NZ Warriors Round 11 Review: Warrior's woes continue as they slide to defeat to Dragons

After their disappointing Magic Round defeat to the Rabbitohs, the Warriors made the journey to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to face the Dragons. In a tightly fought contest, some poor attack and defensive decisions ultimately saw the Warriors go down 24-18 in their third loss in a row.

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

Ingers League Wrap-Up Round 11 Match Report

Another disappointing weekend as a Warriors fan; I came into the match reasonably confident, but with the news about Chanel Harris-Tavita and Matt Lodge leading up to game day, I admit that my confidence took a severe knock.

That wasn't helped when Shaun Johnson dropped the kickoff setting the Dragons up to score in the first minute. After that, the Warriors did get back into the contest, showing some improvements with the ball in hand and scoring some nice tries. However, the Dragons stayed in the hunt for most of the match and looked more dangerous on attack and honestly just wanted the result more. The moment they displayed this the most was when Mathew Feagai threw a hospital pass to Zac Lomax in the in-goal area, and instead of giving up, he fought his way into the field of play, with the help of his teammates, who created a maul to push him over the line. Watching the play back, several Warriors were there that could have stopped Lomax early, but they just watched other players try to tackle him. Once that happened, the Dragons got their second wind, and the Warriors just looked flat.

It's disheartening watching right now. The Dragons weren't better than the Warriors in this match; they just made the most of their opportunities. I just expected the Warriors to go up a level for Jazz Tevaga's 100th match.

This result puts plenty of pressure on the Warriors and makes this week's game a must-win if they hope to be in top-eight contention.

There wasnt much to smile about this week, but I managed to find some glimmers of hope, which leads me to my positives from the match.

Match Positives

After last week's woeful effort, I thought the attack improved in patches. Johnson's kicks were more pinpoint, and Dallin Watene-Zeleaniak and Viliami Vailea reaped the rewards. Reece Walsh was getting involved and looked threatening multiple times. It was nothing flash, but you don't need to be flash to score points. Play a simple game plan, and the points will come, and we saw that in moments in this match; it just needs to happen every week.

It was another massive game for Addin Fonua-Blake; he ran for 209 metres and just dominated the middle. We expect nothing less from him at present, and he never fails to deliver. If the rest of the props in this side could at least get to half of his effort each week, then the Warriors would have a terrifying prop rotation.

Times are tough right now, but on the bright side, the Warriors are close to welcoming back several of their players. Looking at the NRL website, this week's match could see the returns of Jesse Arthars, Wayde Egan, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Bayley Sironen. Then Josh Curran should be ready to return in Round 13. This should allow the Warriors to make some much-needed changes to their lineup and hopefully get themselves one step closer to returning to the winner's circle.

However, I had plenty of concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

Despite the attack looking better, for the most part, it was still not a complete performance. There were moments when the Warriors looked lost or confused. Some poor last tackle options ultimately saw the Warriors shoot themselves in the foot by running too close to the sidelines in wet conditions (more on that later). 

It's pull your hair out types of mistakes happening here, but the Warriors showed they can score points; they just need to stop switching off.

Defence is still a massive concern. They missed 38 tackles in this match, and many of them were just down to half hearted efforts. It's an attitude thing, and I just don't know what the side can do to improve it. It may be time for the old fashioned honesty session so that the players not pulling their weight are put on notice by their teammates. If they can do that and improve the defensive efforts across the board, it should make winning matches a little easier.

Lastly, the injury to Addin Fonua-Blake, there has not been an official announcement of AFB's foot injury, but there is a chance that it could be the same injury that Ben Murdoch-Masila got last season, which could see the front rower out for the rest of the season.

This will be a massive blow for the club as AFB has been massive for them this season; adding to Lodge's exit, the Warriors will be lacking a lot of grunt up the middle. Putting an optimistic spin on things, this will give the other front rowers a chance to prove their worth, and I have my fingers crossed that they step up to the plate.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the match goes to Tohu Harris. 

Only the skipper's second match back from injury, and he was all class, running for 155 metres, making 35 tackles and adding some attacking depth to the Warriors with an excellent passing display. He gives his 100%, and with the news that AFB may be gone for the season, the pack is going to rely on Harris more now than ever; I expect to see him move into the front row while the front row stocks are short and I just hope the rest of the forwards come up to his impressive levels of effort.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Adam Pompey. 

Pompey had a shocker; going over the sideline in wet conditions once is unfortunate, but he did it again and then almost a third, but he flicked a 50/50 pass to no one, which also went over the line. The sideline is the defences best friend, and the Dragons knew it, coaxing the Warriors to take them on down the sidelines, and Pompey took the bait every time.

He was no better on defence either, missing eight tackles and making poor reads, one of which led to Cody Ramsey's try. With some backs due to return from injury, I would be giving him a break as the Warriors need results right now, and I don't know if they will get them with him out there.

Next round thoughts and prediction

Round 12 sees the Warriors travel back to their makeshift home at Moreton Daily Stadium to face the Newcastle Knights, who were convincingly defeated 36-12 by the Broncos in Round 11.

If I was picking the side this week, I would be making a few changes.

In the backs, I would bring CHT back into the halves and have either Daejarn Asi or Jesse Arthars take Pompey's spot in the centres. 

In the forwards with AFB out, I would move Harris into the front row, Egan would come back to the hooker spot, and Tevaga moves into the Lock spot. The rest of the pack I would keep the same for now expect maybe moving Bunty Afoa into the starting side, and BMM moves to the bench.

Regarding how I see the match going, it is hard to predict; the Knights have been dreadful this season, so the Warriors should get the job done. However, with the loss of AFB, it will not be an easy task, but I think they will still have the edge here playing at "Home", so I am picking the Warriors to win by 16.

So that was a frustrating Round 11, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you think the Warriors are still a chance for the top eight?

Now that Lodge and AFB are out, who would be your starting front rowers?

Are there any changes you would make to the game day 17?

What is your score prediction against the Knights?