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Despite the Knights ending their four-match losing streak last round, Warriors fans were confident that the home side, welcoming back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Blake Green would get the much-needed victory.
It wasn't to be as the Warriors were outplayed and outmuscled by the Knights, losing their fourth match in a row 36-18.
What a disappointing performance from the Warriors, after last weeks strong showing against the Storm I expected more from the home side, but they barely fired a shot.
The Knights were not amazing by any means, but they had a gameplan that neutered the Warriors strike weapons, and the bullied the Warriors pack with relative ease.
Kicking the ball into touch taking RTS and Maumalo's strong kick returns out of the Warriors arsenal was frustrating to watch but was a smart idea that will no doubt be replicated by other sides that face the New Zealand team for the remainder of the season.
Without those strong returns, the Warriors were consistently flat-footed and struggled to get out of their own half.
Work needs to be done by the coaching staff and the team alike if they are to have any chance of getting their season back on track if it isn't already too late.
It wasn't all doom and gloom, which leads me to my positives from the match.
I don't have really have any, to be honest, I liked to see that Patrick Herbert had another strong showing and should retain the centre position for this weeks match in Brisbane.
Although the Warriors defence was weak in this match his positioning is head and shoulders above Kata's and restricted the Knights opportunities down that edge.
One players' effort outshone the rest of the squad in my only other positive but more on him below.
That was all I could really highlight as positives this week as there was a lot more to be concerned about which leads me to my negatives.
First and foremost was the Warriors discipline, they consistently let the Knights off the hook with penalties and this lead to the Knights keeping the momentum firmly in their grasp.
If the Warriors continue to give their opposition a leg up, then it is going to be a long season.
The forward pack were bullied against a Knights side that simply wanted it more.
Bunty Afoa being ruled out with injury did not help matters, but the Warriors forwards were dominated, and this highlighted Kearney's poor bench selection once again with only Chris Satae (who got limited minutes) and Adam Blair, who does not offer anything on attack, failing to give the Warriors the punch they needed off the bench.
The Warriors need more beef in the pack sooner rather than later, Afoa, Lisone and Sao would be on the bench if I was the selector and having a hooker and small utility on the bench needs to stop now.
My last negative was the last tackle options, too many times in this match the Warriors found themselves running the ball on the last and not even attempting to put a kick through and just died with the ball in hand.
The return of Blake Green was meant to settle this side and add much-needed direction but to be honest, the Warriors looked more settled last round with Tohu in the halves.
Warriors fans will hope that this was just some ring rust after three weeks away from the field and that Green will make more of an impact against the Dragons.
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| Copyright Photo: Warriors.kiwi |
My player of the match goes to Ken Maumalo.
In a team that appeared to lack desire, Maumalo was active throughout the game, continually searching for the ball and making the hit ups that his pack were failing to do.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall snatching the ball out of his hands to score was a smear on an otherwise strong performance.
If the rest of the side can match Maumalo's effort this week, then the Warriors will have a higher chance of ending their losing streak.
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| Copyright Photo: Getty Images |
At this point, I may as well call this the Adam Blair award, but once again Blair failed to deliver for the Warriors.
Coming off the bench Blair did not offer any impact and just gave away too many penalties, there is a lot of money tied up in Blair, but the coaching staff need to make the tough call of sending him down to reserve grade for a few weeks to sort out his head.
Pulu is sitting there in the reserves, and I can guarantee that he will bring more to this Warriors side than Blair can, the Warriors need to buck their current trend and make some tough calls.
Round 9 has the Warriors face the Dragons in the Magic Round in Brisbane.
It should be an excellent weekend for league fans but could be a tough week for Warriors fans.
Despite losing to the Warriors twice last year, the Dragons still have the edge of the Warriors, and unless the Warriors forwards come to the party on Saturday, then the Warriors could well be on the well to their fifth loss in a row.
All eyes will no doubt be on the Warriors new signing Kodi Nikorima who should be playing his first game for his new club at his own stomping grounds.
Opinions on Kodi's signing have been mixed, but I am happy with the acquisition, Blake Green's body is on limited time and with Adam Keighran obviously out of favour, another half was needed in the ranks and I see Chanel learning a lot from Green and Nikorima and becoming a much better player because of it.
Unfortunately, I don't see the Warriors coming away with a win in Brisbane, struggling with the large Dragons pack and im predicting the Dragons to win by 10.
So that was a disappointing Round 8, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
What are your thoughts on the Kodi signing?
How would you combat the kicking into touch ploy?
Do you have a player of the match?
What is your score prediction for Round 9?
Hard to know what to say anymore, we just seem to be repeating ourselves week after week, season after season. We just aren't a very good team at the moment. We have some good players in some positions but as a team we just aren't doing it. Watching our forwards is like how it used to be watching the Kiwis vs the Kangaroos; they would make big easy metres constantly while we would struggle to get to halfway, and it's been like that for so long!
ReplyDeleteWe were gifted two struggling teams at home recently and couldn't win either. Honestly, who would you really be confident that we could beat at the moment? The Titans? The Tigers? Brisbane? We just can't be confident against anyone these days and maybe the players feel the same way.
Also, there is no joy in watching the Warriors this year, over the years they have been exciting to watch, even when losing but apart from the Bulldogs game, we just aren't that much fun anymore.
The signing of Nikorima will, like some other surprise signings over the years, help a bit at times but probably won't make a significant long term difference.
Hard to stop teams kicking for touch, I suppose you get your wingers to be onto it and in good positions to try and keep the ball in play. Maybe you could use the short side a bit straight from the resulting scrum, there might be some metres to be made there via Maumalo if used occasionally?
Player of the match was probably Maumalo, though Hiku, despite his many critics, continues to be creative on attack at least. Everyone misses tackles but he is often an attacking threat.
A few weeks ago I forecast a series of close losses, which has come true, though the Knights game was hardly close. This week again, I pick the Warriors to win by 5 points, and guess what, I am going to all four days of the Magic Round! If the Warriors don't perform, at least there will be plenty of other good games to watch.
They are not a top eight side this year for sure, they have good players but just are not a team that wins anymore, if they are in the game they find ways to lose or they lose by a landslide, confidence is sorely needed.
ReplyDeleteThe excitement is gone right now but I'm hoping that if they can regain their confidence that exciting style may return.
I like Kodi and can see the potential good he can bring to the club but he is not the savior, the team needs help in the pack and will still be looking at RTS to do the heavy lifting.
The only way to stop the kick to touch tactic is by defending well and keeping the opposition deep in their own half so a kick to touch would have the Warriors start in good field position. Short side attack from the scrum is a good idea.
Ken was solid and Hiku always seems to be able to get half chances when running the ball, he just needs players running off his shoulders.
I hope the Warriors get the job done for fingers crossed your prediction is more accurate than mine, should be an awesome weekend for your and I'm sure there will be plenty of exciting games to watch.
Enjoyed your game review Mate...keep em going I'll read em that's for sure...Tomo Newcastle NSW
ReplyDeleteGood luck for tonite
ReplyDeleteTomo Newcastle NSW