I thought the Warriors were outstanding. Best performance I can remember since 2003, really.
I'd like to highlight three players for special mention
Brent Webb: Great positioning on attack, it seemed a game plan to run to the weak shoulder of a defender, and have Webb run off the hip as the Tigers don't seem to compress tight in the centre of the ruck and they were heavily exposed for it - 5 line breaks for Webb I believe.
Evarn Tuimavave: He has to be resigned. He is the most improved player in the NRL in my book. Another thundering game. Evarn was hitting like an Isuzu out there on defence. First ten minutes, the amount of dominant tackles he created from fantastic, powerful, technical hits was astounding. Then you add in his attack, where he caused chaos - brilliant. He's finally developing. He's a definite chance for the Kiwis tour, he's outplayed Wiki this year in my book.
George Gatis: Won't get many mentions, but this guy does the little things right, week in, week out. Knows when to run, knows when to kick. Basically created two tries last night, a decisive run out of dummy half and a good pass onto Webb, and a great kick into the corner where the Warriors drove in and pushed Fitzhenry in goal - next set, try. Unsung hero this guy. Reminds me a lot of John Carlaw, does the no frills stuff, no fuss, but gets little recognition.
The Warriors are also developing some great young talent, probably not overly recognised over this side of the ditch yet, but the one's they are introducing look the goods. Rapira went well on debut I thought, nothing special, but his defence front on and in cover was good. He was last year's JK's captain and a guy Terry Hermannson has massive wraps on. Misi Taulapapa has a lot of energy and speed. He's a good competitor. Needs a little work on his hands in the contact, but generally a fantastic improvement in enthusiasm in comparison to say Toopi and Meli of previous years. Manu Vatuvei, shocker last week, caught everything they threw at him tonight - and they tried him on too. Simon Mannering, made several terrific decisions in defence last night inside the Warriors half of when to come up and in and scramble, or stay out. Starting to bend the line with ball in hand now too. Grant Rovelli, got a great step, good passing game, developing a kicking game, looks a goodish prospect. And Patrick Ah Van, he got injured, but the little he had to do, he did it very well. Took an awesome high ball against Manly under real pressure on debut, and took some big hits without too much fuss. Those guys are an inspiration to the more experienced lads, and there's more to come. Credit to coach Cleary for having the cahunas to give them all a run so far this year, unlike Tony Kemp, who was consumed with the W/L record and showed little to no faith in youngsters only giving one debut last year, that went to Simon Mannering.
I liked the unity last night from the Warriors, I believe they met up at a hotel at midday for lunch, and stayed together for the rest of the day. Looking at how much back slapping was going on, how much support play, how much communication, how hard they chased their kick chase and in general how hard they worked for one another - it worked, and they need to keep doing it.
