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| Copyright Photo: Bruce Lim / www.photosport.nz |
A much-improved performance was required if the Warriors were going to come away with the sorely needed win.
The Warriors woes continued however with the Dragons putting on a dominating display and soundly defeated the Warriors 30-14.
The Warriors were quick out of the gates for the third match in a row with a try to Ben Matulino in his 200th game for the Warriors at the 13-minute mark.
The Dragons struck back with a vengeance with three tries in 15 minutes to Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa, Joel Thompson and Timoteo Lafai.
With the first half coming to a close the Warriors managed to cross the line with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after the Dragons failed to defuse a Warriors kick, putting the Warriors behind 18-10 at the break.
This would be the last time the Warriors were close to competing in this match as the Dragons continued to break the line at will.
Three more tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half to Nene Macdonald, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa and Tanne Milne put the game out of contention for the Warriors.
The only Warriors highlight being another try to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the dying moments of the match to end the game with the Warriors still searching for answers after a sound 30-14 defeat.
The only Warriors highlight being another try to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the dying moments of the match to end the game with the Warriors still searching for answers after a sound 30-14 defeat.
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| Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photsport.nz |
My Warrior of the game for the second week in a row goes to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
The past two performances have been horrible, and Charnze has been the only highlight.
With his pace and a nose for the try line, he has been a welcome addition to the Warriors back line.
His ability to turn the little chances he was given into scoring opportunities is a definite bonus to this side and if the team can turn their performances around the sky is the limit for this youngster.
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| Copyright Photo: Bruce Lim / www.photosport.nz |
My Warrior who needs to improve, well that could go to so many players after this performance, but I have selected Charlie Gubb.
With the Dragons having such a massive forward pack all the Warriors forwards needed to front and Charlie just didn't show up in this match. He played for 26 minutes and only ran the ball 4 times for 41 metres and only made 17 tackles.
Comparing his stats with Sam Lisone who only played for an extra 5 minutes but ran 10 times for 100 metres and made 20 tackles, he was also the only prop to not pass 100 metres in this game.
Comparing his stats with Sam Lisone who only played for an extra 5 minutes but ran 10 times for 100 metres and made 20 tackles, he was also the only prop to not pass 100 metres in this game.
With Ben Matulino back in the side and James Gavet being the Warriors best prop to date this season there, not to mention Albert Vete pushing to be brought back to first grade there is no room for Charlie if he doesn't improve his work rate.
Wow, just wow.
I don't even know where to begin with this match.
No matter how you try to paint it the Warriors were hopeless, 57 missed tackles, 20 offloads to 2 and 9 line breaks to 1.
This team is in trouble, Stephen Kearney has tried to change the Warriors into a defensive orientated side with less focus on the trademark "Razzle Dazzle", and this is failing.
This new style only works when you can tackle, but the Warriors are failing at the first hurdle, the Dragons were offloading at will with the Warriors failing to wrap the Dragons up.
Defence is down to attitude and the Warriors attitude needs serious adjustment.
Defence is down to attitude and the Warriors attitude needs serious adjustment.
How do you fix it?
Is a player clean out required? I'm not sure the Warriors fans can handle a rebuilding season after so many years of disappointment.
I think some of the more experienced players may need a wake-up call in the reserve grade.
A few hungry youngsters fighting for chances may be just what this side needs to try and get themselves back in the winning circle, and lets be honest the youngsters couldn't play any worse than what this team is currently offering.
A few hungry youngsters fighting for chances may be just what this side needs to try and get themselves back in the winning circle, and lets be honest the youngsters couldn't play any worse than what this team is currently offering.
Confidence is down but is up to the Warriors to get themselves back on track, the fans can't do it for them, but maybe some young, enthusiastic players can help jump start the season.
Kearney continues to preach his process, but it is clearly not working, watching him at the press conference he looks out of his depth, but the Warriors cannot flick another coach, so he needs to put on his big boy pants and find a way to turn this side around.
The Warriors now have four wins out of eleven matches and sit at 13th on the ladder.
If the Warriors are going to turn their season around, they need to do it this week when they face the Brisbane Broncos at Mount Smart in Round 12.
The Warriors are about to hit their favourite time of year with the Origin period starting and will no doubt be playing a Broncos side that will be severely depleted with players away in origin camp, so they really have no excuses to not walk away with a win.
If the Broncos are depleted, I am picking the Warriors to win by 10 but if the Broncos have a fair share of their starters playing I will have to say the Broncos will win by 14.
So that was Round 11, another embarrassing performance that leaves more questions than answers, and as per usual, I will leave you with some of those questions.
How can the Warriors improve their attitude?
Do you think the Warriors can turn their season around?
Which players would you bring in from reserve grade to try and add a spark to this side?
What do you think the score will be against Brisbane?
Do you think the Warriors can turn their season around?
Which players would you bring in from reserve grade to try and add a spark to this side?
What do you think the score will be against Brisbane?
We need more go forward bring in Toff Sipley and I like that Satae they can break tackles or bend the line
ReplyDeleteGet another hooker or let Nathaniel Roach have a decent run
Or throw some money at Mich Rein playing for the Panthers reserve side
Hoffman is too light for a second rower bench him or reserve grade
Same as Luke good players, but not playing well
Toff needs another chance in first grade and Satae has potential.
ReplyDeleteYes I don't understand having Roache on the bench and not using him, Jazz could use the same spot and be used in the second row.
Bring in tof sipley , vete , tevaga,afoa to the bench drop gubb, lisone, and roache, only the coach and the players can change the attitude, but first the coach and the players need to idmit something is drastically wrong, take a good look in the mirror and come out willing to make tackles, and tackle too hurt and wrap the ball up , don't ever quit on the play, at the moment they are all just grabbing there is no shoulder in the tackles, they all look like they're waiting for someone else to tackle, and back each other up, defense wins games, I do think they can turn their season around but they need to start now , they should look to smash a very depleted broncos at home , 36 - 14 warriors
ReplyDeleteIm a big fan of Tof Sipley and hope he gets a chance sooner rather than later.
DeleteI agree completely the attitude cannot change until the team and coach alike agree that there is an issue.
They should smash the Broncos with the amount of players not playing this Saturday.
Chanze needs to be a regular in the team Kata needs to go to reserves actually none of the Warriors are engaging or gelling as a team think Stephen Kearney has something to do with that need a qualified NRL Aussie Coach who can turn this team around Kearney has no idea Parramatta booted him same thing happened with that team now under Kearney it is happening to the Warriors
ReplyDelete