Diary Of An Aotearoa Warriors Fan: Tohu Harris The Saviour (Jokes)
Aotearoa Warriors have jumped up a spot on the NRL ladder to now sit 10th, one spot behind their opponent this week South Sydney Rabbitohs. Warriors and Rabbitohs share a 4-5 record this season, which sets up a murky match up as this is Warriors territory while Rabbitohs have slipped down from the upper echelon. Remember that this is a no expectation zone, so if you want false hype and dramatic ramblings there is a mainstream media for that.
Aotearoa Warriors Diary folks know that this season is the same as always and if Warriors are maintaining the status-quo in adverse conditions, that's pretty good. Ponder how you might head out for a jog in the morning and how it would feel to maintain the same pace as usual, clocking the same time as usual despite feeling hungover from the massive late night feed caused by Jahtearoa vitamins.
Everything is generally the same, but surely it's worse right now? Well no.
After nine games this is the second best season since Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's arrival. Winning peaked in 2018 and this season is considerably better than Stephen Kearney's first season in 2017, also better than every other season since 2018.
2017: 29.16%.
2018: 62.5%.
2019: 37.5%.
2020: 40%.
2021: 33.33%.
2022: 44.44%.
Warriors have already won half as many games as they did in the two seasons prior. Since the 2011 Grand Final, Warriors have had at least 50 percent wins in 2014 and 2018. Right now Warriors are a game behind an even record and a win over Rabbitohs would take them to 5-5. 11 seasons and two seasons with 50 percent wins, highlights the insanity of doom and gloom merchants.
The general status-quo exists but the reality is that this season is the third best season in the past 11 years. This is not my opinion, this is a fact. My opinion is that Warriors aren't a top-eight footy team right now and I have no expectations for anything better, even with the inclusion of Tohu Harris.
Harris returns at right edge after a long injury absence. Last season was Harris' most productive campaign of his career with 173m/game (next best is 133m/game in 2016) with most of that mahi coming through the middle. Harris has switched between edge and middle constantly while with Warriors, often during games and now Harris settles back into a groove a right edge.
Shaun Johnson will link up with Harris again after a decent combo was formed back in 2018. Adam Pompey is likely to be right centre as he replaces Rocco Berry while Marcelo Montoya also returns to the team after missing a few weeks. Montoya is a low key solid Warrior who has demanded starting winger opportunities thanks to aggressive carries and executing his basic mahi; Montoya is averaging 132m/game and it's his first season averaging over 125m/game.
Don't expect Harris to go bonkers with his workload and enjoy his subtle touches. Harris should tighten up the defensive line, provide leadership and communication along with a wide variety of skills. This expands the type of plays Warriors can run down their right edge as Harris has a far more expansive skillset than Eliesa Katoa.
We know Warriors are inconsistent and Johnson isn't quite as inconsistent as Kodi Nikorima the half, but he struggles to churn out top notch performances every week. Last week Johnson barely ran the footy and when he did run the footy he grabbed 5.44m/run, plus he had the slowest average play the ball of any player on the field (5.6 seconds). Johnson also had 2 errors and 6 missed tackles.
Being inconsistent means that Johnson will play well against Rabbitohs. It's not Reece Walsh who wins games for Warriors, it's the leaders. Johnson was kinda embarrassed by his former club, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak didn't offer much oomph, Addin Fonua-Blake was below his best, Wayde Egan had 94 touches and 3 runs. Walsh follows the leaders as do all the younger lads and when the leaders aren't at their best, the team won't win.
Junior Warriors Mahi
No reserve grade or Under 21s for Redcliffe last round. No juniors from Aotearoa are named in the Redcliffe blokes team but as always that is likely to change come kick off. The U21s team has Eric Va'afusuaga and Ali Leiataua as the starting centre combo, Kina Kepu starting at prop and Zyon Maiu'u named on an edge. Hopefully some lads pop into the team for game time and both games are on Saturday, so check the team lists or wait for the Monday email newsletter where I'll drop weekend Warriors notes.
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Peace and love.