Gameday: Warriors v Raiders

[nswarrior]

Another tough game against the minor premiers from last year. Strong forward pack from both sides although Warriors slightly ahead esp off the bench with Halasima, Vauimaga and TSS.

Raiders backs much more dangerous and both sides with unproven half backs. It will be a close one and we need Boyd to play like he did last week.

Go Warriors!!!

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Similar sides on paper imo. I don't see a big gulf in quality in the backs really - they definitely have a big advantage in speed though, and that has made us look silly in the past even against backlines who man for man are not that much better than us.

Both sides base their game on excellent middle forwards and don't quite have elite spines, although the Raiders maybe have a slight advantage there. The Raiders definitely have points in them but I wouldn't really call either side a slick attacking unit. Raiders are more about dominant middle forwards and then individual brilliance.

The way the season has started with such high scoring games, it's hard to imagine any game being a forward-oriented slog - but that's how this game potentially shapes up, particularly with a bit of rain around.

 

[nswarrior]

I am really surprised the games not a sellout already. Is 8pm a late kick-off?

Surely it will sellout before kick-off

 

[Izz]

In both games last year, the Raiders killed us with offloads. Hopefully that doesn't repeat

I am really surprised the games not a sellout already. Is 8pm a late kick-off?

Surely it will sellout before kick-off

Yeah, also surprised it's not a sellout!

 

[Izz]

NSW Cup team already looking much better than last week.

AKP with the first try, a DWZ effort.

The new middle looks good, as does another debutant, centre Josh Tanielu - who was apparently Fox Memorial POTY last year

EDIT: and then some nice ball movement sees AKP grubber through from about 20 out for Putoko to score

 

[Izz]

Niukore pass to Cleary who beats 3 and runs 20m to score. Nice decoy run by Gannon helped open up space.

18-0 Warriors

Have never seen Niukore touch the ball so much lol

EDIT: Nice bomb by Cleary sees Haizyn-Mellars out jump Ricky Stuart's son, then draw the fullback and pass inside for Gannon to score under the posts

24-0 Reggie Wahs at halftime.

Night and day better first half compared to last week

 

[sup42]

It's a sell out! Seasons greetings lads...NRL seasons not the other commercial buy hot cross buns and get robbed by Santa type carry on.

Hopefully a close game, be thrilled with that after last weeks efforts.

 

[Izz]

Reggie Raiders drop the ball straight off the kickoff and Hansen puts Putoko into some space off the scrum. Still had a bit of work to do but goes over for his second.

30-0 Reggie Wahs

EDIT: Now Warriors drop it off kickoff on heavy contact. Three tackles later Raiders 9 goes over to score.

30-6

Another error by Raiders. Couple tackles later Cleary hit late and Raiders 11 binned. Cleary okay and taking the 2

32-6

Cleary now off for HIA, which sees Cassius Tia make his debut. Released by Bulldogs on compassionate grounds apparently, which is nice for us as he was in 2025 NSW Cup team of the year

And now Tuipulotu-Vea drops it off the kickoff again... but we defend it. For now at least

 

[Izz]

AKP gets hit high. We get down the other end, spread it to Haizyn-Mellars who finds the grass to score coming back inside against the scramble.

Tia misses the conversion

36-6

Another penalty sees us on their line again. Nice cutout from Tia to AKP sees him step back inside to beat his winger, then goes over the line in contact to score. Really nice pass from Tia - don't think either Cleary or Hansen could do that. He misses the conversion, though.

40-6

 

[Izz]

Hansen bombs to the corner for Haizyn-Mellars to climb high, catch, land, twist and score. The kid's got hops!

Cleary back on and taking the conversion. Off the post.

44-6

Great 40-20 from the Raiders. Defended well first couple tackles, then dummy half gets out and offloads to a frontrower who shows strength to score.

44-12

That's how it ends. Team looked so much better this week.

Both wingers with great games.
So to Niukore.
Gannon played 80 and also looked good.
Putoko played well - his defense was much sharper this week
Both halves played well. I think Cleary probably a touch better than Hansen (def more highlight plays)
Impressed with Paige-Wilson. Big unit with a good motor and a nice offload.

Nobody had a bad game, though the second half was a bit error ridden and Tuipulotu-Vea will want his kickoff returns back.

Raiders never gave up but looked a bit like we did last week.

Bring on the main event! (Though I have the usual Warriors fan pre-game nerves lol)

 

[Izz]

Hopefully a close game, be thrilled with that after last weeks efforts.

Yep, same here

 

[nswarrior]

It's a sell out! Seasons greetings lads...NRL seasons not the other commercial buy hot cross buns and get robbed by Santa type carry on.

Hopefully a close game, be thrilled with that after last weeks efforts.

Hopefully a win, and a win by a lot would be even better. like all Warriors fans very nervous

 

[hitro]

 

[Big Marn]

Im guessing Tapine is captain. he was very good at slowing down our momentum last year manipulating the referee. Much like old Pricey used to do.

 

[Izz]

Capewell ruled out with calf injury during warmups

 

[nswarrior]

Go Warriors!!

 

[vvvrulz]

Capewell ruled out with calf injury during warmups

Is it just me or does it seems like Capewell is always busted

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Catching it delayed again!

 

[vvvrulz]

Silly penalty won’t help, they’re on the attack

 

[Izz]

Too easy