Team v Sharks

[WithTheDawn]

Makes sense to have Hingano as cover - Reserves are playing in Auckland on Saturday as well, so we were always likely to take a couple of extras. Probably the worst game for Hingano to debut in if that's what happens, but I'd still rather him play than SJ if he is as unfit as last week. He won us the game with our only try, but we were carrying him most of the match.

I'm heading to this one, there is also a post match function with the players which should be great fun. Really love how they do these now. I went to one a few years ago after an amazing win against the Roosters - I imagine this will have a similar amazing feeling if we somehow beat the Sharks. At any rate, will be a good chance to snap some pics with the players, always fun .

After watching the Sharks game last week and ours this week, it's really hard to see us doing well. This will be a huge test and I will be absolutely satisfied with a close loss on this one. We just aren't up to he standard of the top 4 teams at the moment, but all I want is for a sneaky finals appearance this year anyway!

 

[Blair]

Makes sense to have Hingano as cover - Reserves are playing in Auckland on Saturday as well, so we were always likely to take a couple of extras. Probably the worst game for Hingano to debut in if that's what happens, but I'd still rather him play than SJ if he is as unfit as last week. He won us the game with our only try, but we were carrying him most of the match.

I'm heading to this one, there is also a post match function with the players which should be great fun. Really love how they do these now. I went to one a few years ago after an amazing win against the Roosters - I imagine this will have a similar amazing feeling if we somehow beat the Sharks. At any rate, will be a good chance to snap some pics with the players, always fun .

After watching the Sharks game last week and ours this week, it's really hard to see us doing well. This will be a huge test and I will be absolutely satisfied with a close loss on this one. We just aren't up to he standard of the top 4 teams at the moment, but all I want is for a sneaky finals appearance this year anyway!

I'm heading there too, and have already bought my ticket so I don't back out later in the week.

A 'close loss' would be difficult to take I reckon, if it's gonna be close let's go on and win the bastard! The Sharks look the goods, no doubt. Bet they've got plenty of fair weather fans there on Saturday.

Although, the same could be said about us really. It looks a big crowd either way. Great having the Warriors in town.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Some good backs match ups here should Origin players play..


1 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA v Ben Barber: Tui can do what Ben does

2 DAVID FUSITU’A v Sosaia Feki: Feki cant jump, bombs away

3 BLAKE AYSHFORD v Jack Bird: good match up

4 SOLOMONE KATA v Gerald Beale: Kata should be too strong

5 KEN MAUMALO v Valentine Holmes: Extremely worried here

6 THOMAS LEULUAI v Chad Townsend: Interesting

7 SHAUN JOHNSON v James Maloney: Johnson should be too good

 

[jaseg]

Bird plays on the other side I think, Ayshford will be up against Beale. Still, Kata/Bird makes a good match up. Chad v TL we essentially saw the result 2 years ago.. it was not flattering to TL.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

7 SHAUN JOHNSON v James Maloney: Johnson should be too good

I'm often an SJ sycophant but Maloney is a much better asset in the halves 20 out of 26 weeks of the season. Let's see how this week looks.

 

[JJ]

I'm often an SJ sycophant but Maloney is a much better asset in the halves 20 out of 26 weeks of the season. Let's see how this week looks.

Yep, this. People forget what this comp is about, consistency...

 

[Meth]

I rubbished the Sharks on here where they opted for a Townsend/Maloney halves combination...going for our 'sloppy seconds' etc. Unfortunately for me, they've been playing bloody well and that's reflected by the Sharks' position on the table.

 

[vvvrulz]

I rubbished the Sharks on here where they opted for a Townsend/Maloney halves combination...going for our 'sloppy seconds' etc. Unfortunately for me, they've been playing bloody well and that's reflected by the Sharks' position on the table.

But surely you rated Maloney and Townsend when they were over here? At least on potential.

I always maintained that both were good players. They're no Thurston but they were good competent halves in need of some polishing and experience.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Bird plays on the other side I think, Ayshford will be up against Beale. Still, Kata/Bird makes a good match up. Chad v TL we essentially saw the result 2 years ago.. it was not flattering to TL.

Oh ok either way in regards to the centres should be good although I do rate Kata better than both Sharks centres.

Sounds like someone should remind TL about him and Townsends last encounter as incentive to get back at him. If he can.

I'm often an SJ sycophant but Maloney is a much better asset in the halves 20 out of 26 weeks of the season. Let's see how this week looks.

Yep, this. People forget what this comp is about, consistency...

Dont need to tell me about consistency in halves. Im ALWAYS talking about that as the difference between Thurston and every other half. Still on this given day Im thinking we might see Johnson repeat his dazzling attack he did against the Sharks last year.

I rubbished the Sharks on here where they opted for a Townsend/Maloney halves combination...going for our 'sloppy seconds' etc. Unfortunately for me, they've been playing bloody well and that's reflected by the Sharks' position on the table.

Sharks management would probably be holding back laughter when they ask the Warriors wheres Robson? Forgot Townsend and Maloney started out here with us and got recognized here.

 

[Blair]

Head to Head, TL v The Chad. Perhaps Cappy can reflect on his howler in selecting Leuluai in our must-win round 26 game at Penrith, in 2014.

I have a long memory. Cappy may not have.

 

[Meth]

But surely you rated Maloney and Townsend when they were over here? At least on potential.

No, not really.

I have long thought Maloney was overrated- and was particularly critical of him.

Townsend, for the most, was meh

 

[Meth]

Sharks management would probably be holding back laughter when they ask the Warriors wheres Robson? Forgot Townsend and Maloney started out here with us and got recognized here.

Was Robson ever intended to be playing first grade first up though?

My understanding is that Leuluai always had first shot...which is hardly better than Robson, but its not as if we straight swapped Townsend for Robson.

Also, they both wanted out to go back to Sydney...

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Was Robson ever intended to be playing first grade first up though?

My understanding is that Leuluai always had first shot...which is hardly better than Robson, but its not as if we straight swapped Townsend for Robson.

Also, they both wanted out to go back to Sydney...

Absolutely he was. If you can remember, Robson was HEAVILY discussed as a positive inclusion to the Warriors. To ask if he was brought here to play 1st grade makes me wonder where ya been..

Unless you are Cappy then you dont know who had first shot.

No one said anything about Townsend or Maloney having to stay.

 

[Meth]

I seem to remember Cappy indicating publicly that Leuluai was first cab off the rank- unless I am remembering wrong.

re the relevance of Townsend and Maloney opting out; the Sharks can't laugh at us as if they swapped Robson for Townsend and got the better deal. Townsend wanted out of NZ and back to Sydney...

 

[Meth]

By the way, I expected more from Robson (particularly in the context of his role in releasing Johnson etc) and have been disappointed with his contribution. I still don't see him as being much worse, if at all worse, than Leuluai.

 

[Meth]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league...nd-signing-of-veteran-Jeff-Robson-from-Sharks

"Robson understands that Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai will be the first-choice halves at the beginning of the season and he could spend time in the NSW Cup side"

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Dont need to tell me about consistency in halves. Im ALWAYS talking about that as the difference between Thurston and every other half. Still on this given day Im thinking we might see Johnson repeat his dazzling attack he did against the Sharks last year.

The Sharks were 16th and dead last at that stage, and were without their Origin players. Now they're 1st and have their Origin players, and have seen enough of a sample size of SJ's play this year to know that if they smash him early, he's not going to go engaging the line or really doing anything apart from dump it out the back.

Hope he proves me wrong but that's what I'm expecting.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Absolutely he was. If you can remember, Robson was HEAVILY discussed as a positive inclusion to the Warriors. To ask if he was brought here to play 1st grade makes me wonder where ya been..

Unless you are Cappy then you dont know who had first shot.

No one said anything about Townsend or Maloney having to stay.

Both of those guys you mention, Townsend and Maloney, left for family reasons. We could've offered overs to both and got nowhere. So how are we to be blamed? It's not a fruit stall where if you've got the required change, you can have as many avocados as you want.

Unsure if Robson was told he was a front-runner to partner SJ or not...but what I do know is he's not been worse than TL.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league...nd-signing-of-veteran-Jeff-Robson-from-Sharks

"Robson understands that Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai will be the first-choice halves at the beginning of the season and he could spend time in the NSW Cup side"

Happily stand corrected after the trouble youve gone through.

Also in that case Robson was a poor recruit IMO. Hes too old and blocking guys like Hingano.

Both of those guys you mention, Townsend and Maloney, left for family reasons. We could've offered overs to both and got nowhere. So how are we to be blamed? It's not a fruit stall where if you've got the required change, you can have as many avocados as you want.

Unsure if Robson was told he was a front-runner to partner SJ or not...but what I do know is he's not been worse than TL.

I dont know how Ive come across as blaming us for losing Townsend and Maloney. I never said it was our fault. Check my posts, I was just saying that I wouldnt be surprised if they asked how Robson was cos its a joke signing IMO. Dont know how much he cost but geez better off saving.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

The Sharks were 16th and dead last at that stage, and were without their Origin players. Now they're 1st and have their Origin players, and have seen enough of a sample size of SJ's play this year to know that if they smash him early, he's not going to go engaging the line or really doing anything apart from dump it out the back.

Hope he proves me wrong but that's what I'm expecting.

Yeah true. Theyve come along way since that game. I remember too last year someone I think it was Braith that after that game said the Sharks would come right this year.

I think they'll prepare and look out for Johnson but he will still prevail.