NRL 2018
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With diva-like flair Princess is gone out the doors of Mt Smart and off to join Cronulla or St George on a one-year deal before joining the Roosters in 2020.
The Warriors have made the right call even if it means setting themselves back in 2019. As I stated in my preview for the 2018 season, Shaun Johnson was a secondary playmaker masquerading as a primary playmaker. This was reinforced during the recent Kiwis tour of England where (future Warriors) halfback Kodi Nikorima took over the halfback role. Johnson just wasn't worth that much of the salary cap - especially with the club so close to the cap limit.
The mistake the club made was letting Mason Lino leave for Newcastle. He's a decent backup whose style of game fits the system the club is trying to execute. Plus he's a goalkicker.
So who could join Blake Green in the halves in the 2019? Here's a few options:
Mason Lino: He wants to be a starter and a starting position just opened up at the Warriors. He's not going to get that opportunity at Newcastle where the coach has said he'll be using Ponga and Pearce in the halves. If the Warriors can't find a replacement before Christmas don't be stunned if Mason declares he's "homesick" and rejoins the Warriors. I doubt the Knights would stand in his way.
Chanel Harris-Tavita: You'll hear this 19 year-old's name a lot, simply because of one play he did in the Junior Kiwis' game against the Junior Roos.
My personal take is that Chanel is still too raw to start in the NRL but the Warriors might be forced to.
Karl Lawton: Another talented prospect, this time from Oz, Karl Lawton got some gametime at hooker last season and did well, scoring two tries on debut. Hooker looks to be his position but he did spend a lot of time at standoff in the NSW Cup last season.
Peta Hiku: Have too many centres you say? Just make one of them a halfback. This would probably only happen in an emergency situation, like it did during games last season, but Kearney does trust Hiku to be his Mr Fix-it.
Kodi Nikorima: It's no secret that Kodi Nikorima has been the guy the Warriors have been thinking about for 2020 going forward. They now have the cap space to beat out any other offers and Nikorima has ties to Kearney from his time with the Kiwis and Broncos. Getting Nikorima for 2019 might not be that tough as the Brisbane club wants to resign Tevita Pangai Jr. and Bennett just might be willing to help out a former protege in his final year....
Somebody else: Te Maire Martin, Corey Norman and Mitch Moses are some names being thrown around. All have positives, and a few negatives, but really it's whoever can fit the new structured system at the Warriors.
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Fuck if that herald (spit) article has any truth to it... wow. Would love for someone to ask him to comment on that. As if it'd happen lol
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Kearny has done well to root out the ‘bro’ laid back culture with players like Manu V forced out. Feels like Johnson was the last to go.
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@paekakboyz said in NRL 2018:
Fuck if that herald (spit) article has any truth to it... wow. Would love for someone to ask him to comment on that. As if it'd happen lol
David Skipworth is usually on the mark with his articles so I would suggest it is probably closer to the the truth than not.
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If he signs with the Grubs then circle July 19th next year. Warriors host the Sharks..
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Bit of chat around a 19 year old Parramatta half who was the the 7 for the Jr Kangaroos.
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@mariner4life caught that on the news today. Did get to listen to the whole interview with Vossie, but suspect they talked a bit about that. Sounds like he has another year in the junior system under contract with the Eels?
That might be good longer term but very keen to hear more than a stopgap option for 2019. I do keep wondering how on earth the Warriors thought SJ would stick around for 2019, no matter how much glitter they rolled that turd in. Dude has shown that he doesn't handle criticism, or even being challenged around performance, very well at all.
Still bemused that aside from being sad to see SJ go people can't see how petulant he's been/being.
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Does he know how to use Yous in the correct context?
I assume his contract will state he only has to perform 40% of the year, be absent during the big games and make no effort to increase his skill set over a long but unfulfilled career.. -
@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.
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@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:
@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.
Listened to him talked about the Brisbane Broncos having an abundance of halfback talent and thought he was hinting that the Warriors need to do a raid on the Brisbane roster. The RS crew didn't seem to pick up on that.
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@sneakdefreak said in NRL 2018:
@taniwharugby said in NRL 2018:
@bovidae Vossie this morning didnt paint the picture of him being the next big thing.
Listened to him talked about the Brisbane Broncos having an abundance of halfback talent and thought he was hinting that the Warriors need to do a raid on the Brisbane roster. The RS crew didn't seem to pick up on that.
We've had success in the past picking up players in the Nth Queensland catchment area too
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I heard stacey jones is lacing the boots up for one last hurrah
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I like SJ as a player but him and the Warriors should’ve parted ways a couple of seasons ago for both of their good.
SJ needed a new scenery and away from NZ. The Warriors needed to breath some new life into their game also.
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I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working
But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,
Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .
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@kiwiinmelb said in NRL 2018:
I agree its a good move for both parties . its not working
But its also one where Warrior fans could end up watching on with a bit of disappointment , got the feeling SJ could get himself into a different environment and go to a different level ,
Like the ex girlfriend who looks so much hotter after she leaves you .
Players rarely get better at his age
