My thoughts on the trial.
It was drizzling and very overcast when I left home so I took my raincoat. But I had seats in the covered stand so no problems - got into town and it had fined up so I left the raincoat in the car, still overcast. Got to my seats, brilliant. Right on half way and six rows back. Then the sun came out. Straight into the stand and I didn't have a hat. It was scorching and my face got burnt and subsequently blistered. I couldn't sleep at night for the glow in the room.
Anyway, on to the football:
The early game was a bit of a waste of time. Very scrappy. I was keen to see Haze Perham at 6 outside Api Pewhairangi. Perham looks very fit and fast but he didn't do much. Just passed as soon as he got the ball. I was also keen to see Karl Lawton, remember he scored a try in his first stint of first grade last year. Did the job, but didn't shine. Same with Satae and Pulu. It was a flat performance. If they don't get some help they will struggle this year.
On to the main game:
After Monty Betham had had his shaved head patted down by a make-up girl with a fluffy brush to stop him blinding the cameras we were ready to start.
My first comment is I haven't seen the squad this focused before. No mucking around and playing up to the fans. They were serious and did exactly what the trainers asked, first time.
I thought the forwards would struggle a bit against Packer and Matulino with a point to prove, at the ground the difference in size is noticeable. But they got on the front foot and destroyed the Wests pack. Papali'i is now 20 and 108Kg, but fit and fast. AhMau and Paasi were willing as were Bunty and even Lisone. Burr added a bit of weight and aggression. Roache was back to fitness and he looked very sharp. Green was calling the shots and everyone was listening. RTS was talking constantly in defence.
I loved that the wingers both got 2 tries. The ball was moving freely.
On to the new halves: Both look good.But for me the side looked more composed with Keighran alongside Green, and defensively I thought he was better. But it's great we have two options.
Then we went into SK's "love child" mode. Jazz came on and replaced Roache. The "snap" went out of the dummy half service. Some of the passes went behind players or to ground. And the times he died with the ball. Look, he's the fourth best hooker at best, behind Luke, Roache, Lawton and possibly Cook.
And he doesn't replace a big body. Give it away SK.
So the pack is fit and working well and the backs have strike power. But what impressed me was the improved defence and tackling. They looked a stronger team than last year.
Funny thing. Lisone made two high tackles and got pulled in the second half. He was filthy and kicked some plastic sideline seats aside to get to the bikes. A trained called him out to the sideline and gestured him where the shoulders are and the head and to stay away from them. I expected some sort of reaction but he sucked it up and later went back on and generally played well.
I also got a chance to have a quick chat with Peter O'Sullivan. Asked him if there was anything in the pipeline. He said they were just biding their time, if something good came up they were in a position to move but were content to see how the squad went first.
In summation I was impressed. The late tries to Wests disguised the fact they were well beaten by this young side. RTS is a champion. Green directs well. And the rest listen.
Good times ahead. And put a quiet $10 on the Warriors making the 8. (The Warriors are paying $2.75 on the TAB).
