Lowrie gone

[Blair]

At the very least there's more than a few tackles to be made by someone else now.

Every team needs a workhorse. For whatever reason/s Lowrie didn't get near Campion/Luck in this regard but we still need someone to fill this role next year.

Like 2002 and 2011, all great Warriors sides have had a hard bastard in the middle of the park.

 

[Diesel]

It's a shame that Crocker has retired as he would've been a really good enforcer for us over the past 2-3 years

Who would be another Campion styled player the Warriors could realistically sign?

 

[mean_maori_mean]

It's a shame that Crocker has retired as he would've been a really good enforcer for us over the past 2-3 years

Who would be another Campion styled player the Warriors could realistically sign?

If we move to a two hooker rotation of TL and Friend/Havili.

Then we could potentially put Matagi back to 13.
He is a hard bastard and played plenty of 13 at lower grades.
Probably his best position imo.

Otherwise Mannering will move to 13 - he is just has hardworking and tough as luck

 

[hitman82]

Matagi definitely my pick for 13 as he will no doubt hit 2014 insanely fit after his first full pro off season. I would likely sub him with Ben Henry... gives us better options for the forward pack and more overall size and impact.

Mannering would be awesome at lock but his defensive skills may be required out wide. Probably Simon and Henry can both offer the same role out wide though.

(basing my team around the currently rumoured departure of Fish)

1 Tomkins
2 Locke
3 Hurrell
4 Nielsen
5 Vatuvei

6 Johnson
7 Townsend

8 Matulino
9 Leuluai
10 Lillyman

11 Mannering (c)
12 Bukuya
13 Matagi

14 Henry
15 Rapira
16 Lousi (either one)
17 Mateo

 

[MKEB...]

Fair enough Hitman...that just leaves the obvious Martel question though.

 

[hitman82]

Fair enough Hitman...that just leaves the obvious Martel question though.

You got me there! Give me one sec... editing required haha.

 

[Rich102]

Matagi definitely my pick for 13 as he will no doubt hit 2014 insanely fit after his first full pro off season. I would likely sub him with Ben Henry... gives us better options for the forward pack and more overall size and impact.

Mannering would be awesome at lock but his defensive skills may be required out wide. Probably Simon and Henry can both offer the same role out wide though.

(basing my team around the currently rumoured departure of Fish)

1 Tomkins
2 Locke
3 Hurrell
4 Nielsen
5 Vatuvei

6 Johnson
7 Townsend

8 Matulino
9 Leuluai
10 Lillyman

11 Mannering (c)
12 Bukuya
13 Matagi

14 Henry
15 Rapira
16 Lousi (either one)
17 Mateo

I like where you are coming from but I still think our best set-up would be with Mannering at 13. Leaving Mateo, Matagi, Bakuya and Henry as a rotating second row.
If Mannering is needed out wide to fill gaps surely it would be better to solve the gap problem - ie move Manu off the wing.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Mateo needs to get fit, the coin he's on he would be a 65-80 minute back rower. I would like to see him get to a stage where he can push out 80 mins all year, when he went on his barnstorming run this war he was playing increased mins.

 

[vvvrulz]

Lowrie leaving is a blessing in disguise, he's a decent player but all those stupid penalties made none of it worth it. It kills a couple of selection headaches for us.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Good result.

 

[Diesel]

I can't see Griffin or Cartwright getting much more out of him, Bellamy has a knack of getting the best out of average players

 

[Meth]

Lowrie leaving is a blessing in disguise, he's a decent player but all those stupid penalties made none of it worth it. It kills a couple of selection headaches for us.

yep

btw- has he signed anywhere?

 

[Micistm]

Thought he was a decent enough player, maybe didn't quite suit the team. And maybe we expected him to be another Michael Luck. In any case, I hope whatever his situation is, it works out for him.

 

[Meth]

Thought he was a decent enough player, maybe didn't quite suit the team. And maybe we expected him to be another Michael Luck. In any case, I hope whatever his situation is, it works out for him.

Pretty much exactly what I expected.

 

[ozenzud]

The fact he seemed a good bloke on RadioSport didn't stop me screaming at the TV during the Warriors game and wondering what Elliot was doing picking him.

He had a good part to his game in that he was a good defensive player. He just gave away a lot of penalties. Like Luck, he was useless in attack. I would have been Ok with him if it weren't for those penalties in critical tackles all the time.

Taylor gone, Lowrie gone. Can this Bakuya tackle?

 

[hitman82]

The fact he seemed a good bloke on RadioSport didn't stop me screaming at the TV during the Warriors game and wondering what Elliot was doing picking him.

He had a good part to his game in that he was a good defensive player. He just gave away a lot of penalties. Like Luck, he was useless in attack. I would have been Ok with him if it weren't for those penalties in critical tackles all the time.

Taylor gone, Lowrie gone. Can this Bakuya tackle?

Yeah, Bukuya is a high defensive workrate back rower who can also run great lines. Pretty much a perfectly rounded loose forward. He's not massive, but runs with energy.

 

[Mr Angry]

Can this Bakuya tackle?

Indeed and run.

Quality player. Will prove a great buy.

 

[hitman82]

Indeed and run.

Quality player. Will prove a great buy.

Since you are here, do you consider Bukuya a dominant tackler who tends to win the wrestle? Or is he someone who grabs and holds until another forward finishes the tackle?

 

[Stalefish]

bakuya definately packs a punch. fringe player wairangi koopu like in both attack and D. i dont see him as an 80 min lock tho. maybe start Henry there?

 

[Cheops]

Mannering should be lock. I'm hoping he spends some time there for the Kiwis and plays well so Elliot moves him there next year. Mateo left, Mannering middle and Bukuya right is a good balance.