Player Pita Godinet

[Tyrael_old]

My question is that we have so many hookers at the club. Yes this is a good signing but Cleary will never drop Heremaia and Berrigan so...

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10709115

Halfback Pita Godinet and forward Saulala Houma have joined hooker Aaron Heremaia in being upgraded from trial contracts to fulltime NRL deals with the New Zealand Warriors.

Warriors recruitment manager Dean Bell today confirmed the pair had signed one-year contracts for 2011 with an option for 2012.

Just as Heremaia did three years ago, Christchurch-born Godinet, 23, and Houma, 20, were signed on trial contracts with the NRL squad for the off-season training programme ahead of the 2011 competition. Godinet was a standout for the Auckland Vulcans in their 2010 New South Wales Cup campaign, making the competition's team of the year as well as being named the Vulcans' player of the year.

His career highlight, though, was making his test debut for Samoa against the Kiwis in Auckland last October when he scored Samoa's only try.

Houma, a recent rugby league convert from rugby union, starred for the Mount Albert Lions in the Auckland club competition last year and also excelled for the champion Auckland team in the New Zealand Rugby League's (NZRL) national competition. He was named the resident player of the year at the NZRL awards.

Bell said the signings were an example of the pathways in place for resident players.

"While we are always looking out for quality players offshore, we are committed to giving players in our own country every opportunity," he said.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said Godinet and Houma had done everything asked of them.

"They both have obvious potential and they've earned this opportunity," he said.

"They've worked hard throughout the off-season to be where they are and they've also produced good signs in the trials.

"It's great for the club and also for the game locally that they've come through like this. In Pita's case, just like Aaron (Heremaia), it also shows the value of the Vulcans playing in the New South Wales Cup."

The Warriors' opening match in the 2011 NRL competition is against Parramatta at Auckland's Eden Park on March 12.

 

[ToiletDuck_old]

Any news on D3?

 

[Northern_Union]

Who's D3?

 

[ToiletDuck_old]

Haha it's just a long over-used 'joke'...it means Diablo 3

 

[Northern_Union]

Ah, the old classic PC game?

 

[scottyb_old]

Good to see Godinet get a contract, he will probably play for the Vulcans more than the Warriors but it will be a learning curve for him training fulltime with the senior team and he'll only improve as a player. He will add some choices for Ivan, i've been impressed with him the few times i've seen him play.

 

[Magic Stick_old]

Congrats to those 2....Godinet was a star at Vulcans level. Eager to see his progress

 

[a.c.e_old]

Good news for Godinet, im sure other clubs were sniffing around this guy.

 

[dwats002_old]

There are strong rumours going around that Lance Hohaia has damaged knee cartilage and Pita Godinet will make his debut. Anyone heard anything and what are your thoughts about this possible scenario??

 

[fitzy_old]

yes, been talked about in depth on another thread. Check out the 'Official team for Rabbitohs' thread

 

[RRG_old]

Firstly I think Lance has been good the last couple of weeks so I am a bit dissapointed for him if he misses out.

I think it is a good thing that they have given Godinet a run. I think some have view Mara performances this year through rose tinted glasses, he is still a big talent but he hasn't look explosive this year in the NRL like he did in his debut. I know he hasn't played big minutes, but I would have expected even more spark if he wasn't playing many minutes.

Am keen to see how Godinet goes.

 

[danco_old]

When does the team fly to Australia? That should be the answer.

 

[Spence_old]

I'm fairly sure Godinet was due to debut before Johnson, but injuries and the like played into Johnson's hand. I'm very excited to see him debut, I think he's a great talent. If he can bring half of his NSW Cup form into the NRL we'll be saying "Nafe who?". It's had to compare speed/acceleration without seeing people play side by side, but this kid is explosive. I definitely think he has a more well rounded game than Seluini, with being able to play in the halves, etc, but dare I say, I think his acceleration through the ruck is just as, if not better, than Nafe's. Plus he's got a kicking game, top notch short and long passing game. I'm very excited to see him play.

 

[Jesbass_old]

Firstly I think Lance has been good the last couple of weeks so I am a bit dissapointed for him if he misses out.

I think it is a good thing that they have given Godinet a run. I think some have view Mara performances this year through rose tinted glasses, he is still a big talent but he hasn't look explosive this year in the NRL like he did in his debut. I know he hasn't played big minutes, but I would have expected even more spark if he wasn't playing many minutes.

Am keen to see how Godinet goes.

This.

And 30 minutes on the field should be plenty of time to stamp one's mark on a game.

I'm excited to see what Godinet will offer. He is, as others have said, explosive off the mark and an elusive runner. I'm keen to see what else he has on offer.

 

[Chch fan_old]

I'm sure your right Spence I recall reading some thing along the lines of Johnson to make debut due to injuries to Seymore and Godinet.
Seemed a bit strange but then Godinet had great trial form while Johnson was injured.
This weekend would be a bit of a tough call on Mara but who doesn't want to see a young guy that by all accounts has been carving in the feeder side?

 

[KeepingTheFaith_old]

Smart move picking Godinet over Mara. As much as I like Mara, Godinet can cover more positions and I don't think Cleary is 100% on Johnson playing 80 minutes every week and would like a second option up his sleeve. Mara playing halfback doesn't fill me with confidence, hence Godinet getting the well deserved nod (if rumours are true).

 

[ToiletDuck_old]

Yeah excited by this too. I generally get excited whenever we have any new player, even one that hasn't been talked up.

 

[sebastian_old]

Yeah excited by this too. I generally get excited whenever we have any new player, even one that hasn't been talked up.

Yeah, me too. :biggrin1:

Always waiting to see that one kid that has superstar written over him. We've had a few of those this year. Lets hope to see another one on Sunday. :hat:

 

[LordGnome_old]

Yeah, me too. :biggrin1:

Always waiting to see that one kid that has superstar written over him. We've had a few of those this year. Lets hope to see another one on Sunday. :hat:

how old is God?

 

[Spence_old]

Well Heremaia could easily cover halfback for 10 minutes at the end of the game, if need be. So I don't know if that is a reason for playing Godinet, but I guess he can cover any position in the spine, so he is a more versatile choice. Personally, I simply think they want to give him a run, see what he's got.