Who are we buying for 2021 onwards

[SmashEmBro]

Raiders confirm Bateman will exit at the end of the year.
Sounds like he's after 800k a year, didn't we throw that much at Tino? Much better and would make an immediate impact his first year.
Auckland wouldn't be any worse weather wise then what he's used to from England either...

 

[SmashEmBro]

Looks like we've bought a big winger off the Melbourne Rebels rugby team.

Junior Ratuva, 196cm and 110kg.

Big wraps on him from Peter O'Sullivan

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/20202/06/30/giant-fijian-winger-signed/

 

[Tongue]

Looks like we've bought a big winger off the Melbourne Rebels rugby team.

Junior Ratuva, 196cm and 110kg.

Big wraps on him from Peter O'Sullivan

https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/20202/06/30/giant-fijian-winger-signed/

I think the best thing we can do with him is pop him straight in to first grade, let him score 7 tries in 5 games, throw him back to reserves for a year, and let Canberra sign him mid year, so that he becomes a regular starter in a top 4 side.

 

[SmashEmBro]

I think the best thing we can do with him is pop him straight in to first grade, let him score 7 tries in 5 games, throw him back to reserves for a year, and let Canberra sign him mid year, so that he becomes a regular starter in a top 4 side.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that haha.

Makes me wonder if this means that management are resigned to the fact that we're losing the ones who want to go home. Ratuva is almost a carbon copy of Maumalo, 5cm taker and 1kg lighter, very similar attributes

 

[TheDMC]

I think the best thing we can do with him is pop him straight in to first grade, let him score 7 tries in 5 games, throw him back to reserves for a year, and let Canberra sign him mid year, so that he becomes a regular starter in a top 4 side.

That sounds eerily familiar....

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I'd take that. Hopefully he's matured in the UK and by all reports slayed it over there. I think he'd have something to prove coming back here. Might use us as a springboard to get back to Sydney, but so be it. That's probably the best we can hope for

As I chucked in another topic, Mole reporting huge offer has been made to him but Dogs are the favourites to get him

You’d want to be sure he has grown up a bit before commiting large coin when you already have a talented young player on the books desperate for a run

 

[Rich102]

The Warriors have targeted Jackson Hastings, the current player of the year in Britain, in an apparent effort to revamp their halves combination.

That's according to the latest report out of Australia, which also claims that Chanel Harris-Tavita is set for more game time.

The Telegraph states the Warriors first approached Wigan's Hastings when Great Britain toured here last year.

The suggestion is that the 21-year-old Harris-Tavita will be on trial for his future at the club over the coming weeks, under interim coach Todd Payten, with Hastings being lined up should he fall short.

If so, it would be a tall order for Harris-Tavita, who showed a lot of promise last year but would struggle to quickly match the pedigree of 2019 Man of Steel Hastings.

The 24-year-old Hastings is an Australian whose NRL career with the Manly Sea Eagles came to an unfortunate end two years ago after an altercation with star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.

Hastings has played a handful of games for Great Britain, qualifying for them through his British grandmother. He is the son of Kevin Hastings, who was a revered player at the Sydney Roosters where Jackson's career began.

The Warriors have been linked to a string of players in the past year or so but failed to get a big signature across the line. It remains to be seen if the speculation around Hastings falls into that category.

Harris-Tavita started the season in former coach Steve Kearney's plans, primarily because of his kicking game. But after rule changes during lockdown the sharp running Kodi Nikorima emerged to partner Blake Green.

Green is 33, and despite some commanding performances this year is hardly the future of the club. Nikorima is a dangerous runner whose best games have inspired the Warriors' two 2020 victories but he is also erratic.

"If Harris-Tavita struggles to nail down a spot, the Warriors will revisit their interest in Hastings," the Telegraph claimed.

Wigan are ready to splash a lot of cash on John Bateman, who is making a controversial exit from Canberra later this year, after being released from the final year of his contract.

This led Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to launch an attack on player agents this week, which included the claim that the Warriors and Broncos had been "ruined" by roster manipulation.

But Isaac Moses, the main agent in Stuart's firing line, has hit back in the Sydney Morning Herald saying his job is to represent his clients in the best way possible.

"(Canberra CEO) Don Furner made it clear the club isn't in the habit of letting good players go, but was honest about the difficulties of managing their roster off the back of a grand final, with unanticipated Origin bonuses to also factor in," Moses said.

"It was Canberra who agreed a clause in John's current deal to sit down and revisit his salary each year – a contract I had nothing to do with."

Moses made no mention of Stuart's claim about the Warriors and Broncos, where he represents both head coaches and about a dozen players.

Meanwhile Auckland player manager Stan Martin has reportedly approached the NRL for welfare support for three Warriors players who want to return home.

Wings Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu'a, and forward Agnatius Paasi, are likely to quit the Warriors camp in Australia after three more matches unless their families are granted exemptions to visit by Australian authorities.

Warriors CEO Cameron George says he is still talking with the club's owners about whether the players will be paid if they are no longer playing.

"We have very sensible owners who are genuine, caring people…the players will be fully briefed on what it means one way or other," he said.

"This isn't the boys fault. We're hoping and praying every day that we'll get the families and the players reunited ASAP."

Paasi has four young children, Maumalo is also young father and Fusitu'a is expecting his first child, the SMH reported.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=12344812

 

[Tongue]

The Warriors have targeted Jackson Hastings, the current player of the year in Britain, in an apparent effort to revamp their halves combination.

That's according to the latest report out of Australia, which also claims that Chanel Harris-Tavita is set for more game time.

The Telegraph states the Warriors first approached Wigan's Hastings when Great Britain toured here last year.

The suggestion is that the 21-year-old Harris-Tavita will be on trial for his future at the club over the coming weeks, under interim coach Todd Payten, with Hastings being lined up should he fall short.

If so, it would be a tall order for Harris-Tavita, who showed a lot of promise last year but would struggle to quickly match the pedigree of 2019 Man of Steel Hastings.

The 24-year-old Hastings is an Australian whose NRL career with the Manly Sea Eagles came to an unfortunate end two years ago after an altercation with star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.

Hastings has played a handful of games for Great Britain, qualifying for them through his British grandmother. He is the son of Kevin Hastings, who was a revered player at the Sydney Roosters where Jackson's career began.

The Warriors have been linked to a string of players in the past year or so but failed to get a big signature across the line. It remains to be seen if the speculation around Hastings falls into that category.

Harris-Tavita started the season in former coach Steve Kearney's plans, primarily because of his kicking game. But after rule changes during lockdown the sharp running Kodi Nikorima emerged to partner Blake Green.

Green is 33, and despite some commanding performances this year is hardly the future of the club. Nikorima is a dangerous runner whose best games have inspired the Warriors' two 2020 victories but he is also erratic.

"If Harris-Tavita struggles to nail down a spot, the Warriors will revisit their interest in Hastings," the Telegraph claimed.

Wigan are ready to splash a lot of cash on John Bateman, who is making a controversial exit from Canberra later this year, after being released from the final year of his contract.

This led Raiders coach Ricky Stuart to launch an attack on player agents this week, which included the claim that the Warriors and Broncos had been "ruined" by roster manipulation.

But Isaac Moses, the main agent in Stuart's firing line, has hit back in the Sydney Morning Herald saying his job is to represent his clients in the best way possible.

"(Canberra CEO) Don Furner made it clear the club isn't in the habit of letting good players go, but was honest about the difficulties of managing their roster off the back of a grand final, with unanticipated Origin bonuses to also factor in," Moses said.

"It was Canberra who agreed a clause in John's current deal to sit down and revisit his salary each year – a contract I had nothing to do with."

Moses made no mention of Stuart's claim about the Warriors and Broncos, where he represents both head coaches and about a dozen players.

Meanwhile Auckland player manager Stan Martin has reportedly approached the NRL for welfare support for three Warriors players who want to return home.

Wings Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu'a, and forward Agnatius Paasi, are likely to quit the Warriors camp in Australia after three more matches unless their families are granted exemptions to visit by Australian authorities.

Warriors CEO Cameron George says he is still talking with the club's owners about whether the players will be paid if they are no longer playing.

"We have very sensible owners who are genuine, caring people…the players will be fully briefed on what it means one way or other," he said.

"This isn't the boys fault. We're hoping and praying every day that we'll get the families and the players reunited ASAP."

Paasi has four young children, Maumalo is also young father and Fusitu'a is expecting his first child, the SMH reported.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=12344812

If this year is a lost cause, which lets be realistic here, it most certainly is, and Green clearly isnt the future, put CHT in now and let Green mentor him. CHT will likely be another 'what could have been' languishing down in reserves, not given adequate opportunity.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Let's hope it doesn't come to that haha.

Makes me wonder if this means that management are resigned to the fact that we're losing the ones who want to go home. Ratuva is almost a carbon copy of Maumalo, 5cm taker and 1kg lighter, very similar attributes

Ratuva has been with us since the beginning of the year. He's injured and won't be playing this year.

So I don't think he's replacing anyone unless we're talking 2021 onwards.

 

[SmashEmBro]

Ratuva has been with us since the beginning of the year. He's injured and won't be playing this year.

So I don't think he's replacing anyone unless we're talking 2021 onwards.

Oh real?
Weird that the club would announce his signing now then.
The article mentions he was injured but says he's back training now, so was more hopeful than anything else

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Oh real?
Weird that the club would announce his signing now then.
The article mentions he was injured but says he's back training now, so was more hopeful than anything else

I think he was just trial and train initially. So this signing looks like an upgrade/proper deal.

Good that he's back training. Maybe not full contact? I'd be surprised if he was on the field this season.

 

[Rich102]

Blake Green and Gerard Beale have been told to look for other clubs next season as the Warriors start the clear out of their current roster.

Even though the Warriors don’t have a coach sorted for 2021, work is well underway on shaping the team for next year, with this process also being why Stephen Kearney was sacked last month.

The 33-year-old Green, the halfback for the past three seasons and the 29-year-old utility back, Beale have both spoken openly about continuing to play beyond this season.


However, that won’t be at the Warriors, as the club looks to upgrade its roster for 2021.


There are 14 players coming off contract at the end of the season, the second highest in the NRL. To have so many players coming off the books at the time is rare and it gives the Warriors an opportunity to freshen up the squad.

It’s not being seen as a rebuild, but a chance to change things around. Next year will be when owner Mark Robinson can stamp his mark on the team.


That’s not just with the players, but also the coaching staff and in a way, Kearney was the first one to go as part of that.

The decision was taken by owner Robinson, chairman Rob Croot and CEO Cameron George that Kearney wasn’t the right person to take the club forward.

Whether that’s the right decision or not, is something that will be endlessly debated by the club’s fans.

But Kearney’s record at the Warriors wasn’t great. This was his fourth season as the club’s coach, they’d only once made it to the playoffs, realistically had no chance of getting there this year.

Recruitment wise, there had been poor decisions made over the last few years.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signed prior to Kearney getting the Warriors job and Tohu Harris has arguably been the best signing since, agreeing to join the club in February 2017, before Kearney had coached his first game for the Warriors.

Since then, the club have missed out on a number of big name signings, brought in some journeymen who struggled, while not developed young players as much as was hoped.

On the surface, the timing of Kearney’s sacking appeared harsh, considering the sacrifices the team had to make because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But it’s also because of coronavirus that the axe fell when it did.

Preseason for next year starts November 1. This year’s season was delayed, so even though it’s July 3, it’s only round eight this weekend, if the competition hadn’t been suspended, this weekend would have been round 16.

If Kearney wasn’t the man to lead the club forward, then the club couldn’t wait until after the last game of the season, against the Sea Eagles on September 27 to make the change.

The Warriors need to recruit now for next year and those targeted players need to know who’ll be coaching them.

Question marks remain over whether Adam Blair takes up his option for next year and it might be that he doesn’t want to spend a season, battling for a spot in the team at his age.

If he doesn’t take up that option, Kodi Nikorima would be the only player left managed by controversial agent Isaac Moses, who was accused of having too much of a grip on the club.

Eliesa Katoa has been a revelation this season and has shown the potential to be one of the future stars of the game.

It’s understood the Warriors are set to offer Jack Murchie an extension. The 23-year-old former Raider came to the club in May for the remainder of the season, but has impressed with his attitude and work rate.

On paper, the squad looks a good one for 2021. Locked in are starting forwards Leeson Ah Mau, Wayde Egan, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tohu Harris and Katoa. In the halves there’s Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita, wingers are Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback.

But the club need to fill in the missing pieces of the jigsaw. What’s required to make the Warriors a genuine top four contender is a world class prop and a couple of great centres. For all Peta Hiku’s talents on attack, his defensive woes continue to cause concern and he could also find himself looking for a new club next year.

Stuff understands around 16 people have expressed an interest in the Warriors job. Todd Payten is one of the people in the running and allowances will be made for having to coach the team during these tough times, but there will be coaches with impressive credentials also going for it.

Craig Fitzgibbon, the Roosters assistant coach and an early target, was keen on coming to the Warriors, but won’t go back on his promise to the Roosters to be with them next season.

The Warriors could wait for Fitzgibbon to come in 2022, but that would leave the club having to sort out a head coach for next year.

That could mean going with an interim coach for all of next season, or looking elsewhere and picking up someone like Nathan Brown, Anthony Griffin, Geoff Toovey or another coach of that ilk.

Whoever gets the job, they will have done so by convincing the recruitment panel of George, Croot, Robinson and club legend Simon Mannering that they will be able to improve the players currently on the books and just as importantly be able to lure big name players out of Australia.

All coaching appointments are important, but the next one made by the Warriors could be the club’s biggest one yet.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...-to-leave-warriors-as-plans-for-2021-progress

 

[Tongue]

Blake Green and Gerard Beale have been told to look for other clubs next season as the Warriors start the clear out of their current roster.

Even though the Warriors don’t have a coach sorted for 2021, work is well underway on shaping the team for next year, with this process also being why Stephen Kearney was sacked last month.

The 33-year-old Green, the halfback for the past three seasons and the 29-year-old utility back, Beale have both spoken openly about continuing to play beyond this season.


However, that won’t be at the Warriors, as the club looks to upgrade its roster for 2021.


There are 14 players coming off contract at the end of the season, the second highest in the NRL. To have so many players coming off the books at the time is rare and it gives the Warriors an opportunity to freshen up the squad.

It’s not being seen as a rebuild, but a chance to change things around. Next year will be when owner Mark Robinson can stamp his mark on the team.


That’s not just with the players, but also the coaching staff and in a way, Kearney was the first one to go as part of that.

The decision was taken by owner Robinson, chairman Rob Croot and CEO Cameron George that Kearney wasn’t the right person to take the club forward.

Whether that’s the right decision or not, is something that will be endlessly debated by the club’s fans.

But Kearney’s record at the Warriors wasn’t great. This was his fourth season as the club’s coach, they’d only once made it to the playoffs, realistically had no chance of getting there this year.

Recruitment wise, there had been poor decisions made over the last few years.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signed prior to Kearney getting the Warriors job and Tohu Harris has arguably been the best signing since, agreeing to join the club in February 2017, before Kearney had coached his first game for the Warriors.

Since then, the club have missed out on a number of big name signings, brought in some journeymen who struggled, while not developed young players as much as was hoped.

On the surface, the timing of Kearney’s sacking appeared harsh, considering the sacrifices the team had to make because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But it’s also because of coronavirus that the axe fell when it did.

Preseason for next year starts November 1. This year’s season was delayed, so even though it’s July 3, it’s only round eight this weekend, if the competition hadn’t been suspended, this weekend would have been round 16.

If Kearney wasn’t the man to lead the club forward, then the club couldn’t wait until after the last game of the season, against the Sea Eagles on September 27 to make the change.

The Warriors need to recruit now for next year and those targeted players need to know who’ll be coaching them.

Question marks remain over whether Adam Blair takes up his option for next year and it might be that he doesn’t want to spend a season, battling for a spot in the team at his age.

If he doesn’t take up that option, Kodi Nikorima would be the only player left managed by controversial agent Isaac Moses, who was accused of having too much of a grip on the club.

Eliesa Katoa has been a revelation this season and has shown the potential to be one of the future stars of the game.

It’s understood the Warriors are set to offer Jack Murchie an extension. The 23-year-old former Raider came to the club in May for the remainder of the season, but has impressed with his attitude and work rate.

On paper, the squad looks a good one for 2021. Locked in are starting forwards Leeson Ah Mau, Wayde Egan, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Tohu Harris and Katoa. In the halves there’s Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita, wingers are Ken Maumalo and David Fusitu’a and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at fullback.

But the club need to fill in the missing pieces of the jigsaw. What’s required to make the Warriors a genuine top four contender is a world class prop and a couple of great centres. For all Peta Hiku’s talents on attack, his defensive woes continue to cause concern and he could also find himself looking for a new club next year.

Stuff understands around 16 people have expressed an interest in the Warriors job. Todd Payten is one of the people in the running and allowances will be made for having to coach the team during these tough times, but there will be coaches with impressive credentials also going for it.

Craig Fitzgibbon, the Roosters assistant coach and an early target, was keen on coming to the Warriors, but won’t go back on his promise to the Roosters to be with them next season.

The Warriors could wait for Fitzgibbon to come in 2022, but that would leave the club having to sort out a head coach for next year.

That could mean going with an interim coach for all of next season, or looking elsewhere and picking up someone like Nathan Brown, Anthony Griffin, Geoff Toovey or another coach of that ilk.

Whoever gets the job, they will have done so by convincing the recruitment panel of George, Croot, Robinson and club legend Simon Mannering that they will be able to improve the players currently on the books and just as importantly be able to lure big name players out of Australia.

All coaching appointments are important, but the next one made by the Warriors could be the club’s biggest one yet.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...-to-leave-warriors-as-plans-for-2021-progress

Credit where credits due, love or loathe George and the new owners, they are certainly making a massive statement. Performance based ethos and there has been a distinct lack of performance. Bold decisions are being made. Certainly not tinkering.

Theyre going to have a fair amount of cap to spend too. This is going to exciting to watch. If you throw enough burley out there, youre going to end up with a decent fish.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

1. RTS
2. Fusitua
3.
4.
5. Maumalo
6. Kodi
7. CHT
8. Ah Mau
9. Egan
10.
11. Katoa
12.
13. Harris
14. Tevaga
15. BMM
16. Afoa
17.

18. JTB
19. Paasi
20. Murchie
21. Hiku
22. Herbert
23. Perham
24. Papali'i
25. Roache
26. Lawton
27. Curran
28. Burr
29. Ratuva
30. Papali'i

Blair???

When its laid out like that it isn't the worst roster out there and tbh a decent coach could probably do something with it. If anything it further reinforces the point that Kearney wasn't the man for the job

 

[Big Marn]

not convinced Maumalo should be on the wing going forward. He was turned into a prop by Kearney cause we had none. With Murdoch-Masila coming next year and maybe another signing, we need to have wingers on the wing, not someone that needs to do a 3 point turn to track back a kick. He's a good kid but i dont think he is what we need out there on the wing.

 

[SmashEmBro]

not convinced Maumalo should be on the wing going forward. He was turned into a prop by Kearney cause we had none. With Murdoch-Masila coming next year and maybe another signing, we need to have wingers on the wing, not someone that needs to do a 3 point turn to track back a kick. He's a good kid but i dont think he is what we need out there on the wing.

I agree to a point, but it's going to be hard asking any coach to move on the 2019 winger of the year, especially if there's no one standing out kinda thing...

 

[TheDMC]

The article above is a bit harsh on Hiku. He had a defensive shocker against Melbourne, and was defensively woeful when he first came to the warriors. But overall, the last 2 years he has actually been quite strong defensively in my opinion.

I think we have to leave Ken on the wing and Fus. But we definitely need some wheels in the team. i...a fast as centre would be great, and running hooker. A speedy ball playing second rower too. So we need Jimmy the Jet, Cook, and Victor Radley. Sorted.

 

[Big Marn]

You have to build your team on its defence first. When Maumalo (and Vatuvei before him) are so easily exposed by teams, theres no way we can hope to compensate for all the leakage of points down his side and expect to make the top 4 - which should be our aim.

 

[Hawks]

Alex Johnson been told he won't be resigned at south's this guy has some wheels and gives his all

 

[BLN2]

Love the bold call of saying no deal to Beale and Green. Both good blokes and probably leaders in the group, but just aren't up to a decent NRL standard. Take away those leaders, and others will fill the senior leadership group naturally. I lam a little concerned that they are still being played over the likes of Turner, CHT and Perham, but I can understand the need for old heads on the park ATM.

Asiata and Molo of the Cowboys are up for grabs, I would have thought these sort of guys would be perfect for us. Asiata at 13 would be great to see, especially if we line up with CHT and Nikorima in the halves. Asiata would give you another play maker really.

NRL published a story saying that Rudolf has signed, and we're trying to convince him not to pull out. Which was rumoured, but not all but confirmed. Could come down to the coach.