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The Roosters have been on a roll for the past month and were always going to be a tough matchup for the New Zealand side, and it showed with a resounding 42-6 defeat to the reigning premiers.
I predicted a Warriors loss in Sydney, but I was hopeful to see the Warriors stay in the fight and unfortunately that wasn't the case.
The Warriors came out of the gates quickly and were first to score, but once Gerard Beale went down with his unfortunate injury the Warriors appeared to fall apart.
Having to move Chanel Harris-Tavita into the centres had a significant impact on the match, the Warriors lost his creativity in the halves, and the Roosters targeted him on defence, and while he stepped up and did his best, the entire team's defence let them down.
The Roosters started the match slowly, but once they found their groove, they dismantled the Warriors with terrific second phase football and a gameplan that reduced the impact of Tuivasa-Sheck and Ken Maumalo.
This gameplan forced the Warriors to fight out of their own half, and most of the times they struggled to get past 50 meters on the set.
While some of the Warriors were trying to throw offloads, no one appeared to be interested in running off the shoulders, and this meant that the Warriors were on the back foot for the majority of the match.
This loss now ends any slim chances that the Warriors had of making the eight and with three tough matches left before the 2019 season is over the Warriors only have pride left to play for.
There wasn't a lot to praise in this match, but there was one thing to appreciate, which leads me to my positive.
Chanel was my only positive, with him in the halves the Warriors attack had structure, and they were able to threaten the Roosters line.
While it's great to see the youngest stepping up and leading this side showing poise well beyond his years, it is shocking that Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima are struggling to match his level.
Unfortunately, there were quite a few negatives to go over so I will just get into it.
The forwards did not front.
Leeson Ah Mau and Agnatius Paasi were the only members of the pack to run for over 100 metres.
The Roosters have a great pack, and the Warriors needed to match them up front and simply pit they just couldn't.
It's not going to get any easier for the Warriors, so the Forwards are going to need to stand up and lead the way to give the Warriors a chance to secure another win.
As mentioned above the Warriors attack was woeful, misguide kicks and passes, dummy runners not running the right lines or getting in the way.
In all honesty, it was comical at times as you watched the Warriors attack not even getting organised for the next play.
Unless they sort out their attack, 2020 will be more of the same.
The Warriors conceded 26 points in the second half, and while the Roosters were playing well, the Warriors weak defence did them no favours.
The Warriors showed urgency last week and were able to wrap up the ball carrier to prevent offloading, but that was all forgotten this week with the Roosters offloading at will.
With a backline stacked with talent, any second-phase football was almost guaranteed to be converted into points.
With the Sharks coming up this week, the Warriors will need to ensure that they stop that second phase football otherwise they will be staring down the barrel of another hefty defeat.
Lastly is the Warriors discipline, they may have only been penalised 8 times, but it was more the manner and timing of the penalties they were conceding.
When they are struggling on attack and defence, they are doing themselves no favours with silly penalties.
With three weeks left there is plenty to work on for the Warriors but I'm hopeful that the team shows some improvement in the above areas before the season winds to a close.
I don't have a Warrior of the week this round.
Tuivasa-Sheck and Harris-Tavita had decent showings in patches, but I don't feel that anyone stood out for 80 minutes.
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Green has struggled to direct this side around the park all year, and this match was no different, for the duration of his career he has played second fiddle to another playmaker, and when he is stuck being the dominant half, he tends to fold.
I like him out there partnered with Chanel, but the combination with Kodi does not appear to be working, and they need to go back to the drawing board.
Blake has a year left on his contract, but if he plays much in 2020 will be another thing.
Round 23 has the Warriors once again in Australia, facing the Sharks.
The Warriors have already defeated the Sharks this year when they travelled to Wellington but playing in the Shire is a different story.
The Sharks haven't been in the best form, but after finally getting back into the top eight again they will be desperate to stay there.
With Beale out for the rest of the season, I expect to see Patrick Herbert return to the centres and I hope that Kodi Nikorima starts at hooker this week as the Warriors could use his pace in the ruck area.
It will be a tall order, but I expect to see a more determined Warriors side show up, but ultimately the Sharks will get the victory, so Im picking the Sharks to win by 10 here.
So that was my take on a disappointing Round 22, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
Who was your player of the day?
What would you do with Blake Green?
How do the Warriors fix their attack going into 2020?
What is your score prediction for Round 22's clash against the Sharks?
The Warriors have been poor this season. Green set up the first try but went awol after that. However the Warriors backs play well when the forwards play well. We were outgunned and undermanned.
ReplyDeleteNot much to comment on Brad except that with Fusitu’a Luke and Herbert returning ...Call me insane but I think we’ll win.Things can only get better after last week.Ouch!!
DeleteYes and to be fair the Roosters team is stacked, the first ten minutes was outstanding by the Warriors, they just all need to perform at that level for 80 minutes.
DeleteWith the returning players Diana the Warriors should perform better and hopefully get the win over the Sharks.
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ReplyDeleteThis is pretty much what nearly everybody expected to happen and, even though I only listened on the radio, it sounds like the Warriors played like they expected to lose as well.
ReplyDeleteThere has been so little reaction or surprise that it almost seems like the game didn't even happen, that's how 'to script' it went. Surely the team went in with some desire to try and win, the Cowboys beat the Roosters at home recently so they are beatable, like any team.
We have had a few heartening games during the season but looking back, we have just been so fragile and unreliable, never building any sort of foundation or consistency to build confidence or get other sides worried. We said it weeks ago, but we just aren't a very good team at the moment.
I can't nominate a player of the day as I didn't see the game but as for your second question, surely Blake Green still has something to offer. we must remember he is behind a struggling group of forwards and alongside an inexperienced but promising halves partner. Keep playing him as a mentor to Harris-Tevita.
Again you ask how to repair our limited attacking prowess, and again I have no decent ideas. A determined forward pack that makes good metres and gets oppositions back-pedaling must make a huge difference though. How can we create that?
As usual, I will pick a Warriors victory. This time by six points.
The first 10 minutes were great, with the first (and only) try coming quick. The Warriors defence was moving up together and pushing the Roosters pack backwards. Once Beale went down the Warriors were almost a completely different side, not sure if the position changes affected them mentally or what but after that moment it was hard to watch.
ReplyDeleteConsistency is key and unfortunately is what the Warriors have lacked for sometime. But yes they are just not a good team right now, there is promise but pieces of the puzzle are still missing.
I think Blake has a lot to offer but as I said in my review he is a career 2nd fiddle half, that isn't a bad thing and if he is partnered with Chanel who shows that he is more than willing to be the dominant half I think he can contribute. Green and Kodi in the halves doesn't work.
The Warriors have a couple of players leaving at the end of the season so now is the time to look for players for the pack, I would not change the back-line but the forwards need work.
Fingers crossed your prediction is correct.
Has the coach lost the support of the players. Any business would be preparing for a season review and restructure which needs to look at the top down on through to the bottom. Changes need to be made.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a fair assumption that SK has lost the locker room, something is (or has) happened within the club and yes they need to take a massive look at the club from top to bottom and make changes before 2020.
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