Player Kepu Twins

[AusWarriorsFan]

With Bromwich boys heading to Dolphins. I hope we have these 2 wrapped up guarded by secret service and a pack of 30 German Shepherds and Dobermans.

This is where we need what appears to the outside as non existant player development to kick in, so these boys are FG ready when the time comes and not left to hit the park half at it like Papali'i who got his development via Parra.
This is where I think somebody like Brown would make a better CEO, being able to identify what we do and dont have in place that we should or what we should be doing at a standard closer to Aussie top 4 teams.

 

[Worried2Death]

Looking forward to seeing these two boppers blooded and getting some 1st grade experience now, nothing to lose this season.

 

[AusWarriorsFan]

Looking forward to seeing these two boppers blooded and getting some 1st grade experience now, nothing to lose this season.

They turn 20 in August, so they havnt been rushed into it.

Love their frames. Should not just be boppas but bloody good line runners.

They were pretty epic in the S G Ball Cup, couples years back. Qld cup it continues. Lingi 10 games (limited time), 6 tries, 35 TACKLE BREAKS !! Kina wasnt far off that either.

Please develop these guys so they have the mind of aspiring professional atheletes. Not what happened to Papali'i. I hope we get him back at some stage.

You got guys that dont look 112kg at 6ft1 running at you, they going to be a handful imo.

That also seem to have good attitudes. Not full of themselves, smiling a lot. I guess life is pretty good when you got your dream career in the palm of your hand.

 

[Cces]

Lingi has been named to play off the bench for the Dolphins U21s this weekend & brother, Kina, to start. Is anyone in SEQ able to let me know whether Brisbane A Grade is a higher standard than the Hastings Deering Colts grade? If so, why aren't they playing against men at every opportunity?

 

[Five&Last]

Lingi has been named to play off the bench for the Dolphins U21s this weekend & brother, Kina, to start. Is anyone in SEQ able to let me know whether Brisbane A Grade is a higher standard than the Hastings Deering Colts grade? If so, why aren't they playing against men at every opportunity?

I would say it’s probably a slight step below Hasting Deering Colts.

Best U21s in Queensland (plus out of state U21s in NRL pipeline of the broncs, cows and titans) vs Brisbane prems

Regardless it’s embarrassing that these two aren’t playing QLD cup every week.

 

[Brother Faisal]

Anyone can give me a comparison of an nrl player the kepu twins might be similar to that they could potentially become? Are we talking like a nas or Jordan mead type size or are they abit smaller? Sorry i haven’t seen any footage of them playing

 

[BringInTheBulls]

IMO Ale is ready but the Kepus aren’t, they need a season in Cup

If the club thinks they are then I think they are making the same mistake we made last year with the young centres

Kepu's have been in the system for awhile though.

Below link from Nov. 2021

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2021/11/12/extended-deals-for-kepu-twins/

Not sure what the two done last year apart from by the looks a couple of games for the Dolphins. But either way the Warriors hierarchy knew they would be in the squad for this year, so I'm sure they've been getting experience one way or another. Training with the top 30 squad, you're training with & against NRL ready & established players I guess so you've got what you need, just not the limelight of an actual first grade NRL game/crowd which you can only achieve by playing.

Only difference to training is how hard they go against one another compared to an actual game, but they're very promising prospects. Same as that Zyon Maiuu and Jacob Laban two very promising up and coming forwards there

 

[Canonball]

No point in paying out the arse on Liu on a long term deal to lift us from 12th to 10th on the ladder. These long term big money deals for aging players haven't worked for us at all the past 10 years. I would prefer we be patient, wait it out for someone more suitable which pops up. Someone will, happens every year.

Ale showed us last season he can do a bench prop role, just needs to stay injury free. A full pre season hopefully gets him up a level for bigger minutes. Kepu's might be blooded this season slowly - But you never know, pre season can change everything.

Is there any decent video of the Kepus available from last year or before? They're the future that's for certain but you do have to have reservations about them in 1st grade this year... Ale has shown he can hold an end up in the environment, so great he's there - who was the last young front rower (or lock) who made any sort of sustained impact in the league ? Of all positions it requires discipline and consistent strength which really only comes with ageing into the role, or that's the regular understanding anyway.

 

[Cces]

Anyone can give me a comparison of an nrl player the kepu twins might be similar to that they could potentially become?

Both Kepu's are 188cm & are listed at 110/112kg.
A peer that they could be compared to is Davey Moale at Souths. Pretty much identical in physicality, Moale is slightly younger, debuted in 2021 & got through 12 NRL games (off the bench), 9 NSW Cup & 3 World Cup games in '22.

 

[BringInTheBulls]

Both Kepu's are 188cm & are listed at 110/112kg.
A peer that he could be compared to is Davey Moale at Souths. Pretty much identical in physicality, Moale is slightly younger, debuted in 2021 & got through 12 NRL games (off the bench), 9 NSW Cup & 3 World Cup games in '22.

Or ... Bunty Afoa he's 188cm & 113kg - basically spot on. Not sure about physicality. Bunty runs hard but I feel he can run harder

 

[Noitall]

Same as that Zyon Maiuu and Jacob Laban two very promising up and coming forwards there

Like the look of Sifakula too, looks like he’s got a hard edge.

 

[Dannevegas]

Like the look of Sifakula too, looks like he’s got a hard edge.

Ye reminds me of Ale, a bit less skill but more aggro. High hopes for them 2

 

[Noitall]

Ye reminds me of Ale, a bit less skill but more aggro. High hopes for them 2

The Six Aotearoa Warriors Juniors To Learn About — The Niche Cache

Aotearoa Warriors are grinding through their summer training and as folks enter the festive period, there are six local juniors to learn about ahead of the 2023 NRL season.

theniche-cache.com

Really good read regarding these young guys that’s cause for optimism. The salary cap wasn’t sorted when it was written but gives a few hints to the thinking that may be around how they will be used this year.

 

[AlexM]

Kane Evans kinda had to go after his brain dead stuff, sure we need a prop but the guy was a liability

Kane Evans is a prince.
You take that back!

 

[wizards rage]

If the club thinks they are then I think they are making the same mistake we made last year with the young centres

Starting the season with 2 inexperienced centres was really poor and cost us dearly. Our edges leaked tries with any pressure and it was a major factor in our defence being amungst the worst in the comp.

But 2 green players in a key position is a huge risk compared with a potential bench spot for a fringe prop and allowing them win a position if they perform.

 

[wizards rage]

I would prefer we be patient, wait it out for someone more suitable which pops up. Someone will, happens every year.

Like Dunamis Lui last year after lodge left?

Or Nikorima after Shaun Johnson last left?

I think it’s better to negotiate a deal when multiple people are available in the preseason rather than taking who you can get on overs when you end up desperate.

 

[Toookey]

Like Dunamis Lui last year after lodge left?

Or Nikorima after Shaun Johnson last left?

I think it’s better to negotiate a deal when multiple people are available in the preseason rather than taking who you can get on overs when you end up desperate.

It's easy to just look at the poor transactions, but weve also picked up some decent talent with the same strategie:
Addin Fonua-Blake
Lodge
Le Chad (didn't quite work as he got injured)
Asi

But I get what you mean. I really do think it's luck of th draw though. You can get an absolute steal, or you can get shafted and have to pay top dollar

 

[Wheels]

After reading the article about the 6 juniors who are likely to be transitioning into Warriors first grade either this year or over the next couple of years I am more confident about the Warriors first grade prospects. Although I would definitely prefer to have Liu in our roster even if it is for a 3 year contract, experience & smarts still triumphs IMO, the Warriors mgmt do appear to have some decent foresight in to the potential of our younger players coming through and the impact this will have on our salary cap and team. Also, it was a very good article to read to get a bit of background on some of our best young players. I would still be happy to overpay for a quality middle because our current prop rotation is a bit of a concern but recognise that our future prospects are positive and in positions we are are weaker in at this point in time centre/prop!

 

[defensivebomb]

We never should have let go Kane Evans and resigning him would have been better than the Williame signing.

Is your account a satire account now Wrighty?

 

[Noitall]

After reading the article about the 6 juniors who are likely to be transitioning into Warriors first grade either this year or over the next couple of years I am more confident about the Warriors first grade prospects. Although I would definitely prefer to have Liu in our roster even if it is for a 3 year contract, experience & smarts still triumphs IMO, the Warriors mgmt do appear to have some decent foresight in to the potential of our younger players coming through and the impact this will have on our salary cap and team. Also, it was a very good article to read to get a bit of background on some of our best young players. I would still be happy to overpay for a quality middle because our current prop rotation is a bit of a concern but recognise that our future prospects are positive and in positions we are are weaker in at this point in time centre/prop!

I 100% share your view and think the Liu deal will go through. I have no inside info or anything but just think the club knows exactly where this squad is at.