the NRL lineup.

Manu was ok but looks like he needs to work his way back from injury, Seymour makes the attack look better organised.

Edited by Sneakdefreak, 15 May 2010 - 09:32 PM.

[Allstar]

was impressed with the quality that Seymour added tonight.

Hope that injury Manu picked up was trivial. Was a great effort for the short time he was on.

[ACT Crusader]

Loved our endeavour in defence tonight. We went hunting in little pods of 3 and put in some great hits.

Locke seems to have had his head wacked or something with some of the decisions he's made of late. His rushing out of the line was poor tonight. Still a very good attacker though.