Team v Raiders

[Meth]

This is a big game, really.

Raiders don't tend to be easy beats at home. They've had a start like us and had a good win over the Roosters last night for their second win of the season.

Last night was the best that we've looked in a long time, I think. It seems like there's a bit of self belief in the team again. We really need to start putting some wins on the board and erasing the memory of that long losing streak.

More or less the same team I'd imagine. I hear that Taylor is in doubt? And Lillyman is due back?

So...

1- Locke
2- Tupou
3- Hurrell
4- Laumape
5- Vatuvei
6- Leuluai
7- Johnson
8- Rapira
9- Friend
10- Packer
11- Mateo
12- Mannering
13- Lowrie

Res- Lillyman, Matulino, Ikahihifo, Godinet

 

[hitman82]

Identical team except:

Taylor out (broken)
Lillyman in (finally our four props reunite)
Package and Matulino to start
Ikahihifo to the second row

 

[Diesel]

Tupou I'd question, but otherwise looks good. I'm not sure if he's there by default due to injury or on the back of the Cowboys game

 

[Beavers Headgear]

To me Packer looks like he needs to spend a couple of weeks in the Vulcans, he is carrying a bit of timber around at the moment and lacking match fitness

 

[Lego_Man]

Johnson is woeful and needs to be put on death row, other than that i am happy.

 

[hitman82]

To me Packer looks like he needs to spend a couple of weeks in the Vulcans, he is carrying a bit of timber around at the moment and lacking match fitness

He played limited minutes but was just as effective as Sebastine Ikahihifo, who played the same amount of time. Russell was clearly hard work for the Bunnies to get to the ground and adds some real size to our pack.
With Lillyman hopefully due back, we will finally have all 4 of our props. No need to Vulcanise the Package. He can gain his match fitness in first grade.

 

[hitman82]

Johnson is woeful and needs to be put on death row, other than that i am happy.

real? I thought he was good... and seems to be improving each week. Still a bit of line-dancing, but overall a good game.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

He played limited minutes but was just as effective as Sebastine Ikahihifo, who played the same amount of time. Russell was clearly hard work for the Bunnies to get to the ground and adds some real size to our pack.
With Lillyman hopefully due back, we will finally have all 4 of our props. No need to Vulcanise the Package. He can gain his match fitness in first grade.

Fair enough if Lillyman is fit, he can take a lot more of the minutes

Isn't Ika more of a 2nd rower ?

They were actually talking about this on the radio this morning. McLaughlin said there is a prop playing really well in the Vulcans and that Packers limited minutes really hurt the rotation yesterday which showed at the end of the game

 

[Fufu Andronez]

How's the fish going? Obviously you can't put a time frame on a family tragedy but he should be due back soon. Seems to be a battle between Tupou, Fish and Laumape for the right wing.

 

[hitman82]

Fair enough if Lillyman is fit, he can take a lot more of the minutes

Isn't Ika more of a 2nd rower ?

They were actually talking about this on the radio this morning. McLaughlin said there is a prop playing really well in the Vulcans and that Packers limited minutes really hurt the rotation yesterday which showed at the end of the game

Yeah Ikahihifo is a second rower, so perhaps it is unfair of me to target him - but he's been playing as an interchange prop.

If Lillyman isn't available I do see some merit in Russell playing for the Vulcans.

Matagi is the Vulcans prop they will be talking about. He's a real mean streets, hardass South Auckland prop. Tough as nails and fights for every metre, massive workrate and well disciplined. I would love to see him in first grade at some stage.

 

[hitman82]

How's the fish going? Obviously you can't put a time frame on a family tragedy but he should be due back soon. Seems to be a battle between Tupou, Fish and Laumape for the right wing.

He played for the Vulcans on Sunday and was alright, not amazing though. Some people are naming him to displace Tupou - personally I wouldn't.

 

[Rich102]

I thought Fish was mr invisible last Sunday.

 

[vvvrulz]

I thought Fish was mr invisible last Sunday.

He's still not up to first grade, he should have a good look at Laumape because *thats* how you get involved in a match. Fish just sits on the wing and waits like the lazy bugger that he is.

Really happy with the current squad, wouldn't change anything. I had a gripe about TL at #6 but at least he defends well, it just means Johnson, Locke and Martel need to create our scoring chances.

Neilson would replace Tupou or Laumape when he returns, all three are playing well so it won't matter a lot.

Res- Lillyman, Matulino, Ikahihifo, Godinet is an amazing bench.

 

[captainwarrior]

Finally some good selection headaches in the backline. For a long time we didn't have much depth in that area but this year it's much better. On paper we have one of the best squads in the competition, we now just have to play on the field as good as we look on paper and we are top 8 even top 4 bound for sure.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Yeah Ikahihifo is a second rower, so perhaps it is unfair of me to target him - but he's been playing as an interchange prop.

If Lillyman isn't available I do see some merit in Russell playing for the Vulcans.

Matagi is the Vulcans prop they will be talking about. He's a real mean streets, hardass South Auckland prop. Tough as nails and fights for every metre, massive workrate and well disciplined. I would love to see him in first grade at some stage.

Yep that sounds like the man they were talking about, they said he goes all game

 

[Rich102]

Matagi played in the second rowlast Sunday. Went well.
Havili had a great game. As did Taukeiaho, Tuimavave and Siejka.

 

[hitman82]

I thought Siejka was solid but not amazing, he is yet to be consistent in the Vulcans; certainly not ready for first grade yet. Tuimavavae also seemed rushed and put in some pretty average kicks. Taukeiaho was great and Havili too - though Havili isn't much of a team player tbh. Seems to do his own thing. Matagi is always awesome... would love to see him in the NRL.

 

[Blair]

Just around the way people are talking about the Warriors again with a bit of awe. Just a touch mind you but it's definitely there in the way they're discussing footy.

Can't wait till Saturday night. If I had a mate who was keen I'd even consider driving down to Canberra (three hours each way).

I'm following the debate about Leuluai quite closely. From what I see, and it's reflected here, he's finding his feet pretty good now in the NRL. I don't mind losing a little attacking flair for some solid defence and tactical play.

Even in attack he seemed reasonably quick on his feet going forward. Let's just say the defence wasn't sitting back thinking like he wasn't a threat.

On Saturday night it's important we score early and preferably first. Obviously this is always pretty important but I feel with history against us at this venue we need to get points early.

 

[Meth]

VODAFONE WARRIORS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
7.30pm, Saturday, April 13
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 KEVIN LOCKE
2 BILL TUPOU
3 NGANI LAUMAPE
4 KONRAD HURRELL
5 MANU VATUVEI
6 THOMAS LEULUAI
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 SAM RAPIRA
9 NATHAN FRIEND
10 RUSSELL PACKER
11 FELETI MATEO
12 SIMON MANNERING (c)
13 TODD LOWRIE
Interchange:
14 BEN MATULINO
15 ELIJAH TAYLOR
16 JACOB LILLYMAN
17 PITA GODINET
18 BEN HENRY

 

[Warmess]

Definitely don't like Taylor being in there while Ikahihifo misses out. Other than that, not really much to complain about.