NZ Warriors 2016 Thread

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/new-zealand-warriors-sign-jeff-robson-on-one-year-deal/story-e6frf3wc-1227550865741

Warriors just announced the signing of Jeff Robson. As a Warriors supporter I would have preferred they go out and tried to lure a bigger name/better player but to be honest I'm not disappointed in the signing like I was with Ayshford.

Robson will provide the experience to run a lot of the tactical kicking and the general structure which the warriors have lacked, and it allows Johnson a bit more freedom to roam and play off the cuff rather than feel he needs to be play a typical number 7 role.

Won't be expensive, will be able to mentor Lolohea if they decide to groom him into a fulltime half, and provides years of experience in the league which is something the Warriors have lacked in their key playmakers for a while.

Beast From The Big East wrote:http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/new-zealand-warriors-sign-jeff-robson-on-one-year-deal/story-e6frf3wc-1227550865741

Warriors just announced the signing of Jeff Robson. As a Warriors supporter I would have preferred they go out and tried to lure a bigger name/better player but to be honest I'm not disappointed in the signing like I was with Ayshford.

Robson will provide the experience to run a lot of the tactical kicking and the general structure which the warriors have lacked, and it allows Johnson a bit more freedom to roam and play off the cuff rather than feel he needs to be play a typical number 7 role.

Won't be expensive, will be able to mentor Lolohea if they decide to groom him into a fulltime half, and provides years of experience in the league which is something the Warriors have lacked in their key playmakers for a while.

What happens to Lolohea in the meantime?

SI wrote:

What happens to Lolohea in the meantime?

I'm thinking Centres???? He has the build for it and has the defensive skills neither Kata or Hurrell have. Lolohea in the halves is still to fresh for my liking to pair with Johnson. Neither of them has yet to develop game management skills nor structured play to the level you would want given the team should be pushing to go deep into the finals with the roster they have. Let lolohea develop as a footballer first (this was only his first full year in first grade remember), learn from the experienced guys like Robsona and Leuluai, and Johnson gets to work on his all round game and his combo with Luke and RTS

Beast From The Big East wrote:

SI wrote:

What happens to Lolohea in the meantime?

I'm thinking Centres???? He has the build for it and has the defensive skills neither Kata or Hurrell have. Lolohea in the halves is still to fresh for my liking to pair with Johnson. Neither of them has yet to develop game management skills nor structured play to the level you would want given the team should be pushing to go deep into the finals with the roster they have. Let lolohea develop as a footballer first (this was only his first full year in first grade remember), learn from the experienced guys like Robsona and Leuluai, and Johnson gets to work on his all round game and his combo with Luke and RTS

Yeah, he'd make a very good go of centre. SO Hurrell has officially gone to Rugger then?

It's a signing that isn't going to be received as well as the other big name's they've managed to jag.....but I personally think it's a brilliant signing.

I was actually just talking to one of the lads at work today about the Warriors spine for next season and how it was unfortunate they lost Townsend and should be looking at a bloke like Robson.
He will be the steady, ship-steering link in that spine that will compliment RTS, Luke and SJ brilliantly.

Personally I am hoping they won't have gelled as a team during the first 5 rounds or so......then I will be deadset loading up on them to rattle home

SI wrote:

Yeah, he'd make a very good go of centre.  SO Hurrell has officially gone to Rugger then?

Not too sure but the rumours are circling. If he goes it is not a huge loss I don't think but then again that may be because I would only want one of Kata/Hurrell starting because they are such a liability in defense.

Oz Sport Mad wrote:It's a signing that isn't going to be received as well as the other big name's they've managed to jag.....but I personally think it's a brilliant signing.

I was actually just talking to one of the lads at work today about the Warriors spine for next season and how it was unfortunate they lost Townsend and should be looking at a bloke like Robson.
He will be the steady, ship-steering link in that spine that will compliment RTS, Luke and SJ brilliantly.

Personally I am hoping they won't have gelled as a team during the first 5 rounds or so......then I will be deadset loading up on them to rattle home

I tipped a Bronc/Warriors GF this year. Massive fail on the Warriors but your boys did the righty by me.

The only concern I have with the Warriors is SJ. It's such a massive injury for a player that relies on his step and speed. I really don't think he's going to be as good as he was, especially in the first few weeks at least. You don't have that confidence to step off the leg when you've injured it that badly.

Wow, I thought that Tui did really well while Johnson was off. Was really looking forward to seeing Lolohea/Johnson havles pairing. Oh well. What does this mean for Leuluai?

Mighty Fishes wrote:Wow, I thought that Tui did really well while Johnson was off. Was really looking forward to seeing Lolohea/Johnson havles pairing. Oh well. What does this mean for Leuluai?

Retirement hopefully.

Mighty Fishes wrote:Wow, I thought that Tui did really well while Johnson was off. Was really looking forward to seeing Lolohea/Johnson havles pairing. Oh well. What does this mean for Leuluai?

Agree that he did well but he played well while playing a similar type of game to Johnson. He let Townsend take more of the game manager role and the kicking duties while Tui played off the cuff and would chime into the line. Works well if you have 1 do this and another who is able to keep the game controlled and ticking along but there would be a lack of direction and consistent go forward if you have both. I wouldn't throw tui into the deep end by trying to make him the calming influence next year, nor do I think Johnson is up to it yet as he still needs time to develop his game management skills

hey lads

nice to be back with the boys!

ridiculously pumped about the next 2 years as a warriors fan. expectations will be huge next year and a losing record after 5 rounds will see mcfadden gone i reckon.

rts
fusitua/lolohea
fusitua/lolohea - swapping in attack and defence like they did for a few games this season
hurrell/kata - dont care but we can only afford one in the run on side
manu
SJ
robson/leuluai - dont care which one as whoever it is will have a pretty simple role. kick well and distribute.
matulino
luke
lillyman
thompson
hoffman
mannerring

hurrell/kata/robson/leuluai - any of these i would be happy with to play 20 minutes. perhaps kata who has played hooker before. lolohea can cover the halves.
faitala-mariner
ligi sao
vete/lisone

unlucky:

maumolo
vete/lisone
2 of kata/hurrell/rosbon/leuluai
roache - groomed for the #9 in a few years time provided we dont let him go
gubb - love gubbcity
lousi

not unlucky:

ayshford
wright

anyone im missing?

Yeah I look forward to see how the Warriors go over the next couple of years. RTS, Johnson and Luke. Extremely exciting times ahead.

having RTS beat the first defender and get an extra 5-10m each kick return to the beast for the first hitup on the advatage line that he does well in attacking sets and then having lukes quick bursts up the middle for 10-15m after a quick play the ball by manu will run a few sides into the ground next season.

Where and how do we watch the Kiwis play England in the coming week?

I think the Kiwi's have recruited very well this year. Luke and RTS are a clear statement they're after a premiership in the next 2-3 years.

If SJ comes back whole, this is starting to look like a top 4 squad.

If they dont finish inside the top 4 they have underachieved in my opinion. On paper their team makes me moist. Hurrell needs to pull his finger out as well.

I had them making the GF this year. If they stay intact maybe that rings true in 2016.

SI wrote:I had them making the GF this year. If they stay intact maybe that rings true in 2016.

I hope not.

Broncos for Premiership glory in 2016 hopefully!

Bren wrote:

SI wrote:I had them making the GF this year.  If they stay intact maybe that rings true in 2016.

I hope not.

Broncos for Premiership glory in 2016 hopefully!

Nah, 3 teams can't play in the GF