Prepare for some news

[sup42]

To say there's no weakness in our middle just because we concede more tries on the edge is ignoring the underlining problem which is how badly our edge defense gets sucked inward due to how ineffective our middle is. This creates far too much space out wide.

Absolutely I'd be shoring up our middle defense before anywhere else, regardless of where the tries are being scored because that's where it all starts. Don't let the opposition get front foot ball then they don't get as much opportunity to go wide and are less effective when they do.

If I was going to pick our biggest issues in defense, wingers would be down on the list.Their positions are largely reactive to the good or bad work done by those on the inside.

Always hopeful we'll pick up a couple of defensively sound middle forwards before the new season starts. If not I don't see much changing in our results for next season regardless of how well our wingers (old or new) defend.

To be fair the only thing you and I truly disagree on is the order of priority.

I too think the names you put forward there compound the issues for the rest....the only thing we differ on is which comes first the chicken or the egg...so....really.....the truth is this team is a leaky boat and across the forums / general opinion....if you are talking Warriors none of them are above criticism.

Those bench forwards you list are a serious problem for us. There is a drop in performance when that lot takes the field.

Truth is, our Forwards and Backs are not up to standard.

Some of our backs are better forwards than our forwards.

My biggest gripe with the Warriors is the shuffling of deck chairs on the Titanic.

Instead of recruiting well rounded players and dropping guys who can't deliver in defence and attack...you end up with lame ducks like Nielson getting contracts to baby sit Vatuvei.....you end up with tacklebot Hookers being indispensable....and lastly....you end up with the leuluais of the world being selected as the on field leaders....because a Mute is Captain of the team and player of the season four years running.

The solution is obvious. Deal with problems at the source and stop compensating for these local produced players.

I'm sick of the Michael Luck / Nathan Friend syndrome....fans and lazy Warriors accepting that the solution to our woes is buying in defensive Donkeys to carry the lazies we roll off our overrated local production line.

In a country that produces endless attacking players, power runners with the ball in hand...I challenge anyone to come up with an argument counter to the priority being the Warriors defensive systems in terms of local development players.

I don't see any sense in continuing to import patch over solutions.

If I ran this club.....No tackle smarts = no NRL /no NSW cup / No U20's appearances.

In a perfect world the Warriors would make their under grades focused on defensive rugby league.

 

[Rich102]

Hard to disagree Sup.

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Yeah he makes great sense for once

 

[JJ]

From a supporter's point of view remembering when we had success, I think the Warrior's lack of success this year is not the backs, not the bigger forwards, but in my opinion the hooking position.
We have had plenty of hookers that were good at darting out of dummy half, (eg the Marsh's, Deaths, Mears and even more recently we have had twin hooking tactics that worked very effectively(Brown/Heremai/Berrigan). None of our hookers this year have provided that extra focus of attack that the opposition has to worry about. Havili might have developed into a good hooker during the year but McFadden wouldn't chance it. Why he was reluctant to play Havili, only he knows.
If the Warriors are to make any impact next year, a decent hooker that challenges the line must be blooded into the team from within the ranks (if there is one) or a buttload of money should be spent on acquiring one from Australia.

1. Different teams, we generally had big dominating packs, which makes darting from dummy half easier - with this pack no hooker could have much success at that running game imo
2. The reason he's reluctant to play Havili, is Havili is not terribly good yet

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

To be fair the only thing you and I truly disagree on is the order of priority.

I too think the names you put forward there compound the issues for the rest....the only thing we differ on is which comes first the chicken or the egg...so....really.....the truth is this team is a leaky boat and across the forums / general opinion....if you are talking Warriors none of them are above criticism.

Those bench forwards you list are a serious problem for us. There is a drop in performance when that lot takes the field.

Truth is, our Forwards and Backs are not up to standard.

Some of our backs are better forwards than our forwards.

Pretty much on the same page.

If I had to name my team for next year I'd have probably 5-6 blank spaces and that would probably include the entire bench.

Like you, I've always hated the one dimensional players. There's nothing wrong with a player who us stronger in one area than another, but to have players who only really excel at one, and then recruit others because they excel at the other to balance it all out is madness.

I still see bench as a big issue. Mannering and Henry added extra attacking dimensions to their game this year, and Hoffman is always 100% effort on both sides of the ball. From that end, barring injury, I'm happyish with how our back row is shaping up until we get into our depth.

 

[JJ]

To be fair the only thing you and I truly disagree on is the order of priority.

I too think the names you put forward there compound the issues for the rest....the only thing we differ on is which comes first the chicken or the egg...so....really.....the truth is this team is a leaky boat and across the forums / general opinion....if you are talking Warriors none of them are above criticism.

Those bench forwards you list are a serious problem for us. There is a drop in performance when that lot takes the field.

Truth is, our Forwards and Backs are not up to standard.

Some of our backs are better forwards than our forwards.

My biggest gripe with the Warriors is the shuffling of deck chairs on the Titanic.

Instead of recruiting well rounded players and dropping guys who can't deliver in defence and attack...you end up with lame ducks like Nielson getting contracts to baby sit Vatuvei.....you end up with tacklebot Hookers being indispensable....and lastly....you end up with the leuluais of the world being selected as the on field leaders....because a Mute is Captain of the team and player of the season four years running.

The solution is obvious. Deal with problems at the source and stop compensating for these local produced players.

I'm sick of the Michael Luck / Nathan Friend syndrome....fans and lazy Warriors accepting that the solution to our woes is buying in defensive Donkeys to carry the lazies we roll off our overrated local production line.

In a country that produces endless attacking players, power runners with the ball in hand...I challenge anyone to come up with an argument counter to the priority being the Warriors defensive systems in terms of local development players.

I don't see any sense in continuing to import patch over solutions.

If I ran this club.....No tackle smarts = no NRL /no NSW cup / No U20's appearances.

In a perfect world the Warriors would make their under grades focused on defensive rugby league.

Hard to disagree with much of that - I think you're being a little unkind on Luck and Friend by calling them defensive donkeys - they are both much better players than that, but because of the inept defence around them I think they just filled that niche - certainly the defensive load has to dent their attacking game.

Leuluai is a strange one, neither a great leader nor a terribly good player imo - before he came back, nobody thought he was much good even given his UK form, and a half decent season has turned him into a coach and fan favourite - yes he's had some good games, and yes he's had some good tests - but he's had some stinkers too, and is not really anything other than bog average...

But yeah, the culture of NZRL from bottom up is wrong - in a simple game like this, with the endless interchange, you win by defending well and not making mistakes with ball in hand - neither of which we can manage terribly consistently... and of course he thing that has separated Australia from the rest of us since the early-mid 70s has been defence - the Poms, and to a lesser extent us, have harped on about our attacking prowess, but the bottom line is the Aussies have always had as much if not more attacking ability than us and the Poms, what the do is defend better...

 

[playdaball]

Despite his off field issue (s), interesting that the Warriors tried really hard to get Robert Lui last year ... he looked really good for the Cowboys toward the end of the season. Maybe Bell spotted something special?

 

[Diesel]

I could be wrong but I think Elliott was behind Lui coming to the Warriors and was going to pay $400k a season for 4 years.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Every time I think things can't get worse I remember Elliott wanted to pay overs for Lui and Waddell. I then feel a little better.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Every time I think things can't get worse I remember Elliott wanted to pay overs for Lui and Waddell. I then feel a little better.

The more I think about it 400k to get a starting half over here isn't really overs for the Warriors. Well not by much if it is.

 

[hitman82]

Josh Hoffman’s agent will speak to Wayne Bennett about the fullback’s future at the Brisbane Broncos

JOSH Hoffman’s Broncos career could be over by the end of this week with the New Zealand Warriors the latest club to chase the Brisbane fullback.

Hoffman, contracted until the end of next season, joined the club’s staff and playing group Monday morning to formally meet new Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

Bennett, who has a high opinion of Hoffman, said Newcastle’s Darius Boyd was his preferred fullback.

Bennett said if he secured Boyd’s signature he would have to figure out whether further list changes were required.

Hoffman wants to play fullback and while he loves the Broncos he is content to leave if it means he will be a custodian.

It is understood Hoffman and his manager Paul Hogan hope to meet with Bennett this week to find out his plans for next season.

That meeting will decide his immediate future.

The Warriors or the Canberra Raiders are Hoffman’s likely home next season but the majority of NRL clubs have expressed an interest in the 26 year old.

The Warriors signalled their interest in Hoffman late last week and are prepared to shift Sam Tomkins to five-eighth to accommodate him.

Moving home to New Zealand appeals to the Kiwi Test star who would be a winger at the Broncos next season if Boyd joins the club as expected.

Prop Ben Hannant has not been re-signed and is likely to join the Gold Coast Titans, freeing cap space for Boyd.

Bennett said Boyd’s record proved he should be Brisbane’s fullback next season.

“Boyd is the best of them all. His reputation suggests that. His form over the last six years since he’s been away from here has been outstanding,” Bennett said.

“Darius is still in recovery. I haven’t discussed his future with him.

“I have obviously talked to him but I have not discussed where he wants to play.

“Josh and Ben (Barba) did a great job at different stages this year as well.

“If we finish up with one of them at fullback then we can manage that.

“Darius is not here, Josh Hoffman is. That is the reality and that is what we will deal with.

“If Darius does come here, we will make another decision.”

Canberra sensation Anthony Milford, Knights hooker Travis Waddell, Huddersfield fullback Greg Eden and Melbourne prop Mitch Garbutt are the Broncos’ confirmed recruits next season.

With Hannant leaving, the Broncos need another prop as Garbutt is talented but unproven at NRL level.

That prop will be Russell Packer if the NRL allow him to be registered following his year in jail for assault.

Newcastle also want to re-sign Packer who they sacked following his assault charge.

“I would love to see them both play here,” Bennett said of Packer and Boyd.

“With Russell, we are very much in the hands of the game (NRL) and what Russell’s decision is.

“We have had a little bit (of feedback from the NRL) and there are some guidelines coming out but nothing definite.”

Bennett said Hannant had not been signed by the Broncos but seemed to suggest the case wasn’t closed.

“His contract has finished at this point in time … so I’m not sure,” Bennett said.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...brisbane-broncos/story-e6frf3pc-1227066806221

 

[vvvrulz]

If we did sign Hoffman, who would you drop?

 

[Diesel]

I wouldn't drop anyone, of anything this article kind of confirms what we've been saying if we sign Hoffman about Manu to prop.

1 Hoffman
6 Tomkins
9 TL/Friend/Havili
8/10 Vatuvei

I can see Ngani Laumape as centre/wing depending on Matai and Tuimoala Lolohea/Fish as wing for depth or FB cover and David Fusitua wing.

Edit: would Chad to hooker be an idea?

 

[vvvrulz]

Manu has been killing it playing where he currently is, it makes little sense to me to move him to prop
Tomkins has just started to figure out his game at fullback, moving to the halves seems pointless.

Why drop Townsend?
And I think he'll be wasted at hooker, he's a half.
I'm happy with Friend

 

[Iron Lion]

Warriors throwing contracts at everyone at the moment.

JWH, RTS and FPN from the Roosters all approached for 2016.

 

[JJ]

Interesting - I like Hoffman... Bennett obviously likes Boyd... (intrigued to read suggestions he wants Packer too)

IMO, Hoffman > Tomkins as a fullback (all around) - and I like the idea of 1. Hoffman, 6. Tomkins... although Tomkins is a turnstyle, so defensively that is a worry

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

I wouldn't drop anyone, of anything this article kind of confirms what we've been saying if we sign Hoffman about Manu to prop.

1 Hoffman
6 Tomkins
9 TL/Friend/Havili
8/10 Vatuvei

I can see Ngani Laumape as centre/wing depending on Matai and Tuimoala Lolohea/Fish as wing for depth or FB cover and David Fusitua wing.

Edit: would Chad to hooker be an idea?

It suggests dropping Townsend. It states (as you've picked up on) they'd shift Tomkins to 5/8.
I can't see any relation to Hoffman in, to Manu to prop?

1. Hoffman
2. Fusitua
3. Laumape
4. Hurrell
5. Vatuvei
6. Tomkins
7. Johnson
9. Friend/Leuluai/Havili
14. Lolohea/Havili

Iron, wheres your source that we've approached those players?

 

[ozbash]

I think Tomkins was a huge mistake. ..

 

[vvvrulz]

I think Tomkins was a huge mistake. ..

Well this is the stupidity of it all, we threw all our eggs at Tomkins as our fullback to get rid of a quality but difficult to manage Locke.

Now I'm glad we got rid of Locke based on his attitude throughout the year, but wind the clock back to the Tomkins signing and the plan was to dump Locke in favour of this 'ESL superstar' because he is a clear upgrade in player quality. Locke's attitude shouldn't have been a factor at that point, he wasn't playing badly either.

... and now we're chasing Josh Hoffman?

So that means maybe Tomkins to halves, but that is pretty stupid too because it kills the Townsend signing (who was doing fine) and also Leuluai who is perceived as crucial to the team.

Leuluai to hooker then? We waste a bench spot with Friend (who imo is better, equal at worst), or we dump Friend as well.

Bit of a circus, not addressing the real issues

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Yup and all of these opinions are based on there being a genuine approach from the warriors, not journalists reporting on speculation or an agent seeding stories to the media to up the bargaining power of their client.