Recruitment 2023/2024 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

[Jay M]

Seeing as I'd never heard of him I did a bit of a search. Second Rower, Raiders junior who had some NSW Cup action in 2018 & played 6 games of domestic Rugby Union in the midfield for Northland across 20/21.
Interesting

Also, from the famous union Going family, mid-northern club from Northland. If he's anything like his older family members, I expect him to have good hands (and probably just jinxed him with errors).

Not sure how old he is, but found this too:

Junior Kangaroos and Junior Kiwis stars back leader Kalani Going to bounce back

Pulling on a New Zealand jersey should have been one of the proudest moments of Fabien Puletua-Kiri's career.

www.google.com

 

[Blackdot]

Seeing as I'd never heard of him I did a bit of a search. Second Rower, Raiders junior who had some NSW Cup action in 2018 & played 6 games of domestic Rugby Union in the midfield for Northland across 20/21.
Interesting

Here's a post-match interview with him, seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

 

[Cces]

 

[DavidMcKay1974]

Sid Going was one of the best All Blacks halfbacks during the 60's, and 70's my father raved about him for years after he retired. I was too young in the 70's to remember anything, but apparently, he was like the Aaron Smith of today. His dive passing from the base of the scrum was world-famous.

So if the boy has those genes in him then look out.

 

[Noitall]

Really hope this guy makes it, seems a really likeable chap.

 

[Defence]

Also, from the famous union Going family, mid-northern club from Northland. If he's anything like his older family members, I expect him to have good hands (and probably just jinxed him with errors).

Not sure how old he is, but found this too:

Junior Kangaroos and Junior Kiwis stars back leader Kalani Going to bounce back

Pulling on a New Zealand jersey should have been one of the proudest moments of Fabien Puletua-Kiri's career.

www.google.com

Shit that was a strong junior kiwi side- few of them pledged for other nations now.

 

[Five&Last]

Kalani Going been around for a while with junior Raiders and then Northland in NPC. Do any of those 3 guys mentioned have the talent to crack top 30? I doubt it. We saw it with older reserve graders last year like Jayden Corrigan, Trai Fuller and Adam Cook

I think Demetric Sifakula and Jacob Laban get promoted to top 30 (more so as investments) to get the squad to 28. Then they keep the two development spots open with a few candidates to take them later in the season like Sio Kali, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Etuate Fukofuka etc.

I think they keep Taine Tuaupiki on a NSW cup contract. No need to promote him imo. If Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes down, Metcalf would be next in line to replace him. Then there is always Te Maire Martin after that. There is realistically no game time available for him in first grade this year and there are more important prospects to retain.

 

[Jay M]

Shit that was a strong junior kiwi side- few of them pledged for other nations now.

Yep. To make the back row of that team means he must have had some talent. He also played for Northland at centre in the NPC last year too. Which means we have another centre/back rower utility on our hands.

And before anyone says "it was only Northland in the NPC", last year they were actually good. Knocked out in the quarters by Canterbury, but beat most other sides in the comp.

 

[Five&Last]

Yep. To make the back row of that team means he must have had some talent. He also played for Northland at centre in the NPC last year too. Which means we have another centre/back rower utility on our hands.

And before anyone says "it was only Northland in the NPC", last year they were actually good. Knocked out in the quarters by Canterbury, but beat most other sides in the comp.

He was a depth player for Northland though just for context

 

[Canonball]

Moving to Warriors from Knights takes Mitch Barnett out of comfort zone

The former Knight says he's had to learn a lot since joining the Warriors, while the club has promoted three players to train with the first grade side.

www.stuff.co.nz

Meanwhile, Stuff understands Solomon Vasuvulagi, Eiden Ackland and Kalani Going have all been promoted to train with the first grade team after impressing coaches.

The thee players were all signed to be a part of the Warriors’ reserve grade NSW Cup team this year, with the club back in it for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The players will stay with the first grade team for the trial against Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium on February 9.

If they go well during that time, they’ll remain with the top team for the trial against the Storm in Christchurch on February 18.

There is the potential for these players to grab one of the four currently vacant spot on the Warriors’ 30-man NRL roster if they continue to do well.

Why say they could "grab one of the four currently vacant spots"?... Does that imply there's someone else already in line for spot 27, with number 28 being competed for by one of these three (a middle, a centre/second rower, and a half), which would fill the 28 minimum contracts by the March deadline ?

 

[Bobbaaah]

i can see them bring in him n gaveet yesHaven’t been training with the boys. Apparently giving it one more go.

 

[Noitall]

Solomon is a good talent. Already posted on him but spent a couple years i the Cowboys system when he was signed as a 16yo. Massive kid and needs to watch his weight. Its actually his size that is his best feature but playing some decent footy over in Townsville means he knows how to use it. Grew up with his father and he was just one of those natural talents that could play any sport and well. Outside chance IMO but the opportunity is there for him...

What would be his playing weight in shape? Looks like he’s been impressing in the NZ system since 2019

 

[playdaball]

There was another Going who trained wth the Warriors a few years ago and didnt crack it.

Going, Going, Gone ...

 

[Brother Faisal]

Don’t mind pushing some up from nsw cup to fill the gaps. There mustn’t be much movement in the market right now for what we need and who we can get. Just gotta stick with what we have I suppose. SL should be looked at. We’re looking for a serviceable experienced prop imo. We’re still dependant on addin not getting injured.

 

[Toookey]

Don’t mind pushing some up from nsw cup to fill the gaps. There mustn’t be much movement in the market right now for what we need and who we can get. Just gotta stick with what we have I suppose. SL should be looked at. We’re looking for a serviceable experienced prop imo. We’re still dependant on addin not getting injured.

I think this year we're going to see a lot of late movement signings wise.
Once the bargaining is complete and things are looking a bit more clear with each teams main 17, I think we'll see some big names chopping and changing.
We won't get one of them imo, but I think one of the next tiers down. The rest will either be rookies or lower down the pecking order at their current club. To be honest I'd rather promote one of our younger players

 

[the borg]

Was always a fan of Ackland but he was just too damn small and had trouble bulking up. Has the smarts though and can control a game. Watched him a bit at Mt Albert and he was holding his own there. Pretty sure he was meant to turn out for Manly before covid hit.

Solomon is a good talent. Already posted on him but spent a couple years i the Cowboys system when he was signed as a 16yo. Massive kid and needs to watch his weight. Its actually his size that is his best feature but playing some decent footy over in Townsville means he knows how to use it. Grew up with his father and he was just one of those natural talents that could play any sport and well. Outside chance IMO but the opportunity is there for him...

Hey Welly.... do you think that these fellas would fit into Webby's requirements, being a no-nonsence type of coach...hes made it loud and clear what he wants from his squad. attitude fitness etc etc .... It seems like you know these blokes better than most of us.

 

[CompletionRate]

Was always a fan of Ackland but he was just too damn small and had trouble bulking up. Has the smarts though and can control a game. Watched him a bit at Mt Albert and he was holding his own there. Pretty sure he was meant to turn out for Manly before covid hit.

Solomon is a good talent. Already posted on him but spent a couple years i the Cowboys system when he was signed as a 16yo. Massive kid and needs to watch his weight. Its actually his size that is his best feature but playing some decent footy over in Townsville means he knows how to use it. Grew up with his father and he was just one of those natural talents that could play any sport and well. Outside chance IMO but the opportunity is there for him...

Aidan always seemed the most likely of those playing Fox. Always had the brain for first grade, hopefully he's a late bloomer regarding his size - Though in saying that, he's in this one position where skill talks. Would love to see him stake his claim to the 7 in ressies.

 

[Paulo24]

Got this from a mate who trains players at one of the NRL clubs.
About Sagele Augustino - "He’s another Manu Vatuvei. He was with me at ..... but man bombed his chances by hanging around the wrong people. Warriors picked him up. Good buy, bonus being back."
Interesting that he rates him quite high, he also rated another young player who went real well when he debuted. I would think this guy has real potential knowing how my mate rates players.

 

[mt.wellington]

What would be his playing weight in shape? Looks like he’s been impressing in the NZ system since 2019

No idea TBH. Weight can be subjective because the real question is how much of it is muscle and how much of it is fat. For someone his age, size and position he should be aiming around 110kg area which is pretty standard...

 

[mt.wellington]

Hey Welly.... do you think that these fellas would fit into Webby's requirements, being a no-nonsence type of coach...hes made it loud and clear what he wants from his squad. attitude fitness etc etc .... It seems like you know these blokes better than most of us.

Like I said Ackland already has it but its whether his body can cope with the demands of NRL. He's going to need a full season in the NSW Cup to condition. Honestly be a miracle that people would write a holy book about if he makes it before then and would mean a disastrous injury toll for the club.

Vasuvulagi will need to work his ass off IMO and thats a really tough ask for someone who will be part time professional while also doing life as normal person with a fulltime job etc. You are basically needing to train professionally while holding down his normal gig and still training with his Fox team.

Have to remember that every single year players that do well enough in the local comps get offered a chance to train with the team and almost every single one of them never go further than the reserve grade. Warriors history is littered with the forgotten names of Herman Retzlaff, Mitchell Cook, Atelea Nafetalai, Kouma Samson, Wade McDade etc. But every now and then you get a Upu Poching or Suaia Matagi so it does happen...