surfin
Yep, team won every trial comfortably under Bluey, then got beaten by Parra when it counted.
Lord Gnome of Howick MBE
¿N. ig-mah¿
He has said he will run out a full strength team. There will no doubt be a few extra bench players included, but I would say every round 1 player will make an appearance in that game.
Gizzyfan
From what I have seen of the respective teams a reasonable result. The Warriors had a lot of guys getting their first taste of the big time. As said avoiding injuries is the big thing. Hopefully MtW will give us a good summary.
Hi Guys just got back from the trial and here are my thoughts on both games
Juniors - Standouts were
Bradley Abbey - Looks like he has time attacking, had a couple of dashing runs including a great individual try. Looks a good prospect.
Mason Tonks - looked strong on both attack and defence, suprised out of the two pom kids he played for the juniors and Baldwinson for the Seniors, he looks the better prospect. Scored a great individual try from half way side stepping and outpacing around the full back with ease.
The young guy - who got the hatrick was the best player on the park, think his name was James ?, didnt recognize him in the stand but consistently broke tackles, shrugging guys off pretty easy and had ok wheels to go with it, Reminded me very much of a young Suitonga Likiliki.
Paul Tuli - For all the hype did not deliver, looks to be trying to hard and running way to upright, suprised the warriors have not coached him yet to run with a lower sense of gravity. Can see him improving though out the season but not there yet.
The hair bears - Bunty Afoa and Constantine Mika, - Guys looked so similar on the field size and wild hair. One was playing in the forwards and the other on the wing. I think it was Bunty in the Forwards if so, he ran pretty hard and looks like he has potential. if it was Mika on the wing he looked unready and way to raw.
Braxton Stanley - im pretty sure he was no6 - if it was him he looked way more a revelation in this position than centre, quite dangerous and read and presented plays well.
First Grade
VERY VERY AVERAGE - NOBODY apart from Tui Lolohea put their hand up, Both of Loloheas try were directly from Titans knock on mistakes and he just had vision and speed to pick them up and skate away. But these trys were not from structured attack. Lets put this into perspective, if the Warriors did not get these 2 fortunate trys then we loss 38 -6
We can take note that it was clearly obvious the Titans took this trial way more seriously than the Warriors, it was literally musical cheers out their for the warriors, you couldnt keep up with the players coming and going, the last quater their was not one player who would be a starter for the warriors out on the field. Also their were several unknown players out there also who I assume must be signed vulcan players. I went to the toilet before the game and saw Tevita Latu there, I thought he must be here to check out the game obviously, next thing he is running out on the field in a Warriors jersey.
Lumape looks like he ate way to much at christmas, I would be surpised if he has still got his speed, way more bulkier than last year, while looking stronger and harder to put down he seemed to have no speed into punching the line.
The team did not look coached, they had no attacking structure. GRADE O for ORDINARY
nobody put their hand up for RD1 accept Lolohea
I read lousi looked mean, id disagree. He did exactly what a first grade prop should and nothing more. Papailli looked massive as did Vete and they got attention but expected more from them. They would only appeal on physical presence.
Juniors - Standouts were
Bradley Abbey - Looks like he has time attacking, had a couple of dashing runs including a great individual try. Looks a good prospect.
Mason Tonks - looked strong on both attack and defence, suprised out of the two pom kids he played for the juniors and Baldwinson for the Seniors, he looks the better prospect. Scored a great individual try from half way side stepping and outpacing around the full back with ease.
The young guy - who got the hatrick was the best player on the park, think his name was James ?, didnt recognize him in the stand but consistently broke tackles, shrugging guys off pretty easy and had ok wheels to go with it, Reminded me very much of a young Suitonga Likiliki.
Paul Tuli - For all the hype did not deliver, looks to be trying to hard and running way to upright, suprised the warriors have not coached him yet to run with a lower sense of gravity. Can see him improving though out the season but not there yet.
The hair bears - Bunty Afoa and Constantine Mika, - Guys looked so similar on the field size and wild hair. One was playing in the forwards and the other on the wing. I think it was Bunty in the Forwards if so, he ran pretty hard and looks like he has potential. if it was Mika on the wing he looked unready and way to raw.
Braxton Stanley - im pretty sure he was no6 - if it was him he looked way more a revelation in this position than centre, quite dangerous and read and presented plays well.
First Grade
VERY VERY AVERAGE - NOBODY apart from Tui Lolohea put their hand up, Both of Loloheas try were directly from Titans knock on mistakes and he just had vision and speed to pick them up and skate away. But these trys were not from structured attack. Lets put this into perspective, if the Warriors did not get these 2 fortunate trys then we loss 38 -6
We can take note that it was clearly obvious the Titans took this trial way more seriously than the Warriors, it was literally musical cheers out their for the warriors, you couldnt keep up with the players coming and going, the last quater their was not one player who would be a starter for the warriors out on the field. Also their were several unknown players out there also who I assume must be signed vulcan players. I went to the toilet before the game and saw Tevita Latu there, I thought he must be here to check out the game obviously, next thing he is running out on the field in a Warriors jersey.
Lumape looks like he ate way to much at christmas, I would be surpised if he has still got his speed, way more bulkier than last year, while looking stronger and harder to put down he seemed to have no speed into punching the line.
The team did not look coached, they had no attacking structure. GRADE O for ORDINARY
nobody put their hand up for RD1 accept Lolohea
I read lousi looked mean, id disagree. He did exactly what a first grade prop should and nothing more. Papailli looked massive as did Vete and they got attention but expected more from them. They would only appeal on physical presence.
Benry's Smile
Gubstar: Had couple of hard straight Matagi-esque runs. One from a kick return that the Titan defense wanted none of.
Matagi: Didn;t get a chance to wind up from a kick return but always wants to quick play the ball, good energy.
Laumape: bad under the high ball. communication errors between him and the fish at fullback. A beast in the tackle. Consistently had 3-4 guys on him and refuses to go down. Looks even more bulky and stout than last year.
Hurrell: Enthusiastic, had quite a number of runs, wanted the ball.
Lolohea/Fusitua: Some of that majestic form in the Junior final's last year has carried over. The aussies are in for a rude awakening in the nines with these boys.
Lino: Put in some great, well weighed fifth tackle kicks. Couple of balls hung up beautiful in the oppositions try zone.
Peyroux: Enthusiastic as always, but gets overpowered in tackles playing in the 2nd row. Best suited to center cover. Quite sure it was him who got put on report for a back of the head strike.
Ikahihifo: High work rate, industrial, grabbed a nice try running a good line, spotted a gap.
Tuimavave: not a center. dont know why we play him there.
Sione: good to have a big mofo in the middle who comes in to help out in D by absolutely flattening a fella held up in a tackle.
Matagi: Didn;t get a chance to wind up from a kick return but always wants to quick play the ball, good energy.
Laumape: bad under the high ball. communication errors between him and the fish at fullback. A beast in the tackle. Consistently had 3-4 guys on him and refuses to go down. Looks even more bulky and stout than last year.
Hurrell: Enthusiastic, had quite a number of runs, wanted the ball.
Lolohea/Fusitua: Some of that majestic form in the Junior final's last year has carried over. The aussies are in for a rude awakening in the nines with these boys.
Lino: Put in some great, well weighed fifth tackle kicks. Couple of balls hung up beautiful in the oppositions try zone.
Peyroux: Enthusiastic as always, but gets overpowered in tackles playing in the 2nd row. Best suited to center cover. Quite sure it was him who got put on report for a back of the head strike.
Ikahihifo: High work rate, industrial, grabbed a nice try running a good line, spotted a gap.
Tuimavave: not a center. dont know why we play him there.
Sione: good to have a big mofo in the middle who comes in to help out in D by absolutely flattening a fella held up in a tackle.
ramraider78
It was only 2 x players really , both props hayes and moala doing the cheap shots. TBH that's how the Fox an shaman is gonna be for the 20's not selected to play week in week out. I've been told they aren't to play in there age group and have to test themselves against men.
ramraider78
Actually I thought Tonks didn't live up to his hype he had a couple of errors there and for his size should of ran more through the middle, his defense was good. Abbey lived up to hype, vision and skills showed during the game. Bunty Afoa was the standout IMO in the props, he looks good now without his knee heavily bandaged,running more freely ,hits the line at speed. James bell shocked me scoring 3 tries, never really seen him score tries,he's always been a machine on defense tackles all day - definitely wants to put his hand up.
Christian Mika didn't wow me at winger TBH , Lafu feagaiga at right centre looked better, ran a better line and scored twice from memory.
The 20's halves need work IMO they had some shocking moments feeding the forwards the ball, they didn't control the game enough; the ball just sat out one side during some quarters - those halves didn't kick enough like lino and lolohea IMO. It's only the first trial, so I'd expect improvements in a few weeks, a few of the kids were new to running at men but they are playing richmond, Otara, and Otahuhu in the next few weeks ,so more opportunity to see some footy.
I agree with the previous post that was scracthy for a trial from the FG boys but ,they were a few reserve grade guys having a run that were straight from Fox. I see Tevita Latu is having another run, moved the ball around a bit still had that vision. We died out here and there I thought. My real focus really was watching Baldwinson - he could work out IMO does all the basics well and not shy from the contact for his age. A bit drunk by the last quarter but I see the warriors of old shine through,2nd half fade out.
Christian Mika didn't wow me at winger TBH , Lafu feagaiga at right centre looked better, ran a better line and scored twice from memory.
The 20's halves need work IMO they had some shocking moments feeding the forwards the ball, they didn't control the game enough; the ball just sat out one side during some quarters - those halves didn't kick enough like lino and lolohea IMO. It's only the first trial, so I'd expect improvements in a few weeks, a few of the kids were new to running at men but they are playing richmond, Otara, and Otahuhu in the next few weeks ,so more opportunity to see some footy.
I agree with the previous post that was scracthy for a trial from the FG boys but ,they were a few reserve grade guys having a run that were straight from Fox. I see Tevita Latu is having another run, moved the ball around a bit still had that vision. We died out here and there I thought. My real focus really was watching Baldwinson - he could work out IMO does all the basics well and not shy from the contact for his age. A bit drunk by the last quarter but I see the warriors of old shine through,2nd half fade out.
So it was Bunty Afoa in the forwards, he does look promising. James Bell impressed me as he wasnt to big but he played like a big man.
Who was the giant tall kid wearing the no18 Jersey for the juniors ? he had some strong runs also, would of been the tallest on the field.
95tilinfinity
Tevita Latu back????? I watched a replay of the Fox final a couple weeks ago on Maori TV and noticed he got man of the match for Pt Chev. Is he signed up by the Warriors or just going to fill in for Vulcans???
What hype was their in Tonks? I heard it was pretty small but seeing him play for the first 20 - he has a decent frame.
Definately looks like he will hold his spot, with probably Adam Tuimavave & Sipley.
Bunty Afoa is a awesome and still has 3 years left.
Mika looked like he was in shape - he might be ready next year??
Yeah I wouldnt be too harsh on the 20s halves yet - still early days.
Pretty small guys though - but seen some decent kicking game.
20s are looking refreshing imo - so many new faces and still did so well.
Yeah never seen the big bloke before - not a league junior.
Might be a rugby junior - he was a giant.
With Baldwinson, Tonks,
Lisone has NRL written all over him too
Taylor still eliglbe for 20s.
NYC is filled with a super strong forward pack - but rather than a few stars plenty of them actually potential to kick on.
Paul Tuli still has the goods - just a bit raw. Seen him play Fox before.
He is a beast and looks reasonably fit.
He just has too fine tune his contact and little things - players like Vete, Lisone all were raw like this.
Missed the start - but Tonks has good energy levels and looked pretty decent.
But Baldwinson was playing against an NRL first grade pack not a Fox memorial side - big difference and a 3rd grade Warriors side.
Definately wasnt Braxton Stanley - those halves were two small.
But they both came up with some decent plays at times.
Pretty harsh on the NRL - it was a first trial - like a 3rd grade team with a few FG'ers.
I walked away happy with the NRL - most of those guys were fringe reserve graders or 20s players.
Some of those guys were str8 from Fox Memorial against a Titans NRL pack imo.
I thought Pat Sipley looked like a good depth play for NSW cup.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
I might have have been too far gone by that stage but was it just me or was Johnathan Carl and the fullback from Kura George Edwards playing? There were a few Fox boys playing that weren't even on the team list. Tevita Latu was definitely playing at dummy half...
Yeah it was George Edwards the skinny fullback - he goes alrite.
Should make the NYC team you think.
Is Carl the white guy from Pt Chev - he is a good utility but there are better centres in the fox.
mt.wellington
Warriors Orange Peeler
Contributor
Yeah thats him. Thought I was seeing things. Was pretty hard keeping up with the players when they were just chucking players out in any jersey...
Freddie Futler
Gold Coast NRL stars Aidan Sezer and Steve Michaels will spend the next week rehabbing injuries picked up during their successful trip to New Zealand.
Both players suffered hamstring strains at training and were ruled out of the Titans' 36-18 trial win over the Warriors at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.
The news became even worse for coach John Cartwright when boom prop Ryan James left the field after 15 minutes with a shoulder knock and did not return.
The Titans will remain in New Zealand to prepare for the Auckland Nines next week but Cartwright said he would find out in the next 48 hours whether the trio will be available for selection.
"It's too early in the week to know how long those boys will be out for," he said.
"We'll get them assessed by the trainer tomorrow and go from there."
Matt Elliott's Warriors featured 13 players named for the inaugural short-form tournament at Eden Park, but were still without star recruit Sam Tomkins, Shaun Johnson and Jason Bukuya.
Among that bunch was NYC speedster Tuimoala Lolohea, who impressed with a brace of long-range tries that gave the Warriors an 18-4 lead after 22 minutes.
"Tui did all the eye-catching stuff, but a number of our young guys really stood up during their first crack at first-grade football," Elliott said.
"It was really pleasing to see how those guys reacted when being exposed to a really experienced bunch of players."
Without Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Dave Taylor, David Mead and Ashley Harrison, the Titans fought back admirably with Albert Kelly firmly involved.
The crafty halfback showed no signs of his troublesome left foot when he cut the Warriors' lead to just two points by dancing around three defenders to dot down next to the posts.
The visitors then punished the Warriors for failing to secure a towering kick, with recruit Maurice Blair diving over to regain the lead in the third quarter.
Fellow recruit Kalifa Faifailoa scored next to extend the advantage before Sezer's replacement, 19-year-old Christian Hazard, and Matthew Beddow put the result beyond doubt.
Paul Carter proved his switch from the back-row to hooker could be a permanent one when he opened the scoring and continuously made valuable metres from dummy half.
There were, however, ominous signs as Warriors prop Sebastine Ikahihifo walked through the goal-line defence early on. But there was little else to cheer about for the healthy home crowd that made the trip to Auckland's North Shore for the match.
Elliott admitted his side were hampered by basic errors but maintained they had benefited from the experience.
https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/league/news/article/-/21361351/titans-down-warriors-in-nrl-trial/
Both players suffered hamstring strains at training and were ruled out of the Titans' 36-18 trial win over the Warriors at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday.
The news became even worse for coach John Cartwright when boom prop Ryan James left the field after 15 minutes with a shoulder knock and did not return.
The Titans will remain in New Zealand to prepare for the Auckland Nines next week but Cartwright said he would find out in the next 48 hours whether the trio will be available for selection.
"It's too early in the week to know how long those boys will be out for," he said.
"We'll get them assessed by the trainer tomorrow and go from there."
Matt Elliott's Warriors featured 13 players named for the inaugural short-form tournament at Eden Park, but were still without star recruit Sam Tomkins, Shaun Johnson and Jason Bukuya.
Among that bunch was NYC speedster Tuimoala Lolohea, who impressed with a brace of long-range tries that gave the Warriors an 18-4 lead after 22 minutes.
"Tui did all the eye-catching stuff, but a number of our young guys really stood up during their first crack at first-grade football," Elliott said.
"It was really pleasing to see how those guys reacted when being exposed to a really experienced bunch of players."
Without Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Dave Taylor, David Mead and Ashley Harrison, the Titans fought back admirably with Albert Kelly firmly involved.
The crafty halfback showed no signs of his troublesome left foot when he cut the Warriors' lead to just two points by dancing around three defenders to dot down next to the posts.
The visitors then punished the Warriors for failing to secure a towering kick, with recruit Maurice Blair diving over to regain the lead in the third quarter.
Fellow recruit Kalifa Faifailoa scored next to extend the advantage before Sezer's replacement, 19-year-old Christian Hazard, and Matthew Beddow put the result beyond doubt.
Paul Carter proved his switch from the back-row to hooker could be a permanent one when he opened the scoring and continuously made valuable metres from dummy half.
There were, however, ominous signs as Warriors prop Sebastine Ikahihifo walked through the goal-line defence early on. But there was little else to cheer about for the healthy home crowd that made the trip to Auckland's North Shore for the match.
Elliott admitted his side were hampered by basic errors but maintained they had benefited from the experience.
https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/league/news/article/-/21361351/titans-down-warriors-in-nrl-trial/
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