Trials are done!!! Round 1 v Raiders in Vegas

[Leber]

I am
Concerned with TT on the wing. Don’t think he’s that great under the high ball. Still, he’s better than Kosi.

 

[Meth]

Would have been triggering for Hosrburgh to see Laban on the park

 

[Philip_Smith007]

TMM on the out is a surprise.
CHT is probably a better defender, didn't see anything special in trials that sprung to mind.
Let's hope Raiders have a few more team mate tiffs before game day.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

That's really surprising.

Even if he was still a tossup to actually make the 17, I cant imagine he wasnt close enough to at least make the 22 that got on the plane.

Gotta be something off-field if he hasnt travelled. Whether passport/visa related like someone's already wondered, or something else entirely.

Do you think any of them had visa issues?

I have no idea, honestly none. All I'm going on is the Warriorholic guy on insta, who I heard on Devlin's podcast and FINALLY I found someone who speaks in the media in depth and with knowledge on our team. His stuff is really good. He said he couldn't see Laban in any team photos or media from there, which doesn't mean he wasn't in the toilet each time...but I imagine he has it worked out. He's not in the 23 named, which adds further weight.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Great to see Leka there, proving Webby has a clear plan to progress him this year.

I like the team. I wanted to try and get Healey in the side because I actually reckon he might be a better player than Egan right now, based on last year's form, but we would have been going in too small with him in the 17.

I don't see any issues with size, either - JFH and Barnett hold their own, Demitric is huge, Clark can play as an extra middle, Niukore is a presence when he uses it etc. I do think Ford is surplus to requirements and we could have had Bunty there given his decent trial form, but alas he's a coach's favourite.

The CHT over TMM thing is really interesting, too. They obviously feel TMM is a halfback and that's Metcalf's role now, and maybe the kicking game of CHT is better? Defensively, as well?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

TMM on the out is a surprise.
CHT is probably a better defender, didn't see anything special in trials that sprung to mind.
Let's hope Raiders have a few more team mate tiffs before game day.

Left foot option too.

 

[hitro]

looking forward to watching this game, will be a highlight of the weekend and I'm glad it's not in the middle of the night

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I am
Concerned with TT on the wing. Don’t think he’s that great under the high ball. Still, he’s better than Kosi.

Nothing to be concerned about because he’s the best we’ve got by a long shot.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

As for the Laban issue, he’s still a fringe player so not a big deal Imo.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

looking forward to watching this game, will be a highlight of the weekend and I'm glad it's not in the middle of the night

Kids rep netball starts on Sunday! Poor timing so will have to watch the replay, plus WWE Elimination Chamber on. They had Aaron Woods in crowd (non speaking) on Raw, with Cole promoting the NRL game in Vegas but they are going to clash with each other.

 

[Izz]

Really happy to see Leka there.

Actually also like CHT ahead of TMM, just because he has more of a kicking game. Kinda feel like TMM looked better at 1 than in the halves during the trials, too.

Disappointed for Laban, but I'm still picking him to have a big season. Interesting to see them take Ieremia-Toeava over. He looked decent enough at centre against the Storm, and is pretty versatile, I guess.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I don't see any issues with size, either - JFH and Barnett hold their own, Demitric is huge, Clark can play as an extra middle

I mean…these are all demonstrably small guys for their position. You’ve named 4 middle forwards, none of them are more than 104kg, 2 are converted second rowers and one’s a hooker who got fat.

Anyway, they’re all good players in their own way and let’s hope they do well