Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Warriors @ Mt Smart Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2017 - Round 1
Warriors v Newcastle Knights
Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose (TICKETS)
Sunday 5 March 2017

[Times AEDT] Gates 9:30am | NYC 9:45am | ISP NSW 11:45am | NRL 2:00pm

[Times NZDT] Gates 11:30am | NYC 11:45am | ISP NSW 1:45pm | NRL 4:00pm

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. Tuimoala Lolohea 3. David Fusitua 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Mafoa'aeata Hingano 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Albert Vete 9. Issac Luke 10. Charlie Gubb 11. Bunty Afoa 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jacob Lillyman 16. Sam Lisone 17. Isaiah Papalii 18. Bodene Thompson 20. Mason Lino 21. James Gavet 22. Blake Ayshford

1. Dylan Phythian 2. Ken Sio 3. Dane Gagai 4. Peter Mata'utia 5. Nathan Ross 6. Brock Lamb 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Josh Starling 11. Sione Mata'utia 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14. Luke Yates 15. Jack Stockwell 16. Sam Stone 17. Jacob Saifiti 18. Brendan Elliott 19. Tyler Randell 20. Josh King 21. Anthony Tupou

Referees: Dave Munro, Alan Shortall
Sideline Officials: Jason Walsh, Anthony Elliott
Video Referees: Ben Galea, Ashley Klein

U20s Round 1
Warriors v Knights at Mt Smart Stadium, Sun 11:45am NZ

ISP NSW Round 1
Warriors (Warriors) v Newcastle Knights (Knights) at Mt Smart Stadium, Sun 1:45pm NZ​

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I assume our round one team will be pretty similar to our trial team. I think the starting side will be the same but maybe a change or two on the bench.

Despite our record in Auckland I think this game is very winnable for the following reasons:

1. The warriors are notoriously poor starters and seem to start every year off with 2-3 losses on the trot.

2. There isn't any pressure on us because no-one thinks we're going to win a game this year. Whereas the warriors on paper should be one of the premiership favourites and will be under massive pressure from their fan base and the media (and possibly themselves) and have a history of cracking under the pressure and underperforming time and time again.

3. If we turn up with the same attitude and enthusiasm that we had in the trial match last week we'll make ourselves difficult to beat at worst and we may come up with a win here.

4. Our team is a lot more settled now that we are past the dramas of last year and by all accounts the boys have had a great pre-season and they look much fitter.

I wouldn't put my house on it but boy I wouldn't be surprised if we spring an upset in round one.

 

[mozza91]

Good post. Number 3 will be the key. If we show up week to week with that defensive commitment we'll suprise a few teams starting with the Warriors.

Obviously the team will improve but if we can be competitive week to week and keep the thrashings to a minimum I'll be stoked. Kind of like the early days we mightn't win alot but the other team will have to work really hard for the win.

 

[Knight76]

Kind of like the early days we mightn't win alot but the other team will have to work really hard for the win.

And for this season I would be happy with that. We can't really expect much more given last year. I think we have a good chance of rolling the Warriors in rd1.

 

[PhilGould]

Brown announced at the season launch today that Sam Stone & Luke Yates will debut in rd 1.

 

[slotmachine]

Crazy if true.

Edit. Actually a bench of Stockwell, Jacob, Stone, Yates could go OK.

 

[Johns Magic]

Stone I like the look of. I think he could be a serious player for us in time even if he's a bit green right now.

Yates I see less potential in but I won't write off before he gets a shot. He looks the type to have a proper crack so good on him and I hope he goes well.

Seems Mataora is down the pecking order assuming he doesn't get the last bench spot(which he may well).

Stockwell...no thanks, should not be picked again if no injuries. Hoping we see Tupou take that last spot, I read about a week back that he may be ready for Round 1.

 

[Spot On]

Stone looked pretty good in the trial v Canberra. It's obvious he could develop into a huge asset for us and the type of player many have been crying out for. Just have to patient now and hope he fulfils that potential.

 

[Glendale]

I don't mind it. Stone has looked alright in the trials and 9's and Yates is a hard worker who's been in our system for ages.

However, I would like 2017 to be less experimental and more focused on winning games, 2016 was the time to hand out debuts. I just want to see a better effort to get results this year, the fans have suffered enough. I would hope the reason for putting these guys out there in round 1 would be because they are the best available option, not just a 'see how they handle it' 2016 style experiment.

 

[macavity]

Stone looked pretty good in the trial v Canberra. It's obvious he could develop into a huge asset for us and the type of player many have been crying out for. Just have to patient now and hope he fulfils that potential.

Apparently is about 105? Looks like he could carry another 20kg on his frame and still be lean

 

[Spot On]

I don't mind it. Stone has looked alright in the trials and 9's and Yates is a hard worker who's been in our system for ages.

However, I would like 2017 to be less experimental and more focused on winning games, 2016 was the time to hand out debuts. I just want to see a better effort to get results this year, the fans have suffered enough. I would hope the reason for putting these guys out there in round 1 would be because they are the best available option, not just a 'see how they handle it' 2016 style experiment.

Stone might turn out to be a gem. Maybe he'll adapt to and flourish in firsts very quickly. All of a sudden we find another long term prospect and could keep him for a lot less than we'd have to go to the market for. I'm happy to try one or two of these types of players a little earlier than normal to give them a taste and see what they can do.

It's nothing like it was last year. The starting 13 and 2 x bench have some experience at the top level. If Brown was going to debut 7 blokes in R1 then I'd be prepared for another season of experiments.

I don't see that this is the case.

 

[Pedge1971]

Stone looked pretty good in the trial v Canberra. It's obvious he could develop into a huge asset for us and the type of player many have been crying out for. Just have to patient now and hope he fulfils that potential.

He has a young Steve Simpson look about him. Still growing...

 

[Pedge1971]

I don't mind it. Stone has looked alright in the trials and 9's and Yates is a hard worker who's been in our system for ages.

However, I would like 2017 to be less experimental and more focused on winning games, 2016 was the time to hand out debuts. I just want to see a better effort to get results this year, the fans have suffered enough. I would hope the reason for putting these guys out there in round 1 would be because they are the best available option, not just a 'see how they handle it' 2016 style experiment.

The message in the press was the team would be picked on form but I hear ya.

 

[perverse]

He has a young Steve Simpson look about him. Still growing...

You've gone and done it now. If he turns out to be a dud, expect merciless ribbing from slots for predicting "the next Steve Simpson".

Maybe it's the trial, maybe it's early season optimism... maybe I'm just in a good mood - but I think we've at least got a shot at winning this match. Like most, I don't expect the Warriors to come out firing early in the season.

 

[Pedge1971]

You've gone and done it now. If he turns out to be a dud, expect merciless ribbing from slots for predicting "the next Steve Simpson".

Ha ha! I will cop that and take my medicine. I did say looks, long way to go to see if he plays like him. But fair to call me out on that mate.

 

[Johns Magic]

Stone might turn out to be a gem. Maybe he'll adapt to and flourish in firsts very quickly. All of a sudden we find another long term prospect and could keep him for a lot less than we'd have to go to the market for. I'm happy to try one or two of these types of players a little earlier than normal to give them a taste and see what they can do.

It's nothing like it was last year. The starting 13 and 2 x bench have some experience at the top level. If Brown was going to debut 7 blokes in R1 then I'd be prepared for another season of experiments.

I don't see that this is the case.

Yeah I don't reckon there's any guys who really deserve to be picked that won't be. Stockwell, Mataora, Paea...none demand selection.

I think it's a great thing that Brown continues to pick a couple of young surprises at the start of each year. Great motivation for aspiring players here.

Gone are the days where we stuck to the same boring lineup each week regardless of potential or results.

 

[perverse]

I don't really get the fuss, to be honest. 2 debutants Round 1 is more or less back to business as usual I would think. We wouldn't be the only club in that boat surely?

 

[slotmachine]

Yeah, 15 minutes of yates and 30 minutes of stone isn't going to decide the game, the starting 13 and bench props will.

 

[K-Man]

Safe to say we'll see Buhrer fill in at dummy half for Levi, with Stone to come on and play Buhrer's right edge for a bit. Yates will likely give Barnett a rest but not a massive one. I think Brown is right to leave Randell out and go with the extra forward to really take it to the Warriors up front.

Warriors could be missing a few forwards too which is handy. Matulino, Thompson, Hoffman carrying niggles I think. Manu possibly too.

 

[Johns Magic]

Safe to say we'll see Buhrer fill in at dummy half for Levi, with Stone to come on and play Buhrer's right edge for a bit. Yates will likely give Barnett a rest but not a massive one. I think Brown is right to leave Randell out and go with the extra forward to really take it to the Warriors up front.

Warriors could be missing a few forwards too which is handy. Matulino, Thompson, Hoffman carrying niggles I think. Manu possibly too.

Has there been anything solid from Brown/the club to suggest Randell is not going to be on the bench?

So far it has just been guess work by us AFAIK.

Although if Randell does take that final bench spot it means Stone will have to play decent minutes in the middle.