Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,099
- 25,716
With 9 teams out of the running, I thought it would be well worth looking ahead to next year to see how those teams are shaping up.
After another disappointing season, it looks like the Warriors are making some big changes to their 2018 roster. They've moved on Vatuvei, Foran, Matulino, Lolohea and there's reports that Lillyman (Newcastle) and Hoffman (Melbourne) are looking to leave the club.
In their place they've signed Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale and are reportedly interested in Adam Blair, Blake Green & Peta Hiku. They've also signed the Broncos strength and conditioning coach Alex Corvo in a nice boost for the club.
For the past six seasons, the Warriors have become one of the most irrelevant sides in the competition. It seems like every season is groundhog day where they start slowly, come good around the Origin period and then just fall off a cliff come the finals.
As far as I could tell, the issue with the Warriors this year was their work around the ruck and ability to execute. The Warriors could sniff out points but their defence particularly around the middle was very soft and made life very easy for their opposition. Throw in the pains of having to develop talent before their time and you end up with a very poor season.
Unfortunately it doesn't get much better for the Warriors next year. Their forward pack hasn't improved and I believe they've made a big mistake letting Toafofoa Sipley walk. I'm not sure what the story is with him, but he was one of the Warriors better forwards coming through their system and yet he could not get a look in. Instead he finds himself at Manly and they continue to build a very good young forward pack. Martin Taupau, Addin Fonua-Blake, Lloyd Perrett, Taniela Paseka, Kelepi Tanginoa all have good size and tremendous upside, they're at least looking to address an issue with their pack.
Tohu Harris and potentially Adam Blair are a decent start, but they've got to keep looking for more players around the middle. For the time being, I believe it's imperative they keep developing their juniors and giving them a taste of first grade.
Judging by their roster this is the team I'd like to see next year...
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Gerard Beale 4. Solomone Kata 5. Peta Hiku
6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson
8. Sam Lisone 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Adam Blair 11. Leivaha Pulu 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering
14. Issac Luke 15. Bunty Afoa 16. James Gavet 17. Ofahiki Ogden
A couple of points...
Ken Maumalo is basically Corey Oates without the finishing ability. 7 tries, 5 line-breaks...he maybe able to bend the line but that isn't a wingers primary job. The Warriors need finishers and I believe Fusitu'a & Hiku are far more capable. I believe the Warriors need to transition him and Ayshford into the backrow.
With Maumalo and Ayshford moving there, backline depth becomes a concern for the Warriors. They have Charzne Nicoll-Klokstad who I like as a player and Allwood is decent depth. They need to continue developing Junior Pauga, Kane Telea and Lewis Soosemea.
Backrow is their biggest concern. I don't believe Bunty Afoa is a backrow, he's primarily been a front row forward before Kearney's tenure and that's where he should remain. I believe Bodene Thompson should be moved on from the club and they need to try somebody different. I've given Pulu first crack since he's the best candidate right now but I've thrown in Ogden as a potential name. I haven't seen a lot of him so it's a shot in the dark, but he's got good size and nice foot-work to play down an edge. I still think they should look to recruit some more talent from the 20s or ISCs but desperate times.
The biggest change they need to make is dummy half. Luke is doing a poor job of guiding the team around and I don't think he's good enough to be a leader of the club. If you just let him focus on his running game and limit his game to the basics I believe the Warriors would be better off in the long run.
The key for the Warriors is patience. This roster in all likelihood won't win a premiership, but they can build on it and get themselves together in 2019.
After another disappointing season, it looks like the Warriors are making some big changes to their 2018 roster. They've moved on Vatuvei, Foran, Matulino, Lolohea and there's reports that Lillyman (Newcastle) and Hoffman (Melbourne) are looking to leave the club.
In their place they've signed Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale and are reportedly interested in Adam Blair, Blake Green & Peta Hiku. They've also signed the Broncos strength and conditioning coach Alex Corvo in a nice boost for the club.
For the past six seasons, the Warriors have become one of the most irrelevant sides in the competition. It seems like every season is groundhog day where they start slowly, come good around the Origin period and then just fall off a cliff come the finals.
As far as I could tell, the issue with the Warriors this year was their work around the ruck and ability to execute. The Warriors could sniff out points but their defence particularly around the middle was very soft and made life very easy for their opposition. Throw in the pains of having to develop talent before their time and you end up with a very poor season.
Unfortunately it doesn't get much better for the Warriors next year. Their forward pack hasn't improved and I believe they've made a big mistake letting Toafofoa Sipley walk. I'm not sure what the story is with him, but he was one of the Warriors better forwards coming through their system and yet he could not get a look in. Instead he finds himself at Manly and they continue to build a very good young forward pack. Martin Taupau, Addin Fonua-Blake, Lloyd Perrett, Taniela Paseka, Kelepi Tanginoa all have good size and tremendous upside, they're at least looking to address an issue with their pack.
Tohu Harris and potentially Adam Blair are a decent start, but they've got to keep looking for more players around the middle. For the time being, I believe it's imperative they keep developing their juniors and giving them a taste of first grade.
Judging by their roster this is the team I'd like to see next year...
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Gerard Beale 4. Solomone Kata 5. Peta Hiku
6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson
8. Sam Lisone 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Adam Blair 11. Leivaha Pulu 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering
14. Issac Luke 15. Bunty Afoa 16. James Gavet 17. Ofahiki Ogden
A couple of points...
Ken Maumalo is basically Corey Oates without the finishing ability. 7 tries, 5 line-breaks...he maybe able to bend the line but that isn't a wingers primary job. The Warriors need finishers and I believe Fusitu'a & Hiku are far more capable. I believe the Warriors need to transition him and Ayshford into the backrow.
With Maumalo and Ayshford moving there, backline depth becomes a concern for the Warriors. They have Charzne Nicoll-Klokstad who I like as a player and Allwood is decent depth. They need to continue developing Junior Pauga, Kane Telea and Lewis Soosemea.
Backrow is their biggest concern. I don't believe Bunty Afoa is a backrow, he's primarily been a front row forward before Kearney's tenure and that's where he should remain. I believe Bodene Thompson should be moved on from the club and they need to try somebody different. I've given Pulu first crack since he's the best candidate right now but I've thrown in Ogden as a potential name. I haven't seen a lot of him so it's a shot in the dark, but he's got good size and nice foot-work to play down an edge. I still think they should look to recruit some more talent from the 20s or ISCs but desperate times.
The biggest change they need to make is dummy half. Luke is doing a poor job of guiding the team around and I don't think he's good enough to be a leader of the club. If you just let him focus on his running game and limit his game to the basics I believe the Warriors would be better off in the long run.
The key for the Warriors is patience. This roster in all likelihood won't win a premiership, but they can build on it and get themselves together in 2019.
