General YOUR 2023 WARRIORS TEAM

[Billyspleen75]

To add to the comment that Webster made which suggested Barnett will be a prop/middle, Justin Morgan said about Barnett "He has really bought our training for our middles to another level"

I think that means we line up like:

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

14. Walker
15. Jazz
16. Ale / Bunty / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with
17. Ford / Sironen / Ben Murdoch-Masila / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with

 

[Defence]

To add to the comment that Webster made which suggested Barnett will be a prop/middle, Justin Morgan said about Barnett "He has really bought our training for our middles to another level"

I think that means we line up like:

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

14. Walker
15. Jazz
16. Ale / Bunty / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with
17. Ford / Sironen / Ben Murdoch-Masila / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with

I quite like that team.
It’s funny though- it’s always about this time of year I look at these predicted line ups and think- shit we actually look quite good on paper.
Then we get to round one and look at the other teams and go- oh fark.

 

[CompletionRate]

To add to the comment that Webster made which suggested Barnett will be a prop/middle, Justin Morgan said about Barnett "He has really bought our training for our middles to another level"

I think that means we line up like:

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

14. Walker
15. Jazz
16. Ale / Bunty / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with
17. Ford / Sironen / Ben Murdoch-Masila / The guy we replace Ben Murdoch-Masila with

When you lay it out like that, that is a monster pack. I want to see some halfs getting ragdolled people!

 

[Deano]

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Viliami Vailea
4. Marata Niukore
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Josh Curran
12. ???
13. Tohu Harris (c)
14. Dylan Walker
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Tom Ale
17. Jazz Tevaga

Feel like this is a more balanced team.
Never thought we would be short a second row though lol.
Ford or Sironen?

 

[Motota]

Sorry to disappoint you all but Niukore is not going to be our first choice center.. he's an edge or a middle, yes he can fill in there if really needed but we arent playing 26 rounds with him at center, someone will have to step up. Besides If we are going to pick a second rower as a center then wouldn't Sironen be the better fit?

 

[Deano]

Sorry to disappoint you all but Niukore is not going to be our first choice center.. he's an edge or a middle, yes he can fill in there if really needed but we arent playing 26 rounds with him at center, someone will have to step up. Besides If we are going to pick a second rower as a center then wouldn't Sironen be the better fit?

I would way rather Niukore to play on the edge but we are gonna get found out in the centres unless we move Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad too centre and Metcalf to 1

 

[Brother Faisal]

Not sure if playing Barnett at prop is sustainable for a whole year. We still need a starting prop. I don’t mind if Barnett plays some prop minutes but not 40-50min at prop a game

 

[Motota]

I would way rather Niukore to play on the edge but we are gonna get found out in the centres unless we move Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad too centre and Metcalf to 1

I reckon Pompey and Vailea will be our centres, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback.
I'm not the biggest Pompey fan but he isn't terrible, may be the safest option out of the lot, and he's playing for a contract, he had good form a couple years ago the last time he was due a new contract.

 

[Magic Johnson]

I would way rather Niukore to play on the edge but we are gonna get found out in the centres unless we move Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad too centre and Metcalf to 1

Unless we play Walker there to begin the season with Lussick/metcalf the utility of the bench . Walker can revert to the utility role once the likes of Berry/vailea are ready or Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moves to centre

 

[AlexM]

Backline is a guess I think. Could be Rocco Berry for all we know rnd1.

But I'm guessing

1.Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ( pretty much confirmed)

2.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ( Can anyone not see him as locked in for a wing spot)

3.Vailea ( played well with Dal , Looked our most competent centre on attack last season)

4.Marcelo or Pompey ( Marcelo if Pompey doesn't find some form of drive)

5. Kosi or Marcelo or Pompey

Then there's Berry, Niukore, Walker and Sironen.
In my minds eye Niukore and Walker and Sironen will play in the Forwards unless injuries get bad.
But I'm hoping our backs can find some form.
Kosi and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak can definately get put of our end.
Montoya is all guts so can fill any one of the wing centre spots. And Pompeys playing for his future and definately has the attributes to make a good player.

 

[The Falcon]

It’s quite interesting that we are all juggling with the forward pack to plug a centre position. I think it needs to be a defensively minded player. If we can sort this puzzle we go a long way to being a good team.

With the forward pack - is it Bunty and Addin Fonua-Blake to start to make some dents before they are interchanged and the pack becomes a mobile Tetris type of line up with more speed - and our back rowers then play middle positions for a period?

On reflection with Buntys playing style is he better to start when straight running and good D play to his strengths
and then interchange for speed, footwork and ball skills players?

We could make 3 interchanges and our forward pack avg height drops 10cm.
Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris, Bunty - Jazz, Ale, Walker
A bit like starting with the skittles and then replacing them with the bowling balls!

 

[Noitall]

Barnett: We're working hard together building a bond

Mitch Barnett talks about his shift to New Zealand, what he wants to bring to the team, and being compared early on to club legend Kevin Campion.

www.warriors.kiwi

Loving this guy and his humbleness.

 

[snake77]

Sorry to disappoint you all but Niukore is not going to be our first choice center.. he's an edge or a middle, yes he can fill in there if really needed but we arent playing 26 rounds with him at center, someone will have to step up. Besides If we are going to pick a second rower as a center then wouldn't Sironen be the better fit?

I'd prefer him as an edge forward. He can fill in at centre due to injuries or if it needs to be stiffened defensively during a game. I'd prefer him to be selected at centre for similar reasons, the other main options are injured or like Cleary used to do tightening up the defence to help turn around the teams overall form. But only for a few games.

I reckon Pompey and Vailea will be our centres, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback.
I'm not the biggest Pompey fan but he isn't terrible, may be the safest option out of the lot, and he's playing for a contract, he had good form a couple years ago the last time he was due a new contract.

Pompey has grown on me a bit since they have been based in Australia. When they first promoted him I was wandering what they saw in him. I can understand him not being a favourite, he's not fast and doing the spectacular things.

We have been pretty poor defensively at centre. He has managed to shutdown some key guys. A lot of our tries the last few years have been overlaps out to the wingers, he's provided for his wingers well enough when needed.

The other thing is Berry & Vailea favour the right hand sinde. Pompey has been on the left.

 

[Geoff Public]

Team Talk: Warriors 2023 overview, best 17, squad update

Much has changed for the Warriors since the end of the 2022 season, and given the way things transpired in a 15th-placed finish, that can only be a good thing.

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Season shapers: Warriors
WARRIORS

Team Talk: Warriors 2023 overview, best 17, squad update​

AuthorCorey RosserNRL ReporterTimestampWed 21 Dec 2022, 06:01 AM

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A new coach, plenty of new faces and a long-awaited return to being based in New Zealand.
Much has changed for the Warriors since the end of the 2022 season, and given the way things transpired in a 15th-placed finish, that can only be a good thing.
After making a decent start to last season by winning half of their opening eight games, the Warriors lost their next seven, and by the time they returned to play games in New Zealand in round 16 their campaign was all but over.

Any distractions that came from the head coaching position being vacant last year are gone after the club secured the services of premiership-winning Panthers assistant Andrew Webster, while a busy recruitment drive has seen them add eight new names to the roster, with more set to come before round 1.

Match: Warriors v Knights​

ROUND 1 - FRIDAY 3RD MARCH
8:00pm

home Team
Warriors

away Team
Knights
Match Centre
Match odds provider: sportsbetHome Team Warriors Odds
$1.55
Away Team Knights Odds
$2.45
Venue:Sky Stadium, Wellington
Match broadcasters:

• Kayo
• Foxtel

Get TicketsTeam Stats

Predicted Round 1 team​

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Viliami Vailea
4. Marcelo Montoya
5. Edward Kosi
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jazz Tevaga
11. Mitch Barnett
12. Josh Curran
13. Tohu Harris
14. Dylan Walker
15. Marata Niukore
16. Freddy Lussick
17. Bunty Afoa

Other: Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua (development), Bayley Sironen, Braydon Wiliame, Demitric Sifakula (development), Jackson Ford, Jacob Laban (development), Luke Metcalf, Otukinekina Kepu, Rocco Berry, Ronald Volkman, Taniela Otukolo, Tom Ale, Valingi Kepu, Zyon Maiu’u (development)
A refreshed line-up with five off-season recruits likely to command spots in the round 1 side. Coach Webster has been forthcoming with thoughts on his preferred line up, which includes a desire to use Dylan Walker off the bench and have Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as the first-choice fullback. Tohu Harris will likely wear the No.10 jersey out of preference but play lock. While he may miss out on a spot for round 1, new signing Luke Metcalf, who can play halves or fullback, will be one to watch after impressing through the first couple of months of pre-season training.

Martin: It's always good to be home
Martin: It's always good to be home

Squad watch​

• Squad spots filled: 27/30

The club have improved their overall squad depth for 2023 thanks to the addition of players like Dylan Walker, Luke Metcalf and Marata Niukore, who can all cover a number of positions. But they look extremely light up front following the early release of Ben Murdoch-Masila and Aaron Pene from their contracts, and they will almost certainly add a couple of big men with the remaining roster spots they have.

Health watch​

After all having surgery at the back end of the 2022 season which ruled them out of the Warriors' final games, Jazz Tevaga, Bayley Sironen and Ronald Volkman are set to be available for round 1.

Injury meant Jazz Tevaga didn't play beyond round 20 last season. ©NRL Photos
Volkman and Tevaga both had shoulder reconstructions, with Volkman back in restricted training and the latter set to return to full duties in early to mid January.
Sironen is back to normal training and Marata Niukore will also be good to go after having his World Cup campaign with the Kiwis cut short due to a pectoral injury.

Most contentious position​

The Warriors have options galore at centre and it's the spot hardest to predict right now. Until they add to their middle forward stocks, Marata Niukore probably won't be a backline option, but he's a set and forget option at centre when the time comes, with a proven track record there at club and Test level.
There are high hopes for 20-year-old Viliami Vailea, and given he has been re-signed through to the end of 2025 he can be considered a favourite to take one of the spots.

Vailea vamoosed
Vailea vamoosed
Marcelo Montoya is a reliable option at centre and likely to play there if Niukore doesn't, while Webster also has Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry and former Dragon Braydon Wiliame at his disposal.

Biggest strength​

It's been a long time since the Warriors had a forward pack this much diversity when it comes to body shapes and playing style. Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris are top-tier talents who would walk into any side, and in addition to the mountain of work they get through each week, both are adept ball players.
In adding Dylan Walker alongside Jazz Tevaga, they now have two players who can speed things up in the middle and cause issues for tiring defensive lines, while former Knights enforcer Mitchell Barnett brings plenty of aggression.

The best NRL tries from the Warriors in 2022
The best NRL tries from the Warriors in 2022
The big worry will be injuries and suspensions, with the Warriors lacking depth in the pack outside of the first-choice group at this stage.

Biggest question mark​

Can they take a big step forward defensively?
Last season the Warriors leaked the most points of any side in the Telstra Premiership, at an average of 29.1 per game. On average they gave up nine points per game more than the worst defensive side who made the top eight in 2022 (the Eels), showing there is significant work to be done off the ball.
While missed tackles weren't an issue, with the Warriors having the third best record in the competition in that category, the club's edges in particular were porous and at different stages throughout the season interim coach Stacey Jones and several players admitted effort was lacking.

• The Warriors 2023 draw snapshot

Trial information​

• Feb 9: Warriors v Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
• Feb 19: Warriors v Storm at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

 

[Up the guttz]

Barnett: We're working hard together building a bond

Mitch Barnett talks about his shift to New Zealand, what he wants to bring to the team, and being compared early on to club legend Kevin Campion.

www.warriors.kiwi

Loving this guy and his humbleness.

He defo looks to have bulked up a bit. I think his size and aggression will be well suited to the middle

 

[ndp26]

My best pack would be:

8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Niukore
12. Curran
13. Tohu Harris

14. Walker
15. Ale (really hoping he kicks on)
16. Bunty
17. Lussick

But I’m too worried about edge D to start with two of the young centres.

Makes sense, and agree re edge D (especially in a side with new combos across the field!).

It also shows how badly we are missing another prop in the squad, but my fingers are crossed our Ben Murdoch-Masila money is already allocated to fixing that!

 

[AlexM]

Backline is a guess I think. Could be Rocco Berry for all we know rnd1.

But I'm guessing

1.Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ( pretty much confirmed)

2.Dallin Watene-Zelezniak ( Can anyone not see him as locked in for a wing spot)

3.Vailea ( played well with Dal , Looked our most competent centre on attack last season)

4.Marcelo or Pompey ( Marcelo if Pompey doesn't find some form of drive)

5. Kosi or Marcelo or Pompey

Then there's Berry, Niukore, Walker and Sironen.
In my minds eye Niukore and Walker and Sironen will play in the Forwards unless injuries get bad.
But I'm hoping our backs can find some form.
Kosi and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak can definately get put of our end.
Montoya is all guts so can fill any one of the wing centre spots. And Pompeys playing for his future and definately has the attributes to make a good player.

And I even left out Brayden Williame...

 

[Gizzyfan]

I want the best defensive side in the Centres, it affects all kinds of things this selection, but there are lots of selections to be sorted I would think.

Metcalf, served a long apprenticeship and has good skills and real wheels
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, no more to be said
Niukore, a defensive weapon and excels at Centre. Can live with Montoya
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Solid player, but if Vailea can sort his D gets nod at FB
Kosi, Young, learns from mistakes and really wants to be there.
Te Maire Martin, solid player, if Vailea has improved his D then Metcalf gets 6 for me.
Shaun Johnson, I think he has one great year left in him.
Addin Fonua-Blake, Alpha male
Egan, coming of age
Harris, Prefers middle, different body type to Addin Fonua-Blake, but still good offload.
Barnett, Hard bastard, someone to lead the line.
Curren, once fit automatic selection.
Jazz, plays above his weight and if he pisses off the opposition rather than vice versa all good.

Walker, 17 man game and his Manly displays show that, will keep tempo high
Bunty, get involved early and often
Ale, Rip and tear young fulla
Sironen effort player

 

[TheMorningEmu]

If the Issac Liu rumours come to fruition, I am pretty stumped. I guess this would be it?

1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Watene-Zelezniak
3. Vailea
4. Niukore
5. Kosi
6. Martin
7. Johnson
8. Fonua-Blake
9. Egan
10. Liu
11. Curran
12. Barnett
13. Harris
14. Walker
15. Afoa
16. Ale
17. Tevaga

I cannot bring myself to not have Niukore, Curran, and Barnett starting, and the bench is light enough as is, let alone if you move Niukore to the back row (where he should be) and then move Curran to the bench.

I was really starting to like the idea of Barnett and AF-B starting in the front row, but Liu would really through a spanner in the works, not necessarily in a bad way though. Niukore would shore up the edge D a lot on whatever side he is on.

 

[Hitro]

If the Issac Liu rumours come to fruition, I am pretty stumped. I guess this would be it?

1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Watene-Zelezniak
3. Vailea
4. Niukore
5. Kosi
6. Martin
7. Johnson
8. Fonua-Blake
9. Egan
10. Liu
11. Curran
12. Barnett
13. Harris
14. Walker
15. Afoa
16. Ale
17. Tevaga

I cannot bring myself to not have Niukore, Curran, and Barnett starting, and the bench is light enough as is, let alone if you move Niukore to the back row (where he should be) and then move Curran to the bench.

I was really starting to like the idea of Barnett and AF-B starting in the front row, but Liu would really through a spanner in the works, not necessarily in a bad way though. Niukore would shore up the edge D a lot on whatever side he is on.

Maybe they are considering Tohu Harris on the edge? (I know this runs contrary to some of Webbys chat)

That way you could run Barnett and liu at prop/lock and Tohu Harris in the SR with Curran.

Either way that team is looking 🔥