2020 Pre Season and Trial Games

Wobbles said:
The only way I can see Watson slotting in at lock is to play as a 2nd hooker to tandem with Brailey in situations where we have the other team on the back foot or at the back end of the match.

I'm a bit surprised that's where he's looking, perhaps it's an indication he's accepting he's best coming off the bench as a super-sub.
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There was a quote from him recently that he has come to terms with being a utility player, and in fact now sees it as a good thing, as a strength.

We shouldn't be running a second hooker on bench as well as Watson, so Watson will come on for Brailey if need be to spell him. Brailey meant to be our 80 minute hooker so if he lasts, Watson can come on for plenty of positions to make him invaluable as the bench utility.
 
Wouldn't be surprised if Brown is appointed head coach of the Warriors soon, if they disappoint again this year. I think he'd just do a similar job as he did here and at the Dragons - cut the dead wood, put a solid roster together and then leave to allow a better coach to give the team direction.
 
Only way to fix the warriors would be to move them to Wellington, sack all the Auckland boys, and build a culture of professionalism away from the "Once were Warriors" ethos.
Brown could do that.
 
We only have 1 specialist winger in Lee. Hunt, Moga, Best and Toa are all centres by preference, but all have played wing at times.
 
so Watson and Ponga have been named for the all stars game.
I'm sure I read that all stars players won't be available for the 9s.
Small men, especially dummy halves, are key to doing well in the 9s.
I think we'll have to rotate Brailey, Mann and Randall - or we could do what Pearce said and name Bedsy.
 
Ponga vs Watson will be an exciting match-up, plenty of light-hearted trash talking for sure.

I'm on the fence for Bedsy turn out for a cameo, it'd be more valuable for the guys pushing for a legitimate spat in the 17.
The only benefits I can see in that scenario are excellent service to first receiver and his organisational play. Could see plenty of guys put into space.
 
The nines all of a sudden became a waste of time for us knights fans... Put Bedsy and Joey back out there to make it interesting with the kids! Rest Pearce no point in risking him.
 
Seems stupid from the nrl to schedule the nines so close with all stars. The all stars game is boring to me, and now the excitement is gone from the nines
 
Hughburt6 said:
Seems stupid from the nrl to schedule the nines so close with all stars. The all stars game is boring to me, and now the excitement is gone from the nines
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I am with you Hughburt, surely with such a long break over the off season the NRL could schedule these 2 events separately so one doesn't take the gloss of the other.

The All stars is just a media stunt , at least the Nines has a team format, with usually at least one standout "newbie" being unveiled for the footy starved public.

I can't wait for this year to start.
 
The 9s are the ideal games for us to see Star Toa and Simi Sasagi reveal the running games that have people excited.
99% of people haven't seen what all the hype is about yet, but give either one of those guys some broken field in front of them and we'll be saying "Ponga who?"
 
Billy said:
The 9s are the ideal games for us to see Star Toa and Simi Sasagi reveal the running games that have people excited.
99% of people haven't seen what all the hype is about yet, but give either one of those guys some broken field in front of them and we'll be saying "Ponga who?"
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Billy, I hope you are right as that is exactly what we expect from the Nines for the young bloods to shine , we won't be the only ones unveiling talent but there is till a long way to go to prove their worth as NRL players.

From memory Connor was unleashed at one of these by the Roosters and is still trying to find a spot.
 
Simi should be the ideal 9s player - great ball runner - plays 5/8, but did time at hooker in under 18s, and you always need guys to go to dummy half in 9s, where the hookers get run off their feet very quickly, and he is also big enough to defend like a forward.

Randall should also be very useful - very fit - can play long minutes at hooker - also a clever playmaker with good vision who can play at 6 or 7 - also an excellent defender.

Lino is back to full fitness next week. I'd throw him into the 9s. It might be the only use we get out of him next year.

They have said Mann is the first guy picked already. Also a perfect 9s player because he can do dummy half and all the spine positions. I'd make him captain.

Throw in some mobile forwards - Jones, Momoisea, Fitz, Eseese.
A few speedy backs - Best, Toa, Hunt, Roberts-Davis, Inala,
Another hooker in Huth.
 
I was hoping that announcement was that Mann was our nines squad, not just the first. It would certainly cut down our chances of injuries...

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