Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Warriors Selection Speculation

I arrived back in London yesterday afternoon and have now just about completed my first day back at work. Time change is a weird experience and I woke up this morning at 4.30am. London started off bad this morning with pouring rain as I walked to the tube stop but has now cleared and doesn't seem as cold or dark so at least that is something. New Zealand seems like another dimension of reality sitting back here and considering the distances involved it really is in some ways.

Anyway enough about me - we are really closing in on the commencement of Cleary Year II with ten days till kick off and I simply cannot wait. I am developing a real sense of anticipation about this Warriors squad - I think they have real depth in the finesse positions together with a typically strong forward pack. When the injured players such as Wairangi Koopu return they will be even stronger.

If people would like to start posting their suggested starting thirteen for round 1 that would be cool. Remeber you don't need to register or give your name to comment just say what you like anonymously if you wish.

I think my choices would be as follows - but bearing in mind I didn't attend the trial game v the Bulldogs and there a number of new Australian players to consider I am more than willing to listen to argument on the issue. If Koopu was available I would definitely pick him as well. Also the question of whether Mannering should be played as a forward or a centre is open for discussion. I like him as a centre but Cleary seems to be using him as a forward lately.

1 McKinnon
2 Martin
3 Mannering
4 Hohaia
5 Vatuvei
6 Witt
7 Rovelli
8 Wiki
9 Fien
10 Price (c)
11 Swann
12 Luck
13 Anderson

Bench - Lauaki, Tuimavave, Ropati, Crockett/Kirk/Gatis (don't know - Australian utility back sub?)

For anyone with issues with league positional numbering check out this link.

Champions league knockout games tonight and tomorrow - most entertaining may well be the Liverpool v Barcelona clash tonight at Anfield with Liverpool currently up 2-1 on aggregate with 2 away goals - will be down to the final eight teams after this round. A repeat Man U treble is still a possiblity.

Finally if the Warriors even think of signing Wendall Sailor I will be deeply disturbed.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure about your selection at 4, Trigger. Last time I looked Hohaia was a bit small and blousy to be a centre. Has he been on the creatine or what?

Matt said...

Appreciate the point you are making but by this rationale the only positions HiHo can play are hooker, halfback or standoff - since these positions are stocked full you have to put him on the field somewhere - he is too talented for the bench. Hooker may be his ideal role - but Fien is a strong option there as well. Anyway I think Hiho is strong and fast enough to play centre.

GingaD said...

Agree with the original comment about the huntly hurricane - however he is playing well - would start with Ropati though and have Hohia on the bench as covers more positions.

Dissapointedly you have picked Swann - sad but understandable was never a big fan but now he has come back older and slower but hopefully wiser we shall see. Cant think of anyone else to play in his place - lets hope Lauki fufills his promise - or sign up Sione Lauki instead.

The Warriors were at work the other day so I took the time out to do the passing drills etc with them - I think Ivan was generally impressed with my large ball (skills)however squeezing me in under the salary cap is difficult - waiting for a late season call up instead

SBW - overhyped and overpaid - the standard line of I want to be at the club until I retire - bolllocks - they offered you the most money so you took it.

charlie chan said...

Look at Berrigan for Bronocs, he is not that big, but man, can he play. He would often bump off 2 or 3 players to get to the line, dragging the 4th.

Size isn't everything.