General YOUR 2023 WARRIORS TEAM

[Five&Last]

With Montoya, Kosi and Pompey off contract at the end of the year, who do you re sign? Montoya still has a lot to offer at 26 and haven’t seen Pompey yet this season to make judgement. Perhaps re sign 2 of them depending on other options being available and Leiataua takes over the other spot if the player let go?

I think Pompey’s time here is done. Last time he was off contract he strung a few good games together, got a two year extension and then went back to being extremely average again. I don’t trust him to ever be consistent.

The move should be for Ali Leiataua to join top 30 and take Pompey’s spot next year.

I think Kosi has a high ceiling that’s worth persevering with. I would give him a two year extension (ideally with a club option on the second year).

I would give Montoya a two year extension. But not straight away maybe like June/July. He’s a good player to have but let’s be honest we rate him so highly because his contract is so good at the moment. His output exceeds what he’s being paid. $$$ will be the key point with Montoya. Anything slightly over, then let him walk imo.

I think with Kosi developing and hopefully we sign Moala Graham-Taufa to a development contract shortly (after promoting Sifakula before the season starts), then we have two high upside wings. I would be less worried about re-signing Montoya.

 

[Wheels]

Kosi didn't do enough in that trial to grab a starting spot for me. Too many mistakes or near mistakes like bobbling the ball etc. He still has the handbrake on as well. Good back up to bring in though when required throughout the season. Hopefully he develops with consistent NSW cup game time.

Safe to say the wingers will be Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. One centre will be Vailea.

Then I guess the other centre spot will be between Wiliame vs Berry. Probably have Wiliame with the slight edge at the moment.

Yep I was in on Kosi but the errors are so costly in todays game. Montoya and Dallin for me also and I share the same thoughts as you on centre.

 

[Juno]

After witnessing the trial match, I think Andrew Webster will have to keep an open mind about the fullback and halves position. Its certainly not a sure in for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Luke Metcalf Taine Tuaupiki and Te Maire Martin all had shown what they can bring to this Warriors side in 2023. Every club likes to create competition within the playing squad, but very few seem to make drastic changes immediately.

If the message around accountability has been drummed into everyone then I think it needs to be backed up with player swaps. If Webster is game enough to adapt this then I think it could work wonders for the club.

Why starve a player is is pumped, excited and ready to go when a well know, established player has a bit of rust and needs a few games to settle. This young breed which we saw yesterday were hungry and performed well for themselves.

Game on!

Don't forget, the rest of the squad including all senior players have all experienced Webster and the programme this preseason. I'm looking forward to see how the more experienced players respond to a refreshed way of doing things. Youthful enthusiasm aside, against a more experienced team the trial team probably would have struggled in a few places. But great to see the potential, the skills and dare I say it the beginnings of that elusive cohesion in the mixed squad for this trial. Lots of promise.
Now if that has also had an impact on the rest (which I think it will have) we will see it in the chch trial & we may all be able to reset our expectations

 

[Cces]

Then I guess the other centre spot will be between Wiliame vs Berry. Probably have Wiliame with the slight edge at the moment.

I don't think Berry is in the equation for the left Centre spot, solely on the right, so the only way he comes into consideration is if Valiea starts on the left (where he scores regularly but he carries under his right arm which good defences will exploit).

 

[Five&Last]

I don't think Berry is in the equation for the left Centre spot, solely on the right, so the only way he comes into consideration is if Valiea starts on the left (where he scores regularly but he carries under his right arm which good defences will exploit).

They’ll make it work. Obviously they’ve planned a future with both of them starting at some point. Vailea played left in the second half yesterday. And Berry’s passing allows him to play either side fine in attack, played both sides with Dolphins.

 

[Five&Last]

I think we sign montoya to a 3-4 year contract. I feel hes a mainstay of the club atm. Seems a real vocal leader with passion for the club. Unless Kosi scores 15-20 tries this year I cant see him taking the wing spot considering how much theyre paying for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Well given Montoya has never scored more than 6 tries in a season with us that hardly seems reasonable.

 

[Jaffa J]

I don't think Berry is in the equation for the left Centre spot, solely on the right, so the only way he comes into consideration is if Valiea starts on the left (where he scores regularly but he carries under his right arm which good defences will exploit).

I thought Wiliame was solid had some touches that reminded me of Hiku just need his fitness levels up hopefully Pompey does something to make it interesting

 

[Brother Faisal]

Well given Montoya has never scored more than 6 tries in a season with us that hardly seems reasonable.

If Kosi can show that he can be a dominating winger im all for him taking montoyas spot, At the moment Montoya provides a more consistent performance from the wing than Kosi, but its up to Kosi who I believe is more than capable to take a leap this year.

 

[jonesy101]

Pompey has the perfect opportunity tomorrow night.

 

[Inruin]

If the message around accountability has been drummed into everyone then I think it needs to be backed up with player swaps. If Webster is game enough to adapt this then I think it could work wonders for the club.

Why starve a player is is pumped, excited and ready to go when a well know, established player has a bit of rust and needs a few games to settle. This young breed which we saw yesterday were hungry and performed well for themselves.

Game on!

This could be interesting if Shaun Johnson isnt prepared to take the line on this season. He definitely starts the season but there may be some tough calls that need to be made I'm guessing between rounds 7 - 10 if he isn't doing that.

 

[jonesy101]

This could be interesting if Shaun Johnson isnt prepared to take the line on this season. He definitely starts the season but there may be some tough calls that need to be made I'm guessing between rounds 7 - 10 if he isn't doing that.

Good to see we have a goal kicker in Metcalf as well.

 

[warriorsfan92]

Is berry injured?

 

[Miket12]

Is berry injured?

According to the NRL casualty ward, he has an injury to a toe:

 

[Five&Last]

If Kosi can show that he can be a dominating winger im all for him taking montoyas spot, At the moment Montoya provides a more consistent performance from the wing than Kosi, but its up to Kosi who I believe is more than capable to take a leap this year.

Yup agree but he doesn’t need to score 15-20 tries to prove that. That’s like top 10 in the nrl for tries scored.

 

[Brother Faisal]

Yup agree but he doesn’t need to score 15-20 tries to prove that. That’s like top 10 in the nrl for tries scored.

Shall we agree on 8-10? My bad I thought it was like standard to hit 20 these day lol

 

[Five&Last]

Shall we agree on 8-10? My bad I thought it was like standard to hit 20 these day lol

Yeah I mean he offers more than Montoya in terms of yardage (or potential to do so) so if he’s scoring more than 10 and cuts out his mistakes then he for sure over takes Montoya

I think you should be able to expect at least 10 tries of out of your starting wing, but again Montoya only has 5 and 6 in his two seasons with us so the bar isn’t exactly high.

Kosi had 8 tries last year so he’s already in that 8-10 you’ve set for him lol

The biggest thing for Kosi is being error free. Everything else he’s on track to being better than Montoya at.

 

[Brother Faisal]

Yeah I mean he offers more than Montoya in terms of yardage (or potential to do so) so if he’s scoring more than 10 and cuts out his mistakes then he for sure over takes Montoya

I think you should be able to expect 10 tries of out of your starting wing, but again Montoya only has 5 and 6 in his two seasons with us so the bar isn’t exactly high.

Kosi had 8 tries last year so he’s already in that 8-10 you’ve set for him lol

Ok how am I gonna win this argument, lets say 8 tries no errors lol.

I think its a big year for both of them I suppose looking to hold a wing spot, Montoya has been consistent without many howlers, I almost want Kosi to play the anzac match again this year and see how he handles it as well as seeing his growth.

2 very different wingers, alot will fall back on mentality to be able to play consistent week in week out.

Im rooting for Kosi he just needs to have a consistent year. He has a bigger ceiling than Montoya he just needs to claim the spot I suppose

 

[Toookey]

Niukore’s salary shocked me when it was announced. I thought he’d be on half that! He was a bench player and Ice only got about the same amount from the tigers, both negotiating at the same time.
They must have big plans for him and a greatly increased role/place in the team. I hope he goes to the next level and earns his keep.

Whaaat - current NZ international with GF experience and versatility? Given the salary cap going up, 650k roughly equates to about 500k from the last few years, which I think is bang on.
300k (in current money) for a current NZ/Aus/England international that is willing to come to the Warriors, please show me where they're hiding lol

Im super excited to see Niukore this year, if he stays fit I think he's going to have a career year and between him and Barnett, will give us a very hard nosed, no compromise that out team desperately needs.

 

[Cces]

Whaaat - current NZ international with GF experience and versatility?

He had neither of those things on his CV when we signed him so it looked like we overpaid at the time but it's probably a fair price based on what he's achieved since & the salary cap increase. Hopefully his troublesome calf/hammy issues are behind him, he steers clear of the judiciary & he plays 20+ games

 

[HEAD COACH]

1. Martin
2. Watene-Zelezniak
3. Nickoll-Klokstad
4. Pompey
5. Montoya
6. Walker (til Metcalf is fit)
7. Johnson
8. Fonua-Blake
9. Egan
10. Barnett
11. Ford
12. Niukore
13. Harris

14. Lussick
15. Afoa
16. Curran
17. Tevaga

Tevaga drops out when Metcalf comes in and pushes Walker to bench.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad really good game dont get me wrong. It's just the lack of genuine 5th tackle options outside of Johnson on the last that already has me in dejavu about another season of 5th tackle Johnson bombs.