General Warriors Second Row Depth

[fizurg]

Is anyone else concerned about out lack off depth at second row?
After our three first picked back rowers (Mannering, Hoffman, Thompson) there doesn't seem to be much.
After them there seems to be Henry, RFM and Sau. After that we really are clutching at straws.
I also don't count players like Matulino as they are first picks in other positions.

 

[jonno]

Is anyone else concerned about out lack off depth at second row?
After our three first picked back rowers (Mannering, Hoffman, Thompson) there doesn't seem to be much.
After them there seems to be Henry, RFM and Sau. After that we really are clutching at straws.
I also don't count players like Matulino as they are first picks in other positions.

You forgot to mention Manu and Mamaulo.

 

[Sup42]

Well our preferred three do set the bar pretty high.

Second Row has been a favored position at the Warriors since the days of Ivan so i don't really fear that they don't take it pretty seriously.

As you pointed out, Just now we would be looking at converts should we cop injury.

I think there are other positions in the team that cry our for more immediate attention (Half and center) but I wont derail the OP banging on about that.

It will be interesting to see who the Warriors buy in next...since they do seem to leave the lions share of the forward import budget to making sure they have backrowers.

 

[ToiletDuck]

Yeah our backrow, along with centre, have been positions where we just struggle to find a happy medium. Backrowers should be in plentiful supply in Auckland, and I have NFI how we don't attract many through our junior system. Yet like centre, finding a player who can bend the line whilst being a capable defender just seems like a bridge too far.

But back to your point, the backrow stocks are very thin. After Henry and RFM, I'm not really sure who the club actually has pencilled in as our next generation (and this RFM doggies rumour doesn't seem to be going away).

 

[STEEDEN]

Id like to see Tohu Harris Harris fill one of those second row positions for us, he Is off contract from the Storm in 2017, and I wouldn't care if had to sell or swap a few forwards to get him.

 

[Paleaaesina2the20]

Sam Lisone is fit and fast and could well end up in the back row for 10 years, Jazz Tevaga has first grade lock written all over him, absolute tackle bot that understands the game, has a sneaky offload and a big ticker.

 

[InsideBall]

Honestly? Not really.

Our front line of Thompson, Hoffman and Mannering are world class. Probably one of the best back rows in the game - all 80 minutes players, all highly dependable.

Behind them we have three genuine FG talents in Henry, RFM and Sao.

That's six genuine FG back rowers in the club, before we even start mentioning other players that could fill the role of needed. How many more FG backrowers can you actually have at a club before you start overloading your cap with them at the expense of other positions? There is finite cap and squad space for players, and juggling those are one of the most important aspects of running a club.

I actually think our back row depth is the best it's been for a while, particularly when you think that Lousi isn't one of the first names brought up for depth.

 

[Jordan G]

This is something I've mentioned before.

It's all good to say we have 6 genuine FG back rowers, but I don't think RFM is near being called a genuine first grade back rower yet, Henry is constantly injured and Sao is a prop who plays at lock.

We seem to be loading up on props and our most promising juniors seem to be props. if we intend of going with a prop at lock style back row then I think we're sweet. If not then I hope we have some sort of succession plan for when Hoffman and eventually Mannering depart because I don't see a lot of genuine options currently on our books.

 

[ToiletDuck]

We seem to be loading up on props and our most promising juniors seem to be props. if we intend of going with a prop at lock style back row then I think we're sweet. If not then I hope we have some sort of succession plan for when Hoffman and eventually Mannering depart because I don't see a lot of genuine options currently on our books.

It seems to be the way clubs are going. The 80 minute tackle-bot lock who offers little in attack seems to be a dying breed. Just a quick glance at some of the better sides and you'll find Sam Burgess, Parker, Liu/SST, Taupau, Taumalolo all lining up at 13 and all playing in the middle of the park. Not sure how this will be impacted by the reduced interchanges, which should suit lock's like Simon who can play 80...though that style seems to be less popular at present. As a further example I see Elijah Taylor is not only benched this weekend, but may find himself in NSW Cup.

 

[Jay M]

I am not overly concerned. I don't look at it as props and back rowers, I look at it like middle and edge defenders.

Potential middle defenders: Matulino, Lillyman, Gavet, Lisone, Vete, Mannering, Sao, Gubb, RFM, Lousi, Ali, Poching etc (if required)

Potential edge defenders: Hoffman, Thompson, Mannering, Henry, Sao, RFM, Matulino, Gubb, Lousi, Ali, Konnie, Ayshford, and I am sure others are options too. I didn't include Lillyman due to his bulk, but he did start in the back row...

It would take a horrendous injury toll to exhaust either list. Leuluai is another back row option when recovered too.

And both lists exclude the likes of Sipley etc who could legitimately earn their shots this year.

 

[Jordan G]

It seems to be the way clubs are going. The 80 minute tackle-bot lock who offers little in attack seems to be a dying breed. Just a quick glance at some of the better sides and you'll find Sam Burgess, Parker, Liu/SST, Taupau, Taumalolo all lining up at 13 and all playing in the middle of the park. Not sure how this will be impacted by the reduced interchanges, which should suit lock's like Simon who can play 80...though that style seems to be less popular at present. As a further example I see Elijah Taylor is not only benched this weekend, but may find himself in NSW Cup.

Word from Panthers fans is that Taylor has had a falling out with Griffin. They've signed Gremsvuhl for next year too so it would be a safe bet that Taylor will be looking for Marquee money elsewhere next season.

It definitely seems to be heading towards a prop at lock, and in that respect I think we're fine for second row. Outside backs who can defend and offer something on attack as well is probably priority 1,2, and 3.

 

[eudebrito]

Depth is only quality if your team stays at a decent level when those depth players are needed. I think we'd be in serious trouble if fumbles-mariner and a Sao/Lisone rotation started a game in the 12 and 13 jerseys anytime soon. I like benry, but that was a knee surgery ago, we'll have to see if he still has it.

Think we'd need to go out and buy a real replacement for the incumbents, were it necessary

 

[bruce]

Word from Panthers fans is that Taylor has had a falling out with Griffin.

That was a strange decision to sack Cleary for Griffin. He din't do much at the Broncos. I would have Elijah back, at least he can tackle.