Friday, May 26, 2006

Warriors v Sharks Preview


Whenever the Warriors play the Sharks I can't help but think of 2002 watching the semi-final where the Warriors knocked out the Sharks to make it to the grand final. It was certainly a special day - images of Motu Tony stripping the ball inside the Sharks 10 to score a try and Toopi sprinting 50m to score in the corner, these are warm memories that will remain for ever. However Tony has been axed and now Toopi is on the out so we had best move on and deal with the 2006 matchup.

You know having not watched any Sharks games this season before I sat down to write this I didn't even know who they had in their team anymore. My mind had immediately turned to David Peachey, but of course he is well gone by now and is playing in purgatory apparently at that well known international league powerhouse club - Widness Vikings:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Peachey

>>>UPDATE: Peachey has this week been sacked by Widness Vikings and re-entered the NRL by signing up with Rabbitohs:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/struggling-souths-revive-peacheys-career/2006/05/29/1148754932351.html

Unfortunately my suspicions were confirmed that the least likeable player in the NRL, Kimmorley is still running the Sharkys show. But I was suprised to note that both ex-Warriors stars Nigel Vagana and Gorillasanti will run out against the Warriors. Its funny how some things change but some things stay the same.

So here is the preview of the match:

http://www.sportal.co.nz/league.asp?i=news&id=82977

Vatuvei is still harbouring a hamstring injury:

http://www.sportal.co.nz/league.asp?i=news&id=83009

and Toddy Bones Byrne will start in his place.

http://warriors.sitesuite.ws/plugins/newsfeed.cgi?rm=content&plugin_data_id=12784

Anyway as far as the game goes I would say it is the usual 50-50 with the Warriors a slight favourite in my book on the basis of recent form and the Latu scandal.

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