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Australian media put the boot in to dismal Warriors season, call for coaching change

Iron Lion

Juniors
Messages
1,216
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...iors-season-call-for-coaching-change#comments

JACKSON THOMAS10:50, Sep 12 2019

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DAVID WHITE/STUFF
Stephen Kearney is signed on with the Warriors through until the end of 2022 - though many think he won't last that long.
Some of Australian media's most respected rugby league pundits have taken aim at the Warriors after another failed NRL season.

Speaking on the Matthew Johns Podcast, Daily Telegraph columnist Paul Kent, premiership winner Brett Finch and Johns himself all took shots at the New Zealand club following their dismal 13th place finish.

Questions over coaching and an over-reliance on skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were among the main topics discussed, with calls for changes in both areas.

Stephen Kearney has been under fire from fans and pundits alike for several weeks now.

He is signed through to the end of 2022 and the club brass are adamant he is the man to lead them forward.


Regardless, Kent said it was time the Warriors had more stern leadership at the top - or risk another quarter century of heartache.

"They need someone like Adam O'Brien (Knights coach), someone who demands they bring it every day to training," Kent said.

"The Warriors have always had that problem, they will give you a great 30 minutes then go to sleep. That's the history of the team and it's been there for 25 years."

Still in a disappointing year for the club overall, all three men acknowledged what a shining light the captain had been.

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MATT KING/GETTY IMAGES
Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns and former Warrior Greg Alexander talk during a New South Wales Blues training session.
Tuivasa-Sheck put in one of the best seasons of his career in an under-achieving side, and will be right in the mix to pick up his second Dally M Medal in as many years at the annual awards in October.

But the captain having to shoulder so much responsibility is something that concerned both Johns and Finch.

"They have a real over-reliance on their back three, big time," Johns said.

"One thing about the Warriors throughout their history is they have always had a big strong forward pack, well that's gone. Their pack was really disappointing this season."

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PHOTOSPORT
A dejected looking Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after his side were embarrassed at the Sydney Cricket Ground by the Roosters.
He's been superman for the club since arriving in 2017, but Tuivasa-Sheck risks over-loading himself unless the team around him can lift, Finch said.

"(Ken) Maumalo, David Fusitu'a and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, they are unbelievable," he said.

"They take the first three (hit-ups) every time. I called that last game down in Canberra and it's almost as though the forwards don't even bother getting back on side because they know those boys will handle it.

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TONY FEDER/GETTY IMAGES
Brett Finch believes the Warriors ask too much of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
"Roger was again superb this year but I worry about his future. The load on his back, not only the captaincy but the amount of times he carries the ball and then he's expected to create line-breaks as well.

"He's a unique talent but there's a lot of pressure on him at the moment."
 

Beavers Headgear

First Grade
Messages
8,766
Anyone with half a brain (Finch perfect example) can see those issues

Luckily all will be ok because Kearney is working on the “game model”
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
31,801
LOL - "stating the obvious" is now "putting the boot in" The media are just a gift
 
Messages
16,651
The context of the Adam O'Brien comment was that Matty had been talking about him making players put in at practice earlier when discussing the knights season.
I do find it funny that he was used as the example as he hasn't been proven at the top level yet.
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
31,801
Kearney is average, but if it were Australian commentators then I doubt they even have the slightest clue about the issues we have.
They know we don't win and are flakey...

Matty Johns, when he loses the shit comedian routine, has a fair footy brain... in all seriousness, getting him in to work with CHT, Keighran etc would be a huge step up from Stacey...

They're just suggesting standards and accountability - seems a pretty good place to start imo
 

Meth

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
34,739
100% right about the back 3 taking the hit ups. We are very critical of Fusitu’a’s season, but keep in mind the amount of the prop’s work that he has to do in addition to his own.
 

Rich102

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
11,557
This thing about the back 3 taking hit-ups. Is it Kearney's coaching?
 

Blair

Coach
Messages
10,239
100% right about the back 3 taking the hit ups. We are very critical of Fusitu’a’s season, but keep in mind the amount of the prop’s work that he has to do in addition to his own.

At what stage does Fusitu'a think he needs to bulk-up in order to fulfill this role? He looked bigger this year, but slower. Was he just 'out of condition' or had he deliberately put on weight in order to take the ball up with more grunt?

This scenario didn't apply to Sheck, who was in his usual excellent condition. Of course, Ken is naturally big for a winger, no need to change anything there.
 

SpaceMonkey

Immortal
Messages
38,025
The back 3 taking hitups isn’t a problem in itself- it SHOULD be an advantage. The problem is the way our forwards have actually come to rely on it. They should all be back onside and putting their hands up before the second/third hitup, not bludging until Ken/Fus/RTS run it back up to them.
 
Messages
16,651
The back 3 taking hitups isn’t a problem in itself- it SHOULD be an advantage. The problem is the way our forwards have actually come to rely on it. They should all be back onside and putting their hands up before the second/third hitup, not bludging until Ken/Fus/RTS run it back up to them.
Bingo, the 3rd should be at least their minimum.
Didn't seem to conserve their energy for a monster hit ups on tackle 4 and 5 or allow for greater defensive decisions by not being fatigued.
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
31,801
Yep - the pack is just rubbish TBH, and obviously the coaching/game plan is rubbish too...

Only Ah Mau and Harris would warrant a spot in the 17 of good sides, the rest are depth...

That said, Belllamy and Bennett can get less talented depth players to do a well defined job... our potato clearly can't
 

Rich102

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
11,557
Ah, but potato is happy with his players.
Now, with just a bit more luck......., the spoon is ours.
 

BLN2

Juniors
Messages
383
SK was at the club when the entire current pack was signed/developed. Blaming the players is pointing the gun at his own head, especially if he's mentioning training habits. Afoa, Paasi, Ah Mau, Blair, Burr as your middles/props are incredibly similar in size (180-185cm, 105-110kg) and lack X factor. Not rocket science. I still think the first 3 guys are a decent prop rotation, but we really need a point of difference as the 4th prop.

He has clearly banked on the Wingers being props, which is fine, but you can't rely on them to do the forwards job every week. It basically wastes our attacking threats out wide and turns them into battering rams (RTS included).
 
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