General 2007 squad depth

[STRIDER_old]

I thought this might interest a few of you guys. I think the following outlines just how proactive and effective the Warriors have been in keeping some of the best talent from leaving our shores, while bringing in some good Aussie unproven blood to test and force the squad. There may be some other fringe players I have left out but this gives a good scope into next years squad.

(Props) 9/10 overall rating

S.Price
R.Wiki
S.Rapira
E.Tuimavave
R.Packer - One to watch
G.Tuakura
C.Tupou
T.Message

(Back Rowers) 7.5/ 10 overall rating

L.Anderson
M.Luck
E.Lauaki
W.Koopu
S.Fai - one to watch
L.Ah Mau
S.Jones
R.Hifo
T.Leupepe
G.Duff

(Hooker) 8/10 overall rating

N.Fein
G.Gattis
D.Shepard - one to watch
A.Pawnley

(Half Back) 7.5/10 overall rating

G.Rovelli
L.Hohaia
I.John - one to watch and future STAR

(NO 6) 6/10 overall rating

J.Ropati
M.Witt
J.Henry - one to watch
L.Panapa
J.Taufa

(Center) 7/10 overall rating

S.Mannering
T.Martin
M.Start - one to watch
C.Mika
E.Purcell

(Outside backs) 8/10 overall rating

M.Vatuvei
P.Ah Van
C.Vuna
T.Byrne
M.Solomona - one to watch
A.Kirk
M.Crockett
K.Kara
E.Taylor

(Fullback) 8/10 overall rating

W.Mckinnon
K.locke

 

[warriorfaithful*_old]

Hmmm that is interesting. Thanks for that strider.

 

[Jesbass_old]

That's great to see, STRIDER, especially considering the continuous chorus of people complaining that the Warriors are letting all the good Kiwi talent go overseas.

How good is Dean Shepard? I've heard his name mentioned a fair few times over the last couple of years, but have never seen him play.

Actually, is there any chance you could give us a sentence or two on each of the 'one to watch' players? That'd be really appreciated, if it's possible.

 

[danco_old]

this is a team a lot of nrl coaches would love to have, 2007 is going to be an interisting year.

 

[westie stylz_old]

Shepard is the half for the Rangers.

Have only seen him play a couple of times. He is small and a bit of a livewire. Quite tough for his size. Kind of like Rovelli perhaps.

I think they should put Mana Tuipolotu from the Rangers on their books for a year and see how he goes in the Bartercard Cup after scoring plenty this year. Would be good for guys like him to have a real incentive to take their game to the next level and he is already very damaging.

 

[BiG_BoLooMBa_old]

aaron pawley, constantine mika and kevin locke are all in my opinion the future of the warriors.

aaron pawley, 18, a hooker playing his first full season in the fox premiership was the number one reason why the otahuhu leopards got into the top 5 this season. scored a couple of tries per game. has tremendous speed and can do some crunching tackles. which are good assets for a hooker.

constantine mika is only 16-17 years of age. already one of the better centres running around in the bartercard cup. punishing defender, plenty of size, speed and strength. also has a good head on his shoulders. more consistent than miguel start.

finally, kevin locke of the northcote tigers fox side. only 16 years of age and the tigers best player. not a big boy, but super fast and super talented. excellent last line of defence, made at least 5 or 6 try savers per game. watch out for this kid in the next few years!

 

[Jesbass_old]

(Props) 9/10 overall rating

S.Price
R.Wiki
S.Rapira
E.Tuimavave
R.Packer - One to watch
G.Tuakura
C.Tupou
T.Message

You can cut George Tuakura from that list. He isn't with the Warriors next season.

 

[blain91_old]

Has anyone seen Start in action? I've heard big raps on this fella. But haven't heard much on I.John. STRIDER sounds pretty keen on him. Great theres so much young talent in the squad.

 

[Matrix_old]

awesome post strider will look out for the "ones to watch" hopefully they will get a chance next year

 

[warriorfaithful*_old]

awesome post strider will look out for the "ones to watch" hopefully they will get a chance next year

Mmmm, your right cant wait to see some of the young talent in action!

 

[*~*Fa'AhVaN*~*_old]

great post strider, that is why i m always saying that we will make the gf next yr, we hav some really talented players and i cant wait to see them play next yr

 

[shawry_old]

top post. damn thats a strong squad. that depth is great to have.

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

top post. damn thats a strong squad. that depth is great to have.

It's nice knowing that there is depth there indeed. Doesn't make us, fans too nervous incase of any injury problems!

 

[sebastian_old]

We have a stronger team this next year(in my opinion) than last & we should've been 8th this year. Our rookies have significant experience & were already starting to grow confidence by the last 8-10 games, players like Ravs & Mannering were growing into confident 1st graders. Multiple teams will be significantly weaker as there losing multiple experienced players. I have had a good feeling about next year ever since we beat Melbourne in Melbourne. This post just confirms my beliefs, great post. 2007 might just be the year the Warriors flew!!!

 

[ONETRIBECHIEF_old]

yes it is great

Yes it is great to have young talent at the club but we also need experience.
we have lost 3 players with over 100+ games(Awen Guttenbeil, Clinton Toopi and Brent Webb) and also Sione Faumuina (99 games).
To be realistick most of the 17 players that take the field next would have played this year.
Only a few players like Sonny Fai and the Australian A.Kirk are likely to make there debuts.
I am not saying this years rookies haven't made a great start(Patrick Ah Van) but we also need the experience.

 

[KeepingTheFaith_old]

I'm not saying the Warriors can't win the thing next year, but I think we're still 2-3 years away from this team hitting its best. A large number of these up and comers are 16-18 and as good as they may seem very few of them will get a go next year unless we have a disastrous run of injuries. It's going to be a couple of years before they adjust to becomming regular first graders and by then the guys like Anderson, Vatuvei, Ah Van, Rovelli etc will be more experienced and able to take on that leadership role.

 

[Jesbass_old]

I agree, KTF. 2008 is the year of the Warrior for me, not 2007.

 

[westie stylz_old]

Something I've learnt from the last couple of years with the salary cap completely taking hold is I have no idea whatsoever what is going to happen.

Who will be good? Who will be rubbish? Who will make the playoffs?

Panthers win the comp and then fade away.

Roosters make the final 3 straight years then fall apart, sack their coach and come nowhere.

Tigers win the comp with a young enthusiastic team and then the next year bomb out on the back of a retirement and a couple of key injuries.

The Storm with a young inexperieced side with guys who most other sides wouldn't be interested in plus 2 0r 3 game breakers tear it up all year and only fall one game short of equalling the record for most wins in a season in the comps history.

The Broncos with a team with an old forward pack and getting hammered by the press after SOO on a big losing streak turn around and win the comp.

I think the key is coaching. Getting the team to play the right style of football for them and a style of football that other teams don't like playing against. Having experienced players or the most talented players is not going to get you there on it's own. In fact you might not even need those things if everything else clicks into place.

 

[D Generation X_old]

interesting

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

interesting

indeed