Lets Gone Warriors 2017

Every year I look at The Warriors squad and think this year we can make it all the way to the final, and maybe win it all. Usually by the time we’re about 10 games into the season, I generally know we ain’t winning shit.

There has been the odd year where we’ve looked like we could get it done.The 2002 team lead by Stacey Jones and Daniel Anderson won the minor premiership, but got killed by The Roosters in last 20 minutes of the final. In 2011 some Shaun Johnson magic and Jimmy Maloney competitiveness almost got them across the line.

That was the year Ivan Cleary proved he could cut it as a coach in the NRL. I’m still salty the management screwed up keeping Ivan, letting him walk to The Panthers. Here's an article I wrote back in 2015; http://www.chewie.co.nz/single-post/2015/10/29/A-theory-on-Ivan-Cleary

Anyway let’s get back to 2017, I thought I'd take a look at the upcoming season and enlisted the help of another Warriors tragic, Casey.

First up Case what’s your thoughts on the squad for 2017?

CR:

First off, I’ve never been happier with the squad *on paper*. The fact that we have the entire 2014 Four Nations winning Kiwi spine is exciting. Bully & Foz have long been my favourite players, & to have them in NZ is just too cool. Of course, everything starts up front, & our big boys were pretty poor last season. I see heaps to like in the young props Lisone, Vete, Afoa, Gavet, plus the pack still includes Bull, Mannering, Hoffman (his season will be interesting after losing the captaincy), Matulino (comeback year??). The obvious thing is, if the forwards do their job, the spine & backline can do all the flash stuff. It wouldn’t be a Warriors season without some drama, & I’m interested to see how the whole Foran thing works out with the NRL, plus what they decide to do with Lolohea. Bottom line is; this collection of talent is far too good to be anything less than a top 4-6 team.

MI:

You’ve hit the nail on the head with your comments about the forwards doing their job. If they can get go forward, then we have the talent in the spine to take on anyone.

I’d really like to see Hoffman move into the middle of the park more, swap him with Matulino. Two reasons for this, Hoffman offers next to nothing on the edge and, Matulino has been devastating running a couple wide of the ruck. He can carry 2 defenders and off load. If you can get RTS running off him then that will be a serious threat.

Kieran Foran is the key for me though, if he comes back on top of his game? Despite Johnson getting another season under his belt, Foran is far better at managing a game. There should be less confusion on 5th tackle plays, and he keeps defenses honest as he’s a threat in his own right. This should give Shaun more room to operate and free his head up to just play whats in front of him.

The other big change is obviously Stephen Kearney coming in as coach.

This is a major positive for me. A lot of those players have already shown they will play for Mooks at International level, so there should be no issues in the changing room.

After a some what average performance at Paramatta in his first head coaching job he has an opportunity to start again. Kearney comes across as a smart guy and he’s proven he’s a hard working professional.

His experience working under both Wayne Bennet and Craig Bellamy can’t be underestimated. He has a track record as a winner in test matches, do you think hes ready to transfer for that into the week to week grind of the NRL?

CR:

Most definitely. I mean, look at the state of the Eels still to this day - like the Warriors - they probably have a few cultural things that they need to iron out. & speaking of culture, I think Foran being added to the squad, & now also getting the green light from the NRL, will be someone that the younger guys can look up to as someone who's pretty much done it all. & yeah, you're absolutely right about him steering the pack around the park & relieving SJ of that responsibility. Foran has always allowed SJ to freelance, & do all the flash stuff he's capable of when partnered together in the Kiwis. I'm unsure if it was because of coaches mandate, or chemistry, but the ever dependable Tommy Leuluai never clicked in quite the same way.

One thing I think has to happen if this season doesn't end in a top 4 finish/semi final appearance, is a big clean out. There are a few blokes who've been around for a long time, & who've lived off of their names/past reputations who could be valuable to other clubs, or in the Super League. I feel like it would be healthy for the franchise to press restart if it all goes south . (Look at me ready for the worst haha). I'm expecting a lot, not only because this is probably the best team (on paper) they've ever assembled, but pretty much the entire squad will be playing for RLWC jerseys.

What are your realistic expectations?

MI:

I’m going to play the conservative game on this one, and hope for a top 8 spot and maybe knocked out in the second round of the playoffs. Anything more than that will be a bonus.

Couple of major reasons why. As a Warriors supporter from the beginning I’ve learnt not to get too excited, I mean, I do, then I remember I’m supporting The Warriors not The San Antonio Spurs.

Secondly we still haven’t fixed our defense. We have some fantastic attacking players and in Foran a player who can organize the team and direct them around the park. But defense wins championships and The Warriors D over the past 3-4 years has been TEETS!!!!. If the players can show some consistency on D then we have a shot.

Speaking of defense, we could use Tohu Harris this year, maybe we Melbourne might want Hoffman back a year early and we can make a swap? A fantastic signing, for me, it shows the influence Jim Doyle is starting to have on the club. How important do you think Harris will be to the future of the team?

CR:

Tohu Harris is a HUGE signing for the Warriors. His experience at Melbourne, & of course with the Kiwis will benefit the franchise a lot. Can I just say how impressive it is for the club to get his signature with Kearney as the coach, after Harris was dropped from the 2013 RLWC squad to make way for SBW. It speaks either to Harris' maturity, Kearney's respect as a coach, or both/somewhere in between. There are so many players of all levels of quality in the competition who wouldn't have mentally survived such shitty treatment. My only qualm with big Tohu is how quiet he is, but he definitely leads by example.

How about the elephant in the room? What happens with Lolohea now that Foran is certain to play from round 3? Do you see him finishing out the season at Mt Smart? & even if he does, surely nobody expects him to re-sign?

MI:

This is a tough one for me, I’ve worked with Tui a couple of times and he came across as a really intelligent, thoughtful young guy, whatever that’s worth??

He’s a classic example of a young guy coming on the scene creating a lot of noise and hype and, once the honeymoon period is over hitting a hurdle or two. To me it’s a critical period in his development, plenty of players have been here before, hello Tommy Leuluai, and let’s be honest he’s not a complete package yet.

I guess the thing here is can he put his head down work hard and earn a regular spot, or will he flame out and then bounce around the UK? I’m hoping he sticks it out because there’s nothing better for team to than to have internal competition, keeps everyone on their toes. Plus, we all know the NRL competition is brutal and injuries happen, he could be thrust into the halves at any stage throughout the season.

Looking at the entire competition if not The Warriors which team do you have coming out on top in 2017?

CR:

I'm an old school Raiders fan, & was disappointed that they couldn't get to the grand final - they should definitely be contenders. Otherwise - & I'll be completely honest here - my focus will be on all the Kiwis eligible players in this World Cup year. For me, the Kiwis come before everything (I'm still negotiating missing a family wedding on the same day as one of the quarterfinals), & so this season I'll be selecting my RLWC squad at the end of every round. I think we'll see a lot of players step up as they chase RLWC selection for their countries, so expect a big season all round I reckon!

MI:

Yeah I get you with The Raiders, those old teams with all the Kiwis and Brad Clyde, Daley etc, except for Ricky Stuart, he’s a dick!!!!

Also looking forward to a strong Kiwis team, if our halves are fit, we have the depth to win.

Lastly couple of picks from you

I’ll take the easy option here and go with The Storm. Consistency and defense, hard to beat that.

Lastly some quick fire questions

Which kiwi player will have the best year?

MI - Roger Tuivasa Scheck, looking for a big come-back year.

CR - Because it's a World Cup year, & he's the Warriors captain, i'd love to see him have a huge year. Speaking of comebacks, I'd love to see Mannering, Peta Hiku, & Dean Whare all return to health & form. A return to form for Matulino & Bully too, please. Final answer though is Kevin Proctor.

Which player is likely to get into mischief this year?

MI – Tough one, but I’ll go with a Brisbane player cause there’s plenty of cheap blow up there, James Roberts

CR – I sense a scandal for Daly Cherry Evans. His teammates already don't like him.

First coach to get sacked?

MI – Jason Taylor, Tigers are looking at another tough year ahead….

CR - I'm not 100% about him getting sacked, but Des Hasler might be the first coaching replacement this season. Things don't seem great at the Doggies.

Most surprising team for 2017

MI – Warriors, we’ll still be surprised how a team with such a quality line up loses games against shit teams.

CR - Hahaha that's the annual surprise. I think the Titans are going to be the surprise team - i'm expecting them to be so good, they'll probably surprise me & actually be really good.

In any case bro, it's good to have rugby league back! Go the Kiwis spine at Mt Smart.

LETS GONE