The Greatest Game of All

[imported_bronco]

Today has put the nail in the coffen as to why our game is the greatest of all and definetly the greatest of the two rival codes.

I know not many of you would've watched the test today but I joined the whole of NZ in watching to bledisloe cup match and what a boring match. It was the first union match I've watched all year (i refuse to watch a game that is trying to destroy league) and it was a real eye opener to the lows union has reached. It was two sides that were afraid to move the ball about and push the envelope. It turned into an arial ping pong match where both teams used the kick to gain advantage. It was force back at its best.

Just a couple of hours later we witnessed a Warriors side take on the Sharks at the opposite end of the country. We saw a Warriors side that was pure poetry in motion. They mixed it up in the forwards and weren't afraid to play take it out wide and test the defence. They didn't just play touch football, it was attack with control and a pure joy to watch. It was exciting and entertaining and literally kept you on the edge of your seat.

There is no doubt in my mind which was the better spectacle. In the test the Wallabies and All Blacks were afraid to attack. If they got caught in their own half they would kick their way out of trouble. Even when they got quality ball instead of getting a roll on and putting on the pressure they would kick it away to find some advantage.
The Warriors never stopped taking on the defence from the start to finish. They used their kicks as an attacking weapon not as a cop out. Although it was one sided, if any league fan can say they were bored in the first 40 mins their dead set kidding themselves.

Now I'm on to my next point.......The Warriors. I'm getting very mixed emotions, the Warriors have hit their straps and are now currently sitting in 7th position but i just get that feeling that their playing games with me. There are still 3 games to go and i just want to celebrate their first semi final berth but the end seems light years away. Tonight they took their tally to 3 in a row this is after having their season on the line 3 weeks ago against the Bulldogs, now they look fully in control.

If the Warriors make the semis it will be huge for this country. We have been waiting 6 years for this side to reach its potential. Now is the time to cease the moment. We have an All Blacks side that has dissapointed the nation for 3 years straight now with an empty trophy cabinet. This is the time for the Warriors to make the semis and steal the limelight off the tri nations.

My next point is, how many of you actually believe this Warriors side can win the comp and do the players believe it themselves? I know alot of you like to shove back the Warriors and say they'll never be a hope but i think they are the only team who have the balls to throw their cards down on the table semis time and just throw the ball around and beat the top teams. They are so dangerous when they have nothing to lose against the top sides. I think the Warriors facing the end of their season first week of the finals has a hell of a lot more hope than a bulldogs team in a hyped up match where the pressure is on and the title is at stake.
To keep with the question of wether the players believe they can win i'm not so sure. They are so focussed on making the finals. Its such a hill to climb and if they make it i can just see them getting into the mind set of we've reached the top what else is there to aim for. I know it sounds stupid but when your so focussed on a goal and you achieve it you can just loosen your foot on the throat a little.

Cheers
bronco

 

[Warrior]

I too watched the Bledisloe Cup [for some strange reason]. I just couldn't believe how boring it was either. Lomu and Wilson made the game for me. Apart from them, I couldn't see much of a spectacle in it.

If someone comes up to me and says what a great game that was, I'd look at them funny, work out whether I was going to continue a conversation with them then tell them that there was a better game playing at 7:30 that same night.

The Warriors certainly went out there with a point to prove tonight. Their cause was helped by the absence of Peachey & Dykes. But I don't believe they could have saved the Sharks from a loss. The Warriors just dominated everything tonight and seemed to be hitting their straps at just the right time.

The real test will come in the next 2 weeks, playing the Roosters & The Storm. If they perform well in these games, then they will be looking the goods for the finals series.

 

[TheSaint]

The main point is for the Warriors to get there, which I think and hope they will.

A Premiership, no way. Parramatta nad Canterbury in Sydney are going to be extremely hard to beat in a semi Final or the Grand Final for that matter. Two very good sides with big support. If Newcastle can get it together, they will be in a similar situation. The Bronco's are all ways a threat. Of the rest, the Sharks don't have what it takes for semi Finals football. There style works for the regular season but will inevitably bring there downfall. I don't rate Easts much, The Storm wont do much either. I'm not worried about the Beagles, they are no hope.

Saints I think have the potential to do something, but I doubt they will. They are a poor side full of great players with a lot of potential. They don't have the mind set to take them there. I hope they prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

As I said before, Parramatta and Canterbury deserve to be there and probably will. The current Parra side would have to be one of the best ever. Not many great players but one hell of a great team.

 

[imported_Kaon]

I don't think the Warriors are capbable of finals footy yet. I can't remember them grinding out a wins to often this season (the Broncos come to mind). Finals football is totally different to the minor premiership and Kevin Campion is the only one with recent experience.

It might end up like Aus v. NZ test matches. The Kiwis are able to blow teams of the park in minor matches but when the pressure is on, they make too many mistakes.

 

[Bryce]

Jeez that's a big call Saint.

Look, I think this side is definitely comparable with the competition rounds preformances of the greats. However, history will quickly forget that if they don't win. The most recent example is Canberra 1994, who beat EVERYONE by 30 points +.

Parra are certainly not there yet. That minor detail won't stop me enjoying them, however!

 

[Warrior]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I will write off the Warriors' chances if they have toplay the Knights @ Marathon or maybe the Broncos @ ANZ. But you give the Warriors any other side in the top 8 and I will back them to win.

This Warriors side has shown clearly, that they are a force and can beat most of the top 8 sides going around. They missed out on the Knight's scalp and are yet to play the Storm again. Everyone else has been beaten, including: the Roosters away, The Sharks & Dogs by big scorelines, beating Parra comprehensivelyand grinding out a win against the Broncos.

The top 8 better watch out, if the Warriors make the cut.

 

[imported_Yaqona]

Warrior, you said, "...I will write off the Warriors' chances if they have toplay the Knights @ Marathon or maybe the Broncos @ ANZ. But you give the Warriors any other side in the top 8 and I will back them to win."

Since you didn't know, this is from the Broncos official website:

"As fate would have it, Brisbane will be precluded from playing any finals at ANZ Stadium due to the Goodwill Games. Should Brisbane finish from first to fourth, they will have to stage the first final at either The ‘Gabba or Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville."

 

[legend]

I think the Warriors can amke an impact if they play the Bulldogs in their first semi. History has shown us that the Mcintyre system usually produces a dark horse from the bottom four sides and I don't see why that can't be the Warriors. They are more deserving of a finals berth and if they do meet the doggies at home, they are in with a real chance of progressing to the next week. Last night proved to me they can control themselves and are maturing quickly. The biggest positive was the other side of the scoreline.......0.

 

[ozbash]

its the mental attitude thats changed for the warriors this year and they have daniel anderson and ridgey to thank for that.
physically, they are the same team.
skill wise, little has changed, a couple of new faces and a couple of new tricks.
whats happened to the warriors this year has taken place between their ears. they are beleivers, in themselves and in the game they play.
nz league has never enjoyed the limelight which has always been dominated by rugby union.
after yesterdays pathetic performance by our national,flag waving,heroes to everyone (including the nuns in dunedin),team, rugby league should seize the opportunity and capitalise on toffballs demise..

if the warriors do make the 8 (and i reckon they might just do it now), the other teams in the semis should worry.
a bunch of young polynesians and a couple of ringin aussies with nothing to lose are going to cause some grief.

 

[AuckMel]

I just wish they would hurry up and confirm their place in the 8 so we can all celebrate.

 

[imported_bronco]

If the Warriors make it in the semis i'm going to go buy a tape that week. I'll tape Murray Deakers talk sport show. I just can't wait to see him have to praise the Warriors for a whole hour and at the same time have to talk about the All Blacks losing another test. Whatever the Warriors do after that doesn't really matter because league fans would've already won the media battle. It will have taken 6 years for the dirty crome dome to admit his code can't compete with league.

Cheers
bronco

 

[pepe]

i did'nt sit down to watch the match from start to finish but would have a sticky peek occassionlybut everytime i did there was a penalty of some sort.

still it's nice to beat the all blacks in there own backyard,i hate them with a passion for all those one point defeats in the eighties,the all blacks lack the aggresion and sheer intimidationand are a sad reflection of past teams.

what was the story behind those school kids on the sideline doing the harka all day,those kiwis know how to put on a show!!!

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Bronco, NZ does have the players to stir up a few teams in the finals. They have got a big and physical forward pack that would worry the best of them. My concern would be experience, more specifically, finals experience. Only Cleary and Campion will have sustained finals experience, my fear is that the pressure may get to them. I think it may be a case of them needing another year, players like Tony, Faafili, Toopi and Lauiti'iti will be stars come next year. The guy on the call last night said that Ali would be amongst the best forwards in the world if he could tackle like Campion.
Alot will rest on the shoulders of Jones. He is the creative maestro of the team. If he fires, then the vodafones will. This may sound crazy, but facing the eels in the first round would not be all bad. Anderson knows alot about the eels, and the warriors have troubled them in the past. They would match them for enthusiasm, and even in the forwards. A Tookey return to parra stadium would fire them up even more. My other suggestion would be to bring back Dr Death into the team....they need him if they are going into the semis.
I wouldn't scratch out the sharks yet. they were without Dykes and Peachey last night (basically there 2 main attacking weapons) And Preston had a bit of a shocker, so they were shot ducks. It was the old story, if the halves don't give quality ball to the backs, then it doesn't matter who you have out there. They could've played Fat Albert on the wing last night and it would not have made a difference.
Dark Horses? I said it 6months ago and if Saints make the semis....watch out. They all got finals experience, a lot of big match players and would cause trouble for any team. It is a close premiership race, no team is over the line by a long shot....
MFC.

 

[legend]

Best result for the Warriors would be to finish seventh and face the Bulldogs at home where they are very beatable. Their home record is quite poor for a side running second. At home, they have only beaten the Tigers, Storm, Eagles and Roosters. They drew with Newcastle and the Warriors. The Buldogs are a better side in a hostile atmosphere and can be knocked off at home.