Recruitment for next year

[Penrose Warrior]

No no it doesn't relate to whether we should sign him or not. If he's available at the right price, we sign him.

I'm just interested in your answer, whether you think if Foran comes to be coached by McFadden as to whether you think we go from fringe 8 to possible champs. Because you're saying our premiership window is open if Foran comes, and I believe our premiership window does not revolve on a star quality No.6. I believe it much more heavily relies on a coach who is up to it at NRL level, and a high-quality prop.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

A point of difference in the back row is long overdue.

Do you think so? At the moment you have Hoffman in great form, hitting holes hard and trying to play attacking footy. You have Mannering, who is not so much the glue of this team as the roof, the walls, the whole bloody thing. Then Thompson who was absolutely poo on the weekend but has shown over here that he can be dynamite with the ball and a good defender. Add to that Afoa - who the super coach seems reticent to pick after great early form - and that's not a bad back-row when all are fit. Admittedly, the depth below that is absolutely diabolical.

 

[vvvrulz]

Our forwards are solid and our spine (fullback aside) is operating well. Even Super Thomas isn't the problem.
If it wasn't for the geniused winger-forward policy instead of fielding actual backs, we'd probably be on course.

We're 80% of the way there, and the lost 20% is purely down to coaching selections.

 

[Cold Roses]

Do you think so? At the moment you have Hoffman in great form, hitting holes hard and trying to play attacking footy. You have Mannering, who is not so much the glue of this team as the roof, the walls, the whole bloody thing. Then Thompson who was absolutely poo on the weekend but has shown over here that he can be dynamite with the ball and a good defender. Add to that Afoa - who the super coach seems reticent to pick after great early form - and that's not a bad back-row when all are fit. Admittedly, the depth below that is absolutely diabolical.

When I say a point of difference, I mean more using the interchange to introduce fresh legs/a different point of attack. eg as you say, someone like Afoa.

It's great that those three guys are all eighty minute players, but having them play the whole game reduces our ability to introduce impact, in particular channels, at different times of the game when needed.

In the last month there have been a couple of occasions where Mannering has been given a spell, only for Tevaga/Ayshford to come on at Lock. That's all well and good for defensive purposes, but it doesn't really provide much impact.

It all harks back to McFaddens use of the interchange. He just hasn't got it right all year. Carrying backs on the bench because he has wingers doing the forwards job just isn't working. Making the forwards play longer minutes because, as he says, they can do more defensive work while the wingers are providing go forward, is imo actually reducing the forwards effectiveness. To put it in the most simplistic terms, I don't believe they are effective going forward because they aren't actually doing it as frequently as they should be. Our wingers are the ones getting us out of trouble. It's not really an effective long term strategy.

 

[Cold Roses]

Our forwards are solid and our spine (fullback aside) is operating well. Even Super Thomas isn't the problem.
If it wasn't for the geniused winger-forward policy instead of fielding actual backs, we'd probably be on course.

We're 80% of the way there, and the lost 20% is purely down to coaching selections.

This is what worries me. Our forwards are, as you say, just solid. That doesn't win you premierships. When we start playing the wingers as wingers, and make the forwards take on more of the workload up front, we might start getting an idea of whether these guys are up to it or not.

 

[Juju]

No no it doesn't relate to whether we should sign him or not. If he's available at the right price, we sign him.

I'm just interested in your answer, whether you think if Foran comes to be coached by McFadden as to whether you think we go from fringe 8 to possible champs. Because you're saying our premiership window is open if Foran comes, and I believe our premiership window does not revolve on a star quality No.6. I believe it much more heavily relies on a coach who is up to it at NRL level, and a high-quality prop.

Yup jury well and truly out on Cappy most definitely. Irregardless I think it'd be prudent for the Warriors move to get Foran and try and strengthen the pack. If it did eventuate I think undoubtedly it would be the best Warriors squad in our short history and one that would be the envy of the comp.
Maybe.... Just maybe Cappy could learn from the mistakes he's made this year and have them performing consistently over a full season - then I would say the Warriors were contenders.

In saying all that this is the Warriors and we're all aware how it goes down when us fans have expectations.

 

[Iron Lion]

This is what worries me. Our forwards are, as you say, just solid. That doesn't win you premierships. When we start playing the wingers as wingers, and make the forwards take on more of the workload up front, we might start getting an idea of whether these guys are up to it or not.

Ignore VVVRULZ, I actually think he is McFadden, he is so protective of these forwards that it borders on sickening. Why the hell would any coach have Hoffman and Mannering both starting in the backrow, it makes absolutely no sense in this modern game.

 

[vvvrulz]

Ignore VVVRULZ, I actually think he is McFadden, he is so protective of these forwards that it borders on sickening. Why the hell would any coach have Hoffman and Mannering both starting in the backrow, it makes absolutely no sense in this modern game.

Watmough > Warriors

 

[TheDMC]

Yup jury well and truly out on Cappy most definitely. Irregardless I think it'd be prudent for the Warriors move to get Foran and try and strengthen the pack. If it did eventuate I think undoubtedly it would be the best Warriors squad in our short history and one that would be the envy of the comp.

I sometimes wonder if our squad much weaker than what people make out.

 

[JJ]

The other day a commentator said Merrin had strung together about 25 consecutive games in which he'd made 100 or more metres. Jaseg will probably know but I doubt there's a Warriors forward that's done that 5 times this year! Part of that is coach and his semi for big wings. But only Lillyman and Matulino are likely anyway

 

[JJ]

I sometimes wonder if our squad much weaker than what people make out.

I agree I think we overrate a whole host of players on potential and what they've done in juniors or for Kiwis

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

This Foran news kinda came outta no where....is Sonny coming along for the ride too?

Haha but no, really, I guess the question we have to ask ourselves is, is he worth the risk?

Faka yeah it is!
The potential of a proven star like Foran at a cut price bargain....I think you have to take your chances in the hopes that he delivers.

The money that's being freed up from TLL, Konnie, Robson, Jono Wright, Lousi, Ben Henry and the rumoured Mateo payments should be able to account for upgrades for Foran, a few upgrades to some of the younger boys and with Hoffman and Lillyman potentially leaving at the end of next year (assumptions, I know, but rumours about Lillyman, and Hoffman is 33 in January) we could have a couple of big prop signings for 2018.

I'd be looking at signing Foran on a two year deal and we already have Lolohea signed to 2018, I'd be having a word to Tui that this could potentially be a premiership winning side and to stick our his contract and see how the land lies at the end of 2018.Would also be tempted to sign Ata on a slightly bigger contract as back up too, asking him to stick with us til 2018 and see whats happening. F*ck Maumalo right off and we've got a pretty amazing looking next two years.

1. RTS
2. Lolohea
3. Fusitua
4. Kata
5. Manu
6. Foran
7. SJ
8. Matulino
9. Luke
10. Vete
11. Thompson
12. Hoffman (2018 Bunty)
13. Mannering

14. Lisone/Roache
15. Bunty (2018 Prop/backrow signing)
16. Sipley
17. Lillyman (2018 - Prop signing)

That's a premiership side imo

 

[Cold Roses]

Ignore VVVRULZ, I actually think he is McFadden, he is so protective of these forwards that it borders on sickening. Why the hell would any coach have Hoffman and Mannering both starting in the backrow, it makes absolutely no sense in this modern game.

Go away.

 

[JJ]

Premiers starting back row is Lowe and Cooper, runner ups Gillett and Glenn, most the other top teams have workers, even the Dogs have Jackson and RFM.

Back row isn't the issue, more and more I think it's clear its tactics and coaching, nothing much has changed nobody aside from Kats and Fus have gotten better, wings are required to be middle forwards, middle forwards don't make metres consistently and quality packs and halves will expose us

 

[Juju]

I sometimes wonder if our squad much weaker than what people make out.

I know what you mean... but -
Full strength Kiwi's 1, 7, 9 (possibly 6) Kiwi's prop, Kiwi's back rower and ex captain. Ex Roos & NSW backrower. Pretty stacked really. In theory and on paper thats a contenders squad surely.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

The other day a commentator said Merrin had strung together about 25 consecutive games in which he'd made 100 or more metres. Jaseg will probably know but I doubt there's a Warriors forward that's done that 5 times this year! Part of that is coach and his semi for big wings. But only Lillyman and Matulino are likely anyway

Mutts makes well over 100 most games, as do Bull, Hoff and Mannering.

 

[JJ]

Not so sure that's the case, think Hoffman was the only one on the weekend, and that's not terribly unusual (for just one or two to do it)

 

[vvvrulz]

Problem is, you can't expect big metres from them when the wingers are taking a huge amount of load off them.

Some of the sets were ridiculous, it was literally Manu > Ken > Fus > Ken > some actual forward > kick

 

[Big Marn]

You think Doyle would cave if Foran requested a new coach as part of his sign on?

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Not so sure that's the case, think Hoffman was the only one on the weekend, and that's not terribly unusual (for just one or two to do it)

It's not hard to check, look at their stats this year. Season averages:
Hoff: 115m
Mannering: 91m
Mutts: 122m
Bull: 111m