Gameday < 2021 Warriors vs Sharks Gameday Chatter [Round 21, 2017]

[mt.wellington]

Warriors vs Sharks Gameday Chatter [Round 21, 2017]

​

Warriors v Sharks: Schick Preview
Wed 26 Jul, 2017, 12:00pm
By Corey Rosser‌, New Zealand Correspondent‌‌, ‌‌‌NRL.com

Schick Hydro Preview: Warriors v Sharks
Mount Smart Stadium
Friday, 8pm NZT, 6pm AEDT

As the Sharks circle the NRL Telstra Premiership top four, D-Day looms for the Warriors ahead of Friday night's clash in Auckland.

Sitting in 12th position, now six points outside of the top eight, the Warriors will run out at Mount Smart Stadium with three-straight losses behind them, while their opponents this week come off a 26-12 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Coach Stephen Kearney has maintained the same 17 who went down 24-12 to the Cowboys in Townsville last week, and given they have won only once on the road all year, this home match shapes as a must win if they are to stay in contention for an improbable finals appearance.

The Sharkies have a forced change, with Blues five-eighth James Maloney out due to a hand injury and Fa'amanu Brown to wear the No.6 in his place.

James Segeyaro starts at hooker, while coach Shane Flanagan welcomes Jack Bird back in the centres.

Why the Warriors can win: They are a different beast at home in 2017, and currently possess the NRL's second-best home record with six wins from nine matches on New Zealand soil, while at Mount Smart Stadium they have lost just twice this season. At home the Warriors average 20.5 points scored, compared to 18.4 on the road, and leak 20.1 on average at home, 4.3 less than their away average.

Why the Sharks can win: The Cronulla forwards have been dominating all year, and will be coming up against a Warriors' pack who have struggled all season and this week are without one of their best performers in James Gavet (broken arm). The Sharks sit third in the competition in terms of metres gained this year, averaging 1644 per match, and last week they had big men Andrew Fifita, Matt Prior, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen and Jason Bukuya all run for over 95 metres individually.

The History: Played 36; Warriors 16; Sharks 20. Cronulla have tasted victory in seven of their last nine meetings with the Warriors, including the two most recent examples. But these have been very close encounters of late, with five of the last six decided by four points or less. The Sharkies have won in three of their last four visits to Mount Smart Stadium.

What are the odds: The Warriors have been the least supported team of the round with Sportsbet. An incredible 98 per cent of the money is with the Sharks at relatively backable odds. Around three-quarters of the bets at the line have been on Cronulla as well, where they're conceding the points start.

Match officials: Referee: Matt Cecchin. Assistant referee: Gavin Reynolds. Sideline officials: Chris McMillan and Russell Turner. Review official: Bryan Norrie. Senior review official: Jared Maxwell.

Televised: Fox Sports – Live coverage from 6pm. Sky Sports - Live coverage from 8pm.

NRL.com predicts: The Sharks have put themselves right in the mix as the home stretch approaches, while the Warriors conversely look set for another slow and painful exit from finals contention. With their superior presence through the middle of the park, and the fact that the Warriors are missing some key talent, Cronulla will have too much on Friday night. Sharks by 14.

https://www.nrl.com/warriors-v-sharks-schick-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/110380/default.aspx

 

[Bluecat again]

Oh dear.
Never mind. It will all be over soon Only a handful of weeks of suffering left

 

[Gizzyfan]

Look, forget it.

He's soft and from now on when someone posts a player has been replaced when I've heard he hasn't but is going to be accessed today to see if he will play, I'll just keep it to myself - and laugh at the idiocy of fools on here with their conspiracy theories.

And you guys wonder why people like me post less and less about what we know is actually happening in the club.

I'm out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brings back to mind the old Monty Python 'Just a flesh wound' gag mate.

 

[The Cheap Seats]

Look, forget it.

He's soft and from now on when someone posts a player has been replaced when I've heard he hasn't but is going to be accessed today to see if he will play, I'll just keep it to myself - and laugh at the idiocy of fools on here with their conspiracy theories.

And you guys wonder why people like me post less and less about what we know is actually happening in the club.

I'm out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING: Public Health Advisory.
Frustration kills.

Jonno claims another victim.

 

[janfin]

6 games to go so I am wishing and hoping and praying that we will win by 6 As they say Dreams are free Go hard tonight Boys

 

[mrblonde]

Year but you said they said slight niggle. It makes him sound soft.

I wouldn't take a day off from my humble forklift job with a slight niggle.

True, but would you if you knew if you aggravated that slight niggle it'd become a lot more serious? I agree the term sounds like a 1mm shaving cut but who'd know really and the club don't want to say "Chris has twinged his left shoulder so Sharkie players, that's the part of him you want to smash merry hell out of as much as you can!"?

 

[Khaboom]

Brings back to mind the old Monty Python 'Just a flesh wound' gag mate.

Call it a draw?

 

[Jordan G]

Year but you said they said slight niggle. It makes him sound soft.

I wouldn't take a day off from my humble forklift job with a slight niggle. But I guess warriors players in all their magisty can't afford to hurt themselves so would go home sick if they cut their little finger with a butter knife.

Out of curiosity what would a "slight" niggle be for a forklift driver? Swollen butt cheek? Athlete's foot? Hand cramp?

 

[Waiting For Premiership]

6 games to go so I am wishing and hoping and praying that we will win by 6 As they say Dreams are free Go hard tonight Boys

Your funny

 

[warriors4eva]

they should all have decent engines at this level, but against the sharkies more size is needed !!

either way i hope he plays well when he is on

 

[Beastmode]

6 games to go so I am wishing and hoping and praying that we will win by 6 As they say Dreams are free Go hard tonight Boys

6 more exhibition games before the hardest pre-season ever? that many?

Its Friday everyone!! get out there and enjoy your last few hours of the weekend before the Warriors ruin it again.

 

[BiggerD]

I live in hope that the Warriors win against the Sharks.
Last weeks game against the Cowboys in Townsville did show an improved Warriors side.

Whats the weather forecast for Auckland at game time..Any rain. ?

https://www.nrl.com/warriors-out-to-temper-sharks-pack/tabid/10874/newsid/110458/default.aspx

The Warriors are hoping a tough encounter against the North Queensland Cowboys last week will serve as the ideal preparation for dealing with the formidable Cronulla Sharks forwards on Friday night.

Spearheaded by a group of current and former representative players, Cronulla's big men have helped their team to achieve the third highest total run metres in the competition after 18 games, averaging 1644 per match in 2017.

But Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck believes there had been a marked change in the mind set of his own side's pack in the last fortnight, with increased intensity at training giving him confidence that they can rise to the occasion.

"I think from last week's game we saw a change there, especially with the middle pack just standing up and playing the physical game," Tuivasa-Sheck said ahead of kick-off at Mount Smart Stadium.

"You have to give it up to Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino, they really led the team well.

"[The Sharks are] another similar team to the Cowboys, big forward pack… if our middle pack can front up again and control their middle, it's up to our players in Mason [Lino], 'Foz' [Kieran Foran], myself and 'Bully' [Issac Luke] to control the team and execute our plays.

"It's all on the line for us, so it's just getting everyone connected and all in."

In the absence of the injured Albert Vete and James Gavet, with the latter being one of their best forwards this season, averaging 112 metres and 21 tackles per game, Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has handed the likes of Ligi Sao a bigger role off the bench, while also calling rookie Tevita Satae into the 17.

Bench utility Ata Hingano said there was plenty of belief that their new-look forwards could match it with the likes of Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham and Paul Gallen, who between them powered through 519 metres last week.

"In our side we still have Ben [Matulino] and Lillyman, and the forwards who have come in are capable of giving us the momentum we need. They are all able to do the job for us," Hingano told NRL.com.

"It was good for Chris [Satae] to debut last week too… none of us expected him to do anything different to what he did in reserve grade, he ran hard and made his tackles like he does.

"The way the Sharks play is they play off momentum and a fast game, so we have to get in their face and slow them down."

Currently sitting six points outside of the eight with six games remaining, the Warriors are approaching must-win territory if they are to keep their 2017 finals hopes alive

 

[Hadyn]

You never hear about Simon Mannering missing a game because of a "slight niggle".

I reckon it's just the coaching staff trying to justify their midget forward pack policy to us.

I've heard that Satae has a slight niggle and a decision going to made today if he drops of the bench and Bell takes his place.

If that is right says it all.This would be Sataes big chance.Surely to god a slight niggle wouldn't stop him,if he was keen he would keep it to himself and rip in.Adrenaline should take over and he could play a blinder.
David Tua had a broken hand when he got his chance at the title and it didn't stop him going against Lewis.Mind you he got dealt to and that is what is going to happen tonight.
Man for man Sharks are too good,too big,too strong,too hungry,too professional,too intelligent,too fit,too proud,too supported by the refs,too much for us to handle,too well coached....need I go on.

 

[Coops]

I live in hope that the Warriors win against the Sharks.
Last weeks game against the Cowboys in Townsville did show an improved Warriors side.

Whats the weather forecast for Auckland at game time..Any rain. ?

https://www.nrl.com/warriors-out-to-temper-sharks-pack/tabid/10874/newsid/110458/default.aspx

The Warriors are hoping a tough encounter against the North Queensland Cowboys last week will serve as the ideal preparation for dealing with the formidable Cronulla Sharks forwards on Friday night.

Spearheaded by a group of current and former representative players, Cronulla's big men have helped their team to achieve the third highest total run metres in the competition after 18 games, averaging 1644 per match in 2017.

But Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck believes there had been a marked change in the mind set of his own side's pack in the last fortnight, with increased intensity at training giving him confidence that they can rise to the occasion.

"I think from last week's game we saw a change there, especially with the middle pack just standing up and playing the physical game," Tuivasa-Sheck said ahead of kick-off at Mount Smart Stadium.

"You have to give it up to Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino, they really led the team well.

"[The Sharks are] another similar team to the Cowboys, big forward pack… if our middle pack can front up again and control their middle, it's up to our players in Mason [Lino], 'Foz' [Kieran Foran], myself and 'Bully' [Issac Luke] to control the team and execute our plays.

"It's all on the line for us, so it's just getting everyone connected and all in."

In the absence of the injured Albert Vete and James Gavet, with the latter being one of their best forwards this season, averaging 112 metres and 21 tackles per game, Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has handed the likes of Ligi Sao a bigger role off the bench, while also calling rookie Tevita Satae into the 17.

Bench utility Ata Hingano said there was plenty of belief that their new-look forwards could match it with the likes of Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham and Paul Gallen, who between them powered through 519 metres last week.

"In our side we still have Ben [Matulino] and Lillyman, and the forwards who have come in are capable of giving us the momentum we need. They are all able to do the job for us," Hingano told NRL.com.

"It was good for Chris [Satae] to debut last week too… none of us expected him to do anything different to what he did in reserve grade, he ran hard and made his tackles like he does.

"The way the Sharks play is they play off momentum and a fast game, so we have to get in their face and slow them down."

Currently sitting six points outside of the eight with six games remaining, the Warriors are approaching must-win territory if they are to keep their 2017 finals hopes alive

Phfffff! Whatevs.

 

[ryno]

Will I be drunk enough to watch the game tonight?

 

[WellingtonOrca]

If Bell was in it would be Kearney could spell some second rowers at least, that's one positive. Knowing him he'll probably do something like take Mannering off with 20 to go though :|

 

[mt.wellington]

You never hear about Simon Mannering missing a game because of a "slight niggle".

Simon Mannering is a Superhero. Him at 10% would still be better than most our players.

Heard Andrew Fifita was out late last night. Hope he plays like shit...

 

[mrblonde]

Gee, a New South Welshman not taking his game preperation too seriously.

Glad I'm sitting down reading this, otherwise I'd have fainted from the shock...

Warriors 20-14.

 

[Stalefish540]

Fafita after an night out on the gear in AK, is still better than anything Sao is gonna toss up tonight.

 

[Deranged]

Year but you said they said slight niggle. It makes him sound soft.

I wouldn't take a day off from my humble forklift job with a slight niggle. But I guess warriors players in all their magisty can't afford to hurt themselves so would go home sick if they cut their little finger with a butter knife.

What would it take for you to have a day off from this forum?