Bad Luck for the Warriors. 1st game of the season and both sides had the handling jitters. But this could have been R21 and I still think you would have had that same problem. Such was the intensity of the game, it was a rocket-buster. Every time a player got the ball, they knew there was a good chance of getting the smackdown laid on them.
But Manly brought the kicking game, Getting 2 40/20's and generally finding good space with their kicks seemed to prove the difference.
What of the Warriors new boys. Price and Wiki brought real strength to the forwards and that has had a positive effect on Villasanti & Paeleasina. Price came in for extra attention and why wouldn't he. For mine, the Warriors forwards were very damaging and the Manly side were pretty much owned by the Warriors. Koopu had a hell of a game, that is why he has a starting jersey.
Jones, Hohaia & Fien were dangerous. But they still have to get it together. The Warriors have options for playmaking now and the trio seemed to be confused at times on what was going on. That'll take a few games to put right.
As for the backs, still a bit messy. Meli needs to work on his coverage and positioning, especially for 40/20 kicks. Byrne was quiet and didn't get involved too much. Toopi was pretty much owned by the great Tezza Hill (apart from Toopi's try). Toopi needs to work on his combo with Meli or those 2 just aren't going to work, do they need Faumuina? I still wouldn't drop Toopi though. Let's see what he's like without a monkey called Terry Hill on his back. Good stuff from Tony Martin, for all you guys shitting on him, this is the start of things to come. He went very well on D and read the play well.
There is going to be disappointment from that loss. The Warriors probably should have won it. But people shouldn't have been expecting a cake walk from this one. It was a very good game and it had gauge-breaking intensity. Chin up guys, if the boys put glue on their hands and we bring our kicking game, we'll win a lot of games this year. :lol:
