Team v Panthers

[Blair]

Big Manu giving it a good go for Tonga?

A strong game could warrant a recall to first grade next Saturday.

I love the Pacific tests. Although, Samoa are taking a break from butting heads with Tonga tonight!

In 2017, listening to a Pacific test, sounds not too different from an NRL game in regard to names. A very different story to when the Warriors first entered the competition and The Footy Show panelists were making jokes* about how hard it was to pronounce Pacific Island and, lesser extent, Maori names.

*They weren't being nasty. Just genuinely perplexed.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Big Manu giving it a good go for Tonga?

A strong game could warrant a recall to first grade next Saturday.

So far he's scored a try, something Maumalo can't do.

 

[Blair]

So far he's scored a try, something Maumalo can't do.

Sounds good for our man, but I've also heard two knock-ons from him, turning over possession in Tonga's own half. Any other player and I might just put that down to ring-rust.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Sounds good for our man, but I've also heard two knock-ons from him, turning over possession in Tonga's own half. Any other player and I might just put that down to ring-rust.

Yeah a bit of ring rust for Manu. To be honest, since his try, he hasn't been to good. He got it 20 out and was going for a try in the corner but Vunivalu took him out so he missed a try. Also he let a bomb go.

Tui and Ata seem to be going ok.

 

[TheDMC]

I heard Manu smashed Kane Evans to pieces for a turnover which led to the match winning try.

Also he got the most meters in the game.

Apart from a couple of errors, sounds like he was one of the best on field.

 

[Izz]

Bring back the Beast!

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

I heard Manu smashed Kane Evans to pieces for a turnover which led to the match winning try.

Also he got the most meters in the game.

Apart from a couple of errors, sounds like he was one of the best on field.

My report of Manu happened during the game and those things you mentioned hadnt happened yet.

He defintely got a Kane Evans who was unusually running sideways towards Manus wing.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Well that's something else Ken won't/can't do, I've rarely seen a big man so scared of committing to the tackle. I'll allow Manu an error or two if he scores tries, makes yards and smashes blokes.

 

[TheDMC]

Presuming our players survived the test matches, then we are almost at full strength (less Kata, although not sure on timeframe or nature of the injury there).
Must almost be the healthiest squad (touching wood) at this point of all the teams. Not too many excuses for losses...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Need to start winning on the road now, we're 0-3 so far (4counting the dogs game). But those three in Aus were all tough asks, the Panthers are in a hole and we need to win if we're legit.

 

[VillaTheGorilla]

Thought we've looked heaps better with Matulino back. Gavets really been going well the last 5 games or so too, and Lillyman is his usual self.
I thought we cut a lot of the silly penalties out the last game v the roosters, I think if we had one more big prop on the bench to come on for 20-30 min (Bunty/Sipley) and bend the line, and offloaded a bit more for some second phase play we'd be a very dangerous team.
I think our Defense has been great recently, only letting in 13 against Roosters, and 18 and 20 against Storm and Raiders away.
We're improving...I'm just hoping were not leaving it too late. Two wins here before our origin run and we will be in good shape for the run home

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Gavet has been "leading" our pack with Matulino out.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Katas Back

. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering 14. Nathaniel Roache 15. Sam Lisone 16. Ligi Sao 17. Ben Matulino 18. Manu Vatuvei 20. Mason Lino 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Charnze Nicoll-klokstad

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Ugh. That backline could be so much better.

 

[Big Marn]

Yea. SK obviously has a serious hard on for Ken.... so guess we are going to have put up with this left wing nonsense for a while longer.
>Prays for late swap for CNK<

 

[Benek]

I thought CNK earned a second game. But I also think Manu deserves a shot too. Personally I'd put Manu in for Maumalo, with CNK first off the mark if we need a replacement somewhere.

 

[jaseg]

Kata's been so far down in form this year I thought he'd actually be sent to NSW cup perhaps even before Ken (both, if they're comfortable Manu is fit). Just have to hope he finds his groove again... soon..

CNK deserves to stay in the team for sure after his performance against the Roosters. They threw a fair bit at him on debut and he was up to it.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Wasn't CNK injured for cook islands? Could have sworn I saw him coming off injured

 

[SpaceMonkey]

For mine it should be CNK and Manu on the wings, Fus and Aysh in the centres.

 

[JJ]

For mine it should be CNK and Manu on the wings, Fus and Aysh in the centres.

yeah, staggered Kata swans back into the side on his performances this year

Penrith individually and collectively have been woeful but like us can turn it around quickly

Kearney going for consistency, just seems Kata is one of the first picked and Ken will pay until they are 110% on Manu being right