General Jesse Royal

[cornelius_sulla_old]

I personallly hope that they get Eastwood. He's a good player and he's got a bit of mongrel about him that we could do with. Good luck to Jesse Royal too; for his sake and the club's I hope he makes every post a winner.

 

[Lego_Man_old]

I personallly hope that they get Eastwood. He's a good player and he's got a bit of mongrel about him that we could do with..

He's alright - i just dont like his look and manner though.

However as a Roman history buff, i do like your username.

 

[playdaball_old]

Yes, they're playing the 20s at North Harbour in the weekend. Apparently they'll be getting some of the Warriors 1st grade squad to bolster their ranks so potentially there'll be Warriors vs Warriors, should be interesting.

The financial issues were mainly because they were paying for the other teams fares and accomodation when travelling to play here, which is something they won't have to do this year. They will hopefully be playing the before the 20s on home games which will raise their profile and keep the fringe Warriors closer to the first grade squad to cover injuries etc.

Sweet thanks Viking

 

[Spence_old]

I admit Eastwood is a good player. But he is one of those players I dislike for some random, now forgotten reason. I personally would be disapointed if we brought him. I'm surprised no one has really been talking about Taylor too much, anyone think he's got a shot to play this year? Would he be above O'Regan for 13?

 

[2big2strong_old]

I think Taylor will be a superstar but he's still only 18 and could use another 2 full seasons with the NYC and Vulcans teams to harden up. He just looks a little frail to withstand NRL at the moment, same as Locke. But next year could be their year.

 

[Spence_old]

Is he only 18? Didn't realise that. Whos the halves in the squad? I know Johnson and Wallace started, and Locke played 6 for a while. Who else do they have?

 

[2big2strong_old]

Taylor has been named in the NRL side for the trial against the Cowboys, maybe he has done enough in the pre-season to be an option this year.

 

[Viking_old]

Taylor has been named in the NRL side for the trial against the Cowboys, maybe he has done enough in the pre-season to be an option this year.

He turns 19 next week. He's a bit small for a modern day NRL lock but is basically a utility so could cover a number of positions. I didn't catch many 20s games last year, I know he's got a great work ethic but is he fast?

 

[2big2strong_old]

He turns 19 next week. He's a bit small for a modern day NRL lock but is basically a utility so could cover a number of positions. I didn't catch many 20s games last year, I know he's got a great work ethic but is he fast?

For a forward yes, He doesn't have out and out speed but he'd be faster than a lot of other backrowers. He scored 1 try and set up another in I think the semi final against the Panthers simply by busting through the line and out pacing his pursuers, the one he scored himself was from halfway.

 

[Viking_old]

For a forward yes, He doesn't have out and out speed but he'd be faster than a lot of other backrowers. He scored 1 try and set up another in I think the semi final against the Panthers simply by busting through the line and out pacing his pursuers, the one he scored himself was from halfway.

Is he a ball-playing lock in the mould of O'Regan? In other words, could he play stand-off or would his 2nd choice position be centre you reckon?

 

[2big2strong_old]

Is he a ball-playing lock in the mould of O'Regan? In other words, could he play stand-off or would his 2nd choice position be centre you reckon?

I think he could cover in the centres but wouldn't be as good as he is in the second row. It's his work rate that makes him a super player, doesn't miss any tackles and takes the ball up with gusto often breaking the line. I think his talents would be wasted anywhere else.

 

[2big2strong_old]

Not too often you get a player with flair and a great work rate. Nathan Hindmarsh is the only player I can think of similar to Taylor.

 

[Viking_old]

Ukumi Tai'i and Lewis Brown are named in the 1st grade squad this weekend as well. I'm looking forward to seeing Tai'i play. For those that don't know of him, he's a massive 22 yr old who played union in Tonga and in his first year of playing league last year was named FOX player of the year and played Vulcans then scored a Warriors contract. All that with only half a season under his belt!

 

[2big2strong_old]

Ukumi Tai'i and Lewis Brown are named in the 1st grade squad this weekend as well. I'm looking forward to seeing Tai'i play. For those that don't know of him, he's a massive 22 yr old who played union in Tonga and in his first year of playing league last year was named FOX player of the year and played Vulcans then scored a Warriors contract. All that with only half a season under his belt!

Yeah I'm super excited about Tai'i. Every single thing I have heard or read about him is just gleaming with praise. I heard McKinnon say, "when he gets his shot at NRL, let me just say he's gonna turn a few heads".

We are going to be spoilt this season, never before have I been so excited about the start of a season.

 

[Spence_old]

Where was the squad named?

 

[2big2strong_old]

Where was the squad named?

www.warriors.co.nz

DEBUT OUTINGS IN STORE FOR TWO NEW VODAFONE WARRIORS PLAYERS

Newcomers Lewis Brown and Ukuma Ta’ai are set to play for the Vodafone Warriors for the first time in Sunday’s NRL trial against the North Queensland Cowboys at North Harbour Stadium.
Christchurch-born Brown (22), signed from Wests Tigers, comes into the squad after missing last Thursday trial against Melbourne with a hand injury.
Mt Albert second rower Ta’ai, also 22, linked up with the club last season and was also on the injured list last week.
They’re included in a 23-man squad coach Ivan Cleary has named for the second of the club’s three NRL trials.
While captain Steve Price, centres Brent Tate and Jerome Ropati, halfback Nathan Fien and second rower Simon Mannering have been named for their first run in the trials programme, several other front-liners will back up after appearing in last Thursday night’s 24-12 win over Melbourne in Hamilton.
Among them are fullback Wade McKinnon, wingers Manu Vatuvei and Denan Kemp, standoff Joel Moon, halfback Stacey Jones, hooker Ian Henderson and utility Lance Hohaia.
Also named again are Aidan Kirk, Patrick Ah Van, Malo Solomona, Russell Packer, Leeson Ah Mau, Mataupu Poching, Epalahame Lauaki, Elijah Taylor and Daniel O’Regan.
“We did a lot of good things against Melbourne, especially on defence, but we need improvement in quite a few areas still,” said Cleary.
“The Cowboys have brought a strong squad with them and they’ll give us a really tough test. That’s just what any side needs at this time of year to get ready for the season ahead.”
Not being used this week are prop Sam Rapira and back rowers Micheal Luck and Ben Matulino, who all had game time in Hamilton.
Only two players remain on the injured list, Evarn Tuimavave with a neck complaint and new back rower Jacob Lillyman, who’s continuing to work his way back from off-season shoulder surgery. Lillyman will be considered for the final trial against Gold Coast in Lismore on February 28.
Six NRL squad members will play in Sunday’s curtain-raiser, which acts as a trial for both the Vodafone Junior Warriors for their NYC season and also for the Auckland Vulcans as they prepare for the New South Wales Cup.
Fullback Kevin Locke, still eligible for the NYC this year, will again run with the Vodafone Junior Warriors while Liam Foran, Aaron Heremaia, Isaac John and Herman Retzlaff will line up for the Vulcans along with Michael Witt who has been cleared after missing the Hamilton trial with a quadriceps injury.
The NRL trial against North Queensland kicks off at 4.00pm – Ashley Klein and Alan Shortall as the dual referees – while the Vodafone Junior Warriors v Vulcans match starts at 2.15pm. In their first two preseason games the NYC side has beaten Waikato 38-6 and Hawke’s Bay 74-4.
The Vodafone Warriors have a short turnaround for their third trial, travelling to Australia to take on the Gold Coast Titans in Lismore six days later (Saturday, February 28). It’s the same for the Vodafone Junior Warriors who will play their only all-NYC preseason game when they face their Gold Coast counterparts in one of the curtain-raisers.

VODAFONE WARRIORS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
North Harbour Stadium, Albany
4.00pm, Sunday, February 22
Referees: Ashley Klein & Alan Shortall
VODAFONE WARRIORS​

[FONT=verdana,geneva][FONT=verdana,geneva][FONT=verdana,geneva][FONT=verdana,geneva]

WADE McKINNON
DENAN KEMP
MANU VATUVEI
MALO SOLOMONA
AIDAN KIRK
BRENT TATE
JEROME ROPATI
PATRICK AH VAN
JOEL MOON
NATHAN FIEN
STACEY JONES
STEVE PRICE (c)
RUSSELL PACKER
LEESON AH MAU
MATAUPU POCHING
IAN HENDERSON
LEWIS BROWN
LANCE HOHAIA
UKUMA TA’AI
SIMON MANNERING
EPALAHAME LAUAKI
ELIJAH TAYLOR
DANIEL O’REGAN

COACH: IVAN CLEARY​

[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Spence_old]

Cheers 2B2S.

Is Royal in NZ yet?

 

[David Bragg_old]

Taylor is a real up and coming ball playing second rower.
Would say he has at least as much to offer as Matulino which really is saying something and good to see that we will get a run on Sunday.
I am also very excited by the reputation of Ta'ai.
I sense similarities to a rampaging Iafeta Paaleiasina

 

[Spence_old]

Taylor is a real up and coming ball playing second rower.
Would say he has at least as much to offer as Matulino which really is saying something and good to see that we will get a run on Sunday.
I am also very excited by the reputation of Ta'ai.
I sense similarities to a rampaging Iafeta Paaleiasina

I wouldn't say he has the same, let alone more, to offer than Matulino. I think that is taking it a bit far, granted he is a great player, but Matulino is already an established first-grader.

I am also quite excited to see this Ta'ai 'fella, I hope he doesn't turn out to be a backyard bully, that is just a little 'big for nothing' when it comes to first-grade. ray2:

 

[Jesbass_old]

Taylor is a real up and coming ball playing second rower.
Would say he has at least as much to offer as Matulino which really is saying something and good to see that we will get a run on Sunday.
I am also very excited by the reputation of Ta'ai.
I sense similarities to a rampaging Iafeta Paaleiasina

Ta'ai got mentioned in the news tonight, and Cleary said something along the lines of how if you wanted to create the ideal body for league, Ta'ai's would be it.