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#3235321 27-May-2024 17:30

heavenlywild:

The million dollar question for Webster now is whether he keeps the team as is, or return all those back from injury. Considering how well the team has gone over the last two weeks with mostly second graders, should he change the formula?

They will all return. Simply cant leave out some of the best players in the game. However as Ive been advocating and they have had success, running the ball on the 5th if we inside the opposition 30. Worst case we turn it over on the 20m. Unless Montoya is actually going to make a play for the ball with an offensive bomb like the one at the end of first half which reviewing was clearly not off us and a try. SJ needs to continue this offensive strategy on the 30m, set play with CNK up in the line, create and overlap, possibly a grubber into the ingoal, who knows, but attack whenever it makes sense too. and the stats clearly show we are losin matches in the first quarter, Refs are always super tight for the first quarter, we want to be hammering them on their 10M but we need to make sure for thatf first twenty we are not gifting them inside our redzone over and over again first quarter. We remove those points and we win games by 10-16 pts. Emphasis on quick PTB with Egan being dnynamic at getting the ball service super quick with our team running over them up the middle 3rd catching them offside and conversely making sure we turn them on their backs for dominate tackle which slows the PTB speed and gets our team back onside. Its a fine line with some refs, Badger is the worst imo.

He could be tempted to leave TMM at 7 and have SJ as running back at 6. I dont think we are getting the dynamics out of TMM at 6. The issue is TMM just doesnt have the kicking game of SJ/CHT/Metcalf. But SJ can do the kicking form 6. It really comes down to whether SJ still has the ball running skills that were the highlight of his career. There is still a noticeable difference in the traditional role of 6 and 7. and Id love to see Tuaupiki fit in anywhere with his X factor speed. I hope that is what Webby has takn from the 3rd string halves combo.

Barnett highlights of the last game, clearly playing to convince Madge for the SoO NSW Blues. Im just glad we are not losing Egan and Capewell who have been brilliant, when they are not injured, poor Egan needs to do the same as Keaire and wear the head gear.

Barnett the Blue | NRL.com

State of Origin 2024, NSW Blues, Game 1, team announcement | Watch (nrl.com)

TeaLeaf

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#3235667 28-May-2024 07:14

Webby gives AFB the all clear. I really hope the #1 Prop in the game gets back to consistent form like last year. Even if its his final year with us, this team has the players and the coach to win it. He has played well, but not as good as last year, but thats always a big ask from depleted sides putting expectations on a couple of fit players. I hope he leaves the Warriors with a flurry of effort, especially running onto the ball close to the try line, with SJ putting hm into line breaks consistently.

The team need to execute the key areas Ive highlighted to get faster play the ball and clearing the ball so we are running at offside retreating players, executing dominant tackles to slow the opposition PTB. Remain super intense on defense in the first quarter but be super careful not to get flagged offside (has cost us 7 matches with near 3 tries on avg in the first quarter against us in the last 4 and not much better in the other 3). But also focus on 5th tackle options, run it on the 5th if at the 30m, try a chip over the top if their FB is up in the line, keep producing offloads when it is on, have Montoya and Bery contesting our bombs from the 40m more often putting pressure on the opposition targetted OB who may drop or we may regather which Montoya is fantastic at, but make sure we have the other OB there to hammer their player should they take it cleanly in the contest. Some subtle differences, but key to unleashing the tactics on defense in our strategy and unleashing our offense when we are inside their half.

So aside from RTS and obviously Metcalf I think all the others will return, I hope Leiataua plays at centre, but they will probably go the safe option of Pompey, Ali is a key offensive player for our future regardless.

We need a surge of wins to get the win% up, to make the 8 usually needs circa 55%, currently due to the draw we are 5.5/12 or 46%. Last year we made the 4 with 66%. But with the single point from the draw I think we can make the 4 with 62%, which means we need another 10 wins from 13 games. 77%. not easy but many have done it before. I think given our extraordinarily unheard of bad luck with injuries, just making the 8 would be a massive accomplishment, not many have won the comp from outside the top 4 though. To hit close to 62% from the remaining 13, we need to win 13.5/25, that should see us somewhere in the top 8, so we likely need 8/13 t make the 8. Thats a fairly consistent % but who knows until the Reg season is over. If we can win 10 from remaining 13 not only will it make us likely top 4 but with 77% in the second half of the seanson we will go into the finals as very much one of the form teams.

Our players/roster are plenty capable of fixing the above issues and completing 10/13, just need the will to do what is required to fix these obvious concerns. Remove the consistent 12 points in the first quarter from each of our losses and we would have only lost 1 I believe. So its not a lot to fix, but there it is. Recent wins and our depleted side the entire first half of the season mostly returning, I think we can do it.

NRL: Warriors coach Andrew Webster passes Addin Fonua-Blake test with flying colours - NZ Herald

JPNZ

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#3244212 4-Jun-2024 08:39

Round 13 really was unlucky for most teams. Apart from the Eels (who were favourites) against the sharks, every other game had the underdogs winning. Cowboys and Dragons being the big ones.

I really enjoyed the Raiders golden point win over the dolphins on Saturday, incredible game!

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TeaLeaf

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#3244607 5-Jun-2024 08:28

JPNZ:

I really enjoyed the Raiders golden point win over the dolphins on Saturday, incredible game!

Same, match of the round for me. Dolphins on a losing streak, but to be fair they had only 2 games outside Qld in the first 12. They don't have a high quality team on paper (whenever Kodi is a draw card you know its all hard work haha ;-p). But they are well coached, they play a very simple game like us trying to force errors, then they go to the backline offense, which is the same as the storm. I still think they will make the 8 though.

SoO tonight is going to be a BELTER.

Hard game for the Warriors away in Townsville vs Cowboys this weekend. Warriors have the superior team on paper with 7 returning, still no SJ, RTS and obviously Metcalf. I just hope we can get no injuries and SJ, RTS being our two being playmakers can rejoin.

Cowboys have 6 of their best in the extended SoO Qld team tonight, so is hard to say if any will pull out of the Warriors clash, but Id think so being only a 3 day turn around.

Same halves as last match with CHT playing 6 and TMM at 7. Rocco Berry is back and Pompey fills in for RTS on right edge. I hope we continue chancing our arm and running the last if near the opposition 30m. Do the basics, force the errors, but then show the flair that they are more than capable of.

Forwards and bench we are pretty much stacked, it looks good, I just hope the halves combination can find the points. Kurt Capewell and Tohu are two excellent defenders and legend players of the game to get back. Interesting Ale is playing off the bench and Bunty is in the reserves, I dont get that move, I think with all our big name forwards out of late, Bunty really stood up the last couple of games. Not to say Ale hasnt played well..... both are around 95% tackle efficiency, Jazz is the one you could leave out being a much smaller forward, but still tackles at 92%.

CNK returns to FB, but Id like to see him flying onto set plays, he showed at 6 how dynamic he is, not just an intensity machine, but he is that too.

an extremely strong defensive set of players for the Warriors who should be able to force areas and contain the cowboys mostly to within their own 50m, just hope we don't jump the gun in the first 20min giving away penalties leading to sets on our try line like our avg of 11pts in the first 20min last 5 games shows (I think thats prob pretty much the story of the season, penalties and tries early).

Teams side by side (Note: Cowboys SoO players tonight listed in reserves with the following players who aree able to back up named on Saturday vs Warriors; Val Holmes, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson and Jeremiah Nanai)
Cowboys v Warriors - Round 14, 2024 - Match Centre | NRL.com

Match preview
NRL 2024, North Queensland Cowboys, Warriors, round 14 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates | NRL.com

JPNZ

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#3245072 6-Jun-2024 08:05

SoO ended at the send off for me. NSW did well to hold it close till the end. Hate it when the game is decided by officials like that. Not going to argue the decision, it happened now to look forward to the weekends NRL.

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TeaLeaf

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#3245254 6-Jun-2024 13:52

JPNZ:

SoO ended at the send off for me. NSW did well to hold it close till the end. Hate it when the game is decided by officials like that. Not going to argue the decision, it happened now to look forward to the weekends NRL.

Was going to say the same, always does. It was a good tackle until it slipped up, I personally dont think thats a send off, sin bin sure, but send off in SoO is a big call plus I dislike Walsh with passion haha, as you said, is what it is, game over 9/10 that early on. Move on to next game.

I thought NSW looked like they were going to chase them down at one point with only 12 men. Watching the highlights again, so many very close calls for the Blues that they just didnt get over the line. Jerohme Luai (6 for Penrith) was masterful once again. Blues missing Tommy Turbo and Nathan Cleary, Ijust massive big game masters. I think Manly with Tom win something like 75% and without him 35%, I said it when Tom got injured it was a huge blow for Manly but also the Blues and Tedesco would be the FB (hes still a classy FB, but Tom is something else on offense). DCE shows that age is just a number, Shaun Johnson, if his heart is in the game could go on for another few years. DCE was brilliant.

I hated playing with 12, playing with 14 in Union isnt that bad, but 12 in League is just SO hard to cover the field in defense, League is an extreme fit sport for all players as you are constantly sprinting forward ten metres and back another ten, then chasing the kick at minimum, playing one short and its like playing Touch for 80mins, the fitness demand is just so big, especially for the front rowers.

networkn

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#3245319 6-Jun-2024 17:13

I am genuinely shocked anyone could think that was less than a Red Card. Off a Rugby field you'd be charged with Grevious Bodily harm. He is a professional football player, who went into that tackle with no arms, leading with the shoulder. Mitigation shouldn't apply, he quite reasonably should have expected a SLIGHT drop in the height of the player related to passing the ball. There was never an attempt to make a legal tackle. It was sickening. I love a good tackle, but that was thuggery.

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TeaLeaf

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#3245364 6-Jun-2024 18:22

networkn:

I am genuinely shocked anyone could think that was less than a Red Card.

Fatty he don't agree bro lol. Send Off, no cards. I didnt bother watching the post match.

But yeh I agree with you. The only mitigating factor is if Walsh had stayed upright he was smashed in the chest, which given forcing Errors is such a massive part of the sport given its a game of Force Back. So players lead with the shoulder and you could see his arm about to come around with the arm until he realises how wrong he got it, his eyes were not looking at the player which is how he got it so wrong. Thats not exscuse, but it happens.

I just had a number of looks and Im with send off now, despite what some are saying, accident or not, he should have been looking at the player not bracing for impact eyes down. Hes going to miss 4-6 games even with no priors imo.

They sum it up post match better than live. Fatty changed his mind on it. They main thing to consider is really that Reece Walsh is OK and hopefully nothing long term concussion wise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0RBqW4IW0

TeaLeaf

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#3245472 6-Jun-2024 21:11

Supposedly S Johnson and RTS, two of our 3 best players (aFB best prop in NRL) possibly returning soon. I know SJ could have played this weekend but RTS was due rd17, although when he injured his hammy they said it was just a mild strain. Pompey seems to be holding centre down for RTS, would be interesting to throw RTS in at 6 outside SJ with RTS speed, step, strength.

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#3245516 6-Jun-2024 23:42

TeaLeaf:

networkn:

I am genuinely shocked anyone could think that was less than a Red Card.

Fatty he don't agree bro lol. Send Off, no cards. I didnt bother watching the post match.

But yeh I agree with you. The only mitigating factor is if Walsh had stayed upright he was smashed in the chest, which given forcing Errors is such a massive part of the sport given its a game of Force Back. So players lead with the shoulder and you could see his arm about to come around with the arm until he realises how wrong he got it, his eyes were not looking at the player which is how he got it so wrong. Thats not exscuse, but it happens.

I just had a number of looks and Im with send off now, despite what some are saying, accident or not, he should have been looking at the player not bracing for impact eyes down. Hes going to miss 4-6 games even with no priors imo.

They sum it up post match better than live. Fatty changed his mind on it. They main thing to consider is really that Reece Walsh is OK and hopefully nothing long term concussion wise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0RBqW4IW0

It's a horrible tackle. He's tried to fly up and pinch in on Walsh and got it horribly wrong. There's fine margins between stopping the ball legally and making a horrible tackle. It's unfortunate but it's a clear send off. That type of reckless lack of control can't be tolerated.

I can't see any thuggery. He's tried to make tackle and badly botched it. It happens and he deserved a red and a grade 2 reckless tackle seems about right. It's also not union so the rules and interpretations are a bit different and somewhat more realistic.

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#3245664 7-Jun-2024 12:41

networkn:

I am genuinely shocked anyone could think that was less than a Red Card. Off a Rugby field you'd be charged with Grevious Bodily harm.

RL always has lesser sanctions for high contact compared to rugby. Although a 20 min red card would have made the game a LOT closer.

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TeaLeaf

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#3245723 7-Jun-2024 13:48

Handle9:

I can't see any thuggery. He's tried to make tackle and badly botched it. It happens and he deserved a red and a grade 2 reckless tackle seems about right. It's also not union so the rules and interpretations are a bit different and somewhat more realistic.

True.

I only got the one view live up high from behind as was out with SoO folk. I think Fatty mustn't have seen another angle either as he was not for the send off, odd being an adamant Qldr, but changed his tune in that post match review I posted.

Im sure the kid is remorseful, normally a really good defender and not the thug sort. But got that horribly wrong, eyes facing the ground expecting to hit Walsh in the ribs once horizontal in the air he had no method to adjust the height, keep your eyes on the tackle bag.

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#3245760 7-Jun-2024 15:52

Summary of what's needed in the second half of the season

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350303382/what-warriors-need-here-return-nrl-finals

TeaLeaf

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#3245770 7-Jun-2024 16:30

I didnt remember a team making it with only 10 wins. although, prior to the Dolphins, but even so thats nuts.

Its a pretty good summation. I think 8 wins "should" be enough for us to make the 8 with that Draw giving the single point possibly being crucial for the 8 or even the 4. Prior to the Dolphins you would halve and add one win to make the 8, there abouts. Which is were either the 8 or 4th pos, that 1pt draw could be the decider over fighting for differential.

Either way we are essentially in the same place last year (1pt being the diff), thanks to winning two tight ones unlike the 5 tight losses. So with nearly a full team once SJ and RTS return there is no reason why we cant make the 4, it isnt an overly hard second half to the season either. But we have to Ice those close games and throw many well drilled offensive options when chasing a score in the last 10 and when up inject some adrenalin to get us home on defense.

Gotta stop that 2.5 try first 20min avg largely due to jumping the gun and gotta offer more once in range on offense like we have been the last two games on the 5th tackle.

My view is, we may lose to the Cowboys away, that is a big ask to win, but either way we should kick on in this coming second half of the season if this has been our worst footy and coming up just short so many times (ice them 4 pt losses into wins)

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#3245944 8-Jun-2024 10:45

This is so pleasing to read. I keep saying Niukore was sorely missed in the first half of the season, with his first game back looking understandably gassed. But if this guy gets up to speed after 3 months out, he could well be the key that holds the Warriors forward pack, but more so their defense gelled. It will be a big test playing big minutes in second row vs prop, which is odd by Webby putting Ford into a big mans position at Prop given Niukore is still getting match fitness back, but they may have a contingency for fatigue game day.

Its pretty insane to look at our starting team list and to think for so many years how we struggled to attract guys like Niukore, Tohu Harris, aFB, Barnett, Curt Capewell, Dyl Walker. Then to add some home grown players like Tevaga, afoa, ale etc. On paper its one of the top 3 forward packs for me. But its not like we are missing Marquees players in the backline either. all of whom are at the Warriors to win a Prem, because the money for many of the big names is well below their market value. If we can just field a team with these big time players in it Im positive the second half of the season looks much better.

Looks like the Cowboys have a couple of the SoO players backing up, but Val Homes is on the reserves bench which is a blessing. Im now swaying toward the Warriors in a close one (can they ice a close one is the question). Drinkwater is the player to shut down. at one stage when RTS had left for Union, I had hoped the Warriors would make a play for Drinkwater, but we got CNK which was brilliant news.

It does worry me not having SJ and RTS in the team, being the two best backs in the club and last year SJ easily the best half back and player in the NRL, not to mention our win/loss record with and without him. But TMM has been far better at 7, or more effective, than he was playing the running HB role at 6, CHT is really a better 7 than a 6, but its not hard to juggle duties in the modern game.

That is a huge "Ins" (returning) list for the Warriors to go along with a few who came back in the last couple of rounds.

Warriors v Cowboys: Marata Niukore to make up for lost time after injury-hit NRL season - NZ Herald

Mansour agrees, Warriors for the win.

Cowboys v Warriors: Round 14 | NRL.com

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