3-2-1 vs Titans

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

I fully understand people being impressed by Vuna and especially by Papali'i, given their youth. Papali'i in particular has just always looked like a solid first grader despite sort of coming from nowhere at age 18.

However having said that, neither of them has shown a great deal on attack so far. Papali'i in particular struggles to get over the advantage line and tbh on an uncharitable assessment he might be considered a bit of a plodder.

Nothing against plodders (Michael Luck anyone?) but I felt like the lack of attacking threat from a Papali'i/Mannering/Vuna backrow was one of the issues yesterday. It's not the most balanced.

It's interesting, with all of the big, fast kids you hear about in NZ rugby league, the Warriors seem to be gravitating towards the less athletically gifted ones? Maybe not a bad thing, preferring attitude and work rate etc

Agreed 100%
Papalii and Vuna are not even in my starting 13 even 17 due to the reasons u mentioned
11 Pulu
12 Harris
13 Blair

 

[Cold Roses]

I fully understand people being impressed by Vuna and especially by Papali'i, given their youth. Papali'i in particular has just always looked like a solid first grader despite sort of coming from nowhere at age 18.

However having said that, neither of them has shown a great deal on attack so far. Papali'i in particular struggles to get over the advantage line and tbh on an uncharitable assessment he might be considered a bit of a plodder.

Nothing against plodders (Michael Luck anyone?) but I felt like the lack of attacking threat from a Papali'i/Mannering/Vuna backrow was one of the issues yesterday. It's not the most balanced.

Inexperience. You're spot on with the lack of balance in the backrow. They just aren't ready yet. If it was just one spot out of 3 that was filled by Papali'i / Vuna, with Blair and Harris in the other 2, then sure. But throw them in together, and add in 60 mins of the physically imposing threat that Tevaga brings to opposing packs, then they're on a hiding to nothing. I do however think there's a lot of potential with Papali'i that we aren't seeing just yet. I suspect Kearney has given him a really simple role in this team.

Agreed 100%
Papalii and Vuna are not even in my starting 13 even 17 due to the reasons u mentioned
11 Pulu
12 Harris
13 Blair

That's our best backrow without a doubt. Mannering to take the bench role with Papali'i inheriting it next year, and Tevega to play ISP.

Don't wont to turn into 'that guy', but i can't understand how Tevaga plays 60 mins most weeks, (72 apparently against the Titans), but Afoa got 20 mins on Sunday.