Matthew Ridge
Has anyone read the Sunday News this morning, Matthew Ridge has ripped into Ivan Cleary and the warriors.
A basic overview of his thoughts:
Pretty interesting huh?
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Has anyone read the Sunday News this morning, Matthew Ridge has ripped into Ivan Cleary and the warriors.
A basic overview of his thoughts:
Pretty interesting huh?
Of course the're deviod of attacking options, hasn't he seen our halfback in action? We'll always struggle for attacking options until we have a top quality 7.
There is evidence to suggest the players body shapes are out of whack? What was this evidence? I'd like forensics to take another look. Sherlock Ridge at his best again.
Defensively we're a major concern. Easy to say that after a 52-6 hiding. Where was Ridge after we beat the Eels? The Warriors have always looked fragile defending their own line, even when Ridge was there, so if the majority of the game is played in their twenty the're going to lose by 52-6 often.
I don't think Ridge has any right to talk about the way the team is being prepared so I'm not going to either.
Wiki is far from being a passenger. Not the player he once was, but calling him a passenger is a bit harsh.
And finally, anything Ridge says should be taken with a grain of salt. His opinion is very low down on the totem pole.
There is evidence to suggest the players body shapes are out of whack? What was this evidence? I'd like forensics to take another look. Sherlock Ridge at his best again.
Defensively we're a major concern. Easy to say that after a 52-6 hiding. Where was Ridge after we beat the Eels? The Warriors have always looked fragile defending their own line, even when Ridge was there, so if the majority of the game is played in their twenty the're going to lose by 52-6 often.
I don't think Ridge has any right to talk about the way the team is being prepared so I'm not going to either.
Wiki is far from being a passenger. Not the player he once was, but calling him a passenger is a bit harsh.
And finally, anything Ridge says should be taken with a grain of salt. His opinion is very low down on the totem pole.
*Like i said in another thread, with McKinnon, Ropati and Price out you've lost your X factor in attack, your quality centre both on attack and D and your metre eater and leadership. The only real player that can only up a D line is Manu, and when your down to one genuine attacking option it's not hard for a defensive team to wrap him up.
*I actually thought the body shapes of the Warriors was pretty good, particularly Luaki who seems to have slimmed down a lot and Paddy A who has bulked up.
*Defensively i don't think there are huge worries with the exception of the Manly match. When your playing in a comp of the quality of the NRL any team is going to take a beating like that eventually.
*Results will tell us over time if the team is being prepared properly.
*I'm biased on Ruben, to my mind he is what he has to....if he is guilty of anything then he is guilty of not playing above his team mates and leading by example.
*I actually thought the body shapes of the Warriors was pretty good, particularly Luaki who seems to have slimmed down a lot and Paddy A who has bulked up.
*Defensively i don't think there are huge worries with the exception of the Manly match. When your playing in a comp of the quality of the NRL any team is going to take a beating like that eventually.
*Results will tell us over time if the team is being prepared properly.
*I'm biased on Ruben, to my mind he is what he has to....if he is guilty of anything then he is guilty of not playing above his team mates and leading by example.
You beat me to it brother
Two comments i'd make on what you said. 100% in agreement with you about Roveli. We're kidding ourselves if we think we're going to win anything other than the odd NRL match with Rovelli at 7 let alone the title.
On Ridge, he's a former Kiwi captain and a bloke that gave 110% for the Kiwi jersey.....he's also a bloke that i had huge respect for on the footy field....but since his retirement he has come out in the papers with some odd ball opinion pieces and this is another example of it. As you say, a grain of salt.
Im with Skinny on this one
ITS ONLY ROUND 4
The Warriors have it, and last year lost 8 games straight untill the sharks
Wait till Pricey and Jerome get back
The Team Kicked Ass against PARRA
I was so happy
ITS ONLY ROUND 4
The Warriors have it, and last year lost 8 games straight untill the sharks
Wait till Pricey and Jerome get back
The Team Kicked Ass against PARRA
I was so happy
Don't rate Ridge or his opinions in any capacity. Wasn't he the player charging the Warriors 600K for about 9 matchs? He's also the man that single handedly drags down the NZ publics opinion of ex-league players by being a 40 year old lager lout on TV. Now he's kicking the Warriors when they're down, rugby league doesn't need enemies with friends like these. Does he even go to Warriors matches anymore?
Barnett was a much better fullback than Ridge who was probably better coached.
Barnett was a much better fullback than Ridge who was probably better coached.
Firstly league is a high contact sport, a player can't help being injured whether he's on 600,000k or not. Rugby league no longer pays Ridges bills so he has the right to live his life the way he wants, doesn't really matter if you or anyone else dislikes it or not Viking.
Rugby league has bigger enemies than Ridge and i don't actually think Ridge is an enemy, just a former national captain with an opinion.
lol, no I haven't posted yet...but thanks BigD! haha.
I usually don't pay that much attention to what Ridgey has to say, like most former players that write coloums they are free to say whatever is in their brains. While he does have some valid points I wouldn't worry about it much
I usually don't pay that much attention to what Ridgey has to say, like most former players that write coloums they are free to say whatever is in their brains. While he does have some valid points I wouldn't worry about it much
I have to agree somewhat about Wiki, maybe not a passenger though. Wiki offers a lot of experience, leadership etc but when you look at his stats, Sam Rapira and Tuimavave are miles ahead in every single aspect, Wiki's only making 80 odd metres a game some weeks, one of the worst stats in the whole NRL, if he didn't have the mana he does he wouldn't even make the Vulcans these days, well past his prime, bout 5 years i think. Sad to say but I'm looking forward to him moving on at the end of the year, partly because of his lacking ability and partly because i can't wait for him to come back to the warriors as our forwards coach. He'd offer a lot more in a coaching role than he does on the field.
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-the Warriors seem to be devoid of attacking options
Last year we relied on Lauaki and Price to pop offloads to Gatis/McKinnon and Rovelli around the centre of the field, and it worked with good effect. For a number of reasons, only two of those players remain.
I think the crux of the issue is I think the offload up the guts when it is "EARNED" is a good play, but it shouldn't be our A game. I really think we lack a quality half. Witt probably should stay on the back of his goal kicking, and generally he's not too bad, without being too decisive. Rovelli on the other hand, he just isn't creating enough. His kicking isn't purposeful, we don't get a large number of repeat sets, we never threaten for 40/20 (has he ever kicked one?), and he doesn't have the ball playing skill to create openings. Let's hypothetically say Craig Gower did come onto the market, as much as I dislike the fellow for his past antics and lack of leadership at Penrith, he'd be the man I'd go to. Otherwise, the Warriors need to desperately look at the #7 conundrum, and if it means picking out a Sean Long or someone from Super League, they need to look at it.
-there is evidence to suggest the players' body shapes are out of whack in comparison to their rivals
I don't know if I agree with that. Probably generically there may be statistics that back up different groups of humans having different body shapes through heritage, but I don't think we're that different. At the moment, I'm not sure fitness is a killer. Two of our bigger lads are Lauaki and Tuimavave, and for mine they've consistently been our best forwards thus far, so I don't buy that argument.
-the Warriors, defensively, are a major concern
Again, I don't buy that argument. They're missing their lynchpin in Price, but I think if you look at the defensive side of it, it's being borne out of fatigue setting in by being caused by two issues; A) Handling B) Penalties. We're giving too much field position and possession away, and currently we've played probably the three times with the shortest odds in the premiership at the beginning of the season. You have to be decisive with your ballwork, and I'd suggest there's a bit of hot potato going on to try and compensate with a lack of penetration and organisation to structure tries from our halves. Thus, the ball is turned over, the heads go down, and we know the rest.
-there are question marks as to whether the team is being prepared properly
Three best players are out for mine and that is going to ask a lot of younger players. Secondly, it's hard to see this without going to training. Indeed, preparation goes beyond training and is also on the motivational side of things, and also the tactical side of things. Ivan strikes me as an astute character, and certainly I have no question marks over Ackland. You also have the guile and experience of Dean Bell and from a union perspective a former All Blacks coach in John Hart in the joint. I don't doubt the football department's qualifications, experiences or abilities one bit to be frank.
-and Ruben Wiki - at present - appears to be nothing but a passenger..
He's not at his best, but I think he's been better at the start of this year compared to last year. Against Melbourne and Manly he made a cover defending tackle on a long break out that saved our bacon. So his committment is there. He's willing, but perhaps not as able as he used to be and thus it is his last season here. I would suggest the man's mana carries a lot of the younger lads through some tough times on and off the field.
Last year we relied on Lauaki and Price to pop offloads to Gatis/McKinnon and Rovelli around the centre of the field, and it worked with good effect. For a number of reasons, only two of those players remain.
I think the crux of the issue is I think the offload up the guts when it is "EARNED" is a good play, but it shouldn't be our A game. I really think we lack a quality half. Witt probably should stay on the back of his goal kicking, and generally he's not too bad, without being too decisive. Rovelli on the other hand, he just isn't creating enough. His kicking isn't purposeful, we don't get a large number of repeat sets, we never threaten for 40/20 (has he ever kicked one?), and he doesn't have the ball playing skill to create openings. Let's hypothetically say Craig Gower did come onto the market, as much as I dislike the fellow for his past antics and lack of leadership at Penrith, he'd be the man I'd go to. Otherwise, the Warriors need to desperately look at the #7 conundrum, and if it means picking out a Sean Long or someone from Super League, they need to look at it.
-there is evidence to suggest the players' body shapes are out of whack in comparison to their rivals
I don't know if I agree with that. Probably generically there may be statistics that back up different groups of humans having different body shapes through heritage, but I don't think we're that different. At the moment, I'm not sure fitness is a killer. Two of our bigger lads are Lauaki and Tuimavave, and for mine they've consistently been our best forwards thus far, so I don't buy that argument.
-the Warriors, defensively, are a major concern
Again, I don't buy that argument. They're missing their lynchpin in Price, but I think if you look at the defensive side of it, it's being borne out of fatigue setting in by being caused by two issues; A) Handling B) Penalties. We're giving too much field position and possession away, and currently we've played probably the three times with the shortest odds in the premiership at the beginning of the season. You have to be decisive with your ballwork, and I'd suggest there's a bit of hot potato going on to try and compensate with a lack of penetration and organisation to structure tries from our halves. Thus, the ball is turned over, the heads go down, and we know the rest.
-there are question marks as to whether the team is being prepared properly
Three best players are out for mine and that is going to ask a lot of younger players. Secondly, it's hard to see this without going to training. Indeed, preparation goes beyond training and is also on the motivational side of things, and also the tactical side of things. Ivan strikes me as an astute character, and certainly I have no question marks over Ackland. You also have the guile and experience of Dean Bell and from a union perspective a former All Blacks coach in John Hart in the joint. I don't doubt the football department's qualifications, experiences or abilities one bit to be frank.
-and Ruben Wiki - at present - appears to be nothing but a passenger..
He's not at his best, but I think he's been better at the start of this year compared to last year. Against Melbourne and Manly he made a cover defending tackle on a long break out that saved our bacon. So his committment is there. He's willing, but perhaps not as able as he used to be and thus it is his last season here. I would suggest the man's mana carries a lot of the younger lads through some tough times on and off the field.
Just go out and kick butt this afternoon boys and make Ridgey eat his words.
I like to hear public criticism of this sort BEFORE a match.
Kav
I like to hear public criticism of this sort BEFORE a match.
Kav
EX MANLY LEGEND having a Spazz
Look at these Beauties (incl Cheergirls)
2 weeks ago
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iX3KFGFFSMo
Thank goodness for our voice of reason
:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
Here is the Pullitzer Prize nominee at his finest:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4466169a19773.html
A Shocking Horror Show
Don't even think about the Warriors winning the title this year warns Matthew Ridge.
That's the stunning verdict from Sunday News' league analyst the former Manly, Warriors and Kiwi legend.
Ridge echoed the thoughts of many rugby league insiders when after watching the Warriors' capitulation in Monday's 52-6 horror show at Brookvale he declared:
the Warriors seem to be devoid of attacking options
there is evidence to suggest the players' body shapes are out of whack in comparison to their rivals
the Warriors, defensively, are a major concern
there are question marks as to whether the team is being prepared properly
and Ruben Wiki at present appears to be nothing but a passenger.
Ridge who played 122 games for Manly and 37 for the Warriors said the time had come for some honest appraisal of Wiki.
"Ruben Wiki and Sam Rapira are a shocking contrast," said Ridge.
"Rapira seems to be taking on plenty of work. He's energetic and moves on both attack and defence with urgency.
"By contrast, Ruben at best seems to be laboured. Judging on Monday night's game, Ruben quite simply can't keep up with the pace anymore.
"It really pains me to say this, but there comes a time in a player's career when he needs to sit back, take stock and ask the simple question am I still cutting the mustard?
"While I have no doubt Ruben is and has been a tremendous role model for the club, the fact remains professional athletes are judged solely by their on-field performances.
"Given the frenetic pace of the modern game coupled with the reduction of 12 interchanges to 10 the majority of players these days, while still strong, are lean rather than heavyset.
"This doesn't seem to be the case with the Warriors this year and the players' lack of fitness became quite evident during Monday night's performance.
"Fitness obviously comes down to your aerobic ability but it's also a state of mind.
"The more fatigued the Warriors got, the more the mistakes compounded. This is something that's been quite obvious since round one.
"Sport at this level is not only physical but psychological as well.
"Results often come down to which side wins the mental battle out on the paddock.
"One thing always drilled into players at every team I played for was never to show the opposition you were hurt and certainly not tired.
"On Monday night the Warriors were tired and the evidence of that was on display for all to see. Too many players were caught on camera with their hands on their hips or crouching over in the middle of the field. Worse still, some were walking in back play.
"This could be forgiven, perhaps, if it was happening in the 70th minute of a match but not at the 10-minute mark.
Ridge said only a couple of players could hold their heads high after the goings-on at Brookvale.
And, as well as Wiki, Patrick Ah Van and Manu Vatuvei were outed as the worst offenders.
Said Ridge: "A big concern is that both Warriors wingers Manu Vatuvei and Patrick Ah Van keep coming in off their wings.
"That's fine if you make the right decision and stop a side from scoring in the process.
"However, more often than not, these guys come in unnecessarily, stop no one, fail to block passes and the result is usually four points to the opposition.
"Are they being told to come in or are they just doing so because they don't trust their inside men?
"I would like to know what defensive pattern the Warriors are using right now.
"Is it an up-and-slide, man-on-man, up-and-in or something else? At the moment they appear to be using bits of each and doing so rather unsuccessfully.
"This is basic stuff that full-time NRL pros should not get wrong.
"The Warriors' wingers are making the wrong decisions under pressure and I can only see two possible reasons for that. A they are not good enough to be playing at this level or B they aren't being coached."
Much has been made of Manu Vatuvei's handling problems and while his inability under the high ball is worrying, Ridge says his size is more of a concern.
"As soon as Vatuvei is turned, he's out of the game. This has been a problem for a long time now and it's not getting any better.
"Yes, he's devastating with the ball in hand and hard to bring down but I would rather have a solid, nimble wing who can make the right decisions in my side any day.
"If you weigh up the pros and cons at the moment, Vatuvei's contribution is a negative."
Ridge a long-time critic of the club's halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli says the team has bigger issues now.
"The Warriors don't defend as a team for reasons I've already explained," he said.
"They don't communicate with one another and there's no structure on the field.
"Nothing flash is needed to beat the Warriors.
"So many of the players are too big, not fit enough and I have to question what head trainer Craig Walker is doing.
"Aerobically, these guys just aren't there and if anybody disagrees with me watch the tape.
"When you do, don't watch the ball, watch what happens off it.
"That's what good coaches do and it's always the best indicator of what sides are capable of."
Ridge also questioned why coach Ivan Cleary hadn't made wholesale changes for this afternoon's clash with the Knights.
"Since as far back as 2000 we have been told all about the club's development programme," he said.
"Even as recently as this season, there's been plenty of good vibes about the youngsters in the side's under-20s squad.
"If that's the case, why did we have to go overseas to recruit our fullback, halves, second-rowers and centres?
"It's evident the reason Ivan Cleary isn't swinging the axe to replace these guys is there's no one ready to step up. That is a massive concern.
"There is absolutely no pressure whatsoever on this current group of players.
"These guys know they will keep their place in the starting lineup regardless of whether they underperform.
"To have only two changes after a 50-point hiding is almost unheard of."
Forgotten in the aftermath of Monday's drubbing is the relatively average performance put up by Manly.
"Manly by any stretch of the imagination weren't a patch on the side we saw last year," said Ridge.
"When I played there, we had the best defence in the competition because we never walked out on the paddock.
"It was drilled into us that walking was a sin when the ball was in play.
"The only time we rested was when the ball went into touch.
"The Warriors walk, put their hands on their hips and don't move as a team on defence. It seems like it's every man for himself."
While the Warriors may blame the loss of key players Steve Price, Wade McKinnon and Jerome Ropati for last week's defeat, Ridge said that excuse didn't wash with him.
"Yes, Pricey, Wade and Jerome were missing against the Sea Eagles," he said.
"In saying that, most NRL clubs would easily find young players to step up if they were hit by the same injury problems.
"Take the Tigers for example they don't have Benji Marshall in there right now but they are still playing great footy.
"There's hardly a big name there but the players taking to the field are young, fit, well-coached and they do the basics right.
"Do we?
"A 50-point hiding in round three is unheard of and it all comes back to fitness. These guys clearly haven't done enough core fitness work in the off-season."
Ridge, said the Warriors had gone from average to okay to diabolical in their first three games.
"If they continue to make so many basic mistakes you have to ask the question, what are the Warriors doing at training?
"Where is the structure and where are the set plays?
"The coach isn't out there dropping the ball but it's about time he was held as accountable as the players."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4466169a19773.html
A Shocking Horror Show
Don't even think about the Warriors winning the title this year warns Matthew Ridge.
That's the stunning verdict from Sunday News' league analyst the former Manly, Warriors and Kiwi legend.
Ridge echoed the thoughts of many rugby league insiders when after watching the Warriors' capitulation in Monday's 52-6 horror show at Brookvale he declared:
the Warriors seem to be devoid of attacking options
there is evidence to suggest the players' body shapes are out of whack in comparison to their rivals
the Warriors, defensively, are a major concern
there are question marks as to whether the team is being prepared properly
and Ruben Wiki at present appears to be nothing but a passenger.
Ridge who played 122 games for Manly and 37 for the Warriors said the time had come for some honest appraisal of Wiki.
"Ruben Wiki and Sam Rapira are a shocking contrast," said Ridge.
"Rapira seems to be taking on plenty of work. He's energetic and moves on both attack and defence with urgency.
"By contrast, Ruben at best seems to be laboured. Judging on Monday night's game, Ruben quite simply can't keep up with the pace anymore.
"It really pains me to say this, but there comes a time in a player's career when he needs to sit back, take stock and ask the simple question am I still cutting the mustard?
"While I have no doubt Ruben is and has been a tremendous role model for the club, the fact remains professional athletes are judged solely by their on-field performances.
"Given the frenetic pace of the modern game coupled with the reduction of 12 interchanges to 10 the majority of players these days, while still strong, are lean rather than heavyset.
"This doesn't seem to be the case with the Warriors this year and the players' lack of fitness became quite evident during Monday night's performance.
"Fitness obviously comes down to your aerobic ability but it's also a state of mind.
"The more fatigued the Warriors got, the more the mistakes compounded. This is something that's been quite obvious since round one.
"Sport at this level is not only physical but psychological as well.
"Results often come down to which side wins the mental battle out on the paddock.
"One thing always drilled into players at every team I played for was never to show the opposition you were hurt and certainly not tired.
"On Monday night the Warriors were tired and the evidence of that was on display for all to see. Too many players were caught on camera with their hands on their hips or crouching over in the middle of the field. Worse still, some were walking in back play.
"This could be forgiven, perhaps, if it was happening in the 70th minute of a match but not at the 10-minute mark.
Ridge said only a couple of players could hold their heads high after the goings-on at Brookvale.
And, as well as Wiki, Patrick Ah Van and Manu Vatuvei were outed as the worst offenders.
Said Ridge: "A big concern is that both Warriors wingers Manu Vatuvei and Patrick Ah Van keep coming in off their wings.
"That's fine if you make the right decision and stop a side from scoring in the process.
"However, more often than not, these guys come in unnecessarily, stop no one, fail to block passes and the result is usually four points to the opposition.
"Are they being told to come in or are they just doing so because they don't trust their inside men?
"I would like to know what defensive pattern the Warriors are using right now.
"Is it an up-and-slide, man-on-man, up-and-in or something else? At the moment they appear to be using bits of each and doing so rather unsuccessfully.
"This is basic stuff that full-time NRL pros should not get wrong.
"The Warriors' wingers are making the wrong decisions under pressure and I can only see two possible reasons for that. A they are not good enough to be playing at this level or B they aren't being coached."
Much has been made of Manu Vatuvei's handling problems and while his inability under the high ball is worrying, Ridge says his size is more of a concern.
"As soon as Vatuvei is turned, he's out of the game. This has been a problem for a long time now and it's not getting any better.
"Yes, he's devastating with the ball in hand and hard to bring down but I would rather have a solid, nimble wing who can make the right decisions in my side any day.
"If you weigh up the pros and cons at the moment, Vatuvei's contribution is a negative."
Ridge a long-time critic of the club's halves Michael Witt and Grant Rovelli says the team has bigger issues now.
"The Warriors don't defend as a team for reasons I've already explained," he said.
"They don't communicate with one another and there's no structure on the field.
"Nothing flash is needed to beat the Warriors.
"So many of the players are too big, not fit enough and I have to question what head trainer Craig Walker is doing.
"Aerobically, these guys just aren't there and if anybody disagrees with me watch the tape.
"When you do, don't watch the ball, watch what happens off it.
"That's what good coaches do and it's always the best indicator of what sides are capable of."
Ridge also questioned why coach Ivan Cleary hadn't made wholesale changes for this afternoon's clash with the Knights.
"Since as far back as 2000 we have been told all about the club's development programme," he said.
"Even as recently as this season, there's been plenty of good vibes about the youngsters in the side's under-20s squad.
"If that's the case, why did we have to go overseas to recruit our fullback, halves, second-rowers and centres?
"It's evident the reason Ivan Cleary isn't swinging the axe to replace these guys is there's no one ready to step up. That is a massive concern.
"There is absolutely no pressure whatsoever on this current group of players.
"These guys know they will keep their place in the starting lineup regardless of whether they underperform.
"To have only two changes after a 50-point hiding is almost unheard of."
Forgotten in the aftermath of Monday's drubbing is the relatively average performance put up by Manly.
"Manly by any stretch of the imagination weren't a patch on the side we saw last year," said Ridge.
"When I played there, we had the best defence in the competition because we never walked out on the paddock.
"It was drilled into us that walking was a sin when the ball was in play.
"The only time we rested was when the ball went into touch.
"The Warriors walk, put their hands on their hips and don't move as a team on defence. It seems like it's every man for himself."
While the Warriors may blame the loss of key players Steve Price, Wade McKinnon and Jerome Ropati for last week's defeat, Ridge said that excuse didn't wash with him.
"Yes, Pricey, Wade and Jerome were missing against the Sea Eagles," he said.
"In saying that, most NRL clubs would easily find young players to step up if they were hit by the same injury problems.
"Take the Tigers for example they don't have Benji Marshall in there right now but they are still playing great footy.
"There's hardly a big name there but the players taking to the field are young, fit, well-coached and they do the basics right.
"Do we?
"A 50-point hiding in round three is unheard of and it all comes back to fitness. These guys clearly haven't done enough core fitness work in the off-season."
Ridge, said the Warriors had gone from average to okay to diabolical in their first three games.
"If they continue to make so many basic mistakes you have to ask the question, what are the Warriors doing at training?
"Where is the structure and where are the set plays?
"The coach isn't out there dropping the ball but it's about time he was held as accountable as the players."
lol thats quite scathing. kick off in 5 minutes.. you obviously cant prove a critic wrong with one game, but maybe we can begin the process of proving critics wrong.
"A 50-point hiding in round three is unheard of and it all comes back to fitness. These guys clearly haven't done enough core fitness work in the off-season."
Haha since when was a 50-point hiding in round 3 unheard of?
Haha since when was a 50-point hiding in round 3 unheard of?
There were several hidings in round 3, ours was just the worst. There were a few 20-30 point margins weren't there? *looks to Jesbass the stats man*
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