Recruitment 2023/2024 Warriors Recruitment DISCUSSION

[JaggedJ]

Not sure of the weight Vasuvulagi plays at and haven’t seen him play but with himself playing in the Auckland comp, there’s probably not a lot between the pair as a candidate to fill a spot being of similar ages. Should be playing against a fairly handy Maori pack so if he makes the bench should definitely be worth a look.

If he shows anything surely the Dolphins pick him up seeing as he's been training with them snd they already have an older pack.

May have even been Wayne who pulled some strings to get him selected so they could see what he might do against a decent Maori forward pack.

I think we'll just promote from within when it's all said and done rather than go down this path.

 

[Five&Last]

You seen anything of him?

Nope haven’t seen anything of him. Enormous human though and doesn’t hurt to have more 6’5 heights in the squad

 

[Noitall]

Nope haven’t seen anything of him. Enormous human though and doesn’t hurt to have more 6’5 heights in the squad

Shit I had no idea he was that big.

 

[Hitro]

Nope haven’t seen anything of him. Enormous human though and doesn’t hurt to have more 6’5 heights in the squad

You mean like Kane Evans?

 

[Worried2Death]

Nope haven’t seen anything of him. Enormous human though and doesn’t hurt to have more 6’5 heights in the squad

Could be the perfect front row foil for Jazz off the bench, the opposition won't know from one minute to the next if they're in the land of the giants or a dwarf tossing contest

 

[Noitall]

Could be the perfect front row foil for Jazz off the bench, the opposition won't know from one minute to the next if they're in the land of the giants or a dwarf tossing contest

Definitely like the sound of that genuine front rower size though, out of all our props height would the body shape were lacking that differs to the rest. We picked up Jamayne Tounua-Brown from a train and trial contract the other year, if he was a slight upgrade on him, id see that as a win.

 

[Brother Faisal]

Just looking statistically last year we were last in all the run metre categories including all the other attacking stats surrounding it like offloads. If we can get a genuine post contact metres player i would be happy.

In saying that barnetts post contact numbers at the knights are up there with Addins. I think we will see him make an immediate impact.

 

[Five&Last]

You mean like Kane Evans?

Well I’ve never seen him play, he might even be worse than Kane Evans

 

[Vancent]

Just looking statistically last year we were last in all the run metre categories including all the other attacking stats surrounding it like offloads. If we can get a genuine post contact metres player i would be happy.

In saying that barnetts post contact numbers at the knights are up there with Addins. I think we will see him make an immediate impact.

That’s an interesting insight, there’s been talk of Barney replacing Lodges‘ metres and I laughed it off.

Maybe him in the middle is going to add a bit of momentum. Loving all this Campion talk too.

Head still says we are a big dog short of a party. One of those four spots (if not two) has to go to a metre eater - an angry perfectly legal, rabid angry metre eater…

Now, where do we find this next Iaefeta Paleaasina ?!?

 

[The Falcon]

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.

I’m really intrigued to see these guys from NSW cup given the opportunity to train with the main squad.

I’m no super scout but I did mention a while back Vasvulangi looked promising.
He has the size. A dark horse to fill the propping spot we are looking to fill?

I don’t know anything about Kolani Going so if any of our well versed Posters could give some insight that would be great!

Would love to see a guy who wasn’t a junior plucked from essentially nowhere and make an impression as it could open up another wee batch of candidates in their early 20’s who may have thought the opportunity to play top grade had passed them by.

 

[Deano]

I’m really intrigued to see these guys from NSW cup given the opportunity to train with the main squad.

I’m no super scout but I did mention a while back Vasvulangi looked promising.
He has the size. A dark horse to fill the propping spot we are looking to fill?

I don’t know anything about Kolani Going so if any of our well versed Posters could give some insight that would be great!

Would love to see a guy who wasn’t a junior plucked from essentially nowhere and make an impression as it could open up another wee batch of candidates in their early 20’s who may have thought the opportunity to play top grade had passed them by.

There is a video on youtube where Kalani Going scores 3 tries for the Raiders NYC side against the warriors. In that game he was playing second-row on the left edge but in union he played centre. We are looking for a left centre imo and we have had a smokey there before. Lewis Brown back in 2011.

 

[Paulo24]

There is a video on youtube where Kalani Going scores 3 tries for the Raiders NYC side against the warriors. In that game he was playing second-row on the left edge but in union he played centre. We are looking for a left centre imo and we have had a smokey there before. Lewis Brown back in 2011.

Interesting when you think of the make up of some of those teams of the past we always had effort players like Brown. Remember that winger Aidan Kirk (?) all effort very little flash. Ivan Cleary does well to balance those type of guys with the more talented guys. He knows the recipe/ratio between effort guys and x-factor. Hopefully Webby does too.

 

[Five&Last]

There is a video on youtube where Kalani Going scores 3 tries for the Raiders NYC side against the warriors. In that game he was playing second-row on the left edge but in union he played centre. We are looking for a left centre imo and we have had a smokey there before. Lewis Brown back in 2011.

I'm not so sure tbh. He was only an injury replacement for Nothland this year. Only playing if Tamati Tua, Rene Ranger and their other centers got injured. I don't really see a tonne of upside there.

I personally think they would prioritise developing Ali Leiataua over promoting Kalani Going.

Still good experience to have in the NSW cup squad.

 

[Wheels]

That’s an interesting insight, there’s been talk of Barney replacing Lodges‘ metres and I laughed it off.

Maybe him in the middle is going to add a bit of momentum. Loving all this Campion talk too.

Head still says we are a big dog short of a party. One of those four spots (if not two) has to go to a metre eater - an angry perfectly legal, rabid angry metre eater…

Now, where do we find this next Iaefeta Paleaasina ?!?

I think Barnett is an excellent inclusion in to the Warriors team in fact I think we have recruited extremely well this off season. We might be short of a metre eater middle and a top class centre but I am confident we will go well with current lineup and I am sure someone unexpected will shine - hopefully Kosi. I don’t know when our first trial match i but hope it’s live on tv.

 

[Noitall]

There is a video on youtube where Kalani Going scores 3 tries for the Raiders NYC side against the warriors. In that game he was playing second-row on the left edge but in union he played centre. We are looking for a left centre imo and we have had a smokey there before. Lewis Brown back in 2011.

Must consider too that the footage was from 2015, worth having such a player in the nsw cup though as depth. Watched Akarana vs Counties to have a look at Vasuvalagi this morning, certainly a big body and must have a bit of ball playing ability playing at 13. Wouldn’t say he screamed pick me but I see more upside in a front rower than a second rower at present. As you say though, a centre has merit though.

 

[Cces]

a look at Vasuvalagi this morning, certainly a big body and must have a bit of ball playing ability playing at 13

The #13 is a bit misleading as he started every game of the comp at Prop with Brody Tamarua at Lock in #25

 

[Noitall]

The #13 is a bit misleading as he started every game of the comp at Prop with Brody Tamarua at Lock in #25 View attachment 50633

True. Joseph Price was in the Warriors system, had a few decent carries in that particular game I mentioned. For the speed of the play the ball, Gavet probably looked most threatening if you could put some fitness into him playing off the bench. Too late now unless he’s been training with the Warriors? The Warriors mentioned 3 players impressing in Vasuvalagi, Going and Ackland though so if Gavet is amongst it, he hasn’t impressed. Ackland was brilliant in this game but for where we’re lacking, a front rower seems most vital.

 

[Toookey]

I'm a bit torn recruitment wise as to what we actually need.
Yes we're all talking prop and centre, however the reality is were not going to get anything substantial in those positions this year.

For me, there's little point in going after a top centre as next year we will likely see Vailea who we all have huge wraps on, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the centres, which imo is more than NRL standard. If Vailea lives up to even half of his promise we'll be very solid in the centres with in 12-18 months. Add in Berry and Ali's nephew, there's enough talent there for us to not require a big signing.

Prop is a funny one - we have a big backrow at the moment which I think will hold us over for this year, but the reality is Tohu Harris is 32 next year and will be slowing down. If the plan is to transition him in to that role like a lot of back rowers often do, do we actually need another big name? Next year's rotation could be Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris, Ale and Bunty which looks decent, but similar to centre we would need Ale to have a big year this year.

All of this would assume that were happy to run with a spine of Metcalf at fb, Volkman and Te Maire Martin in the halves for 2024, which to be fair looks fairly green.
Metcalf will likely leave if he's not given a decent crack by the end of June next year imo, so that's something we need to weigh up

 

[Five&Last]

I'm a bit torn recruitment wise as to what we actually need.
Yes we're all talking prop and centre, however the reality is were not going to get anything substantial in those positions this year.

For me, there's little point in going after a top centre as next year we will likely see Vailea who we all have huge wraps on, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the centres, which imo is more than NRL standard. If Vailea lives up to even half of his promise we'll be very solid in the centres with in 12-18 months. Add in Berry and Ali's nephew, there's enough talent there for us to not require a big signing.

Prop is a funny one - we have a big backrow at the moment which I think will hold us over for this year, but the reality is Tohu Harris is 32 next year and will be slowing down. If the plan is to transition him in to that role like a lot of back rowers often do, do we actually need another big name? Next year's rotation could be Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris, Ale and Bunty which looks decent, but similar to centre we would need Ale to have a big year this year.

All of this would assume that were happy to run with a spine of Metcalf at fb, Volkman and Te Maire Martin in the halves for 2024, which to be fair looks fairly green.
Metcalf will likely leave if he's not given a decent crack by the end of June next year imo, so that's something we need to weigh up

Sounds like Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad doesn’t want to play anything but fullback.

Similar quotes to Reece Walsh’s when he joined Broncs.

i.e. If he’s not picked as first choice fullback, he’s happy to play reserves and fight for that jersey rather than settling for a position he doesn’t want to play in.

Seeing it a lot these days. Probably advice from managers etc. If you’re seen as a versatile ‘play anywhere’ guy then your value slowly starts to diminish.

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

I'm a bit torn recruitment wise as to what we actually need.
Yes we're all talking prop and centre, however the reality is were not going to get anything substantial in those positions this year.

For me, there's little point in going after a top centre as next year we will likely see Vailea who we all have huge wraps on, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the centres, which imo is more than NRL standard. If Vailea lives up to even half of his promise we'll be very solid in the centres with in 12-18 months. Add in Berry and Ali's nephew, there's enough talent there for us to not require a big signing.

Prop is a funny one - we have a big backrow at the moment which I think will hold us over for this year, but the reality is Tohu Harris is 32 next year and will be slowing down. If the plan is to transition him in to that role like a lot of back rowers often do, do we actually need another big name? Next year's rotation could be Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris, Ale and Bunty which looks decent, but similar to centre we would need Ale to have a big year this year.

All of this would assume that were happy to run with a spine of Metcalf at fb, Volkman and Te Maire Martin in the halves for 2024, which to be fair looks fairly green.
Metcalf will likely leave if he's not given a decent crack by the end of June next year imo, so that's something we need to weigh up

In regards to prop if we lose Addin to a long term injury we will get munted in the middle. Another NRL standard prop would be nice. I think you are spot on about centre.