Rumor Mill

[TheDMC]

Mannering retiring at the end of the year...who we bringing in to replace him?
Please please please a big bodied forward who offers something a wee bit different.
We already have Harris and Papalli who fit the workhorse back rower spot

It may be the money freed up needed to keep Luke.
Papilli and Harris are a bit more dynamic than workhorses!

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

Hey, I like both Harris and Papalli but both usually play the 80 minutes, but around 30-40 tackles, makes between 80-130 meters a game and only average 1 or 2 offloads and tackle busts a game.
Imo we need someone who offers something a bit different like a Tevita Pangai Jr, Kikau, Fafita etc

It may be the money freed up needed to keep Luke.
Papilli and Harris are a bit more dynamic than workhorses!

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Hey, I like both Harris and Papalli but both usually play the 80 minutes, but around 30-40 tackles, makes between 80-130 meters a game and only average 1 or 2 offloads and tackle busts a game.
Imo we need someone who offers something a bit different like a Tevita Pangai Jr, Kikau, Fafita etc

We have a very dynamic and exciting different player in Pulu who returns to 1st grade very soon. I know what you mean though by another big forward. I actually want a big bopper in the mould of Paulo we got the mobile pack already that can last the miles through a game but having a true impact big man would be cool.

However that $$$ freed up by MannerKing will be mosdef be for Luke's extension.

 

[Iron Lion]

When you take a look at who the warriors have on their books in reserve grade and Jersey Flegg it is clear and obvious that we are entering into a potential golden age of talent where I think we will once again see more home grown players emerging into elite contracts rather than a lot of purchases. If anything we will most likely be signing reserve grade players for depth.

It is quite insane just how stacked we are for quality forwards coming through - The potential alone is up there with the Russel Packer, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino and Mose Masoe generation that emerged on the scene. Most of these guys are probably 24 months away but there is a some very special players there like Tom Ale, Preston Riki, Wesley Veikoso and Kakoi Togoiu who have NRL written all over them.

Currently on the books and young forwards.

Tom Ale - BEAST - Our Taumalolo - Won a ton of MVP's
Paea Manukia
Joseph Vuna
Preston Riki - Beast
Wesley Veikoso - Beast - Fuifui Moimoi like
Tyler Slade
Phillip Makatoa - SBW Cousin
Lotu Inisi - Similar to Tom Ale
Kakoi Togoiu - Massive Beast - Future NRL Superstar
Havi Tupouniua

then you have the Warriors signing up the two best u16 props in the country in the twin giant Kepu brothers who look and play like a Brad Thorn/Petro Civoniceva hybrid. No way these guys do not go on to NRL. I would be shocked if they didn't.

Vailingi Kepu
Otukinekina Kepu


Then you look at the backs coming through

Haze Perham
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Siave Togoiu - Massive biding war for him, virtually every NRL and Super rugby side tried to get him.
Harley Maynard
Dahkota Taimani - Was seen a superstar in the making coming up the ranks.


I think the Warriors are going to have some very hard roster decisions to make into the future, especially around cap room.

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

When you take a look at who the warriors have on their books in reserve grade and Jersey Flegg it is clear and obvious that we are entering into a potential golden age of talent where I think we will once again see more home grown players emerging into elite contracts rather than a lot of purchases. If anything we will most likely be signing reserve grade players for depth.

It is quite insane just how stacked we are for quality forwards coming through - The potential alone is up there with the Russel Packer, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino and Mose Masoe generation that emerged on the scene. Most of these guys are probably 24 months away but there is a some very special players there like Tom Ale, Preston Riki, Wesley Veikoso and Kakoi Togoiu who have NRL written all over them.

Currently on the books and young forwards.

Tom Ale - BEAST - Our Taumalolo - Won a ton of MVP's
Paea Manukia
Joseph Vuna
Preston Riki - Beast
Wesley Veikoso - Beast - Fuifui Moimoi like
Tyler Slade
Phillip Makatoa - SBW Cousin
Lotu Inisi - Similar to Tom Ale
Kakoi Togoiu - Massive Beast - Future NRL Superstar
Havi Tupouniua

then you have the Warriors signing up the two best u16 props in the country in the twin giant Kepu brothers who look and play like a Brad Thorn/Petro Civoniceva hybrid. No way these guys do not go on to NRL. I would be shocked if they didn't.

Vailingi Kepu
Otukinekina Kepu


Then you look at the backs coming through

Haze Perham
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Siave Togoiu - Massive biding war for him, virtually every NRL and Super rugby side tried to get him.
Harley Maynard
Dahkota Taimani - Was seen a superstar in the making coming up the ranks.


I think the Warriors are going to have some very hard roster decisions to make into the future, especially around cap room.

Awesome post bro, I don't know much about up and comers at the club so that was really interesting to read.

If you had to pick only three of four of those guys to hold on to in the next two years, who would you pick?

Very exciting to think that we've got a few big boppers coming through though

 

[Diesel]

Having O’Sullivan around too helps

 

[TheDMC]

burp

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

What made Togiou change his mind? Last year he said when he was old enough he'd definitely be signing with the Blues.

I know they suck, but we weren't exactly tearing it up last year either.

 

[Iron Lion]

Awesome post bro, I don't know much about up and comers at the club so that was really interesting to read.

If you had to pick only three of four of those guys to hold on to in the next two years, who would you pick?

Very exciting to think that we've got a few big boppers coming through though

That is a really tough choice to make as it comes down to who develops the best in the Warriors environment. So I will not make the that choice on where they are now but where I think they will be in two years time under Corvo. The two guys you do not want to lose are the Kepu brothers but since they are only 16 years old lets rule them out. The 4 guys in order of preference to keep for me who are forwards are

1) Tom Ale
2) Seth Tauamiti - I know he was on the Warriors books this year, unsure if they have managed to hold on to him.
3) Preston Riki
4) Wesley Veikoso

 

[Cold Roses]

Tom Ale has been elevated pretty quickly to the ISP side this year. They seem to be managing him well. They obviously rate him. It seems like there is more potential now for some of these young guys to develop properly. The growing professionalism in the first grade side, and the club as a whole, will see anyone who isn't prepared to toe the line fall by the way side pretty quickly. I can't imagine we will see any more Hurrell's or Lisone's coming through in the current crop of juniors.

 

[Iron Lion]

Tom Ale has been elevated pretty quickly to the ISP side this year. They seem to be managing him well. They obviously rate him. It seems like there is more potential now for some of these young guys to develop properly. The growing professionalism in the first grade side, and the club as a whole, will see anyone who isn't prepared to toe the line fall by the way side pretty quickly. I can't imagine we will see any more Hurrell's or Lisone's coming through in the current crop of juniors.

I think Tom Ale is the best forward prospect this club has had since Sonny Fai. Talent wise I think only Sonny Fai could compare to him. Tom Ale may be a more abrasive ball runner though.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Tom Ale has been elevated pretty quickly to the ISP side this year. They seem to be managing him well. They obviously rate him. It seems like there is more potential now for some of these young guys to develop properly. The growing professionalism in the first grade side, and the club as a whole, will see anyone who isn't prepared to toe the line fall by the way side pretty quickly. I can't imagine we will see any more Hurrell's or Lisone's coming through in the current crop of juniors.

I listen to Nathan Brown talking about Levi and how the under 20s created bad habits in his game as he could do a lot of good things himself and needed to look at a team approach.
So with the under 20s gone hopefully we don't get a replay of these guys who think they can smash their way through and not develop other parts to their game.

 

[Leber]

I would love us to replace mannering, but I doubt we will be able to with the salary cap.

We are quite thin on second rowers. I'd love to Vuniyayawa get a run next year.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

When you take a look at who the warriors have on their books in reserve grade and Jersey Flegg it is clear and obvious that we are entering into a potential golden age of talent where I think we will once again see more home grown players emerging into elite contracts rather than a lot of purchases. If anything we will most likely be signing reserve grade players for depth.

It is quite insane just how stacked we are for quality forwards coming through - The potential alone is up there with the Russel Packer, Sonny Fai, Ben Matulino and Mose Masoe generation that emerged on the scene. Most of these guys are probably 24 months away but there is a some very special players there like Tom Ale, Preston Riki, Wesley Veikoso and Kakoi Togoiu who have NRL written all over them.

Currently on the books and young forwards.

Tom Ale - BEAST - Our Taumalolo - Won a ton of MVP's
Paea Manukia
Joseph Vuna
Preston Riki - Beast
Wesley Veikoso - Beast - Fuifui Moimoi like
Tyler Slade
Phillip Makatoa - SBW Cousin
Lotu Inisi - Similar to Tom Ale
Kakoi Togoiu - Massive Beast - Future NRL Superstar
Havi Tupouniua

then you have the Warriors signing up the two best u16 props in the country in the twin giant Kepu brothers who look and play like a Brad Thorn/Petro Civoniceva hybrid. No way these guys do not go on to NRL. I would be shocked if they didn't.

Vailingi Kepu
Otukinekina Kepu


Then you look at the backs coming through

Haze Perham
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Siave Togoiu - Massive biding war for him, virtually every NRL and Super rugby side tried to get him.
Harley Maynard
Dahkota Taimani - Was seen a superstar in the making coming up the ranks.


I think the Warriors are going to have some very hard roster decisions to make into the future, especially around cap room.

Excellent post Iron
But i will always remember the New owners saying that they want the best talent that is not in 1st grade playing in Fox
Do these guys really want that or do they want to break into the NRL

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Mole reporting Todd Payten is the new Warriors assistant coach for next season

 

[BLN2]

He's highly rated, almost landed a couple of head coach roles from memory? Would be a good move, you can't have Tony Iro and Stacey Jones as SK's only fall back men.

Any player recruitment Goss? I'm assuming they are shuffling a bit with no Mannering next season and Luke off contract. Would like to see us sign an out of favour/promising second rower/prop or 2.

 

[Izz]

Mole reporting Todd Payten is the new Warriors assistant coach for next season

Gotta fill the bald guy quota on the coaching staff!

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Depends if we re-sign Luke will dictate if we see anymore new faces I'm guessing.

 

[flippikat]

There's a rumour going on the Jerseys discussion thread that the Warriors may be going back to their 1995 colours for next season. Anyone here heard anything about that?

 

[Campion]

Please be true. I've been looking for a wifebeater in those old colours (they made one 4-5 years ago and I've only ever found it on trade me in kids sizes). I had to make do with a Bath rugby union wifebeater instead ;( [same blue colour]