Your possible round 1 team.

[Big Marn]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Andrew Webster knows there's one thing even he can't coach and he's added to his stocks of this precious commodity for the upcoming NRL season.
Pure, unadulterated speed.

Last season, before his untimely knee injury, halfback Luke Metcalf reportedly held bragging rights over his New Zealand Warriors teammates in this regard, but as he rehabs towards a competitive return maybe seven rounds into the schedule, he may have lost his crown.
The arrival of fleet-footed winger Alofiano Khan-Pereira from Gold Coast has added a whole new dimension of velocity to the roster.

"He is very fast," the Warriors mentor marvels.
Faster than Metcalf?
"Definitely," Webster insists.
"That will upset Luke. Fast guys, it's effortless for them. It's really easy and they're gliding, then they just put their foot down and run away from everyone."

Khan-Pereira, 24, is in that class.
In 2023, his NRL rookie campaign, he became the first Gold Coast player to score 20 tries in a season. The following year, he crossed 24 times to lead the competition in four-pointers.
Along the way, he equalled the club single-game record, when he piled on four against the Warriors in a 66-6 rout.
Last season, Khan-Pereira seemed to fall off coach Des Hasler's selection radar, playing just 10 games, and became a player desperately seeking a fresh start.

The Warriors may have let their share of homegrown talent slip through their fingers over the years, but they have also proved a fertile environment for outcasts needing to resurrect careers.
Khan-Pereira has followed the trail of breadcrumbs left by former Titans teammates Erin Clark and Tanah Boyd. Back at his junior club, Clark emerged from last season as the Dally M Lock of the Year, while halfback Boyd guided the Warriors reserves to an interstate championship.

"I didn't have one of the best years, I really wanted to turn that around and try somewhere new," Khan-Pereira says. "I was fortunate to end up talking to Webby.
"It was a great chat and not too much about rugby - he just really wanted to know me as a person first. I really respect that and he got me excited about where the club was headed."

Last season, the Warriors were stretched for depth along their backline, with a revolving door at centre and back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki also the next best option on the wing.
Both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak missed games through injury, and by the end of the year, DWZ copped much of the blame for a leaky right-edge defence destabilised by the constant changes further infield.

Webster insists his new recruit has the ability to snatch a starting spot off his two veterans.
"Lofi's obviously very fast and the boys are loving how he plays," he says. "He's been exceptional and gives us plenty of competition in that area.
"It allows us a little bit of X factor - he can make a break and turn a half chance into a full chance.
"It's up to him and it's up to the other two not to let him in the door."

After falling out of favour with Hasler, Khan-Pereira knows his attacking prowess won't be enough to earn a regular role under Webster.
"I've really been nailing my focus down to getting a really good defence and good combinations with the boys I've been working with," he says.
"Nothing's ever given, you've got to earn it and that was one of the chats I had with Webby. I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I can only put my best foot forward.
"You've got Dall and Roge there, two experienced wingers and two great wingers in my eyes. I'll definitely be trying to push my way up there.
"I really want to become a consistent first-grader and get out of my comfort zone. My defensive movements and my decision-making are something I want to work on."

Khan-Pereira - who is Samoan/Māori on his father's side and Indigenous/Pakistani on his mother's - adds to an already eclectic cultural mix at the Warriors.
He's arrived at Mt Smart with a big reputation, but insists he hasn't gone looking for early scalps on the training field.
Khan-Pereira has taken some time to scope out his new running mates, and with Metcalf still finding his way back to full fitness, he's identified Watene-Zelezniak and teen sensation Leka Halasima has worthy rivals.
"I'm more like someone who sits back and scans the area for a bit," Khan-Pereira grins. "It is great to have that skill, that speed, but you've got boys like Dall and Roge, when you try to run around them, their experience comes into play as well.
"I think they've caught on a bit and they've taken an extra step to the outside - it does get harder and harder for me to get around them."

Webster warns of another newcomer that may yet challenge for speed honours - former Newcastle Knights half Jye Linnane.
"I reckon Jye is close," he reveals. "I think he's faster than Luke."

 

[Big Marn]

I think the Pompey hating days are over, are they not? I mean the guy isn't peak Gasnier, but he's solid enough - made even more important by the fact we have absolutely nothing else.

You're right though, we should absolutely have been in the market for a centre. There better be something brewing in the grades. Has Fatialofa played centre or are we just hoping he can cover?

Berry is already a write off and if Ali doesn't have a good year, he's one to make a decision on as well

tbh i thought Pompey would be playing in the UK by now, where he would probably be excellent. But a combination of factors has lead to him being a mainstay in the side. I dont really know how i feel about that. It seems we are a year or 2 behind with centre progression.

 

[Rich102]

Progression. Now there's a word.
Have we done much progression? or development?
I don't think so.
We train a basic set of skills and when we need a specialist we tend to buy one in.
Maybe with better junior coaching this may change. I hope so.

 

[Matua]

I think the Pompey hating days are over, are they not? I mean the guy isn't peak Gasnier, but he's solid enough - made even more important by the fact we have absolutely nothing else.

You're right though, we should absolutely have been in the market for a centre. There better be something brewing in the grades. Has Fatialofa played centre or are we just hoping he can cover?

Berry is already a write off and if Ali doesn't have a good year, he's one to make a decision on as well

I've never been as anti Pompey as most in this forum so not sure if the hating days are over. I've always been in the why does everyone overrate Berry camp though. And agree on Ali, hopefully he can kick on this year.

I hope you're right about something brewing, hopefully the next Clinton Toopi is waiting in the wings.

 

[marlins2.0]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Andrew Webster knows there's one thing even he can't coach and he's added to his stocks of this precious commodity for the upcoming NRL season.
Pure, unadulterated speed.

Last season, before his untimely knee injury, halfback Luke Metcalf reportedly held bragging rights over his New Zealand Warriors teammates in this regard, but as he rehabs towards a competitive return maybe seven rounds into the schedule, he may have lost his crown.
The arrival of fleet-footed winger Alofiano Khan-Pereira from Gold Coast has added a whole new dimension of velocity to the roster.

"He is very fast," the Warriors mentor marvels.
Faster than Metcalf?
"Definitely," Webster insists.
"That will upset Luke. Fast guys, it's effortless for them. It's really easy and they're gliding, then they just put their foot down and run away from everyone."

Khan-Pereira, 24, is in that class.
In 2023, his NRL rookie campaign, he became the first Gold Coast player to score 20 tries in a season. The following year, he crossed 24 times to lead the competition in four-pointers.
Along the way, he equalled the club single-game record, when he piled on four against the Warriors in a 66-6 rout.
Last season, Khan-Pereira seemed to fall off coach Des Hasler's selection radar, playing just 10 games, and became a player desperately seeking a fresh start.

The Warriors may have let their share of homegrown talent slip through their fingers over the years, but they have also proved a fertile environment for outcasts needing to resurrect careers.
Khan-Pereira has followed the trail of breadcrumbs left by former Titans teammates Erin Clark and Tanah Boyd. Back at his junior club, Clark emerged from last season as the Dally M Lock of the Year, while halfback Boyd guided the Warriors reserves to an interstate championship.

"I didn't have one of the best years, I really wanted to turn that around and try somewhere new," Khan-Pereira says. "I was fortunate to end up talking to Webby.
"It was a great chat and not too much about rugby - he just really wanted to know me as a person first. I really respect that and he got me excited about where the club was headed."

Last season, the Warriors were stretched for depth along their backline, with a revolving door at centre and back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki also the next best option on the wing.
Both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak missed games through injury, and by the end of the year, DWZ copped much of the blame for a leaky right-edge defence destabilised by the constant changes further infield.

Webster insists his new recruit has the ability to snatch a starting spot off his two veterans.
"Lofi's obviously very fast and the boys are loving how he plays," he says. "He's been exceptional and gives us plenty of competition in that area.
"It allows us a little bit of X factor - he can make a break and turn a half chance into a full chance.
"It's up to him and it's up to the other two not to let him in the door."

After falling out of favour with Hasler, Khan-Pereira knows his attacking prowess won't be enough to earn a regular role under Webster.
"I've really been nailing my focus down to getting a really good defence and good combinations with the boys I've been working with," he says.
"Nothing's ever given, you've got to earn it and that was one of the chats I had with Webby. I knew it wasn't going to be easy and I can only put my best foot forward.
"You've got Dall and Roge there, two experienced wingers and two great wingers in my eyes. I'll definitely be trying to push my way up there.
"I really want to become a consistent first-grader and get out of my comfort zone. My defensive movements and my decision-making are something I want to work on."

Khan-Pereira - who is Samoan/Māori on his father's side and Indigenous/Pakistani on his mother's - adds to an already eclectic cultural mix at the Warriors.
He's arrived at Mt Smart with a big reputation, but insists he hasn't gone looking for early scalps on the training field.
Khan-Pereira has taken some time to scope out his new running mates, and with Metcalf still finding his way back to full fitness, he's identified Watene-Zelezniak and teen sensation Leka Halasima has worthy rivals.
"I'm more like someone who sits back and scans the area for a bit," Khan-Pereira grins. "It is great to have that skill, that speed, but you've got boys like Dall and Roge, when you try to run around them, their experience comes into play as well.
"I think they've caught on a bit and they've taken an extra step to the outside - it does get harder and harder for me to get around them."

Webster warns of another newcomer that may yet challenge for speed honours - former Newcastle Knights half Jye Linnane.
"I reckon Jye is close," he reveals. "I think he's faster than Luke."

A chance for Pakistan in the next WC quals?

 

[Matiunz]

Yuck, his legs can't handle full back let alone at centre you need someone with good turnaround speed. Bad enough he is playing full back still lol.

Not ideal but better than chucking a forward in there, filled in nicely when put there for the kiwis

 

[ozenzud]

Dunno whether I'm being sucked in here, but is there more hype than ever before on the warriors team? Fully fit, I agree we have an excellent set of forwards. But we are far from having an excellent set of backs, We have a basic set, maybe passable set of backs. We have some issues in centres.

RTS is still good. Not great like he was. But still good. Is there anyone else, better than tradesman level? Re: Pompey, he is solid, consistent and reliable. Getting better on attack. He is not fast, but has a step and is now more reliable. CNK, sort of the same. TT has his moments and can get exposed for size, but not bad. LM is fast, but out more than in. CHT has moments and is good on defence.

 

[Gobsmacked]

If Tuapiki is Fullback, roaming between left and right.
And your left edge is:
AKP 2. CNK 3
Right edge:
Ali L 4. RTS 5.

Both lethal.

TMM 7 and CHT 6 - neither will over call.

That's the best attack the Warriors can have. For a team that struggled to find the line last year, this is the obvious fix.
The defense issues then are Tuapiki at the back and TMM in in middle.

 

[Ashburn]

No place is safe from gobby lol

 

[Gobsmacked]

No place is safe from gobby lol

Put me on ignore mate, it's not hard.

After this comment, I'm putting you on ignore too so..
Problem solved.

 

[Ashburn]

Put me on ignore mate, it's not hard.

After this comment, I'm putting you on ignore too so..
Problem solved.

I don’t have a problem bra.