Player Edward Kosi

[Christchurch_Warrior]

After tears, a coffee with Matt Lodge helped Warriors' Edward Kosi earn redemption​

David Long
05:00, Jul 31 2022

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES
Edward Kosi celebrates with Reece Walsh after scoring one of his three tries against the Storm on Friday night.

When Edward Kosi had his horror night for the Warriors against the Storm on Anzac Day, he wondered if he had what it took to make it in the NRL.

The 23-year-old winger admits there were tears after that 70-10 loss in Melbourne, but following a heart-to-heart talk with Matt Lodge and weeks of hard work, Kosi got his redemption on Friday night at Mt Smart Stadium.

The Warriors lost 24-12, with all their points came from Kosi, who scored a hat-trick and showed he can play at the NRL level after all.

It wasn’t just the three tries he scored that was so impressive. Unsurprisingly, the Storm targeted him with high balls, but Kosi confidently took them and also ran strongly for 136 metres, making three line breaks, while on defence he didn’t miss a tackle.

“Everyone knew what happened in the last game against Melbourne,” Kosi said.

“So I had to do my job, which was to catch those high balls and carry the ball hard for our middles.”

PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES
Edward Kosi didn’t just score tries against the Storm on Friday, he also ran the ball for 136 metres.

It was a horror night for all the Warriors players at AAMI Park in April, but particularly Kosi, he was heavily criticised afterwards and was the only player dropped due to form by the then coach Nathan Brown.

Kosi admitted it was hard to cope with what happened that night and it needed Lodge to take him out to a cafe for him to be able to start getting over it.

“After the game in Melbourne he took me away. I had a chat to Brownie prior to that.

“I was tearing up and Lodgey took me away and we had a coffee and chat.

“I had put all the weight of that game on my shoulders and felt like I was the one to blame for the loss, because it was due to my errors.

“He assured me that I’ve got to keep working hard and he was saying not everything was my fault in that game, he felt it was a shared performance.”

After that coffee, Kosi knew he didn’t want to give up on his dream of being a successful NRL player and chose to knuckle down, work hard in reserve grade footy and earn another opportunity.

“I went away and didn’t play for seven or eight weeks (in the NRL),” he said.

“There was a bit of doubt in myself after that Storm game,” he added.

“I went away to reflect on that performance and then I had to work hard in Redcliffe in reserve grade and I think I did well enough to get the call up against Parramatta.

“I didn’t play the following week, but when I got the call up again I was confident that I could back up that performance.”

Even though Kosi played against the Eels a couple of weeks ago, memories of what happened in Melbourne hadn’t faded and he knew he had to overcome those emotions to finally move on.

“I knew I had to flush that and focus on this game,” he said.

“I had to block the outside noise and focus on what I do best and I thought I did that.”

After tears, a coffee with Matt Lodge helped Warriors' Edward Kosi earn redemption

The winger questioned his abilities the first time the Warriors played the Storm this season, but bounced back in impressive fashion with a hat-trick on Friday.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[bruce]

I couldn't find a Kosi thread but this was interesting

May as well start one, the kid is a keeper.

 

[Beastmode]

May as well start one, the kid is a keeper.

Rocks 🪨

And

Diamonds 💎

 

[bruce]

Rocks 🪨

And

Diamonds 💎

Just IMO but the kid has it all, he just needs confidence.

 

[Worried2Death]

I couldn't find a Kosi thread but this was interesting

After tears, a coffee with Matt Lodge helped Warriors' Edward Kosi earn redemption

The winger questioned his abilities the first time the Warriors played the Storm this season, but bounced back in impressive fashion with a hat-trick on Friday.

www.stuff.co.nz

If this doesnt melt Wrighty's cold heart, I don't know what will.

Well done big Ed ...got a bit of dust in my eyes, I'm not crying.

 

[eudebrito]

If this doesnt melt Wrighty's cold heart, I don't know what will.

Well done big Ed ...got a bit of dust in my eyes, I'm not crying.

It shouldn't take Lodge to do the good will hunting "it's not your fault, ed, it's not your fault" Big Ken was written off as a plodder who couldn't play wing as well and he's still ticking along at the tigers. At least he gets his depth right on those rainbow passes, half our wings seem to be standing on top of there centre and it sails into touch

 

[playdaball]

Let Kosi grow in reserve grade.

 

[Ryaan]

Looking foward to seeing GOAT Kosi cementing his place in warriors hall of fame this year. The greatest to ever wear the mighty warriors jersey

 

[Mr Brownstone]

Looking foward to seeing GOAT Kosi cementing his place in warriors hall of fame this year. The greatest to ever wear the mighty warriors jersey

If Kosi can play as well in 2023 as he did from Round 18 on last season then he will be one of our starting wingers - and a very exciting prospect to boot!

 

[Cces]

If Kosi can play as well in 2023 as he did from Round 18 on last season then he will be one of our starting wingers - and a very exciting prospect to boot!

In those last 7 games you refer to he bagged 7 tries & had 10 linebreaks @ 135m per game which is very good for a rookie. If he can halve the 12 errors he made in that same time period & improve his defensive reads (not solely his fault but 6 tries were conceded by his opposing Wing/Centre combo in those 7 games) then he'll be a valuable asset.

 

[Mr Brownstone]

In those last 7 games you refer to he bagged 7 tries @ 135m per game which is very good for a rookie. If he can halve the 12 errors he made in that same time period & improve his defensive reads (not solely his fault but 6 tries were conceded by his opposing Wing/Centre combo in those 7 games) then he'll be a valuable asset.

Also 10 line breaks and 17 tackle breaks. Didn’t realise he’d made 12 errors - ouch! But definitely a lot more upside than Montoya.

 

[Cces]

Also 10 line breaks and 17 tackle breaks. Didn’t realise he’d made 12 errors - ouch! But definitely a lot more upside than Montoya.

If he can become more skillful (or maybe it's just a matter of staying calmer & more confident on the field) over the offseason to go with his physical attributes he could be in for a 15+ try season. His right arm dominant carry on the left Wing will continue to worry me however but I guess it can be advantageous when trying to put the ball down, in certain situations

 

[mt.wellington]

260. EDWARD KOSI

Vodafone Warriors upgrade rookie Kosi to fulltime NRL deal​

Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Wed 27 Oct 2021, 11:59 AM


Rookie Vodafone Warriors winger Edward Kosi has been upgraded to a full NRL contract to the end of the 2023 season.

The 22-year-old Mangere East Hawks junior was on a development contract when he made his first-grade debut in the Vodafone Warriors’ eighth-round win over North Queensland on May 2.

Finishing his first NRL season with five appearances, he also played nine matches for feeder club Redcliffe in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup.

“Ed’s come a long way in a short time especially allowing for playing no footy in 2020 and also an interrupted 2021 through Covid,” said Vodafone Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan.

“He has come through the ranks from our 20s, reserve grade and Redcliffe to debut this year. His play twos in Intrust Super Cup were outstanding and every aspect of his game is on the up.

“Ed has earned his contract and with more experience in the next two years he’ll push to be a permanent member of the starting 13.”



Kosi’s debut against the Cowboys came in dramatic circumstances when he was called into the side to replace an injured David Fusitua with only an hour’s notice.

“The way Ed handled himself that day was really impressive,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Nathan Brown.

“He had no time to prepare but he got heavily involved from the outset and has gone on to make real strides this year. We seem him having a big future.”

Kosi was one of six NRL rookies introduced by the Vodafone Warriors this year. Like him, Rocco Berry, Taniela Otukolo and Viliami Vailea also came through the club’s system. The quartet along with fellow debutants Reece Walsh and Jackson Frei all stepped up to the NRL after playing for Redcliffe.

In his five NRL outings this year Kosi averaged 110 metres, made nine tackles breaks and scored his first try in the win over Canterbury Bankstown.

For the Dolphins he averaged 125 metres a game, made 19 tackles breaks and scored four tries.

Vodafone Warriors upgrade rookie Kosi to fulltime NRL deal

Vodafone Warriors winger Edward Kosi has signed a two-year NRL deal with the club.

www.warriors.kiwi

Height: 193 cm
Date of Birth: 28 January 1999
Weight: 107 kg
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Age: 23
Nickname: Ed
Debut Club: New Zealand Warriors
Date: 25 April 2021
Opposition: North Queensland Cowboys
Round: 8
Junior Club: Mangere East Hawks

Biography:
Edward is another example of the big winger the Vodafone Warriors have specialised in producing in the modern era.

Coming through the club's development system he played Jersey Flegg Cup (under-20) as recently as 2019 while also having experience turning out for the NRL team's reserve grade side in the Canterbury Cup.

An impressive offseason saw the Mangere East junior named to represent the Vodafone Warriors at the 2020 NRL Nines in Perth before he lined up in the Canterbury Cup's opening round against Newcastle in March. It was set to be a vital season in his development as a potential first grader only for the Covid-19 pandemic to force the cancellation of the second-tier competition.

Edward was back with the Vodafone Warriors when the 2020-2021 offseason training programme started in November and travelled to Australia with the extended squad in January, first stop Tamworth and then Terrigal.

On a development contract, he remained on the Central Coast to train with the NRL squad and prepare for football with feeder club Redcliffe in the Intrust Super Premiership in Queensland. He started well with three strong performances for the Dolphins as he chased his goal of an NRL debut.

The call came but in the most dramatic and unexpected way, when he was given little more than an hour's notice that he would be lining up for the Vodafone Warriors in their eighth-round clash against the North Queensland Cowboys. It came about when the experienced David Fusitua was a late defection with a troublesome hamstring injury.

It meant the Vodafone Warriors had an extremely young centre combination on the right edge. While Kosi was making his debut at the age of 22, centre Rocco Berry (19) had played his first NRL match just a week earlier.

In becoming Vodafone Warrior #260, Kosi immediately impressed in a full-on display which saw him carry the ball 16 times and make 128 metres in helping the side to a 24-20 win.

Edward Kosi

The NRL profile of Edward Kosi including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[BringInTheBulls]

Did Kosi play his way into the starting squad last night, or does DWZ take it back when fit? Surely he takes a massive boost of confidence out of that performance cause he was on! Smart D, had the confidence to come off the line to make that hit and save a try. Seen him pumped making 2 aggressive tackles in a row and still get back to position, his confidence was through the roof.

Webster sees resilience becoming part of Warriors DNA

A gutsy defensive display in Friday's 20-12 win over the Knights, epitomised by a pair of late try-saving tackles, has Warriors coach Andrew Webster convinced a more resilient mindset is becoming a trait of his side.

www.nrl.com

"Those guys have done that sort of stuff all pre-season. Ed Kosi has got himself in positions to save tries, he’s probably been one of the best at it," he said.

Man all he needs is a damaging running game, running hard and fast, especially at those smaller then him. Havent seen him in open space but if he can attack with that confidence he had in defense week in week out the dude can become a solidified household name. Well known he can score in the corner, love to see what he can do in some open space with speed and momentum.

The lads growing on me with that performance, I wont be worried seeing his name in the starting line up like I was, even better we have a bit of competition in that wing position.

Great job Ed

 

[Mr Frank White]

Did Kosi play his way into the starting squad last night, or does DWZ take it back when fit? Surely he takes a massive boost of confidence out of that performance cause he was on! Smart D, had the confidence to come off the line to make that hit and save a try. Seen him pumped making 2 aggressive tackles in a row and still get back to position, his confidence was through the roof.

Webster sees resilience becoming part of Warriors DNA

A gutsy defensive display in Friday's 20-12 win over the Knights, epitomised by a pair of late try-saving tackles, has Warriors coach Andrew Webster convinced a more resilient mindset is becoming a trait of his side.

www.nrl.com

"Those guys have done that sort of stuff all pre-season. Ed Kosi has got himself in positions to save tries, he’s probably been one of the best at it," he said.

Man all he needs is a damaging running game, running hard and fast, especially at those smaller then him. Havent seen him in open space but if he can attack with that confidence he had in defense week in week out the dude can become a solidified household name. Well known he can score in the corner, love to see what he can do in some open space with speed and momentum.

The lads growing on me with that performance, I wont be worried seeing his name in the starting line up like I was, even better we have a bit of competition in that wing position.

Great job Ed

I think we can have 3 guys fighting for 2 wing spots. Especially as Kosi is so young. Allows Webby to not push injuries as well as manage his workload towards the back end of the season.

 

[J_P]

Did Kosi play his way into the starting squad last night, or does DWZ take it back when fit? Surely he takes a massive boost of confidence out of that performance cause he was on! Smart D, had the confidence to come off the line to make that hit and save a try. Seen him pumped making 2 aggressive tackles in a row and still get back to position, his confidence was through the roof.

Webster sees resilience becoming part of Warriors DNA

A gutsy defensive display in Friday's 20-12 win over the Knights, epitomised by a pair of late try-saving tackles, has Warriors coach Andrew Webster convinced a more resilient mindset is becoming a trait of his side.

www.nrl.com

"Those guys have done that sort of stuff all pre-season. Ed Kosi has got himself in positions to save tries, he’s probably been one of the best at it," he said.

Man all he needs is a damaging running game, running hard and fast, especially at those smaller then him. Havent seen him in open space but if he can attack with that confidence he had in defense week in week out the dude can become a solidified household name. Well known he can score in the corner, love to see what he can do in some open space with speed and momentum.

The lads growing on me with that performance, I wont be worried seeing his name in the starting line up like I was, even better we have a bit of competition in that wing position.

Great job Ed

Ed 'the forklift' kosi!!!
Happy as for him... Hope he does well

 

[playdaball]

I’d been giving Kosi heaps all week and he played a good game - well done

 

[1995Warriorsfan]

They must be happy with Kosi, signed to 2025.

​

Kosi re-signed until end of 2025 season One New Zealand Warriors winger Edward Kosi has been re-signed on a two-year deal to the end of the 2025 NRL season. The 24-year-old Mangere East Hawks junior has made an impressive start to his third NRL season with strong performances in each of the club’s first three matches. He scored the club’s first try of the season in the first-round 20-12 win over Newcastle in Wellington and was on the scoresheet again in Saturday night’s 26-12 victory over North Queensland in Townsville. “I can’t say enough about Ed. He has been terrific making huge improvements in all parts of his game during the preseason and then taking that into the first three rounds of the competition,” said One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. “His desire to get better every day has earned him a starting spot and he has now seen the rewards of his hard work with three strong performances in first grade.”

 

[Bangbros 2023]

They must be happy with Kosi, signed to 2025.

Deserves it! Well done kosi.

 

[Lance155]

I truly believe Kosi will never come good and will stay rocks and diamonds for his career like Manu did. Hope he proves me wrong