Gameday NRL 2006 Round 19 - Warriors vs Eels

[sebastian_old]

NRL 2006 Round 19 - Warriors vs Eels

Mannering eyes Eels
by: Aaron Lawton
Sportal


New Zealand Warriors centre Simon Mannering says, despite last weekend's golden-point 18-22 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs, the confidence within the side is at an all-time high.

The Warriors are set to lock horns with the Parramatta Eels at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night and Mannering has no doubts that the Eels will be as tough as the Bulldogs to beat.

However, the youngster, who has emerged from the fringes of first-grade to cement a regular starting spot in the centres this year, says he wants to end the Eels' winning streak.

"They've [the Eels] come back into some form and I think they have got three wins in a row so they are going to be a good side in the weekend," he said.


"I think they will be coming over here with the thought that they can beat us so I think we will have to put in a good performance on Saturday night to get over them."

Of concern for the Eels' defence will be the fact that Mannering has developed into a prolific try-scorer for the Warriors in 2006.

The centre has scored four tries in his last three matches and has a total of seven to his name from his ten appearances this season.

However, Mannering modestly attributes his point-scoring success to the rest of the Warriors' back-line.

"I think my only decent try has been the one against Penrith. The rest have all been about five metres out so I guess it's been more luck really," he joked.

"The guys inside me have played really well during the season and I think they have put a few of those tries on a platter for me."

The Warriors will be looking to secure their fifth win from seven games on Saturday night against the Eels and Mannering says the on-field success has sprung from consistency.

"There has been plenty of consistency there in our performances and there's definitely a lot of confidence there that we can roll the bigger teams," he said.

Despite being one of the in-form sides in the NRL at the moment, the Warriors continue to sit well off the pace at 13th on the ladder with the pre-season four-point penalty deduction looking likely to hinder the Auckland-based side's finals aspirations.

"We don't really look at the table too much because it doesn't look good for us being down towards the bottom of it," says Mannering.

"We just take each game as it comes and if we get the two points then it obviously gives us a better chance of making the eight."

The match kicks off at 7:30pm (NZST) on Saturday night.

 

[sebastian_old]

This kid just impresses me more & more. I didn't even realise he was scoring that many trys. Wonder if he'll come into contention for the tri-nations, has he earnt it?? Hope he can score a couple of trys tonight.

 

[2big2strong_old]

I think he's great! love his attitude, love his passion and never say die style of play, that never say die style though caused him to make an error of judgement in our last play against the dogs. but with experience he'll get better and better. I don't think he's anywhere near consideration for the tri-nations yet, not with players like Vagana, Hape, Matai and Webster in-line before him.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Yeah, Mannering has really been one of the big improvers from last year, and stood up and taken Toopi's spot. Well done to him and at just 19 years of age he has a very bright future.

 

[Northern_Union]

Who would you leave out of the tri-nations winning team for him?

At best he might be included in the squad but he wont get a place on the team (injuries not with standing)

Before anyone says he'll get Toopis spot....he is still the best "international" center there is. I can't see McLennon being disloyal to the players that brought home to us the tri-nations trophy can you?

 

[warriors4life_old]

Who would you leave out of the tri-nations winning team for him?

At best he might be included in the squad but he wont get a place on the team (injuries not with standing)

Before anyone says he'll get Toopis spot....he is still the best "international" center there is. I can't see McLennon being disloyal to the players that brought home to us the tri-nations trophy can you?

I don't think he deserves a spot in the squad, we've got plenty of centres that are miles ahead of him: Whatuira, Vagana, Matai, Soliola, Hape etc.

 

[Kav_old]

The best thing about Mannnering is that he looks like a centre. If he continues to shine, why wouldn't Bluey want him on board?

Kav

 

[Kav_old]

The best thing about Mannnering is that he looks like a centre. If he continues to shine, why wouldn't Bluey want him on board?

Kav

 

[D Generation X_old]

Yeah, Mannering has really been one of the big improvers from last year, and stood up and taken Toopi's spot. Well done to him and at just 19 years of age he has a very bright future.

yeaaaa!!!!

 

[Jesbass_old]

I think he's great! love his attitude, love his passion and never say die style of play, that never say die style though caused him to make an error of judgement in our last play against the dogs. but with experience he'll get better and better. I don't think he's anywhere near consideration for the tri-nations yet, not with players like Vagana, Hape, Matai and Webster in-line before him.

With Benji out, Vagana will most likely slot into standoff, and Webster is a winger. However, you also forgot Toopi and Whatuira.

Having said that, if he keeps up this form, there'd be no reason not to include him in the squad at the very least. McClennan has already shown that he isn't afraid to give youngsters a chance.

Remember last year? Our wings were supposedly going to be exposed time and time again because both players, (Webster and Vatuvei), were still wet behind the ears! :lol: :roll: :lol:

 

[2big2strong_old]

Webster has actually played most of the season at centre for the storm, I was reading an interview with him a month or so ago and he said he hates playing wing, he said until he played first grade for the storm he had very few games ever at wing, as he had played centre since he was a kid.

 

[Jesbass_old]

Webster has actually played most of the season at centre for the storm, I was reading an interview with him a month or so ago and he said he hates playing wing, he said until he played first grade for the storm he had very few games ever at wing, as he had played centre since he was a kid.

Ah, fair enough. I stand corrected. I only recall seeing him play for the Kiwis, where of course he played winger and made a good fist of it.

 

[2big2strong_old]

oh yeah, and i have become a big fan of his, I learnt that he was 'half aboriginal half maori' and i am very humbled that he chose us over half of his heritage and country of birth, as he was tipped as a future Origin player by Ricky Stuart. He's got passion this kid.

 

[Jesbass_old]

oh yeah, and i have become a big fan of his, I learnt that he was 'half aboriginal half maori' and i am very humbled that he chose us over half of his heritage and country of birth, as he was tipped as a future Origin player by Ricky Stuart. He's got passion this kid.

Wow, that's an awesome mix!

 

[2big2strong_old]

Same Mix as Timana Tahu. both gone seperate paths though.

 

[commonsense_old]

actually webster is half greek, half maori. only melbourne born player in the nrl, but he grew up in qld. his dad being maori had jake supporting the kiwis since he was little. so there wasnt much to think about when he decided to play for the kiwis.

i would like to see soliola finally get a chance in the kiwi jersey. ppl have rated him potentially the "next mal". he will be the one that replaces toopi.

dont get me wrong, i love nigel vagana but he aint the same player he was a few years ago. i dont if its cos of his time with the sharks or his age or maybe both but with young talent coming up it would be quite hard for him to find a spot in the centres for this tri-nations.

and for simon mannering, i always thought he was a second-rower. he could make the tri-nations as an interchange forward.

 

[2big2strong_old]

actually webster is half greek, half maori. only melbourne born player in the nrl, but he grew up in qld. his dad being maori had jake supporting the kiwis since he was little. so there wasnt much to think about when he decided to play for the kiwis.

i would like to see soliola finally get a chance in the kiwi jersey. ppl have rated him potentially the "next mal". he will be the one that replaces toopi.

dont get me wrong, i love nigel vagana but he aint the same player he was a few years ago. i dont if its cos of his time with the sharks or his age or maybe both but with young talent coming up it would be quite hard for him to find a spot in the centres for this tri-nations.

and for simon mannering, i always thought he was a second-rower. he could make the tri-nations as an interchange forward.

Oh ok, i was talking to his 'cousin' on the piss last night and he reckons he's half abo half maori, but knowing us maori's cousin is a very very thrown around word.

Timana Tahu and Storms Jeremy Smith were also born in Melbournd bud.