Originally posted by Geohood
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Hey guys, cop this!
Link: http://www.nzwarriorsfans.com/index....-preview.1326/
NZ Warriors vs Roosters
Mt Smart Stadium
Saturday 12th May, 7:30pm
Well, last week certainly exceeded my expectations. Broken jaws and a new signing aside, that first half against the Broncos was far and away the best half of football we’ve played all year. It began up front with a rampaging Big Ben absolutely smashing Hannant and his mate Thaiday, and was finished by a few deft touches from Johnson. I could go on all day, so to save time, let’s turn our attention towards this week against the Roosters.
Payback may be what the media talk up for this match, though from my perspective the Warriors need to solidify what they’ve achieved over the past few weeks. A good win against the Bunnies, a competitive loss at Melbourne followed by our best win of the season over the high flying Broncos - a win this weekend will stamp our intent as a serious Premiership force.
Recent form: Not unlike the Warriors, the Roosters have had an indifferent start to the season. They’ve struggled to string wins together and come into this clash sitting just outside the 8. They’ll be buoyed by their solid win over a depleted Knights outfit on Sunday, though confidence isn’t at an all-time high in Sydney city. Concerning for Roosters fans will be their form on the road, going down 50-12 against the Cowboys in Darwin and 44-4 in Melbourne.
The Warriors, on the other hand, look to be playing the sort of football we all expect; Joey Johns even thinks we’re the most dangerous team in the competition. (Read into that what you will.) I thought our defence on the fringes looked better against the Broncos, Henry again impressive in shutting down his opposite number.
Rooster forum stalking reveals they’re not too confident about this trip, though the general consensus seems to be that if there’s any weakness to be exploited, it lies in the outside backs of this Warriors line-up – Vatuvei and Hurrell in particular.
Players to watch: We highlighted last week the importance of matching the Broncos forwards as the key to success. The Roosters gave the Warriors pack a touch up in Sydney earlier this year, and I expect our forwards to come out firing. Matulino was my man of the match last weekend, and I thought Lillyman was outstanding on his return. Look to our pack to continue their dominance.
From a fan perspective, however, I’m looking forward to seeing Alehana Mara get another chance in first grade. I enjoyed watching him in the Vulcans, and I think many of us would agree he hasn’t fulfilled his potential. The next 6 weeks are a chance to show us if he has a future in first grade, or whether he’ll been Vulcanised for good.
Johnson has been steady this season, and I thought he controlled the game well last week. I think he’s been building on his game nicely. If our forwards get on top, look for some SJ brilliance that we all secretly (or not so secretly) crave.
Despite Ricky Stuart’s claims that his NSW Origin side is all but finalised, there will still be a couple of Roosters players looking to impress. Mitchell Pearce appears to be the incumbent halfback, though Anthony ‘the Count’ Minichiello will be pushing for the fullback berth after re-signing for another season.
My prediction: The Warriors at home and coming off a few strong performances should be too strong for the Roosters here. A cold Saturday night in Auckland in front of another hostile crowd, I get the impression this is a trip the Bondi boys would rather not make. I expect us to come out firing, to get the 2 points and to consolidate our recent momentum. Anything less and we’re back to being pretenders. Warriors by plenty: 32 – 14.Last edited by ToiletDuck; 05-10-2012, 10:02 PM.
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Originally posted by Salvatori Grubber View PostThanks mt Smart, and welcome.
I can't see us winning over there - we never do - but I do have high hopes.
As you know the last time we played each other the Roosters used that same tactic of absolute Forward Dominance (we struggled against Manly and the Dogs for the same reason , i know its an NRL Cliche,, but it applies to the Warriors more than most teams in the Comp).
Actually , remember the 2002 GF ? We had arguably the most fearsome Forward pack in the Comp in terms of Brute power , Your lot had without question the Fittest Forward pack i have ever seen.
With Freind out , there is a good chance for you guys to really disrupt the Go forward. Coaching from the Couch I would put an emphasis on Targeting Ben Matulino's running game , he's been carrying the pack for the whole of the season , Lillyman has returned so he would be the next Forward to shut down, if your mob can do that then the Warriors lose their edge , throw in real Quality kick chase on Manu and you've cut out the Majority of the running meters we rely heavily on.
As for the rest ...as Freddy said the other day on one of the league show's ' the Warriors always give you a chance to win ' you just have to take it.
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Late Mail
The Warriors will be 1-17. Boom rookie Tautau Moga has travelled with the Roosters' first grade side and may be a last-minute addition on the wing at the expense of Peni Tagive. Jack Bosden travelled as 18th man.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226352407769
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Originally posted by Comrade View Posti'd say 99.99% of people on here remember the 2002 GF
Villasante was recently quoted talking about his dirty hit on Freddy , he reconed that he awakened the beast and the Roosters Forwards reigned hell on them after that.
It's the way to go on Saturday night. Your pack is fit enough this year to do it imoLast edited by Mt smart; 05-11-2012, 12:06 PM.
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Just a Cross Post from the "Tau Tau Moga" thread:
On the NRL Website, Updated Team List:
SATURDAY
Warriors v Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium, 7:30pm (local). #NRLWARSYD
WARRIORS: Jerome Ropati, Bill Tupou, Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Alehana Mara, Ben Matulino, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering (c), Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Lewis Brown, Ukuma Ta’ai, Sione Lousi, Jacob Lillyman.
ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Peni Tagive, Joseph 'BJ' Leilua, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (c), Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Martin Kennedy, Aidan Guerra, Mitchell Aubusson, Tinirau Arona. Interchange (from): Boyd Cordner, Lama Tasi, Brad Takairangi, Mose Masoe, Jack Bosden.
Late Mail: Rookie Tautau Moga has travelled with the squad and may replace Peni Tagive, who is battling a knee injury.
http://www.nrl.com/News/OfficialTeam...8/Default.aspxJust released Mayday for iOS and Android! Download it for your iPhone / iPad OR for your Android Phone / Tablet
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Originally posted by Mt smart View PostVillasante was recently quoted talking about his dirty hit on Freddy , he reconed that he awakened the beast and the Roosters Forwards reigned hell on them after that.
He came across as really contrite.
I felt a bit sorry for the poor bastard to be honest. Particularly in light of the controversy surrounding his Kangaroo tour expulsion.
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Originally posted by Bansai Pipeline View PostThat was a good article.
He came across as really contrite.
I felt a bit sorry for the poor bastard to be honest. Particularly in light of the controversy surrounding his Kangaroo tour expulsion.
He still gets shite put on him for this every day.
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Originally posted by Mt smart View PostHey guys.
Pretty impressive analysis of the Warriors strengths and weakness's. On Ropati at Fullback : for some weird reason i cant explain , the guy plays his best football there, rock solid under the high ball and tackles not too bad either , as a center his form this year has sucked.
Hurrell has had fitness issues , mainly due to the way he goes at 110 % on every run , last week he found some rhythm and he's one to watch for sure.
Biggest loss this week for us is Nathan Freind , just when our forwards were hitting their straps he cops a broken Jaw.....for this reason the player that concerns me the most is JWH.
If he goes Nuclear on our pack again the way it fired up the others in your squad saw the Warriors pack get owned. Without Friends tackling and direction....JWH and his mates could see most of the game being played in our half.
FPN was the other wrecking ball, its a shame he's out from a purist point of view.
As for our edge defense ( Vatuvie / Tupou / Hurrell / Henry ) most teams target us there. Eighty percent of Warriors training last week was spent on edge defense.....I think if they didn't repeat that tactic at training this week then they are asking for it.
It will be an epic contest I'm sure ......too even across the park for either club to feel overly confident....and the History of seesaw battles....suggests that from a warriors point of view..it will take more than a get square mentality to compete.
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