Warriors vs Canterbury
Perfect win on what was a strange day with the Warriors deciding to go ahead with their game but with extra police around the venue. The Warriors had to hastily change the programme with a lot of the 25th anniversary celebrations replaced with a minute of silence (could hear a pin drop so kudos to the crowd) and the national anthem. However people didn't know if they were meant to sit or stand for the moment of silence because the announcer forgot to tell people (everyone did in the end).
Onto the game and a number of things noticed from the league-leading Warriors: The Warriors are good and a lot fitter than last season. They maintained a high tempo over the 80 minutes. The Bulldogs were not that good. They completed their sets but just couldn't break the Warriors defensive line except for one try which was helped by a forward pass several plays prior. Halfback Lachlan Lewis was struggling to hold onto the ball against the rushing defence.
The big wonder was how Adam Keighran would adapt to the NRL and he will be fine. Took him about 20 minutes to get into the game but his overall kicking game is already better than Shaun Johnson (6/7 in field goal plus excellent tactical kicking) and that alone (with his low salary cap hit) makes him a better player for the Warriors going forward.
The Warriors made good investments in Leeson Ah Mau and Lachlan Burr. Both provide a lot more grit and size to the forward pack which allowed "smaller" forwards like Bunty Afoa to make a bigger impact over the course of the game. That will help against bigger packs like South Sydney and Sydney City.
Didn't understand Blake Ayshford's inclusion on the bench and not doubt he will be replaced by Isaiah Papali'i next week.
Kieran Foran has a shit haircut.
@raznomore said in NRL 2019:
Playing Kata on the other side is potentially the best bit of coaching of Kearney’s warrior stint.
Apparently it was Stacey's idea. Kata used to play on the right as a junior but hadn't been able to secure the right side spot until now
Ladder
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1 week down, a shit ton to go
@Sneakdefreak The Bulldogs reminded me of of the Warriors in Kearney's first year. High completion rate but no creativity to use it
@mariner4life how did Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the raiders? I was gutted we let him go, but with our current back three on fire it doesn't look quite as short-sighted. Do hope he does really well, except against us!
@Paekakboyz said in NRL 2019:
@mariner4life how did Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the raiders? I was gutted we let him go, but with our current back three on fire it doesn't look quite as short-sighted. Do hope he does really well, except against us!
you think i paid attention to the Raiders playing the Titans in pissing rain at 6pm on a Sunday?
@mariner4life said in NRL 2019:
I didn't actually get to watch the Warriors, so my highlight for the weekend would be Paul Gallen dropping the ball that condemned the Sharks to the loss. And copping a gob full for it as well. Beautiful
I am a petty man
You should watch a replay of that Warriors game - I doubt they'll be that good again this year.
@Nepia shut your fucken mouth - respectfully :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:
Isaac Luke is close to returning but will probably play NSW Cup this weekend if fit. Papali'i returns from his suspension and is on the bench.
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 David Fusitu’a
3 Peta Hiku
4 Solomone Kata
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Adam Keighran
7 Blake Green
8 Agnatius Paasi
9 Nathaniel Roache
10 Bunty Afoa
11 Adam Blair
12 Tohu Harris
13 Lachlan Burr
Interchange:
14 Jazz Tevaga
15 Sam Lisone
16 Leeson Ah Mau
17 Isaiah Papali’i
18 Gerard Beale
20 Chanel Harris-Tavita
22 Issac Luke
23 Ligi Sao
@Nepia
I think they are hoping that if they are injured and cant get around there is less chance of them going to the casino and beating their wife, shadow boxing naked, having group sex.
Although they forgot to factor in that if you have all this spare time there is more likelihood of sharing sex tapes
Forgot to write this after the game - what the fuck is up with the NRL that they let players be tackled in the air? I'm one who thinks rugby goes too far sometimes and general collisions turn into cards when they shouldn't, but the NRL doesn't give a shit.
The amount of words in this post replicates the average intellect of the administrators and players.
Forgot to write this after the game - what the fuck is up with the NRL that they let players be tackled in the air? I'm one who thinks rugby goes too far sometimes and general collisions turn into cards when they shouldn't, but the NRL doesn't give a shit.
It should have been a penalty to the Warriors and everyone except the refs appeared to know that. You can jump up and challenge for the ball but it was obvious the Bulldogs winger Crichton was just trying to take out Fusitua because he couldn't out jump him.
@mariner4life said in NRL 2019:
Did the blokes taking out kickers legs get suspended?
Ah, that's right, they cracked down on that last year or year before didn't they? So in the air kicking bad, in the air jumping for ball, meh. 
@antipodean said in NRL 2019:
If ever a group of players try to sue the NRL for neglecting player safety there are hours of negligence on tape, imo
They'd probably be the aggressor in a number of them...
I'm thinking of all the times Billy Slater kicked out at guys diving over the try line. Just have strained his ACL more than once or twice....
Well that was a crash back to earth game.
Warriors were penalised out of the game in the first half and never got back into it. Wests look like they're well coached while Robbie Farah is playing like he did 10 years ago.
Probably should have kept Roache on the bench (and drop Papali'i) until Luke gets back into it (Luke should have played in the NSW Cup this week tbh).