General 2021 Warriors Preseason

[mt.wellington]

2021 Warriors Preseason



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That time of year where our main focus is the teams toughest preseason ever. This started last week but there has been no images released by the club just yet. Jayden Nikorima started his preseason same day he left isolation. Joining him are the Warriors development team.

As media reports have already stated the Warriors preseason will be split in two camps. One based at home and the other in Australia...

Kiama Warriors: New Zealand side's pre-season set to be split across Tasman​

By Christian Nicolussi
October 17, 2020 — 3.30pm

Kiama, the picturesque coastal town known for its blowhole, is about to get some high-profile rugby league blow-ins.

The New Zealand Warriors plan to split their pre-season across two countries with one group based in Auckland and the other – 2165km away – on the NSW South Coast.

Incoming Warriors coach Nathan Brown will get a crash-course on the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it continues to present for NRL clubs when official preparations for the 2021 campaign start next month.

The unique circumstances mean Brown and even some of the players, including new recruit Euan Aitken, will not greet each other until the new year.

Warriors boss Cameron George will meet with the NRL next month to get a better understanding of the biosecurity measures proposed for pre-season training, but confirmed the two training set-ups would be adopted until Christmas.

All clubs are waiting for confirmation about whether players will need to re-enter a biosecurity bubble for pre-season training.

"It looks like we'll be doing the two camps pre-Christmas because of the border situation," George said. "We've made commitments to have an Australian-based group at Kiama and a New Zealand-based group at the same time. Justin Morgan will run the Kiama group and 'Browny' will be here in Auckland.

"We're trying to eliminate as much as possible the isolation for players and allow them to be at home with their families for as long as they can.

"Then post-Christmas we don't know where we will be at."
Kiama has regularly hosted NRL clubs for training camps while the Kangaroos spent a week there this time last year ahead of the Wollongong Test against New Zealand.

Former Knights coach Nathan Brown will face some early logistical challenges at the Warriors.

The Warriors are awaiting on an exemption for Brown to enter New Zealand to get to work. The club were still working through which side of the Tasman prop Addin Fonua-Blake will start life as a Warrior.

The New Zealand club isolated in Tamworth before spending the season in Terrigal. The players' preference is to return to the Central Coast if required, while George said Queensland's Redcliffe, where their feeder club is based, is also an option.

There was a big win for the Warriors on Friday when the NSW-New Zealand one-way bubble officially started, which allows New Zealand residents avoid the otherwise mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine.

Such a move will make it easier for Warriors players and their families to travel to Australia, which was a major roadblock this year and saw star wingers Ken Maumalo and David Fusitua return home in the middle of the season.

Kiama, home of the blowhole ... and now a few New Zealand Warriors players.CREDIT:ISTOCK

"It's peace of mind for me, the club, the staff and all the players," George said.
"What it means is those players who came home because their families could not get to Australia, that's no longer an issue."

The Warriors have Brown taking over as coach while Fonua-Blake, Kane Evans, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Aitken have all signed. Jack Murchie, who grew up on the south coast, will also join the club permanently.

The NRL have already commenced work on next year's draw and are forging ahead in the thinking that games will return to New Zealand. By doing so, should the Warriors be forced back to Australia, the timeslots will not need to be altered.

Kiama Warriors: New Zealand side's pre-season set to be split across Tasman

The Warriors faced almost an entire season away from family in 2020. Their 2021 pre-season looks like it will also throw up some challenges.

www.smh.com.au

 

[jagz]

Photos of day 1 preseason are up on Photosport

 

[Canadian_WarriorFan]

Photos of day 1 preseason are up on Photosport

Photos, I just wish I knew who some of these players are.

 

[drake83]

Really hope J Niko makes a good go at it and surprises and is a regular for us by the end of the season.
Was listening to The Matty Johns podcast yesterday and heard his say for a half that the first 30-40 games you are just trying to survive by game 60 you improve and by game 100 you rapidly improve, be awesome to see Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi exceed expectations for next season

 

[Barty]

Really hope J Niko makes a good go at it and surprises and is a regular for us by the end of the season.
Was listening to The Matty Johns podcast yesterday and heard his say for a half that the first 30-40 games you are just trying to survive by game 60 you improve and by game 100 you rapidly improve, be awesome to see Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi exceed expectations for next season

i think J Niko will be in the 17 for a lot of next season. Excellent utility/9 cover of the bench

 

[Off The Bench]

All the best to Jayden . Hopefully he comes out swinging .
I like his interview were he said he was happy to play wherever the team needs him .Number 14 my man .With him an Lawton fighting it out for that spot it's good news ..If either of them can attain Hohia like performances our team will be very strong .
So much to look forward to this season .An Jayden an Lawton I'm picking will be pushing each other all year ..
An full credit to Jayden for putting his troubles behind him .

 

[Black_jrdn]

Photos on the warrior site confirm Jayden is being trained currently at nine, actually looking forward to the battle between him and egan more than i was with lawton (a good utility player) vs egan.

 

[Off The Bench]

Photos on the warrior site confirm Jayden is being trained currently at nine, actually looking forward to the battle between him and egan more than i was with lawton (a good utility player) vs egan.

Egan is our number one hooker
By a long way ..If we want our big warriors forward pack running onto
Passes on the front foot Egan is our man .
Jayden or Lawton will play 20 to 30 minutes when the opposition is tiring an make a few runs from dummy half's an add a little bit of change in tempo .But Egan is
Going to be laying the foundation .
Jayden or Lawton will just bring a little bit of razzle an the dazzle .

 

[WellingtonOrca]

Interesting to see Jones still there in the training photos, wonder what his role will be now?

 

[Off The Bench]

Interesting to see Jones still there in the training photos, wonder what his role will be now?

The role of legend
I'm not a fan .But he is a legend

 

[Blain]

Good to see Bunty back into it. He'll have a point to prove this season, I'm sure he'll be going 100 to get a contract. Hopefully he can get a full pre season under his belt un effected by his knee.

On a similar note, Ah Mau isn't there, neither is Frei (he may be in Australia though). Maybe they aren't quite over their injuries.

No Fusitua or Maumalo? I find that odd.

 

[Ryaan]

Fusitua and Maumalo Joined in with the Group Yesterday

 

[matiunz]

Fusitua and Maumalo Joined in with the Group Yesterday

Might be harsh but if I’d bailed part way through the season I’d be there on day one to preseason at home

 

[Off The Bench]

Might be harsh but if I’d bailed part way through the season I’d be there on day one to preseason at home

I'd be feeling a little stink .if it was me.
Hopefully they come back like they got something to prove .
Like when konnie came back from his car ride with nurse Jackie
An his mum was sitting in the stands ..
King kong that game

 

[Geoff Public]

Interesting to see Jones still there in the training photos, wonder what his role will be now?

Jones is helping in preseason till Xmas because we have team and coaches is 2 countries .
He will also work with halves .......

Phil Gould given permission to join Warriors in NZ, but can't get voucher

The NRL guru won't be able to come to NZ until after Christmas, while new roles confirmed for Stacey Jones, Tony Iro.

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Tony Martin]

Interesting how Nathan brown is the interim head coach

 

[wizards rage]

All I want for Christmas is no ACL injuries this pre season...

 

[warriorsfan92]

Guarantee there will be some. Nature of the sport. Always one or two major injuries in pre season.

 

[JaggedJ]

The thought of Jayden, Kodi, and Hiku all defending on the field at the same time gives me cold shivers.

 

[Off The Bench]

Interesting how Nathan brown is the interim head coach

Mark Robinson did say he expects us in the top 8 this year
Maybe he's not lying an Nathan's contract and job title might
Be letting him know that ..
Or Bellamy next season maybe?