NZ Warriors 2022 Round 6 Review: Warrior's second-half stumble stops streak as questions surround officiating effort

After Round five's win over the Cowboys, the Warriors made the trip to the Sydney Cricket Ground to face the Roosters. This match was a celebration of the Rooster's Grand Final win over the Warriors in 2002, with both sides wearing heritage jerseys based on the designs worn twenty years ago; unfortunately, just like that Grand Final, the Warriors were unable to get the job done going down 22-14.

For a breakdown of how the match went, check out my match report at the link below.

Ingers League Wrap-Up Round 6 Match Report

Well, my prediction was a little closer this time around, with the Warriors losing by eight this week (I predicted a 14 point loss in my review last week). 

This was a frustrating game to watch, the Warriors started well and shot out to a lead, but repeated errors and an inability to counter the Rooster's defensive line speed saw that lead reduce before the home side got ahead and never looked back. 

There were some puzzling decisions from the officials (more on that later) which soured the performance for me. I came into this match expecting the Warriors to not be good enough to beat the Roosters, but I ended the game disappointed in the result but more optimistic than I thought I would be.

I wanted to see how the Warriors fared against a top-tier team. An eight-point loss with questionable officials' performances opened up plenty of what-if situations is not that bad, especially with several players also being out of the contest.

As I have been saying the past few weeks, I think this side is coming together, there is still a whole lot of work to be done, but I feel that things are heading in the right direction. 

My general sense of optimism is still here despite the result, but the Warriors have just started their tough run so let's see how my positive outlook is after the next three rounds.

It wasnt the outcome any Warriors fan wanted, but all I was hoping for was to see some fight against a top side, and I thought I got it. 

There wasnt a lot to smile about this week, but it wasnt all doom and gloom, which leads me to my positives from the match.

Match Positives

The defence was better overall; there were still some poor reads in patches, and they still missed 29 tackles, but there were plenty of times where the Roosters looked like they were certain to score, but the Warriors scrambled and made the save. I think the team is showing more belief and trust in the men on either side of them in the defensive line, and with some fine-tuning to iron out the defensive lapses we are seeing each week, the Warriors are going to keep plenty of sides honest.

Adding to that, the Warriors kept Joseph Manu quiet. I had Adam Pompey as my Warrior to watch in this match, and I thought he was outstanding in making sure Manu didn't rip the Warriors to shreds; he wasnt alone as Chanel Harris-Tavita helped keep that edge contained. This was a good sign as that edge has had me worried defensively for some time now; the Warriors just need to get the other edge to the same level.

Lastly, the Warriors showed fight against a top side; many people, myself included, thought this could have been a blowout, but the Warriors were in the contest and had players like Josh Curran were hurt but refused to quit. If some calls had gone their way, they might have kept their winning streak going. This kind of attitude is needed from this side week in and week out if they want to be a playoff level team.

I did have concerns, however, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

I have already spoken about the Warriors having calls go against them in this match, but their biggest issue was their flat attack. The Roosters suffocated them in the second half, and besides the disallowed try and then Dallin Watene-Zeleaniak's try, they never really threatened the Rooster's defence. The Roosters forced the Warriors to constantly play from deep inside their own half and the Warrior's forwards, except for Addin Fonua-Blake (146m), Josh Curran (100m) and Aaron Pene (93m), could not gain control in the middle. It's the second game this year that I think the Warriors lost the battle up front; hopefully, the return of Matt Lodge and the inclusion of another forward on the interchange for Round seven will see the Warriors return to dominating the middle. 

The errors are back in my negatives, the Warriors made 11 this match, but my concern was when and where they were happening. The Warriors made an error every set after scoring points, and most of their errors were inside their own 40. Letting the Roosters off the hook with schoolboy errors was a coach killer, and the Warriors need to show the ball more respect. More errors like that this week against the Storm will put the Warriors in a troubling spot. 

The bench selection was confusing; Lodge getting ruled out leading up to the match did not help matters, but to take two hookers into this match was never going to work. I would have given Valingi Kepu his debut off the bench instead of having Taniela Otukolo play as a forward. It may have been a baptism of fire for the young forward, but this is the same club that debuted Reece Walsh against the Storm last year. I think that extra forward on the bench could have helped the Warriors break through the Rooster's defensive line.

My last negative is the officiating. 

I hate blaming match officials for results, and as I mentioned above, I think the Warrior's flat attack and poor effort from the pack was leading them on the path to defeat anyway. Still, there were so many questionable calls in this match. James Tedesco not going to the bin for his professional foul, the disallowed try, Angus Crichton stripping the ball from AFB that the bunker deemed to not be intentional, Adam Pompey hitting a ball with his boot by accident becoming a penalty and a DWZ knockback that was considered to be a knock-on.

There were a few more that I haven't mentioned here, but that is far too much in one 80 minute span of football; it was laughable at a point, and when Blocker Roach is staying, the Warriors were unlucky with those calls, you know the officials stuffed up. I think the Bunker was the worst offender as they have no excuse for making that many mistakes; the referee at least has to make calls in real-time.

It will be interesting to see what Graham Annesley says about this contest, but as Warriors fans, we are used to getting a sorry we got that wrong speech from him. 

The best officials are the ones you don't notice; it is a thankless job, I know, but the NRL need to work on the performance level of their officials as when they put a performance like this, it can ruin an enjoyable game.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the match was Addin Fonua-Blake.

AFB has been a shining light this season, leading his side with 146 running metres and being one of the only forward to trouble the Roosters. He gave it everything he had in this match, but he needs help out there as he cannot carry this team on his back every week. He always bends the line, and I want to see Reece Walsh start to run off his shoulder as that just screams tryscoring potential. He has matured a lot in his time with the club, and I am confident that the best is yet to come from him.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Jesse Arthars.

Arthars has been great for the Warriors this year, but he had an off night in this match. He was quiet with the ball in hand, running for only 55m and his defensive reads were not up to par; he also gave away two silly penalties. As I said, it was an off night for Arthars, and I am sure that he will bounce back this week and I would still like the Warriors to try and keep him full-time, despite the tricky situation surrounding his contract status with the Broncos.

Next round thoughts and prediction

Round 7 sees the Warriors travel to AAMI Park in Melbourne to face the Storm for their annual ANZAC day clash. This match always fills me with dread as the Storm love to put a cricket score on the Warriors in this match every year.

The Storm put on a dominant display against the impressive Sharks this round, winning 34-18 and have been in excellent form as of late and win be the toughest challenge for the Warriors so far. 

Regarding how the team will be named, I think we will see the same 17 except Lodge returning and Otukolo exiting.

It will be a massive challenge for the Warriors, but if the forwards do their part, Shaun Johnson gets the side into scoring opportunities, and the defence restricts the Storm from second-phase football, then we may have a hell of a game on our hands.

However, I feel that unless the Warriors play the game of their lives, they will be on the way to another ANZAC day defeat. So I am picking the Storm to win by 18. 

So that was a frustrating Round 6, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What are your thoughts on Brown's bench selections?
Who was your player of the match and your player to improve?
How do you think the NRL can fix the officiating?
What is your score prediction against the Storm?