General YOUR 2023 WARRIORS TEAM

[Toookey]

Gees I know we don’t have the best pack but I thought we’d rank better than this. Fox always get details about the warriors wrong though - like naming Tohu Harris at prop when Webster has stated many times now that he will be 13

P.S I hate when they include hooker as part of the pack. This isn’t union, hooker is a spine player - not part of the pack!

Yeah I agree. Hooker doesn't count!

Also, I feel you need to consider the bench too - no point having a boss starting back and 4 plebs on the bench.

Regardless I'd still have us at least 3 or 4 places higher. I think we're better than Titans and Knights atleast

 

[Defence]

I know we’ve all turned on Reece Walsh here, but to say Luke Metcalf is better than him based largely off NSW cup performance is a bit premature.

Walsh was mostly the lone attacking threat in a bad NRL team, Metcalf has been playing in a pretty good NSW cup team.

I do think Luke will hit the ground running a be really good for us.

But I’d also fully expect Reece Walsh to look a lot better next season behind the Broncos yardage game on attack and a better front line on D.

I wouldn’t say Ive turned on walsh- I wish him all the best- I just never thought he should’ve been playing fullback.
If u went back to when we signed him I said everyone I had talked to said he grew up playing half and was better suited there (it just so happened we needed a half and already had one of the best fullbacks in the world but anyway..) so I wasn’t shocked when he got found out a bit- plus I’ve been a big metcalf fan ever since he carved up the nines a couple of years ago- he’s been around a while now and should be good to go- Walsh was thrown to the wolves.

 

[Geoff Public]

Where abouts do you see Niukore fitting in?

I have a sneaky suspicion hell be starting the year at centre for us

FWIW he's listed at centre on the Warriors website

 

[Tianasnow14]

Can I throw a spanner into the mix. What if Montoya starts at center, with Kosi outside him. Provides metres and toughness. Could help under the high ball if need be? Then Berry next drop center.

 

[Wrighty]

Can I throw a spanner into the mix. What if Montoya starts at center, with Kosi outside him. Provides metres and toughness. Could help under the high ball if need be? Then Berry next drop center.

Only lasts as long as Kosi and dallin are healthy so not a sustainable long term option and because it is not sustainable long term trying Montoya at centre will create an inconsistent back line when considering from the duration of the season perspective.

 

[Socrates]

Only lasts as long as Kosi and dallin are healthy so not a sustainable long term option and because it is not sustainable long term trying Montoya at centre will create an inconsistent back line when considering from the duration of the season perspective.

I agree there Wrighty. Montoya is developing as a very good winger, elite at running the ball back and very good defense reads & contact. We have enough stock in the centre's with plenty of emerging talent. Train those boys the art of the centre position bring in specialists I.e Gasnier, Matai evan the likes of Toopi if he's around. Centre's are centre's. Wingers are wingers. Completely different skills and roles on the field.

 

[Tianasnow14]

Only lasts as long as Kosi and dallin are healthy so not a sustainable long term option and because it is not sustainable long term trying Montoya at centre will create an inconsistent back line when considering from the duration of the season perspective.

How is it not sustainable? Pompey can play wing or Berry comes in at centre with Montoya moving to the wing. I would think Berry and Vailea are our long term centre choices but to start the season strong you want a dependable choice Montoya fits the bill. Wrighty just giving you examples of situations that have worked for the Wahs.

2011- Lance Hohaia started the season as the first fullback on of the season they moved Kevin Locke became the first choice FB.

Same season Brett Seymour was the starting 7. Half way through that year Shauny Johnson partnered Maloney to GF.

 

[Tianasnow14]

I agree there Wrighty. Montoya is developing as a very good winger, elite at running the ball back and very good defense reads & contact. We have enough stock in the centre's with plenty of emerging talent. Train those boys the art of the centre position bring in specialists I.e Gasnier, Matai evan the likes of Toopi if he's around. Centre's are centre's. Wingers are wingers. Completely different skills and roles on the field.

Fair enough. I do think the game is a bit different now days. How many specialist centre's are there anymore?

 

[Tianasnow14]

Last thing for tonight , Metres. Say we go into the season with prop being a weak spot for us. A back 5 that can make metres could help. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Montoya and Kosi could make 120-130 mtr each on average, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 150 possibly more. This negates some of the problems we might have getting out of our own half? Food for thought.

 

[Socrates]

Fair enough. I do think the game is a bit different now days. How many specialist centre's are there anymore?

U know if you look at the top teams like storm with Olam, Panthers Chrichton, Pet Hiku over there at the Cowboys, Evan Penisini. These are specialist centre's whom have honed their craft and become unbelievable strike weapons for their teams. Maybe I am a purist but i definitely endorse the idea that a player should play his preferred position and develop to be the best in the game in that position. Save the utility for 14.

 

[Socrates]

Last thing for tonight , Metres. Say we go into the season with prop being a weak spot for us. A back 5 that can make metres could help. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Montoya and Kosi could make 120-130 mtr each on average, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 150 possibly more. This negates some of the problems we might have getting out of our own half? Food for thought.

Modern day wingers job includes making hard metres from own end I.e To'o, Tupou, Sivo. But this does not make up for the duty of the prop. The forward pack leaders 8 & 10 need to be fearsome with ball in hand and relentless in Defence. Think of big Klemmer or Fisher Harris, Payne Haas. These men carry the team on their back we are 1 or 2 men short in this department.

 

[Defence]

Can I throw a spanner into the mix. What if Montoya starts at center, with Kosi outside him. Provides metres and toughness. Could help under the high ball if need be? Then Berry next drop center.

That’s what I’d do- not including walker, Montoya is our most experienced center (started 26 games there) we rolled the dice with inexperienced centers last year paid the price.
Need kosi’s meters too.

 

[The Batman]

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Vailea
4 Niukere
5 Montoya
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun
8 Fonua-Blake
9 Egan
10 Afoa
11 Barnett
12 Curran
13 Harris

14 Walker
15 Jazz
16 Kepu
17 Sironen
18 Metcalf

 

[Vancent]

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Vailea
4 Niukere
5 Montoya
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun
8 Fonua-Blake
9 Egan
10 Afoa
11 Barnett
12 Curran
13 Harris

14 Walker
15 Jazz
16 Kepu
17 Sironen
18 Metcalf

Love this, with one proposed change - Ale in for Siro, haven’t seen anything yet from Siro.

 

[Dannevegas]

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Vailea
4 Niukere
5 Montoya
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Shaun
8 Fonua-Blake
9 Egan
10 Afoa
11 Barnett
12 Curran
13 Harris

14 Walker
15 Jazz
16 Kepu
17 Sironen
18 Metcalf

Kepu ahead of Ale?, I’ve yet to see the hype around the Kepu boys yet, But Otukinekina Kepu does look the better of the 2

 

[Wrighty]

Anyone with some news or goss on how close we are to finalising and signing the deal and collective agreement? Apparently once it signs there will be a flurry of signings across the league.

Peter V'landys wants to guarantee NRL club's futures for a century

“What if we find out a year later that the new owner is actually an international cocaine smuggler.”

www.zerotackle.com

 

[Wrighty]

Feb 9th the pre-season matches start. So not a huge amount of time to wait. We play West Tigers in our pre-season match.

 

[Worried2Death]

Anyone with some news or goss on how close we are to finalising and signing the deal and collective agreement? Apparently once it signs there will be a flurry of signings across the league.

Peter V'landys wants to guarantee NRL club's futures for a century

“What if we find out a year later that the new owner is actually an international cocaine smuggler.”

www.zerotackle.com

We're set for life then wrighty, *unless mohawk turns out to be an international cocaine smuggler. He's a Neil Young fan, makes you wonder.

 

[Warriorshopeful]

Feb 9th the pre-season matches start. So not a huge amount of time to wait. We play West Tigers in our pre-season match.

Dunno how much stock I'd put in our pre-season/trial matches... Last one we beat the Storm which got me a little excited for this year but alas we did very poorly.

 

[snake77]

How is it not sustainable? Pompey can play wing or Berry comes in at centre with Montoya moving to the wing. I would think Berry and Vailea are our long term centre choices but to start the season strong you want a dependable choice Montoya fits the bill. Wrighty just giving you examples of situations that have worked for the Wahs.

2011- Lance Hohaia started the season as the first fullback on of the season they moved Kevin Locke became the first choice FB.

Same season Brett Seymour was the starting 7. Half way through that year Shauny Johnson partnered Maloney to GF.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see some changes similar to 2011 next season. I'd love for it to turn out with similar results but I'll concentrate on the actual changes instead of some dream magical grand final run as the two I'll talk about coming in might add something but I doubt it would be Locke/Johnson 2011 form.

It seems likely listening to the coach in interviews our starting spine will be.

1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
6 Te Maire Martin
7 Johnson
9 Egan

That is the most experienced combination and would hopefully be the best for guiding us around the field and implementing the coaches game plans. I do look at it and think something is missing or there is an opportunity there.

The fullback and the halves have question marks over them. The two that could (Metcalf and Volkman) come in would provide some youth and some speed.

It's a long season. There will be injuries and suspension. Someone could come in and take an opportunity late in the season.