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[Sneakdefreak]

And so, on Saturday at North Harbour Stadium against the Gold Coast Titans in a pre-season match, it all starts again.


After coming within 80 minutes of capturing their first NRL championship title, the Warriors enter the 2012 NRL season with only two new additions, although pretty big additions in hooker Nathan Friend and head coach Brian ''Bluey'' McClennan.
The current trend is the grand final loser will struggle the following season (see Sydney City Roosters in 2010 and Parramatta Eels in 2009) and it could happen to a team like the Warriors which has a lot of young players, different to veteran sides like Manly and Melbourne.
But after a trip to Mt Smart Stadium tonight for some ''inspiration'', and after talking to the police, I see the Warriors returning to the playoffs in 2012 and making another strong push for grand final glory. That was some good ''inspiration''.


Here is the annual position by position preview of the Warriors and my top 17 for game day:


Fullback


At one point last season Kevin Locke was set to be released to South Sydney as the club had become annoyed at his laziness and failure to realise his potential. By the end of 2011 Locke was the starting fullback for the Warriors and the Kiwis. Amazing what an accusation of sexual assault can do to a young man. Glen Fisiiahi is another young star in the making but now has to dethrone his predecessor in the under-20s in Locke. Only an injury, or serious lack of form, to Locke will see the Fish get a shot at fullback in 2012. Krisnan Inu can play fullback but looks set to battle for a spot on the wing or at centre, that is if Bluey wants him at the club. Pita Godinet earned some game-time at fullback for the Auckland Vulcans last year and could be the backup on game day if he secures a utility spot on the bench. Current under-20s fullback Omar Slaimankhel is another option but expect to see him in the top grade in 2013.


Wings


Most seasons Manu Vatuvei would be a lock for a wing spot but that could be coming to an end for The Beast. Despite still having the power, Vatuvei's speed has declined over the years due to injuries and it showed in the grandfinal when the Sea Eagles targeted Manu with little kicks behind him. Bluey has talked about trying Vatuvei at centre during the trials and it wouldn't be a radical idea as Manly's hulking wing Tony Williams was moved into the second row last year with much success.
Bill Tupou won't wow the world but he's a hard worker and that should get him the other wing spot in 2012. Krisnan Inu should see some game time at wing this year especially as he proved to be a good jumper for the high ball last season. Glen Fisiiahi is a talented fullback but was woeful on the wing for the Warriors and the Vulcans. That will have to change quickly if he is to earn game time in the NRL. Konrad Hurrell is being touted as a big time centre in the making so maybe playing him on the wing would be a good way to blood the former Kelston Boys High School student. Ivan Penehe is another Kelston product who plays wing/centre but can he overcome his NSW Cup grand final disappointment when he was involved in the game-losing play for the Vulcans. Sio Siua Taukeiaho can play wing but is seen as a second rower for the club.


Centres


Jerome Ropati returns after being injured for most of last season. This is probably his last with the club but Ropati has emerged in the past two seasons as a leader at the Penrose club. Lewis Brown is a second rower who could see more minutes at hooker this year, but he proved in 2011 that he can help out in the number three or four jersey. Krisnan Inu is talented but his casual approach to life may be too much for the coaches and there may be some truth to the rumours that the Warriors were trying to deal Inu away in the off season. Many fans want Konrad Hurrell to start straight away but one gets the feeling the coaching staff would like the raw talent to spend another season in the u20s competition. Former u20s captain Ben Henry is like Elijah Taylor in that he is someone the club should look at holding on to. A back rower by nature, Henry started out in the centres and at standoff. Taking the Simon Mannering approach (start in the centres before moving to the second row) could be used for Henry. Ivan Penehe and Sione Lousi are other options but probably won't be used by the team.


Stand off


He will leave in 2013 but in 2012 James Maloney is the only choice at stand off for the Warriors. But if the class clown of the Warriors was to be replaced it would most likely be Pita Godinet stepping into the role after strong performances with the Vulcans over the past couple of seasons. Carlos Tuimavave is seen as the long term replacement but will spend most of his season with the Vulcans in the NSW Cup. Feleti Mateo played some games at stand off last season but is settled in the second row. Other choices could be Elijah Taylor, Krisnan Inu or Ben Henry since all three have played at stand off during their young careers.


Halfback


Shaun Johnson is the new franchise player for the Mt Smart Stadium based team and will take on more responsibilities this year since Maloney is becoming a Cock in 2013. Pita Godinet will be SJ's understudy and a decent replacement if needed although James Maloney can play at halfback as well.


Lock


Michael Luck's injury last season showed why the Warriors were always singing his praises. Their defence fell apart without the man from deepest, darkest North Queensland. The defence will be tested again since Luck is expected to miss the first month of the regular season. Elijah Taylor will probably fill that role although Lewis Brown, Steve Rapira and Ben Henry are other options for the Warriors. Feleti Mateo would offer the team a better attacking option but the defence could suffer. Simon Mannering is a possibility but the coaches will probably want him to look after Shaun Johnson's side of the field.


Second row


It seems you can never have too many second rowers when it comes to the Warriors. Too be fair second rowers are the most versatile players in the game so the Warriors are probably wise to have so many. Simon Mannering and Feleti Mateo will be the expected starters for the club with Lewis Brown and Elijah Taylor making up the options on the bench. Ukuma Ta'ai and Steve Rapira both struggled to get game time with Ta'ai seeming to have fallen out of favour with then coach Ivan Cleary. But both men can play prop which makes them options for the bench. Ben Henry, Sam and Sione Lousi are the other main options for the team which shows you the depth the Warriors have at this position.


Prop


Going into the 2011 season, the front row looked like the club's biggest weak point. By the end of the 2011 season it was probably its biggest strength.
Sammy Rapira and Russell Packer became the players everyone thought they would be, Ben Matulino finally realised his potential and has become a poster child of what the new prop/second rower hybrid should be like and Jacob Lillyman, a bust as a back rower, emerged into a State of Origin representative. But there are no specialist props after the big four so Steve Rapira, Ukuma Ta'ai, Sam and Sione Lousi will need to be ready to run the ball up if there is an injury or suspension. Very disappointed that the club let specialist prop James Gavet leave for the Bulldogs.


Hooker


The club only made one external signing for the new season and that signing is former Gold Coast stalwart Nathan Friend. The little tackling machine will take pressure off the Warriors back rowers with Luck out with injury and should fit into the Warriors new defensive attitude. Alehana Mara is the only other specialist hooker in the squad but will spend more time in the Auckland Vulcans since Friend can play the full 80 minutes. Pita Godinet provides an attacking option at hooker, something which could see him earn a position on the bench. The most likely back up hooker will be Lewis Brown, who happens to be in a contract year. Brown could play a similar role to that of Melbourne Storm's Ryan Hinchcliffe and St George's Dean Young - a back rower who can fill in at hooker when the starter is off the field. Elijah Taylor, who played at hooker in the U20's 2010 championship season, could do a similar role.


Sneak's favourite line up -


1.Locke 2.Inu 3.Henry 4.Ropati 5.Vatuvei 6.Maloney 7.Johnson 8.Sam Rapira 9.Friend 10.Packer 11.Mannering 12.Mateo 13.Luck
Bench: 14.Brown 15.Lillyman 16.Matulino 17.Taylor 18th man: Steve Rapira.

Edited by Sneakdefreak, 31 January 2012 - 10:28 PM.

[Paekakboyz]

Great work bro - a nice write up.

I still think centre is an issue - sure we are trying to shuffle talent around (Manu/wing options) but our lack of specialist centres has hurt us. Mannering plays well as does Brown but they both lack top end pace imo (for that position). I'd almost rather see Manu move into the forwards than into centre. He'll make some big hits and his anticipation on D has improved but centre is an unforgiving position. Really wish we'd passed on Friend and sunk some $$ into an established centre. In saying that the talent coming through (Hurrell) is very promising, lets just hope we see some of it.

Also very interested to see the Bluey influence - fingers crossed he can build on Ivan's work!

[Nepia]

Yep, I'm with Paekak - nice write up, and the Warriors need to sort out their centres.

I can't fathom why they persist in having back ups, especially when they were exposed in the centres last year. I know lots of people say that Hurrell hasn't been playing league long enough to be promoted but he's played more games at centre than the guys they chuck in there.

I'm looking forward to the Bluey era. I'm interested to see if Friend lives up to the hype (the last hyped player I was wary of was the crazy fullback who's name escapes me - and he lived up to it so heres hoping).

[Sneakdefreak]

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I still think centre is an issue

The Warriors have had specialist centres available in the past - Sione Tongia and Siuatonga Likiliki come to mind. There aren't many top centres right now in the NRL so guessing the Warriors would rather use a talented backrower than an average centre.

[papamoan]

I can see Konrad Hurrell taking the NRL by the short and curlies and providing the sort of sting the Warriors have missed. He wont have to so much the man in the main grade, so can do his thing "only" when required. In the u20's he was the go to guy...

[canefan]

Great write up. I am curious to see how the influx of champion U20 players will affect the team. If just one or two of the freshman make the kind of impact that Johnson, or to a lesser extent Taylor made last year the team will be pumping in 2012

[Sneakdefreak]

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The Warriors have won their opening trial of the NRL season 26-10 after a blazing first half performance against the Gold Coast Titans at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium tonight.

After conceding an early try from the first set of six they faced, the Warriors delivered new coach Bluey McClennan a comfortable victory in front of a sizeable crowd, including a scintillating try to emerging star Glenn Fisiiahi.

Indiscipline and ball retention were the Warriors' two biggest issues throughout a hot evening.
But when it came to attack, they were red-hot against a disappointing Titans outfit.

Playing at fullback, Fisiiahi looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, former under-20 Konrad Hurrell, on the wing, also impressed and utility Krisnan Inu ran with more purpose than he displayed in the entire 2011 season.

And then there was playmaker Shaun Johnson, who once again showed why he's considered one of the best young prospects in the game with a commanding effort in the No 7 jersey.

Of the forwards, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor and Feleti Mateo were heavily involved, while new recruit Nathan Friend was sharp out of dummy half against his old club.

In a one-sided first half, Hurrell, Fisiiahi, Johnson and Lewis Brown all crossed for tries.

By the time the Warriors trundled off for a much-deserved drink after 40 minutes, they boasted a seemingly unassailable 20-6 lead.

However, the locals appeared to go to sleep in the second spell and the errors started to come thick and fast.

With a host of their stars on the bench, the Warriors looked a different and less imposing side.

But in reality, the result was never in doubt and when Bill Tupou sprinted the length of the field to score with five minutes left on the clock, McClennan's first victory as the Warriors coach was secure.

Warriors 26 (K Hurrell, L Brown, S Johnson, G Fisiiahi, B Tupou 1 try; J Maloney 3 con) Titans 10 (J Vickery, K Gordan 1 try; J Rankin 1 con)
HT: 20-6 Warriors

Good win, even if just a pre-season game. Bad news is Jacob Lillyman came off the field with an arm injury and according to Warriors facebook page he will be sidelined.

[mariner4life]

Considering the Titans' 3 best players are playing right now, and it looks like we gave a lot of rocks stars a run, not such a great result. Still, building momentum and getting a run is always a good thing.

[Sneakdefreak]

Lillyman out for up to three months, guess Steve Rapira or Ukuma Ta'ai will have to step up in the early rounds of the season.

[Sneakdefreak]

Elijah Taylor will be wearing the number 13 jersey for at least the first half of the season..... Luck's injury isn't healing anytime soon.

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Warriors star Micheal Luck has had a setback with his problem left wrist, meaning a further delay to the start of his season.
The 29-year-old, 220-game, NRL veteran had his scaphoid pinned in an operation soon after it was discovered he'd played in last year's grand final with a fractured wrist.
Team doctor John Mayhew said today the fracture hadn't mended properly and Luck would now have a bone graft to repair the damage caused.
This would put his planned return back a few weeks.
"It's a setback but that's the way it goes. There's no point worrying about it," Luck said.
"What's most important to me is doing everything to help the boys get ready for the start of the season.
"I was already starting the season a bit late after the shoulder surgery I had before Christmas. Now it'll just be a bit later."
He had surgery on his left shoulder just before Christmas.
Mayhew said Luck was recovering well from that operation.
Meanwhile, prop Jacob Lillyman had surgery to reattach his bicep tendon in his right arm yesterday.
Mayhew said the operation was successful.

Heard the setback has added another 12 weeks to his recovery time.

[Paekakboyz]

and Manu's getting a run at centre - that'll be interesting. Hope Luck bounces back quick from the second op. Guess recruiting a grafter and tackling machine like Friend gives a bit of cover in the meantime.

[kiwiinmelb]

Paekakboyz, on 10 February 2012 - 10:16 PM, said:

and Manu's getting a run at centre - that'll be interesting. Hope Luck bounces back quick from the second op. Guess recruiting a grafter and tackling machine like Friend gives a bit of cover in the meantime.

Could be a bloody good move , providing he can handle the defense,

I can see him causing all sorts of problems for the opposition in attack , and it takes away his major weakness , catching the high ball.

[Milk]

Nice write up.

What would you think about Brown specialising at centre this year?

Maybe if he had a chance to play there consistently with a decent pre-season he could make a better fist of it.

[Sneakdefreak]

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What would you think about Brown specialising at centre this year?

He could but the Warriors have some other choices (Inu, Ropati etc) and Brown has more of an impact when he is creating chaos in the middle of the paddock. With the Luck injury, Brown will probably be playing in the secondrow (with Mannering and Mateo) and Taylor at lock.

[Sneakdefreak]

Can anyone here play prop? Cause the Warriors are running out of them....Sheesh...

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Two tries in the space of four minutes from Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei helped set up a 22-14 NRL trial win against South Sydney in Coffs Harbour on Saturday night.
A dour first half gave no indication of the ten minutes of attacking fireworks last year's grand finalists produced soon after the main interval.
Konrad Hurrel showed he's ready for the step up from Toyota Cup with a try before Vatuvei produced the highlight for the 5000 plus crowd.
Shortly after running on to a grubber kick from Kevin Locke to score, Vatuvei received a pass on the outside of Souths co-captain Matt King 70m from the try line.
Vatuvei burst down the left wing, easily bounced off fullback Kurt French then headed for the line.
The Warriors fielded a strong team for the evening while Souths coach Michael Maguire chopped and changed the 27 players he named for the clash.
The Warriors will probably need to find a replacement for Sam Rapira though.
The prop injured his left shoulder early and is unlikely to recover in time for the opening round in three weeks.

Also of note, Krisnan Inu played for the Auckland Vulcans and not the Warriors.....

[Sneakdefreak]

Steve Rapira also injured and both Rapira bros are expected to miss the first game of the season. Right now the frontrow for the Eden Park game, by default, will be Rusty Packer, Ben Matulino, Sione Lousi and Ukuma Ta'ai.

[Milk]

Yeah, Brown might be a bit wasted at centre.

The trouble with Manu moving there is he probably won't be used as much returning the kicks or early in the tackle count, which are what I most like about him.

Someone made the point that he was slowing down. I hadn't noticed it, but that's interesting if so and would change things.

[Crazy Horse]

It seems like Steve Rapira has more or less been broken since he started his NRL career. Hopefully he is getting all the injuries out of the way early - I was looking forward to seeing him and Sam play together.

[Sneakdefreak]

Warriors finish off their pre-season games with a 68-10 thrashing of Queensland Cup side Sunshine Coast SeaEagles in Whangarei-reis. Pretty much everyone got a try.

[Razbra]

Did you go sneak?

[Sneakdefreak]

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Did you go sneak?

No, the SunShine Coast is a crap side. Would have probably scored a try myself if I had gone (would have also spent a night in the Whangarei police cells).

[canefan]

In other NRL news it appears the days of the McIntyre finals system are over

http://www.stuff.co....L-finals-system

[Sneakdefreak]

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In other NRL news it appears the days of the McIntyre finals system are over

I actually liked the McIntyre system. It was flawed, yes, but man it was fun.

[mariner4life]

Sneakdefreak, on 23 February 2012 - 09:38 AM, said:

I actually liked the McIntyre system. It was flawed, yes, but man it was fun.

Always good for watching a team you hate finish 3rd/4th and get dumped out in week 1, whinging all the way....

I noted with interest that Aus magazine "Inside Sport" has proclaimed the Warriors as likely premiers in their NRL preview. Think the lads might be getting a fair amount of respect this year (i think i saw an interview with Braith Anasta and he liked the Warriors as well). I always get worried when we are not sneaking in under the radar.

[mariner4life]

Actually, just on the AFL finals system, it is a generally accepted truth that it is basically impossible for a bottom 4 team to win the flag. In fact its very rare for one of these teams to even make the preliminary final. Now, league may even things out a bit, being a different game, but it will be interesting to see how this progresses.

[Sneakdefreak]

Quote

I noted with interest that Aus magazine "Inside Sport" has proclaimed the Warriors as likely premiers in their NRL preview. Think the lads might be getting a fair amount of respect this year (i think i saw an interview with Braith Anasta and he liked the Warriors as well). I always get worried when we are not sneaking in under the radar.

I hate it when the Aussie media start talking up the Warriors. Bad voodoo.....very bad voodoo....

Captain Mannering has re-signed for three more years which probably sees Michael Luck leaving at the end of the year. Hopefully the club does the smart thing and re-sign Lewis Brown next.

[Razbra]

That is almost certainly the kiss of death. Again I am looking forward to the beginning of the nrl far more than I am the super season. The hurricanes have nothing to do with it either.

It the presentation of it all that always gets me excited. The long winded bs from Gould and the boys is always welcome....for the first few games.

I'm thinking though that the warriors have the juggernaut look about them again. Once they string a few together they'll be pretty damn hard to slow down.