NZ Warriors 2024 Round 12 Review: Against All Odds Warriors Claim Victory Over Dolphins

After their fantastic Magic Round win over the Panthers, the Warriors returned to home soil for the first time in a month to host the Dolphins. With several late-minute withdrawals, the Warriors team was severely understrength and back-to-back upsets seemed unlikely. However, the Warriors dug deep and ground out an impressive 24-20 victory.

What Went Down

An error from Edward Kosi gave the Dolphins early field position, and they capitalised in the fourth minute when Kodi Nikorima delivered a perfect pass to Jamayne Issako, who dove into the right corner for the first try of the night. The visitors scored again in the 16th minute when Herbie Farnworth picked up a loose Euan Aitken offload and stepped around several Warriors defended before diving over the line. The Warriors got themselves into the contest in the 20th minute when Marcelo Montoya outleaped the Dolphins defenders to snatch a Te Maire Martin bomb before shifting the ball inside to Chanel Harris-Tavita, who sprinted away to score. The game settled in a grind for a short period until Farnworth split the Warrior's defence and broke out into open space before sending Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away for their third try of the match and a healthy 16-6 lead; however, it was the Warriors that would have the last laugh in the first half when Te Maire Martin hit and spun his way over the line to see the Warriors go into the sheds trailing 16-12.

Both sides went toe to toe in the second half, trading sets with neither unable to take control until the 57th minute when, after multiple sets camped in the Dolphin's red zone saw the Warriors take the lead after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak charged over the line, this saw the home side begin to control the tempo of the match. Less than 10 minutes later, they were over again when Marata Niukore barged his way over the line to see the Warriors extend their lead to 8. The Dolphins didn't throw in the towel and kept testing the Warrior's defensive line and reduced their lead to 4 when Isaako scored his second try in the 75th minute, but any hopes of a last minute come from behind victory were squashed with the Warriors throwing everything they had defensively before running out the clock with some slow dummy half runs to see them win their fifth game of the season and their second win in a row over a top 4 side 24-20.

My Thoughts

Well, another impressive win, I came into this match optimistic, but that changed throughout the week with the news of all the players that would miss out. Addin Fonua-Blakes stand down, and then the last-minute news of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Taine Tuapiki missing the game had me concerned that the Dolphins would have a field day and those fears stayed with me when the Dolphins shot out to a 10-0 lead in the first 15 minutes. However, the Warriors didn't let it rattle them and just got to work, with the forwards all working together to fill the massive hole left by AFB and the backs playing smart football and mixing up the ways they attacked the Dolphins, which saw them become a team hard to shut down. Just like last week, we saw the players that had to step up either in a debut like Moala Graham-Taufa, who was solid throughout the contest or DWZ, who was a last-minute switch to fullback and crushed it with his aggressive kick returns. It's great to have superstars, but I will take 17 players who will give it 100%, as we saw here any day of the week.

 It wasn't the best or prettiest performance by any stretch. Still, it was gutsy, which is more important as the season goes on as when the Warriors face adversity throughout the rest of the season, they can look at the past two weeks as a prime example of defying the odds when they work as a unit. Leading into the magic round, I thought the Warriors needed to win at least 1 match before the bye to keep their season alive, and they did win better and nailed both wins and have kept themselves in the hunt, which is keeping me optimistic about another final run.

Before moving on, I want to give a massive thank you to Roo and Hammer, who flew across the ditch to watch the game and allowed me to tag along as they got to tour the Warriors facilities and go into the sheds at full-time. It was an incredible experience, and it was great to see how the Warriors machine runs. It was also great to finally meet you guys in person.

There was plenty to smile about this week, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The injury toll this season has been brutal, but the club's next-man-up approach has started to bear fruit. I already mentioned Moala Graham-Taufa, but he was great, and the future looks bright with him and Ali waiting for their chance for a regular first-grade spot. The experienced players who are not generally seen as the traditional leaders have stood up in the absence of Tohu Harris and Shaun Johnson, with Dylan Walker, Mitchell Barnett, and DWZ really impressing me. The squad appears to be on the same page right now, and they just need to keep this never-say-die attitude when all the regulars start to return to the gameday 17.    

The Warriors' discipline improved tenfold in this match, with no conceded penalties, only 2 ruck infringements, and 1 inside the 10 call. Giving away silly penalties has been an issue this season, so to give away none in this much was fantastic. The chances of them staying at zero penalties conceded are slim, but if they can keep them reasonably low, they will continue to increase their chances of getting the win each week, so fingers crossed.

The forwards came to play. I was concerned they would struggle against the Dolphin's pack without AFB, but they all stood up. While four of them cracked my triple-figure target, most of the rest got close and were great at bending the line and getting the momentum rolling forward. Barnett led with purpose and has been rewarded with a squad selection for New South Wales, and I thought Bunty Afoa was excellent in his second stint. Marata Niukore also added much-needed size and got through the game injury-free, which is a bonus. The key for this pack will be to continue to share the load instead of relying on AFB and Tohu to do a lot of the heavy lifting when they return.

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

Match Negatives

It was another slow start, which I will put down to the reshuffled side. Thankfully, the Dolphins only got two tries in that starting period. It would make me feel better if the Warriors hit the ground running, but a slow start with a strong finish is better than a quick start and second-half fade.

Unfortunately, there was another injury, with Paul Roache going off early with an ankle injury. There is no word on how bad it is, but I saw him in a moon boot after the match. Hopefully, with the bye next round, he will be ready to go in time for the next game in Round 14, and the injuries start to decline now, as it would be nice to see the team get to use the same combinations for an extended period.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Te Maire Martin.

He impressed me last week and was solid once again here, he has relished the chance of directing the side around. He scored a nice try and just looked calm and composed out there. His passing game was top-notch, creating most of the Warrior's scoring chances, and his kicking was decent, utilising both the long and short kicking game at the right times and creating plenty of pressure. He also showed plenty of heart defensively, with some well-timed scrambled defensive efforts, stopping the Dolphins when they were ready to break away. 

He has been a decisive player amongst the fanbase, but he has shown he has what it takes to perform in the halves the past fortnight; the big thing will be how he can continue this form while SJ returns and takes the driver's seat back.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Edward Kosi.

It was hard to pick a player in this segment, but I went with Kosi this week despite his less-than-ideal start with an error that allowed the Dolphins to strike early. He had a tough time defensively but started to find his groove as the game went on, running for 163m and coming close to scoring in the corner. I feel for Kosi. He is a nice guy who can deliver solid performances when his confidence is up. I assume the last-minute call-ups are not helping his preparations, but you can see he is giving his all, which I cannot fault, so his form will turn around; I'm confident he just needs to work on those schoolboy errors.

Bye Round Thoughts

The Warriors get their first bye in Round 13, adding another two points to their competition total, and more importantly, it is a chance for the squad to rest up some niggling injuries and give the casualty ward a chance to deplete with most players currently scheduled to be available by Round 14, in time for the Warriors clash with the Cowboys.

With no game to review next week, I will write a mid-season review that covers the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2024 season to date and gives my thoughts on the Round 14 match against the Cowboys. It will be interesting to look back at the peaks and valleys we have experienced with the 2024 Warriors, but I am looking forward to it, so look out for it next Monday.

So, that was an awesome Round 12, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Can the Warriors keep this form going with the return of their stars, or could it be a disruption?

How are your confidence levels of the Warriors playing finals football again in 2024?

Who was your player of the day and Warrior to improve?

What is your score prediction against the Cowboys?

NZ Warriors 2024 Magic Round Review: Unforgettable Upset as Warriors Defeat Panthers

After their demoralising defeat to the Roosters, the Warriors remained on Australian soil to play hosts at Magic Round to the Penrith Panthers. Down on troops and confidence, not many expected much from the Warriors here, but they turned up to play and, despite a nerve-racking end, held on for a much-needed 22-20 victory. 

What Went Down

The Warriors had a rough start when Taine Tuaupiki's kickoff went over the dead-ball line, resulting in a penalty for the Panthers. A few plays later Dylan Edwards capitalised on the early field position by charging onto a Luai pass, beating several defenders to score the opening try in the first minute. The Warriors faced more adversity when Jackson Ford and Wayde Egan left the field for HIA's; Ford passed him and returned where Egan was ruled out, meaning Paul Roache had to step up and take over the hooker role. Despite these challenges, the Warriors kept fighting and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Marcelo Montoya put his body on the line as he dived over in the corner, a move that saw him also head off for an HIA that he passed. The Panthers were next to strike when Luai broke the Warrior defence apart before getting the ball to Scott Sorenson, who flicked it back to Luai to score in the 30th minute in what was the last scoring play of the first half, seeing Penrith go into the sheds with a 10-4 lead.

The Warriors hit the ground running in the second half with a clever play from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, catching Isaah Yeo off-guard, who, in turn, panicked and obstructed the makeshift five-eighth resulting in the Panthers skipper being sent to the bin. The Warriors wasted no time taking advantage, sending the ball out to the right for Ali Leiataua to level the scores in the 43rd minute. The Warriors kept the pressure on and took the lead for the first time in the contest a few minutes later when Te Maire Martin sent Adam Pompey over the line. The game settled briefly before the Panthers struck back in the 56th minute when Yeo crashed over in the middle after a fast break from the Panthers left the Warriors defensive line in tatters. 10 minutes later, the Panthers regained their lead when Izack Tago finished a nice backline play, crossing on the edge. It didn't look like it was going to be the Warrior's day, but they refused to throw in the towel and, 4 minutes later, once again levelled the scores when Tuaupiki made easy work of a poor defensive read from Tyrone Peachey before showing his class nailing the conversion to hand the Warriors a two-point lead with 8 minutes to go. The Panthers threw plenty at the Warriors' defence, but they held firm until they gave away a penalty in the final minute. Edwards lined up hoping to force the game into Golden Point, but his miss saw the Stadium erupt as the Warriors ended their losing streak with a well-earned 22-20 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, what a result. It was a surprise to many, including myself, as I predicted a Panthers win by 12. If you watched my show, The Stand-Off, last week, you would know how down I was about this match; after the Panthers scored in the first minute, those feelings intensified, and I almost lost all hope when Egan was helped off the field, but this team just showed a lot of spirit. Despite being outmatched, they just never quit, and with a lot of the big guns out, we saw many players who haven't been delivering this season step up. With a mishmash team, we saw some players perform in ways that will cause Andrew Webster to have some team selection headaches, which is a great problem to have.

There is so much I could discuss, but I am going to save some for my show on Wednesday. However, I will say that every position change that I questioned during the week had me eating humble pie. CNK was fantastic at 6, and I would be more than happy to see him stay there for as long as he wants.

It was a fantastic performance that makes me proud as a fan; it has been a dark month, and with their backs against the wall, the team responded, which I hope could be the launching point they need to get their season back on point. 

There was more to smile about this week, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Leaders stood up; with the likes of Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris, and Egan not out there, the likes of Mitchell Barnett, Te Maire Martin, Dylan Walker, and Addin Fonua-Blake had to step up and help get this team across the line, and I thought they were all great. AFB had a quieter game than usual, playing only 49 minutes and not hitting the triple digits in running metres for the first time this season, but he was solid defensively and still got the pack rolling. Barnett was a constant threat on the edge on both sides of the ball; Te Maire Martin didn't impress me much in the first half but found his groove in the second, directing the Warriors attack in what may have been his best performance in a Warriors jersey, and Dylan Walker I will talk about later. This is the level we need from all of the experienced players from now on.

It was a great showing for the youngsters that had to step in. Tuaupiki was outstanding, and despite making that error at the start of the match, he turned things around and put in a massive performance that shows he has what it takes in first grade. Ali Leiataua looks like an experienced player out there despite it only being his second first-grade match, and he has proven to not be in awe of big occasions; another selection headache for Webby, and I would like to see what he can do if he gets to stay in first grade for an extended period. Lastly Paul Roache, I did not expect to see him get any time in this match, but with the early exit of Egan, he had big shoes and big minutes to fill, and he knocked it out of the park, leading the side with 37 tackles and delivered quick ball out of the ruck in a performance that may have had seen him leapfrog Freddy Lussick in the backup hooker department. A big confidence booster for me to see these youngsters look first-grade ready, able to jump in and do what the team needs, a positive for the future of this club.

Lastly, the Warriors reduced their errors and penalties, with only seven of each made. Against a team like the Panthers, this is a must. If they can keep this level from now, they will put themselves in the driver's seat to get more wins. However, having three players put on the report makes me nervous about the current depleted player stocks if any of them get suspended, so eliminating some of those penalties would still be helpful.

However, I did have a concern, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negative

Hard to pick anything in this match, so I have gone with Wayde Egan's injury; it didn't hurt the Warriors in this match, but they have had more than their fair share of injuries, so I was hoping they would be able to get through this match without another one and Egan is always one tackle away from being knocked silly, you can't question his heart, but perhaps some more work of head position when tackling at training for him is needed. Hopefully, he will bounce back soon from this injury.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Dylan Walker.

This was a hard one this week, as several players could have easily taken the honours, but I thought he was a crucial figure in the Warriors' attack improving this week. He was always involved in the attacking sets but didn't just sit back and act as a playmaker. He also ran for 178 metres and made 30 tackles with only 2 misses. I love Tohu, but I think the Warriors look more dangerous with Walker at Lock, so if I was in charge, I would move Tohu upfront and keep Walker in that spot.

Warrior to Improve

I have no player to improve for the first time since Round 4, as none of the 17 did enough to be classed as letting the team down in my eyes.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 12, The Warriors return home after a fortnight in Australia to host the Dolphins, who extended their winning streak to three with their 24-12 Magic Round victory over the Wests Tigers.

Regarding the team, I would pick, If it ain't broke, don't fix it so I would keep the same side; Egan may miss this week after that head knock, so if that is the case, I would bring Chanel Harris-Tavita onto the bench as he is meant to return this week in my only change. 

The Dolphins have been performing well this season and have built some steady momentum in the past month, so it will be a tough challenge for the Warriors. Being back in New Zealand after 3 rounds away will be a welcome boost, and the confidence they would have got after defeating the Panthers gives them a big chance to earn back-to-back wins over the top 4 sides. If they stick to their game plan and keep The Hammer quiet, then the Warriors have a big chance to win here; I think it will be tight, and perhaps it's overflowing optimism from Magic Round, but I am going with the Warriors winning by 8.

So, that was a fantastic Magic Round, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Would you make any changes to the 17?

Do you think this win will turn the Warrior's season around?

Who was your player of the day?

What is your score prediction against the Dolphins?

NZ Warriors 2024 Round 10 Review: Roosters' Early Onslaught Crushes Warriors' Ambush Dreams

After their frustrating loss to the Knights, the Warriors remained across the ditch to face the Sydney Roosters. After a barnstorming 20 minutes, the Roosters held a dominant lead and, despite getting a few wobbles in the second half, held it together to hand the Warriors their fourth loss in a row, 38-18.

What Went Down

It only took the Roosters 3 minutes to kick off the scoring in this match; after Luke Keary charged down a Shaun Johnson kick, the Roosters made it look easy after a few steadying hit-ups before shifting right for Dominic Young to cross in the corner untouched. Young was heavily involved again on the next set, breaking the Warrior's defensive line before Angus Crichton finished off the drive by diving over the line. The Warriors made an error on their next set, which saw the Roosters score another easy try through Young of a scrum set play. The Pain for the Warriors wasnt over just yet as Crichton crossed for his second try on the next set to see the Roosters hold a dominant 22-0 lead after only 14 minutes. The Warriors managed to stop the floodgates and started to trade sets with the Roosters but struggled to get out of their own half, with only three sets being in the Roosters' red zone, with two ending with a 5th tackle crash ball and one ending with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak knocking on a Johnson grubber. The Warriors looked to have finished the first half on a positive note after getting good field possession due to a Roosters error when Johnson crossed to score. However, the Bunker denied the try because Jackson Ford took out a defender while running his line. The Roosters surged down the field on the back of a Rocco Berry stripping penalty and looked to have given Crichton a first half hattrick, but the Bunker ruled a knock-on in the play, which saw the score remain 22-0 as the sides went into the sheds.

The Warriors looked to start the second half on a positive note, but that quickly changed when Mitchell Barnett dropped a Johnson pass, which was scooped up by Sam Walker. This sent Young down the field, who was only stopped by a tremendous defensive effort from DWZ. However, it was only a slight reprieve as Walker put up a crossfield kick to an open Daniel Tupou for their fifth try of the afternoon. The Warriors finally got themselves on the scoreboard a few minutes later when Johnson threw a harbour bridge pass to Ed Kosi, who dived over in the corner. The Roosters quickly took back control a few sets later when James Tedesco scored after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii broke the line and sent his skipper across. The home side let their standards slip by giving away back-to-back silly penalties, which saw the Warriors get some decent time in their red zone and eventually find some rewards when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad crashed over for the Warrior's second try. Johnson exited the game early after injuring his pec in the first half, and not long after, the Roosters looked to have scored again when Suaalii crossed, but the Bunker denied it due to an obstruction. After being gifted a few penalties and a timely six again, the Warriors reset and scored again when Addin Fonua-Blake barged over in the 68th minute. The game settled into a grind for a few sets before the Roosters added another try to their tally when they put up a chip kick before Walker scooped it up to score. With time running out, the Warriors had one more chance to score, but Barnett dropped the pass in the match's final play as the Roosters ended the deserved winners 38-18.

My Thoughts

Well, for the first time this season, I got my score prediction right after saying the Warriors would lose by 20. However, this was not the prediction I was hoping to get right.

I had slim hopes of an upset before kickoff, but they were well and truly dashed after the first 12 minutes. The Warriors continued their trend of collapsing after adversity, which in this match was the Keary charge down; after that, the floodgates opened, and it took some time for them to slow down the onslaught. They showed slight improvements in the second half, but by then, it was too little too late, as the match was already over. It was a brutal watch, with the Warriors looking very amateur at stages and then lacking the confidence and ability to get themselves out of the hole they got in. I'm still lost for words about what has happened to this side. Is it the injuries, is it fatigue, is the team just simply not good enough, or is it a combination of all of the above? 

There is a long way to go this season, and with some tough matches on the horizon, the pain is far from over. The club has a lot of work to do to turn things around, but I just don't know if they will be able to.

Once again, there wasnt much to smile about this week, but I found one, which brings me to my positive.

Match Positive

I thought the Warriors showed improvement in the final 60 minutes; as I already said, it was too little too late, but they improved the defensive structure, which forced the Roosters to make some errors, which, in turn, allowed the Warriors to get some good field position and while the attack was rusty with several sets ending with crash ball attempts on the last tackle but right now that is pretty much the only play the Warriors have and eventually the Roosters defence let them through. If they had started in the way they performed in the second half, then they may have made a game out of this. It may just be the desperate optimist in me, but I hope they see this as the kick in the pants they need to wake up and start improving.

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

Match Negatives

That last 60 minutes may have been an improvement, but the first 20 minutes were embarrassing; it looked like a New South Wales Cup side attempting to play first grade. The defence was in tatters, and the Warriors struggled to get anything going with the ball in hand, with schoolboy errors letting the Roosters off the hook. It doesn't matter who you face in the NRL. If you start a match as poorly as they did here, you will get punished, which is precisely what we witnessed, and fingers crossed, it's the last time.

Just as they get closer to getting some troops back, it looks like the Warriors have added to their casualty ward with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck being ruled out before kickoff, Shaun Johnson hurting his pec, Freddy Lussick being knocked into next week, and Dylan Walker looking worse for wear by the time they blew the final whistle. Now, while the team may be struggling to deliver on the pitch. They have not been helped with the number of injuries they have had this season. I'm not making excuses for them, but I want to see if this side will show improvement once everyone is fit and healthy. 

Lastly, once again, Webster bench rotation; against a big, dangerous pack like the Roosters, the Warriors needed fresh legs in the middle to stay in the fight, and instead, Webby pushed his middles to play long stretches (besides Bunty Afoa who only got 17 minutes), which saw them struggle to contain the Roosters. When Tevaga and Ale joined the match in the second half, there was a visible lift in the team's energy, and if one of them had been brought on around the 20-30-minute mark, they could have made a difference. Again, it may just be the optimist in me clinging to anything positive, but I think a few smarter rotation options would help the Warriors out.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Addin Fonua-Blake.

I may have to name this section after AFB with his fourth selection in a row, but once again, he was over of a select few players that could hold their heads high. He led the Warriors with 171 running metres, including 71 post-contact metres. He also had a line break and a try, his fifth for the season. He is going to be a massive loss, and it's just a shame that his teammates are not performing to send him out on a high.

Warrior to Improve

My Player to improve is Freddy Lussick.

He was curiously moved into the starting lineup and given 20 minutes in his first game back after his suspension. He really struggled against the Rooster's middles, missing a team-high 6 tackles (tied with Shaun Johnson), showed some issues with his passes out of the ruck and failed to stamp his mark on the contest. Did return to the match in the second half but lasted less than a minute after coming over second-best in a tackle. He would be better suited to come into the match against tired middles, but he may need a few reserve-grade games to get back into the groove.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 11, The Warriors remain in Australia, heading to Magic Round to face the Penrith Panthers, who defeated the Bulldogs 16-10 in Round 10. 

Regarding the team I would pick, I would keep the backs together. I thought Pompey and Kosi would start to get into the groove in the second half, so I would give them another shot. In the halves, we don't know how bad Johnson's pec is, but I would sit him out to get healthy; Webster said that Chanel Harris-Tavita may be ready to go, so if he is ready I would bring him in; if not then I would give Taine Tuaupiki a chance since he has been doing the lion share of the kicking duties in NSW Cup. In the pack, I would move Barnett back to the middle and either move Jacob Laban to Jazz Tevaga to the second row. With my bench, I would have Dylan Walker (if fit), Tom Ale, Zyon Maiu'u and Bunty Afoa.

The Panthers will be without Nathan Cleary, but as we have already seen this season, the Panthers know how to perform without him, so this will be another tough match for the Warriors. The Warriors must start better and keep that Panthers pack from getting a roll on. It will be a tough ask, but if the Warriors improve their defence and play some positive football with the ball in hand, then they have a fighter's chance of walking away with a win. I just don't see it happening, so I'm going with a Panthers win by 12.

So, that was a disappointing Round 10, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What would your gameday 17 be?

Would you rest SJ?

Have you ruled out the Warrior's final chances?

What is your score prediction against the Panthers?

NZ Warriors 2024 Round 9 Review: Warriors Drenched in Disappointment by Knights' 14-8 Victory

After their shocking loss to the Titans, the Warriors returned across the ditch to face the Newcastle Knights. With some tough matchups on the horizon, the Warriors needed a statement result to build some confidence, but it was not to be, as they stumbled their way to a 14-8 defeat,

What Went Down

In less-than-ideal conditions, the Warriors were under pressure in the first ten minutes, giving away a handful of penalties. The Knights made the most of the opportunities they were handed, and after a few sets, they drew first blood when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad could not control a grubber, losing track of it, which allowed Tyson Gamble to dive on it for the first try of the afternoon. The Knights looked to have scored again on the next set when Marcelo Montoya dropped the fifth tackle kick, but Dane Gagai was penalized for pushing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. This let-off was shortlived, however, as Mitchell Barnett lost possession, allowing the home side to continue to apply pressure and, after earning another penalty, pushed out to an 8-0 lead in only 15 minutes. Both sides traded errors and penalties until the Warriors managed to string some plays together and get across the line themselves in the 26th minute when Dylan Walker barged over in the middle of the park to reduce the Knight's lead to two. The game settled back into errors and penalties until it looked like the Warriors had snatched the lead in the 38th minute when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak caught a Shaun Johnson kick but dropped it while being tackled in the air; the officials deemed it a penalty but not worthy of a penalty try or a sin-bin, the Warriors elected to not take the two and push their luck to try and score a try but an error from CNK saw them rue another missed opportunity as they went into the sheds down 8-6.

The Warriors started the second half on a Knights error. Still, they struggled to make any inroads into the Knights' red zone, and any pressure they did attempt to build was immediately taken away with silly penalties. 

The Knights looked close to scoring through Dane Gagai, but a tremendous try-saving tackle from CNK forced a knock-on. There wasnt a lot of scoring opportunities in the second half, but the Warriors almost got there when Jackson Ford was beaten to the ball after Tom Ale and Ford both kicked the ball over the try-line. A few plays later, it looked like the Warriors had scored through DWZ with one of his trademark dives, but the Bunker controversially took it away for a dubious obstruction call against Ford.

A few minutes later, the Warriors levelled the scores when Jed Cartwright gave away a penalty for a late tackle, which SJ slotted. In what had become a habit in the match, the Warriors made more errors, which saw the Knights regain pressure, and eventually, the Warriors broke when Daniel Saifiti crashed over in the 62nd minute to retake the lead. With time running out, the Warriors did have a few chances to force the game into golden point, but everything they threw at the Knights was quickly defused as the Knights secured a critical 14-8 victory, sending the Warriors home with plenty to work on.

My Thoughts

It was another disappointing performance to watch. I know there were some shocking calls, and we could argue that the Warriors should have been given one, if not two, tries, but besides those moments, the Warriors just played horribly, living up to the stereotype of not being able to function in the wet.

With sloppy errors and silly penalties, the Warriors were constantly on the back foot, and when they managed to hold onto the ball, their attack left plenty to be desired (more on that below). We have seen teams string wins together and climb the ladder, so I am not writing them off just yet; however, I am concerned that the same complaints I have had for the past month have not improved despite being easy fixes in my mind but, in fact, got worse. I usually have a few days to process the match before completing my review, which allows me to bring a positive spin even in defeat, but I'm sorry, with games against the Roosters and Panthers up next, I just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet, and it is a significant moment in Andrew Websters short head coaching career, and he has work to do to get his team out of this slump.

There wasnt much to smile about this week, but I found one, which brings me to my positive.

Match Positive

Another week down means we are another week closer to seeing some of the injured troops return. We don't know how long Kurt Capewell will be out for now, but Chanel Harris-Tavita and Jazz Tevaga are scheduled to return in Round 13, and Marata Niukore is meant to return in Round 14. Niukore has been a big out, and the Warriors need him back in the lineup as he adds much-needed go-forward and helps open up the opposition's defences with his line running, creating opportunities out wide if he doesn't get the flat ball. If the Warriors stop getting injuries each week and get everyone back on board, then perhaps things will turn around.

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

Match Negatives

The most significant negative was the turnovers. The Warriors made 8 errors and conceded 10 penalties; add to that another 3 six six-again calls, and that is 21 extra sets gifted to the Knights. It's basic math, but giving away that many sets makes winning very difficult. The horrible conditions did not help, which is why we saw the Knights make 9 errors and concede 9 penalties also. The Warriors have been showing this lack of respect for the ball for a few weeks now, and they need to improve it tenfold sooner rather than later.

The Warriors' attack was woeful. To put it bluntly, they lack creativity. The tricks that worked in 2023 have been studied by the opposition and are easily defused; with the Warriors' forwards struggling to control the middle, the backs rush plays. So, as cliche as it is, the Warriors pack needs to dominate the contest, which opens up a better-attacking structure in theory. 

Lastly, Webster's bench and his use of it. I have long been vocal about Webster's struggles with picking a bench and using it, and this week was no exception, with Adam Pompey being a late-minute selection of Jacob Laban and not being used. I know he likes to have an emergency player on the bench that he only uses if an injury happens, but I think part of the issue the pack is currently having is the mismanagement of minutes; we know AFB, Tohu Harris, and Mitchell Barnett can play big minutes but some fine-tuning of when the interchange forwards join the contest could make all the difference. I'm not a coach, but I think a few tweaks to the rotations could assist in keeping the energy levels up.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Addin Fonua-Blake.

For the third week in a row, I've gone with AFB. I played 66 minutes and led the Warriors with 184 running metres, including 93 post-contact metres. He also had 32 tackles with only two misses and no errors. He is the only Warriors forward who threatens with the ball in hand currently, and despite being targeted each week due to this, he still delivers. If one or two more of the forwards can get their attacking ability up to his level, then this pack would be dangerous; easier said than done, but AFB continues to be one of a select few players who are delivering in 2024.

Warrior to Improve

My Player to improve is Marcelo Montoya. It was a tossup between both wingers this week, but I let DWZ off due to his two tries being scrubbed out. He ran for 138 metres but never looked threatening after he got gunshy after dropping a kick defusal (that was taken off his stats due to the Knights being penalized) early on; he is just one of several players currently struggling with confidence and could most likely do with a drop-down to reserve grade.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 10, The Warriors remain on enemy soil to face the Roosters, who put on a show in their 40-18 win over the Broncos in Round 9.

Regarding the team I would pick, with injuries still affecting the forward pack, I would leave the players there. However, Montoya needs to be replaced in the backline. DWZ is not playing great either, but you know he is always a chance to score in the corner, so he clings on for me. I would move Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the wing and bring Pompey back into the centres. Te Maire Martin is lucky to keep his spot, but I will switch him out when CHT returns.

The Roosters have been scary the past few weeks, putting 100 points on the Dragons and Broncos combined, and I am worried about how many points they may put on the Warriors. This has a big chance of being a cricket score if the Warriors don't make immediate improvements on both sides of the ball. Reduce the errors, improve the discipline, tighten the defence line and don't let the Roosters unleash their second phase football; if they do that, they have a fighter chance of getting an upset.

Unfortunately, I just don't see it happening, and I think the Roosters will win easily by 20.

So, that was a frustrating Round 9, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What would your gameday 17 be?

How would you use the bench?

Are you concerned about the next two weeks?

What is your score prediction against the Roosters?