Warriors V Tigers Reserve Grade Review

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Hey Guys

As you know i try and get to all the Warriors NSW Cup games to watch the reserve players do their thing and i write up a match report of how i see it for the Warrior Nation page. It goes under "Fan In The Stand" pseudonym . Bit different than other reviews as i write what i see using my own language. Thought i would put todays game in here.. Appreciate the feedback to good or bad.

After waking up from last nights first grade nightmare i packed up the family and travelled out to the great south west of Sydney Campelltown Stadium to watch the Warriors reserve grade team play the Tigers. On the drive out i was thinking that every forward in the reserve grade team would be able to put their hand up for first grade if they had a good game today as i think every warriors supporter knows we are struggling in first grade to get ruck dominance and bend the line back in the forwards. So as i see it this was the reserve grade forwards chance to impress.

Got there early so went across the road to the Wests Leagues club for lunch. Nice leagues club pretty big. Saw a Kiwi family there with Warriors gear on so did the usual chur bro head raise when Kiwis see Kiwis overseas. Got asked to remove my cap due to house rules. Fair enough but then James Tedesco walked past wearing his???? WTF. I let it ride, he was there with the rest of the Tigers first grade team having lunch. Hes on about $850k and i make just above minimun wage but guummmon.
After my Garlic Bread loaded fries and Coke zero I get to the stadium and the boys are ready to kick off.

I quickly check the starting line up and Tofoafoa Sipley is not in the team. Didnt read that he was injured not sure if he was 18th man last night????? Gutted as he is the future of our propping rotation in first grade. Also #20 is on the wing and i didnt pick up his name replacing Tui who was called up to first grade (probably not for much longer). I also notice Big Rubin Wiki is running the water???? What happened there is he on the way out or something. I noticed Cappy does the water in first grade. Ground is in pretty good condition as we have had about 10 days of rain here in Sydney, not drizzle but buckets of rain but still heaps hot mid 20s.

Game gets underway and after trading 2 sets each we are on attack thanks to good go forward from our forwards and put on a good move out the back play spreading it wide and our winger #2 Fetalaiga Pauga crosses over for an early try but Mason Lino misses the kick 4-0 to us. Heaps of loud communication from our hooker and half Lino and Tavenga got the backs organised for that try to happen. Everyone knew what was happening and the play got executed.

Few minutes later Warriors survived 2 penalties and hold out the Tigers attack with good organised defence which seems to be holding together nicely by loud communication, which leads to us forcing an error. During those sets on defence i notice our #6 Sam Cook absolutely smashing anything that runs at him. No fear just all shoulder technique. Pat Sipley made an enormous hitup of 18 metres but it gets wasted when their is an error on the next play. Mason Linos genaral kicking is awesum, never kicking to players on the full it seems good skills as the Tigers fullback was covering and never out of position. Another defencive set for us sees Pat Sipley again make a crucial tackle and holds up the dummy half Matt Ballin from scoring. From that set our #3 Semisi Fotu makes a great hitup by just running hard, 3 plays later Lino kicks on the ;last and the Tigers fullback runs it back gets Whacked by James Bell losing the ball and we spin it wide through the hands and Matt Allwood goes over in the corner and Lino coverts 10-0 to us after 24 minutes and we are looking good and dont look like conceding points at all, just as i wrote that in my notes Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad makes a ball and all tackle stopping a try which pretty much confirms my last sentence.

Patrick Sipley has totally impressed so fay gets a spell after 27 minutes and Ligi Sao comes on for his first game this season, another forward i want to see put his hand up. Tigers had 2 sets in our 10m line after forcing a goal line drop out and again our D is tight and we force an error. The backs come in and take 4 hitups giving our forwards a rest and again our centre Semisi Fotu makes a huge run getting outta 20 next play Lino kicks a 40-20 but Tigers hold on after we run a few smart plays at there halves. Few minutes later Chanrze beats 4 tackles after retrieving a kick and earns a penalty and from that set Fotu ( who is having a meke game) barges over from dummy half with Lino converting for a 16 zip lead with 5 minutes to go. I thought the Warriors would shut up shop till halftime but nope they still wanted more. James Bell made one of the best round the leg tackles ive ever seen, like the ones Charlie Gubb makes when its all timing. Nice work James. In the last minute before Oranges we put on a backline move through the hands and Lino puts in a banana grubber that travels end over end for about 30 metres and our winger Fetalaiga Pauga dives on it for us to lead 20-0 at the break. Lino missed a tough kick.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Only allowed to post something under 10000 charachters WTF!!!

Heres the 2nd half




With no halftime entertainment for the crowd of about 67 people i go over my notes what ive written on this game and realise im starting to get over my shittyness from last nights game and im sure my couch cushions at home are relieved as well after they took about 25 punches each time the Dogs scored a try. These reserves are making my weekend good again.

We kick off for the second half and the Tigers drop it on the 3rd tackle. We set up our plays but Sam Cook gets taken late and we get the penalty, have a set in their 10m line and #15 Taniela Palavi shimmys his way over in a 1 on 1 tackle for a try. Another Palavi coming through the Warriors system, sheeesh there has been about 2 dozen palavis pull on the jersey. Lino converts. Couple of sets later Tigers kick on the last but Sao charges it down regathers and him the fridge on his back and the 2 bricks in his boots run about 40m but gets chased down by nearly the entire tigers team, ball boys and medical staff (to be fair it is his first game of the season lol) but passes it to Cook who beats 2 then gives a glorious hospital pass to Lino who gets whacked like the way Hopoate did last week when he wasnt looking. End of the set sees Tavenga put in a nice little grubber which the Tigers get 1/2 metre out from their line. Good set by us. Again Tigers lose possesion from our pressure and we are controlling play nicely. Charnze twinkle toes Klokstad dances and weaves around 4 defenders to score which Lino converts 30 zip us after 55 minutes.

WE are totally dominating this game and everyone KNOWS their role and not over playing their hand, a real team performance. Plus the pleasing sign is we are going in for the kill not letting up, to illistrate this Sam Cook kicks from just outside his 40 to about 50cm from the dead ball line but chases his own kick and tackles the Tigers full back in goal. Pure class as he wants a result from that play. Tigers line drop out bounces weird and Pat Sipley runs back and gets it and tucks it under the armpit draps 5 defenders 20 metres. Massive hit up. We get a penalty 2 tackles later and keep applying pressure with Linos kicking game(faultless) Guess you can do that when your forwards dominate the ruck. More pressure from us sees an Allwood kick ricochet off a Tigers defender and Isaiah Papalii catches it and dives over. Lino hits the post with the kick 36 nada 67 gone.

We continue to roll through the middle at will Charnze makes another line break and runs 80m before getting mowed dwon by the tigers winger Christain Yassmin who flew outta know where to get him, really really quick.
Quick plays see us have an overlap with heaps of numbers Tavenga passes it to Cook, Cook passes it to Lino, Lino passes it to the touchie oopppps try blown dammit. There was silence and all u could hear was a massive FUUUUUUUU&&&&@@@@@@@ from Lino lol. I laughed but then i thought good shit Mason, your up 36-0 but still pissed you didnt get the try. Still demanding that excellence not laughing or joking, still playing the full 80.
So that was the final score 36-0 and now the reserves sit top of the table 3-0 with a great for and against. Despite the rain at times i thought this was a good quality performance by us. Only a couple of errors and good positive play.

Things that i noticed throughout the day

Vera the old Warriors fan was there very loud and proud. Those that know her know (or hear her)she goes to all the reserve grade games and is like an Aunty to them all. After the game they all went over and gave her a kiss

#3 Semisi Fotu was the stand out in the first half, dominated his opposite. Quiet in the 2nd half. Not a big build but very strong

Patrick Sipley had strong carries all game. Played big minutes about 64 in total and never went backwards. Only had 1 break

Ligi Sao also played big minutes maybe it was the plan of Kearney and co to get some miles in the legs of the props to push for first grade. Not strong hitups like a paleasiina but didnt shirk the workload.

Isaiah Papalii didnt do that much. Going on the perfomance today how did he make first grade to start the season, didnt do anything wrong but certainly didnt standout. At 1 point during the game he got a gash to the head and no shit he had about 15 roles of tape on his head plus headgear and the long hair he looked like the guy from the movie mask, not the Jim carrey one the old school one.

Gutted Toafoafoa Sipley didnt play, Also was intereseted to see how big Ofahiki Ogden would go as the club has huge wraps on him. Didnt play much, went off in the first hal;f and didnt come back on.

Sam Cook defended well, great technique with the shoulders, James Bell (who i rate) very busy all game. With all NRL squads naming about 21 players on a tuesday i thought the ones that didnt make the cut like Gavet and Ayshford would get a run but they were not there. How are they supposed to get match fit when the y dont take the field???

With the club having an endless supply of hookers at the moment Tavenga was ok at hooker but once Arona came on and Tavenga went to Lock the shackles came off and he started to ball play 1 and 2 plays off the ruck, good to see as he has some ball skills.

But the best player on the field was Charnze Nicoll-Klolstad. Head and shoulders and elbows above everyone else. Line breaks, try assists, try savers he done it all today. Im going to call it now. IF RTS IS RULED OUT AGAINST THE DRAGONS THEN GIVE CHARNZE AN OPPORTUNITY AND NOT TUI. Im serious Give him a shot and give Tui some reserve grade action. He wont let the team down.

Which leads me to my final summary.

The TEAM. the reserve grade i saw today played as 1. Sure the Tigers were poos but they had some first grade experiance in premiership winner and Origin rep Matt Ballin, Kyle Lovette, Jordan Rankin and Benjis brother Jeremy. The Warriors werent happy being 36 up they wanted more and demanded more of themselves, They trusted each other in attack and got 36 points and relied on each other in defence conceding 0. There was an instance there today a bit of push and shove and every Warrior was there ready for each other to punch on if necessary. Unity. All fans of the club want to see that.

So i drove home happy totallly over my moodiness from the first grade performance against the Dogs knowing the reserves are in good shape.

Fan In The Stand from Campelltown Stadium
OUT!!!

 

[Leber]

Awesome. Sucks that Sipley didnt play. Any of the props command a spot next week, over Lillyman, Vete, Lisone and gubb ya think?

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Maybe Sipley (Pat) for a bench spot but why isnt Gavet getting match fit by playing reserves????

 

[Leber]

Hes prob got an injury too.
I dunno.

 

[Blair]

Cheers, I think you gave me an 'eyebrow raise' at the last time our reserves played the Tigers, last year's semi at Penrith. You were the guy with the family, and notepad!

I know it's 'only' reserves but the way you write it up we seem to have more of what we currently don't have in firsts, including a half with a consistent and effective kicking game, genuine attacking options and threats, organised D, and some forwards who motor.

Oh, and some heart.

 

[Leber]

Was Alwood on the left or right side?

 

[Cold Roses]

Great write up. Really good to get some non media perspective on a game. Like you I'm interested to see how the reserve team forwards go in the early part of the season. If they're good enough, and want it enough, you'd have to think there are spots up for grabs in the top team.

 

[Cold Roses]

Maybe Sipley (Pat) for a bench spot but why isnt Gavet getting match fit by playing reserves????

I'm puzzled by the handling of this top 19 on gameday thing as well. I think Ayshford and Gavet dropped back to reserves last week. So based on that, you would hope they don't end up not playing anywhere again next week, because their match fitness will end up found wanting.

Good news about Pat Sipley and CNK though. Maybe Pat is maturing a bit more than Tof. He does have a year or two on him after all. The sooner we have guys genuinely pushing for top grade the better.

 

[Rich102]

Great report R&S.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Was Alwood on the left or right side?

he was on the right side

 

[Blair]

he was on the right side

Did you see (hear) his mum? She's an absolute classic, one of the club's greatest ever fans.

 

[Skinner]

Good writing mate. Always enjoy your stuff.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Heres the Warriors "Official review"

he Vodafone Warriors made it three dominant wins in a row to start the season - and leapt to the top of the ladder - in shutting out the Wests Tigers 36-0 in their Intrust Super Premiership encounter at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday.

It also marks the third consecutive heavy defeat for the Wests Tigers, who are certainly competing in each game, but are leaking too many points at critical times.

Despite the wet and windy conditions, Vodafone Warriors captain Mason Lino had the game in his control all match, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was a devastating as ever in his first outing of the year.

A beautiful left-to-right shift opened the scoring, with Lino and Nicoll-Klokstad combining to create space for Junior Pauga, who put on a deadly step to beat his opponent and stroll over the line.

Wests Tigers hooker Matt Ballin went incredibly close when he darted from dummy half on the last tackle but only one set later the Vodafone Warriors were back on attack thanks to a Tigers error. The visitors capitalised on the situation through Matt Allwood, who took advantage of defenders trying to adjust from the previous error.

The Tigers then had multiple try-scoring chances but were unable to execute before a Lino 40/20 put the Vodafone Warriors straight back into optimal field position.

They didn’t score from the ensuing set but they did not have to wait long when Semisi Fotu took advantage of backtracking markers to force his way over the line from dummy half, increasing the lead tp 16-0.

The Tigers did themselves no favours by giving away a penalty with less than two minutes to go in the half and Lino took full advantage of the situation, kicking a pin-point grubber for Pauga to dive on and secure his double.

Just minutes into the second half, the Vodafone Warriors extended their lead to 26-0 when Daniel Palavi caught a face-ball, spun out of a tackle and muscled his way over the line adjacent to the posts.

Nicoll-Klokstad struck once again when he danced around various Tigers defenders and accelerated through a gap to score in the same spot as the previous try.

Sam Cook put an amazing punt downfield that fell one blade of grass short of the dead ball line to force a drop-out but the Tigers defence held strong on this occasion to prevent another try.

A stroke of luck pushed the score out to 36-0, when Isaiah Papali'i jumped on a loose ball that had deflected off a defender following an Allwood-forced dropout. That completed the scoring giving the Vodafone Warriors the perfect start to the campaign after their earlier wins over Newcastle (52-24) and Canterbury-Bankstown (36-22).

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Did you see (hear) his mum? She's an absolute classic, one of the club's greatest ever fans.

There is an older lady that goes to all the lower grade games. Vera, shes not his mum though if thats who u are talking about. Vera was there supporting, they all went over and gave her a kiss afterwards

 

[Blair]

There is an older lady that goes to all the lower grade games. Vera, shes not his mum though if thats who u are talking about. Vera was there supporting, they all went over and gave her a kiss afterwards

That sounds like her, Aboriginal lady, not at all shy about exposing the opposition's frailties - both real and implied - as well as the 'Aussie refs' ongoing bullsh*t treatment of the Warriors. She's there because of Allwood.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

That sounds like her, Aboriginal lady, not at all shy about exposing the opposition's frailties - both real and implied - as well as the 'Aussie refs' ongoing bullsh*t treatment of the Warriors. She's there because of Allwood.

Shes been going well before he got to the club bro im sure of it

 

[Blair]

Shes been going well before he got to the club bro im sure of it

I'll say more than just hello next time and find out, I presume we're talking about the same woman.

She's a club treasure, at last year's semi at Penrith she had me in stitches, especially when she singled out the biggest and "ugliest" Tiger.

He walked 'like a duck' apparently (no need to tell you the rest), she wouldn't let up, she's on the sideline with only 100 other people at the game, her voice rings out, he had no idea how to respond. Definitely put off his game.

 

[Scott]

A report as good as that makes me feel good.... about life in general. Love it.

 

[ozbash]

Should be on the front page of lu..