Auckland4ever said:
I dont know what the cure is, but as far as I'm concerned the three things hurting us the most are the lack of yardage being gained by our big men (dont get the lengthy Seu Seu/Villa benching, either Ozbash, theyre crucial players), the lack of a cohesive halves pairing and Stacey probably being in the worst form I've seen. His timing is shot & for the first time I can recall, he doesnt look happy to be on the park.
How we get him back to his best, I dont know. Whether or not his groin problems will allow him to get back to his best, I dont know either.
Here's a few things I'd try
* Paleaaesina into the run on side, Villa to the bench. That way, if you get your rotations right, for most of the game you should have either Seu Seu or Villa in combination with Paleaaesina or Lauaki.
* If Guttenbeil is out next week, I'd also bring Vatuvei onto the bench. When the first prop comes off, I'd put Vatuvei onto the wing and Meli into prop. Meli always gets involved carting the ball forward, and has the defensive power. Sometimes his reads are out, which you'd not have so much playing tighter to the ruck because the space is less fractured than out wide. Vatuvei could then take Meli's roll of working it off the line with Henry when getting out of our danger zone. It also gives us a couple of extra strike weapons.
* Sports pyschology at the Warriors - notably reviewing in a package of sports pychologists do, highlights of 2002 and what made it so good. Jones' banana kicks, him taking the ball flat at the line and using his speed/step, and offload to dazzle his opponents. Remember the UK tour when he took the ball at the line in the Brits territory constantly, stepped his way into big holes under the sticks? Thats the Jones I know and love, not this council shoveller - sit on the shovel, wait for the ball to come and then shovel it onto the next bloke. I'd even consider sitting Jones down to watch Carlos Spencer last weekend, Carlos played it brilliantly, he attacked, and mesmorised his opponents with good body language, fakes, and ability to manoevre people into give him very creative and dangerous options. I'd end the pyschology with shots of the 2002 Grand Final, especially the aftermath. The pain, the torment and the look on the Chooks face. I'd then reassure them that Brad Fittler that night can still be all of you in October 2004, provided you work hard.
Given that, and given Gutts may be out, I'd look at this team, 1 Webb 2 Fa'afili 3 Toopi 4 Martin 5 Meli 6 Hohaia/Perenara (definitely not that surname coat tailer Leuluai) 7 Jones (c - make him captain and give him the reason to play well) 8 Seu Seu 9 Latu 10 Paleaaesina 11 Lauitiiti 12 V Anderson 13 Faumuina Bench L Anderson Villasanti Vatuvei Lauaki. If Gutts in in, Vatuvei drops off the bench or perhaps we look to putting Fa'afili into fullback and Webb into five eighth with Vatuvei on the wing.
Subtle changes in positions, but more complex and hopefully encouraging changes mentally. That, along with the fitness/fatigue side of things is where the Warriors are falling down.
Good stuff.
