Kiwis 2025

[Blair]

Boys showed a lot of heart and exceptional fitness in that game
I saw Kearney in the box, what capacity is he in for the series?

If there was any doubt the passion for the famous black and white jersey is back.

 

[jolly boys outing]

If there was any doubt the passion for the famous black and white jersey is back.

Don’t you mean black jersey?

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

Black and off grey watermarked v in the jersey manufacturer's pattern*

 

[Blair]

Black and off grey watermarked v in the jersey manufacturer's pattern*

I don't really want to see fans turning up to Warriors games - or even All Blacks games - wearing one of these. They might think no one would notice the difference.

 

[Blair]

The downside of playing footy at this time of year is this:

It's Penrith, which is always hotter, and areas in general will be cooler this weekend, but the heat risk is always there.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Mulitalo has done his ACL

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Marshall King is now out of the campaign as well with a busted thumb

Te Maire Martin and Zack Docker Clay called into the squad

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Bloody hell thats rough too.

Guess TMM slots straight into 14 with Crossland starting but replacing Ronnie will need some juggling, given they don’t have another specialist wing in the squad. Kris coming in with McLean moving to wing could be the go.

Whatever happens I hope Kini gets a shot.

 

[TheDMC]

I have to admit, I was really disappointed with Foran's kicking game, most of his kicks were lacklustre, not enough height or too much distance. He didn't seem to be playing his natural kicking game. But thought the rest of his game was fine. I agree on not setting for the 1.


Hopefully his mentoring is just repeating what Bennett said to him when Bennett was the mentor.

“Process, something something mumble mumble process….” ?

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Eels want NAS

 

[Blair]

Eels want NAS.

With Paulo that's some size. And us Warriors go right back to our doldrums about 'lack of size' and not being able to seriously threaten without it. I want NAS!

 

[Matua]

With Paulo that's some size. And us Warriors go right back to our doldrums about 'lack of size' and not being able to seriously threaten without it. I want NAS!

Meanwhile the commentators and media personalities will still go on about our big pack.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

 

[ozenzud]

Nelson was not so hot last week, but his big body would have been handy against the Tongans. Willinson I suppose is nearly as big.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Eels want NAS

I reckon that's a decent signing for them, on a lot of levels. Has the connection with Ryles from the Storm, shows the Eels want to win now - not just on a five-year plan - and the recent signings I think sends the message to the rest of the comp that Parra is a destination worth considering.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Nelson was not so hot last week, but his big body would have been handy against the Tongans. Willinson I suppose is nearly as big.

yeah given our surplus of middle forwards who can play big minutes, picking an impact guy like NAS is justified - it's just that NAS himself, despite what he should offer, has become such a liability. Willison is not quite as outlandishly big but he is still huge and I think was basically competing for the same spot and plays the same role.

Much like against Samoa the teams on paper are very even imo. Solid NRL standard outside backs, questionable hookers, relatively evenly matched halves (Katoa is the stand-out but Brown is more proven than Iongi). We have a slight advantage with 5 elite middles, they have 5 good middles too but Kaufusi and Taumalolo are getting on a bit and Demitric (who I love) isn't quite there yet.

Eli and Leka (Tonga's 2 Tongans) are their point of difference. Our edge backrowers, while also good, don't have quite the same ceiling.

Of course, if they come out and play like they did vs Samoa we'll be fine. I'd love to see JFH/Leota/Taps/Clark/Whyte just smash them through the middle.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

yeah given our surplus of middle forwards who can play big minutes, picking an impact guy like NAS is justified - it's just that NAS himself, despite what he should offer, has become such a liability. Willison is not quite as outlandishly big but he is still huge and I think was basically competing for the same spot and plays the same role.

Much like against Samoa the teams on paper are very even imo. Solid NRL standard outside backs, questionable hookers, relatively evenly matched halves (Katoa is the stand-out but Brown is more proven than Iongi). We have a slight advantage with 5 elite middles, they have 5 good middles too but Kaufusi and Taumalolo are getting on a bit and Demitric (who I love) isn't quite there yet.

Eli and Leka (Tonga's 2 Tongans) are their point of difference. Our edge backrowers, while also good, don't have quite the same ceiling.

Of course, if they come out and play like they did vs Samoa we'll be fine. I'd love to see JFH/Leota/Taps/Clark/Whyte just smash them through the middle.

I actually reckon the Kiwis have a solid advantage in the halves and middle.

Iongi's only played one first grade game at stand off and that showed last week, poor bastard had a shocker. And with Taumalolo returning from injury having not played in 2mths, and Kaufusi only periodically firing up these days, I think they're vulnerable in the middle. Losing a match fit Stefano is a massive out for them.

They'll get good crowd support this week (probably more so than Suncorp which seemed Samoa dominated) but they'll need it chasing a 17pt margin.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I actually reckon the Kiwis have a solid advantage in the halves and middle.

Iongi's only played one first grade game at stand off and that showed last week, poor bastard had a shocker. And with Taumalolo returning from injury having not played in 2mths, and Kaufusi only periodically firing up these days, I think they're vulnerable in the middle. Losing a match fit Stefano is a massive out for them.

They'll get good crowd support this week (probably more so than Suncorp which seemed Samoa dominated) but they'll need it chasing a 17pt margin.

That's my hope too with the middles, they still have good names but not necessarily in their primes or fit and firing, we are elite.

Halves I'm not so sure on paper but certainly based on last week we're better. I rate Katoa super highly and think Foran is pretty washed, so I see it as a big advantage for them at 7 and a clear advantage for us at 6 (although Iongi is a talent), but even then, Brown is no longer really an elite 6 based on NRL form.

Of all the halves, Katoa is the one who could boss the game. If Foran and Brown can roll back the years a bit and be at their best, we could have an advantage.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

That's my hope too with the middles, they still have good names but not necessarily in their primes or fit and firing, we are elite.

Halves I'm not so sure on paper but certainly based on last week we're better. I rate Katoa super highly and think Foran is pretty washed, so I see it as a big advantage for them at 7 and a clear advantage for us at 6 (although Iongi is a talent), but even then, Brown is no longer really an elite 6 based on NRL form.

Of all the halves, Katoa is the one who could boss the game. If Foran and Brown can roll back the years a bit and be at their best, we could have an advantage.

Yea Izzy (and his edge namesake) are key, both pretty quiet last week but if they turn up this weekend, both capable of breaking the game open.

I was wary of Brown too heading into that game but to be fair, he did turn back the clock and was impressive so I'd be disappointed if he didn't play well again.

Foz though... yea he's just filling a hole for now. But fk I love him for it. His body is gone but his passion for the jersey is special man, especially in today's context. I honestly reckon if Stacey called him next year and said everyone else is out and we need you, he'd drop the clipboard and jump on the next plane.

 

[Matua]

I think that the premeditated kicking to a plan was Foz's biggest weakness, but I think in the absence of Hughes he's good at moving the team around, which I think allowed Brown to shine in the Samoa match.

Now, if he can find some extra height for his kicks we'll be all good.

I hope they give Willison a NAS type brief just to go out there and be a nuisance, just without the NAS tendency to get pinged.

Just had a new fridge delivered and the delivery dude was Samoan (kiwi Samoan), we were united in our dislike of the arrogant Tongans.