2019 R1 Sat - Warriors 40-6 Bulldogs @ Mt Smart

[Timmah]

TEAMLISTS & OFFICIALS: https://leagueunlimited.com/news/leagueunlimited-nrl-teams-2019-round-1/

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Keighran 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Adam Blair 12. Tohu Harris 13. Lachlan Burr 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Sam Lisone 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Blake Ayshford 18. Gerard Beale 20. Ligi Sao 21. Karl Lawton 22. Chanel Harris-tavita

21-man squad • Adam Keighran has won the race to be named Blake Green's halves partner in the wake of Shaun Johnson's departure. Isaiah Papali'i is missing through club suspension which brings new signing Lachlan Burr into the second row. Blake Ayshford has earned a bench spot as a back-row/centre utility option.

1. Will Hopoate 2. Christian Crichton 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Marcelo Montoya 5.Reimis Smith 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliot 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17.Sauaso Sue 19. Jack Cogger 20. Nick Meaney 21. Chris Smith 22. Ofahiki Ogden

21-man squad • Dean Pay has left Hopoate at fullback, Christian Crichton the new face in the backline named on the wing. Dylan Napa comes into the front row for the departed David Klemmer. Marshall-King, Fualalo, Harawira-Naera & Sue make up the bench, with incoming Knights rookies Nick Meaney & Jack Cogger in the reserves.

Match Officials • Referees: Jon Stone, Tim Roby
Sideline Officials: Chris McMillan, Clayton Sharpe
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Bryan Norrie

 

[Rhyno]

Warriors by 4

 

[adamkungl]

No SJ for the Warriors means no rabbit out of the hat with their backs to the wall. They have to perform for 80 minutes not the last 10.
Teams that get on the board early will go a long way to beating the Warriors, but I don't think the Dogs have the talent to force them into that position.

Warriors by 16.

 

[Iafeta]

I can remember pulling a rabbit out of the hat in the last 10 minutes against Canberra. But not too many others if any last year?

Johnson is a loss because of his speed. No matter how the Warriors portray it, he had a lot of involvements in their tries last year. Worth a mill? Maybe not. Big step up for Keighran but he had a good year last year in ISP. My concern with Green and Keighran is just that lack of speed.

I also think Papalii not playing is a fairly big loss. I think he’s due for a big year. No Issac Luke either but Nate Roache being back is great.

 

[Xcalibre]

Keighran isn’t a first grader and Green barely is. A few decent forwards and backs is all NZ has.

 

[Iafeta]

Hard to say with Keighran. He was in the ISP team of the year last year. Hasn’t played first grade so how to rate him I wouldn’t have a clue. Green is most certainly a first grader. How on earth is it possible he’s not? He was excellent for the Warriors last year. He brought direction and organisation to the club. The concern I have is not him at all, he will as he always does do his usual excellent job. My concern though is the lack of spark around him with Johnson gone. They had a really good balance which is gone.

 

[Iron Lion]

Warriors have best back 3 in the comp, 2nd biggest pack in the NRL and biggest team overall. The only question marks are over the Warriors halves but from the trial they look decent.

Warriors won't drop too many games this year.

Warriors 32
Doggies 22

 

[0neye]

DOGS FANS THE BULLDOGS HAVE WON 7 out of the past 9 against the warriors so put your house on them

 

[Xcalibre]

Hard to say with Keighran. He was in the ISP team of the year last year. Hasn’t played first grade so how to rate him I wouldn’t have a clue. Green is most certainly a first grader. How on earth is it possible he’s not? He was excellent for the Warriors last year. He brought direction and organisation to the club. The concern I have is not him at all, he will as he always does do his usual excellent job. My concern though is the lack of spark around him with Johnson gone. They had a really good balance which is gone.

I’ve watched Keighran play a number of times over several years and he just doesn’t have the talent. My comment re: Green was exaggerated, but same goes for him to a lesser extent. He’s played a lot of footy for many NRL clubs and some ESL, and I’ve rarely been impressed. Both players are too alike in their steady, organizing style. That’s my biggest concern for NZ. You need a half that can create opportunities. I agree Green is ok, if you have a dynamic player alongside him.

It’s going to have to come from offloads and second phase play. Luckily your back 3 are very good and can create opportunities but overall, I think NZ is a bottom 8 team.

 

[mongoose]

I can remember pulling a rabbit out of the hat in the last 10 minutes against Canberra. But not too many others if any last year?

Johnson is a loss because of his speed. No matter how the Warriors portray it, he had a lot of involvements in their tries last year. Worth a mill? Maybe not. Big step up for Keighran but he had a good year last year in ISP. My concern with Green and Keighran is just that lack of speed.

I also think Papalii not playing is a fairly big loss. I think he’s due for a big year. No Issac Luke either but Nate Roache being back is great.

every team pulls a rabbit out of the hat against canberra....

 

[OzDragon]

NZ, comfortably

 

[Artiste]

These two teams are absolute shit.
Fighting for the spoon already I reckon.
Dogs the bigger arse bandits
Warriors by 12

 

[Leber]

Well if there was ever a time for us to pull out a big win, it's today.

Extra police pressure at the game today apparently which is hard to fathom.

 

[krappo]

NZW by 24 Zillion Points

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Warriors have announced that the rest of the tickets for today’s game will be given away free. Class act.

 

[jargan83]

Warriors by plenty

 

[TheFrog]

Well if there was ever a time for us to pull out a big win, it's today.

Extra police pressure at the game today apparently which is hard to fathom.

I can fathom it. Its the other end of the country but you just never know. Anyway, Warriors here pretty comfortably.

 

[typicalfan]

I think Warriors but only because the Bulldogs aren't much chop.

Warriors 26-22.

Keighran and Green does not excite.... Double Vanilla latte.

 

[Xcalibre]

Doggies winning 13-0 just after halftime in Canterbury cup.

 

[0neye]

THE CANTERBURY CUP