Mid year tests in 2022

[Hartwood]

SMH reporting that NZRL are attempting to organise a test vs Tonga during Origin. Warriors do not want this match to happen and have threatened to not release players for the Test

 

[Matua]

The Warriors are idiots, however, they barely have any NZers who would be in contention for the KIwis anyway.

 

[Hartwood]

The Warriors are idiots, however, they barely have any NZers who would be in contention for the KIwis anyway.

True, SJ is the only shoe-in Kiwi that the Warriors have.
You could make a strong team without any Warriors.
Something like this maybe
1. Manu
2. Mulitalo
3. R. Smith
4. Nicoll-Klokstad
5. Rapana
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Asofa-Solomona
9. B. Smith
10. Fisher-Harris
11. Papali'i
12. Nikora
13. Tapine
14. Marshall-King
15. Harawira-Naira
16. J. Bromwich
17. Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves - Harper, Riki, Hiku, Niukore

 

[Matua]

True, SJ is the only shoe-in Kiwi that the Warriors have.
You could make a strong team without any Warriors.
Something like this maybe
1. Manu
2. Mulitalo
3. R. Smith
4. Nicoll-Klokstad
5. Rapana
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Asofa-Solomona
9. B. Smith
10. Fisher-Harris
11. Papali'i
12. Nikora
13. Tapine
14. Marshall-King
15. Harawira-Naira
16. J. Bromwich
17. Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves - Harper, Riki, Hiku, Niukore

Haha, I like how you mention SJ being the only shoe-in and then you don't select him in the top 21.

I wouldn't select Mulitalo. He chose Australia/Samoa.

 

[Hartwood]

Haha, I like how you mention SJ being the only shoe-in and then you don't select him in the top 21.

I wouldn't select Mulitalo. He chose Australia/Samoa.

That's the team I'd select if the Warriors refused to release players, hence no Johnson

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

True, SJ is the only shoe-in Kiwi that the Warriors have.
You could make a strong team without any Warriors.
Something like this maybe
1. Manu
2. Mulitalo
3. R. Smith
4. Nicoll-Klokstad
5. Rapana
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Asofa-Solomona
9. B. Smith
10. Fisher-Harris
11. Papali'i
12. Nikora
13. Tapine
14. Marshall-King
15. Harawira-Naira
16. J. Bromwich
17. Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves - Harper, Riki, Hiku, Niukore

Why would you play manu at fullback and CNK at centre?

Also what’s happened to DWZ? Is he injured or just out of form?

 

[jim_57]

True, SJ is the only shoe-in Kiwi that the Warriors have.
You could make a strong team without any Warriors.
Something like this maybe
1. Manu
2. Mulitalo
3. R. Smith
4. Nicoll-Klokstad
5. Rapana
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Asofa-Solomona
9. B. Smith
10. Fisher-Harris
11. Papali'i
12. Nikora
13. Tapine
14. Marshall-King
15. Harawira-Naira
16. J. Bromwich
17. Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves - Harper, Riki, Hiku, Niukore

Even with Warriors players Johnson could be used on the bench maybe but Brown & Hughes should definitely be first choice halves. No other Warriors players would be first choice so no real loss if they don’t release players, not
ideal having the one NZ club not wanting to release players for the NZ test team.

 

[Hartwood]

Why would you play manu at fullback and CNK at centre?

Also what’s happened to DWZ? Is he injured or just out of form?

I just think Manu is a much better FB than CNK, but I did initially have it the other way around. DWZ is still out with a broken thumb, he always steps up for the KIwis but I don't think he'd be a huge loss if the Warriors didn't release him

 

[Matua]

That's the team I'd select if the Warriors refused to release players, hence no Johnson

My bad, I didn't read your post correctly.

 

[Coastbloke]

Why don't the Warriors want it? Play it at Eden Park and It'll surely help the NZRL's coffers?

Also haven't the IRL sorted this club v country crap yet?

 

[LeagueXIII]

NRL clubs dont want anything that interferes with the NRL except origin.

 

[Matua]

Why don't the Warriors want it? Play it at Eden Park and It'll surely help the NZRL's coffers?

Also haven't the IRL sorted this club v country crap yet?

The Warriors are privately owned, they don't care about the NZRL or league in NZ in general.

 

[wain]

True, SJ is the only shoe-in Kiwi that the Warriors have.
You could make a strong team without any Warriors.
Something like this maybe
1. Manu
2. Mulitalo
3. R. Smith
4. Nicoll-Klokstad
5. Rapana
6. Brown
7. Hughes
8. Asofa-Solomona
9. B. Smith
10. Fisher-Harris
11. Papali'i
12. Nikora
13. Tapine
14. Marshall-King
15. Harawira-Naira
16. J. Bromwich
17. Waerea-Hargreaves
Reserves - Harper, Riki, Hiku, Niukore

surely that is the strongest NZ spine for a long time? no weak links IMO

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

What’s the thoughts of kiwis on here giving a jersey to players who are eligible for both Australia and NZ if only to tie them down like nanai, mulitalio and fotuaika etc?

 

[Perth Red]

Be great if it happens but I suspect Warriors will whine and Vlandys will kybosh the idea. Shame as NZRL could do with the money after the grant reductions from the NRL over the last few years.

 

[Coastbloke]

Looks like it could be a goer?

Kiwis to make international return against Mate Ma'a Tonga in June

Newshub understands the match will be played on the same weekend as State of Origin II.

www.newshub.co.nz

 

[Matua]

What’s the thoughts of kiwis on here giving a jersey to players who are eligible for both Australia and NZ if only to tie them down like nanai, mulitalio and fotuaika etc?

Don't give them jerseys unless they're good enough and want to play for NZ. Don't give Mulitalio a jersey at all, as I noted above, he chose Origin/Aus/Samoa.

 

[Hartwood]

Samoa trying to organise a mid year test match according to Jason Costigan

 

[Hartwood]

Huddersfield wouldn't block Tui Lolohea from playing in Tonga test

 

[cumbrian Mackem]

Samoa trying to organise a mid year test match according to Jason Costigan

Good to hear but at the same time very disheartening when you hear and read words like “trying to organise a mid year test.”