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Matai --------> Warriors

RHYTHM AND STEALTH

RHYTHM AND STEALTH

Coach
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/sport/3858852/Matai-keen-on-Warriors


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Matai keen on Warriors



By AARON LAWTON - Sunday News

Last updated 05:00 27/06/2010
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Steve Matai

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KIWIS hard man Steve Matai is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Brent Tate at the Warriors next year.
The 25-year-old Manly centre is off contract at season’s end and his agent Gavin Orr yesterday revealed Matai would move home if the Warriors came up with the right price.
Experienced centre Tate confi rmed during the week he’d signed a three-year deal with North Queensland Cowboys so the Warriors are after a replacement.
"I think Steve would move home because he’'s still got a lot of family there,’’'' Orr told Sunday News yesterday. “
"But it will really depend on what the Warriors would be prepared to seriously put on the table. They know he’'s available but we haven’t heard from them.''
Of concern for the Warriors would be Matai’s dodgy track record with the NRL judiciary and past troubles with neck and shoulder injuries.
But it is the Kiwi centre’s aggression, defensive prowess and ability to find the tryline that would really appeal to the club.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary is disappointed Tate opted not to accept a two-year deal to stay but confirmed Matai would be an ideal replacement.
"I had no idea he was interested in coming home," Cleary said.
"But we’'d certainly consider someone of the calibre of Steve Matai. “I suppose we’'ve only just heard the news about Brent but it does give us some certainty and it changes our salary cap projections for next year and all that sort of thing.''
"We will need to have a look at everything now and try to make some decisions soon.
Orr said Matai would be a good fi t. "Everyone keeps asking me why the Warriors haven’t been on the phone wanting him.’’
Warriors recruitment boss Dean Bell yesterday confirmed Matai was “one of many’’ centres the club had discussed.
But he conceded signing a new prop was the top priority.
"He [Matai] is of interest, yeah,”'' Bell said.
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On top of the prop hitlist is Melbourne enforcer Adam Blair. But sources say it’s unlikely the Kiwi would be released early from his contract, which expires in 2011. Melbourne prop Brett White is also thought to be of interest and is a more realistic signing prospect.
Meanwhile, former Kiwis centre Paul Whatuira could be on the lookout for an NRL club after being released by Huddersfield.
 
Scott

Scott

Bench
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3,794
Surely with Inu, Ropati and Moon, we don't really need a top quality centre. I would rather we go with someone much cheaper. Dane Nielson from the Storm is someone who can play centre/wing and will not cost the $$$ that Matai would.
 
playdaball

playdaball

Bench
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3,525
Scott said:
Surely with Inu, Ropati and Moon, we don't really need a top quality centre. I would rather we go with someone much cheaper. .
Click to expand...

Maybe they see Inu as a FB / wing?

It wasn't that long ago that Moon was the next big # 6 same as Ropati actually.

Don't forget the club does have a lot of $$$$
 
Martli

Martli

Coach
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11,564
China doll and a judiciary target. No from me. Good player but won't be worth it, he'll barely play any games.
 
O

ozreece77

Juniors
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142
Why would we sign a player that has injuries almost as often as Tate, if not more, PLUS also finds himself at the judiciary a lot thanks to his dodgy tackling technique.

Probably the last player the Warriors should be looking at.


edit. Haha, Martli posted while I was still typing. Pretty much said exactly the same thing.
 
Last edited:
N

northmanlywarrior

Juniors
Messages
100
ozreece77 said:
Why would we sign a player that has injuries almost as often as Tate, if not more, PLUS also finds himself at the judiciary a lot thanks to his dodgy tackling technique.

Probably the last player the Warriors should be looking at.


edit. Haha, Martli posted while I was still typing. Pretty much said exactly the same thing.
Click to expand...

Yeah i agree
 
O

One Warrior

Bench
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2,781
Get Justin Carney (also mentioned as being targeted), Blair and White for 2011, release Henderson and possibly Heremaia when their contracts are up end 2011 and sign a decent hooker for 2012, with Mara and Nafe Seluini for backup.
 
Rovelli

Rovelli

Bench
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4,384
Agree with you guys - if we are looking for a Tate replacement, we could do far far worse than Steve.

But there are more pressing concerns for us, namely a top-line prop or dummy-half.
 
ANTiLAG

ANTiLAG

First Grade
Messages
8,014
Matai is awful for numerous reasons

1) Always has a shoulder injury. Never 100% when on field and spends many games off field nursing those shoulders.

2) Defence: far too many penalities conceded at the wrong end of the field at the wrong time

3) Defence: his running out of the goalline /10/20 metre line and trying for a big shot results in far too many tries conceded. Rarely successful at shutting down the play yet he still persists with it. Seriously - who would honestly think shoulder charges by a little Matai man on the edge by their own goal line is a good idea? Must infuriate all his coaches because he does it at all levels of the game - club and test. Concedes countless tries as he leaves a big hole in the defensive line.

Total liability.
 
Manu Vatuvei

Manu Vatuvei

Coach
Messages
17,217
Matai is a better player than Inu. But since we've already got Inu I think his signing (presumably paying overs) would be a bit pointless.
 
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