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?