NZ Warriors 2022 Round 14 Review: New coach, same problems as Sharks pick apart lacklustre Warriors

After their embarrassing Round 13 defeat to the Sea Eagles, the Warriors returned to Moreton Daily Stadium to face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. After a promising start, it looked like the Warriors were ready to end their five-game losing streak; however, after making a few errors that let the Sharks into the match, Cronulla took control and strolled to a 38-16 victory and the sixth loss in a row for the Warriors. 

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

Ingers League Wrap-Up Round 14 Match Report

Well, another busy week for the Warriors with Nathan Brown's exit and Stacey Jones's promotion into the hot seat as interim Head Coach. Due to the announcement's timing, the Warriors team named for the Sharks clash was essentially the same that we have seen the past month, and it did nothing to improve my low confidence levels for a victory.

The Warriors started the match well but fell into the same patterns we have seen for most of the season. Errors, poor defensive effort, and a general lack of cohesion as a unit saw the side undone again. Some players are out there giving it 100% and trying to get this team back into the winner's circle, but some specific individuals look entirely checked out, and it is dragging the side down.

I said it last week, but it's clear that this team is no longer playing as a unit and changes need to be made, drop the individuals that are clearly not giving it their all and give someone on the fringes a chance to prove their worth because let's face it they cannot do any worse.

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

The first ten minutes were a complete turnaround from what we have had to stomach the past five weeks. They were playing simple footy, and it was working. The passes were sticking, and questions were being asked of the Shark's defence, which led to their first two tries. Defensively they looked better, also keeping the Sharks contained. They just could not keep it going consistently; if they could replicate that first ten minutes and make that a 70 or even 80-minute effort, they could start turning their performances around.

There is only one game left before the Warriors make their return to Mount Smart Stadium. This club needs to come home; I know it is not going to magically fix the problems that are going on within the organisation. 

Still, a chance to return home, see friends and family and play in front of crowds that have been desperate for live footy should hopefully give the players a much-needed boost. I may be selfish, but I just miss watching the boys from the comfort of the seat I have had for the past 17 years, and I have felt very disconnected from this club that I love, and I want to get that feeling that live footy gives me back. 

Lastly, Addin Fonua-Blake should hopefully be back this week, and this side needs him more now than ever. He is key to setting the platform, and the other forwards have not stepped up in his absence. He can't do it alone, but hopefully, with him back on the park, it will kick the other players around him into gear and get this side rolling forward to hopefully give the halves the time needed to create scoring opportunities.

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

Match Negatives

The Warriors were undone by their errors; while only making six of them, the Sharks turned most of those mistakes into points, thanks mainly to some poor defensive reads, which saw the Warriors miss thirty tackles. The basic errors and poor defence boil down to attitude; mistakes do happen, but when they do, the team needs to back that error up with a lift in intensity on defence to ensure they either get the ball back or stop themselves from standing under the goalposts again. The final try the Sharks scored was off a poor pass from Reece Walsh that went to the ground instead of hitting Shaun Johnson, and instead of chasing after Sione Katoa, Johnson started yelling at Walsh. It's good to hold players accountable (although SJ may need to look in the mirror first), but the play wasnt over, and he should have tried to stop Katoa in his tracks.

Flowing on from that, the attack was horrible in the final 70 minutes of this match. There were times when it looked like the Warriors were piecing attacking phases together, but they all came crashing down with either poor last tackle options or errors. There was just not a lot of talking going on, and with most of the sides just doing their own thing, it made for a clunky attacking structure, and unless they start working together and communicating, the losses will continue.

The injury to Ben Murdoch-Masila is another devastating blow to the Warrior's campaign. I'm biased as a massive BMM fan, but it's just more bad luck for the Warriors to lose another big body. He hasn't been playing well this year, but I was hoping he could step up a level playing alongside AFB. His dislocated elbow will see him missing at least six to eight weeks, so my optimistic prediction of his improvement will have to go on the back burner.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the match goes to Wayde Egan.

It was another weekend that was hard to select a player to highlight, but I thought Egan was one of a few individuals that could leave the field with his head held high. He set up the first try before scoring a try of his own and was delivering the Warrior's quick ball out of the ruck. He also led the side with 37 tackles and only missed three. He has taken the frustrating parts of his game that I didn't care for away, and I have liked the growth we have seen from Egan; and hopefully, we will continue to see him improve.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Rocco Berry.

A few players could have taken this spot this week, but I have gone with the young centre; I think he has a lot of upsides, but he is showing that he is not up to the level of playing week in week out first grade just yet. He made a few poor defensive reads, but I was more concerned with his attacking plays, getting tackled on the last tackle without looking like he was a chance of scoring, with one of those times leaving a certain try for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak begging, which just can't happen. Give him time to develop in reserve grade as if he continues to have to learn on the job in first grade; it could derail his career before it even gets a chance to really start. 

And please, Berry, remember you're not playing Union anymore, and on the fifth tackle, you cant just hold onto it.

Next round thoughts and prediction

Round 15 sees the Warriors stay at Moreton Daily Stadium to face the Panthers, who dominated the Knights 42-6 in Round 14.

Regarding the team I would pick, In the backs, I would give SJ a week to think and bring Daejarn Asi in to partner with CHT; I would also move Euan Aitken to the centres to replace Rocco Berry.

I would bring Curran into Aitken's spot, promote Bunty Afoa to the starting front row in the forwards, and bring AFB in for BMM. I still want to see Pride Petterson-Robati get his shot as he is ready for first grade, so I would bring him in to take Jack Murchie.

I hope the Little General is thinking along the same lines and makes a few changes.

Predicting the match this week isn't about if the Warriors would win or lose but by how much the Panthers will beat them by, if I am brutally honest. The Panthers will have plenty of players out due to State of Origin game 2, but as they showed in the week leading up to SoO1, they can still put a cricket score on their opposition with their stars missing. I want to see an attitude adjustment from the Warriors, but I think they will be in trouble, so I am picking the Panthers to win by 24.

So that was a disappointing  Round 14, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you see Stacey making some tough calls and changing the gameday 17?

Who would you like to become the Warriors 2023 Head Coach?

Are you looking forward to the Warriors returning to Mt Smart?

What is your score prediction against the Panthers?