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With their season hanging by a thread and Adam Blair celebrating his 300th first grade match the Warriors had all the motivation needed to perform.
It wasn't pretty, but the Warriors did enough to defeat a wounded Titans 24-20.
The Warriors needed a result here, and they got it, yes it was against a team lower than them on the table that lost two of their key players during the match, but you have to play what's in front of you and get the job done, and I think the Warriors did that.
That past month has highlighted how out of sync this team has been and it has affected their attack, but we saw glimpses of the old attack coming back, there's still a long way to go, but they are at least heading in the right direction.
The Warriors are still miles away from even being considered a top-eight side, but if they can continue to get wins and the teams around them struggle like they have been, they may still be able to sneak in.
They were able to exhort a ton of pressure on the tiring Titans which allowed the Warriors to get themselves back in the match after almost letting the game slip out if their hands which leads me to my positives from the game.
Much like last week, the Warriors were able to insert themselves into the match quickly, scoring minutes into the contest via Karl Lawton. If the Warriors want to string some wins together then bolting out of the gate will get them some of the way there.
They struggled in that 30-50 minute window again but rather than get bogged down by their errors they were able to work together and get back into the contest.
Working together is another positive, watching the match last week you could see the team wasn't gelling, they were getting down on each other when mistakes or misreads happened and that just lead to more going wrong.
This week you could see an attitude shift, and when things went against the Warriors, they worked harder and backed each other up.
The goal-line defence was good again (apart from a moment I will mention below), the Titans had so many repeat sets but could not convert them into points.
The Warriors defence stayed strong when it counted, the last few minutes of the match had the Titans camped on the Warriors line desperate to score and get the win, but the Warriors refused to give in.
Yes, Adam Blair got a sin-binned in that final minute, but u think it worked in the Warriors favour slightly, the Titans got the penalty, but the Warriors got that time to reset the line and focus which was all that was needed to hold onto that lead.
They struggled in that 30-50 minute window again but rather than get bogged down by their errors they were able to work together and get back into the contest.
Working together is another positive, watching the match last week you could see the team wasn't gelling, they were getting down on each other when mistakes or misreads happened and that just lead to more going wrong.
This week you could see an attitude shift, and when things went against the Warriors, they worked harder and backed each other up.
The goal-line defence was good again (apart from a moment I will mention below), the Titans had so many repeat sets but could not convert them into points.
The Warriors defence stayed strong when it counted, the last few minutes of the match had the Titans camped on the Warriors line desperate to score and get the win, but the Warriors refused to give in.
Yes, Adam Blair got a sin-binned in that final minute, but u think it worked in the Warriors favour slightly, the Titans got the penalty, but the Warriors got that time to reset the line and focus which was all that was needed to hold onto that lead.
There were still issues, which leads me to my negatives.
Although the goal line defence was solid for the most part, the Titans first try was due to a massive hole between Blake Green and Tohu Harris.
Im not sure what happened there but I could see the hole as soon as the Titans looked that direction and knew the Warriors were in trouble.
I know Tohu is carrying injuries so maybe that hindered him in some way at that moment, the Warriors need to communicate better to ensure that they plug up any holes in their line.
In their defence, that was the earlier on in the match, and they improved as the game went on.
Unforced errors, man errors seem to be the mainstay in my reviews every week.
At times it seemed like the Warriors were just trying to force passes and offloads instead of little the plays develop.
In some aspects, it is good to see the Warriors desperate to get the result, but they have to pick their spots, you do not need to score off every tackle or even every set.
The experienced spine needs to talk to their team and just settle things down, play smart, and points will come.
Lastly is the interchange, the past few weeks I have been happy with the bench selection and rotation, but this week one thing bothered me.
Bunty Afoa did not get used until the second half, Bunty's hard runs when he gets his boarding pass at around the 20-30 minute mark really help the Warriors keep the pressure on.
To only put Bunty on 45 minutes into the match and to only use him for 16 minutes is criminal and cannot happen again, with the Titans down to a two-man bench I would have utilised some quick interchanges with the front rowers to quickly build momentum.
I don't think I will ever understand Kearney's interchange mindset but would love to hear him explain it one day.
Although the goal line defence was solid for the most part, the Titans first try was due to a massive hole between Blake Green and Tohu Harris.
Im not sure what happened there but I could see the hole as soon as the Titans looked that direction and knew the Warriors were in trouble.
I know Tohu is carrying injuries so maybe that hindered him in some way at that moment, the Warriors need to communicate better to ensure that they plug up any holes in their line.
In their defence, that was the earlier on in the match, and they improved as the game went on.
Unforced errors, man errors seem to be the mainstay in my reviews every week.
At times it seemed like the Warriors were just trying to force passes and offloads instead of little the plays develop.
In some aspects, it is good to see the Warriors desperate to get the result, but they have to pick their spots, you do not need to score off every tackle or even every set.
The experienced spine needs to talk to their team and just settle things down, play smart, and points will come.
Lastly is the interchange, the past few weeks I have been happy with the bench selection and rotation, but this week one thing bothered me.
Bunty Afoa did not get used until the second half, Bunty's hard runs when he gets his boarding pass at around the 20-30 minute mark really help the Warriors keep the pressure on.
To only put Bunty on 45 minutes into the match and to only use him for 16 minutes is criminal and cannot happen again, with the Titans down to a two-man bench I would have utilised some quick interchanges with the front rowers to quickly build momentum.
I don't think I will ever understand Kearney's interchange mindset but would love to hear him explain it one day.
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Ken's double takes his season tally up to 10 which is double the amount he scored last year, he continues to be the backbone of this side leading the metre count almost every week and being a constant threat to break the oppositions line.
His reliability under the high ball and his defensive positioning is improving every week, and he is genuinely making that left wing his own.
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I like Lawton and the spark he offers this side, and the rumours of the Warriors trying to flick him off to superleague teams has me worried.
I don't see Luke sticking around another season, and while Roache is a talented player, his track record has me doubtful that he can stay healthy for an entire season so I would be signing Lawton for a few more years and having a Roache/Lawton tandem.
Lawton has denied the reports, and I have my fingers crossed that he be here in 2020.
With the international window upon us, there is no NRL this week.
The Warriors that are not involved will be able to have a week off to get rid of the niggles that come at this point of the competition, and the ones that are playing will hopefully return to the Warriors camp full of enthusiasm after playing for their respective countries.
I will be writing the match review and match report for the Kiwis vs Tonga clash for Nothingbutleague.com, and it should be an exciting match to watch, and I can't wait.
After the internationals are done, the Warriors return to Mount Smart to face a Penrith Panthers that has improved since their embarrassing showing in round 10 and will test the Warriors.
Winning here keeps the top eight aspirations (no matter how slim) alive, and I think the Warriors can get the job done here, so I'm picking them to win by 14.
The Warriors that are not involved will be able to have a week off to get rid of the niggles that come at this point of the competition, and the ones that are playing will hopefully return to the Warriors camp full of enthusiasm after playing for their respective countries.
I will be writing the match review and match report for the Kiwis vs Tonga clash for Nothingbutleague.com, and it should be an exciting match to watch, and I can't wait.
After the internationals are done, the Warriors return to Mount Smart to face a Penrith Panthers that has improved since their embarrassing showing in round 10 and will test the Warriors.
Winning here keeps the top eight aspirations (no matter how slim) alive, and I think the Warriors can get the job done here, so I'm picking them to win by 14.
So that was an improved round 14, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
Are you looking forward to this week's internationals?
Do you have a player that needs to improve
Would you keep Karl Lawton for 2020?
What is your score prediction for Round 15?
Another insightful review Brad and an enjoyable game to watch, including some late drama.
ReplyDeleteWe went without the ball for a long while there, and I was pleased to see the Warriors keep the Titans out, limiting them to just a penalty goal. I felt confident of the win after that.
We didn't finish the game off well though and that short kick off that the Titans regained was something that shouldn't have happened and cost us a try and nearly the match.
The yellow card against Blair was a poor decision. The hit wasn't that late and those tackles happen every week without being sin-binned.
Definitely a relief to get the victory after the Titans played so well last week, though their injuries before and during the game probably helped us out.
I have always enjoyed watching the Kiwis play, even as a kid in the 80's against the evil Aussies. Tonga have been strong in recent times, but I think we will teach them a lesson this weekend with a decisive victory.
My player to improve, even though he didn't play this game is Gerard Beale. A lot of folk were pleased that we signed him and kept calling for him to replace Kata but based on what? I don't get the attraction. He reminds me a bit of Matt Allwood; good guy, okay player, neither great nor terrible, a classic journeyman. The world is full of players like that and the Warriors don't really need him. I know he hasn't had many first grade opportunities, but when he does, I see why. I think Ayshford has more to offer in that 'spare parts' role.
Of course we should hold on to Lawton. We just don't have many players who offer that burst of youthful energy and teams need that. He must stay. Each year I look forward to seeing Roache play, and then a few weeks in he is injured and I forget we even have him. And remember, Nikorima can play hooker as well.
The Panthers are definitely righting their ship, but surely we are due a home win. Warriors by 6.
Thank you Mark.
ReplyDeleteYes I think the Warriors did well to hold the Titans out at the end of that game, this year when the opposition has started a comeback the Warriors have folded so to see them keep in the game is good to see.
They still have a long way to go as that short kick off showed but as long as they can get victories along their path of improvement it should work out.
Yeah I think Blair was hard done by with his yellow card, tackle wasn't that late and the slow motion replay made it look a lot worse that it truly was.
Injuries to the Titans helped the Warriors out for sure but they can only play what is in front of them so it was good to see them get the job done.
I can't wait for the Kiwis Tonga clash, will be an exciting game I'm sure but yes i think the Kiwis will get the job done on Saturday but i think it will be close.
I like Beale but yes with the way Herbert and Hiku have been playing he is not required at all. He is a great hand to have when an injury happens but I'm sure he is getting paid a lot more than what a fill in should.
I like Ayshford and feel that he deserves more of an opportunity than he has had the past two seasons, but with the current centres I don't see him getting a shot any time soon.
They need to keep Karl, Roache is a great talent but is just too injury prone to rely on as the only hooker.
Warriors need to win at Mount Smart again, they haven't had a win there since round 4 and that was on the 5th of April. Panthers are gaining steam but I think the Warriors will be up for it.