Diary Of An Aotearoa Warriors Fan: Lemme Break Down This Ownership Stuff...
There could be an ownership change of Aotearoa Warriors, just don't let it fool you about where the changes are coming from.
There could be an ownership change of Aotearoa Warriors, just don't let it fool you about where the changes are coming from.
Benji Marshall started the #KiwiNRL takeover back in the day, now he's re-uppin' with Wests Tigers where we could see #KiwiNRL flavour drown out the Aussies.
Tuimoala Lolohea and Ata Hingano could give Tonga a little play-making spice, to go with a forward pack full of power. There's enough toko depth to offer up a few intriguing selection conundrums.
Nathaniel Roache is set to start at hooker for Aotearoa Warriors against Canberra Raiders and we've got some young forwards who not to embrace the 'sussing out period.
Martin Taupau's back at Leichardt Oval reppin' Manly Sea Eagles, Joseph Tapine's moved out to the edge for Canberra Raiders, Chase Stanley's a halfback and Isaac Liu continues to soar under the radar.
Anthony Milford and Fa'amanu Brown will have the play-making locked down, there's no shortage of big boppers to get Samoa down the field either. The World Cup's coming, so here's a quick geeze and some options for Samoa.
Petone's Jordan Kahu has re-signed with Brisbane Broncos, joining Kodi Nikorima and Alex Glenn in giving us a #KiwiNRL trio of Broncos locked up mid-long-term.
There's a fair bit of sillyness floating around about the Warriors, most notably their pursuit of a playing who has built his career on doing exactly what the Warriors require.
A 20-year-old on one edge and an 18-year-old on the other edge, 11 Warriors under the age of 25? Kick back, free of expectations and enjoy a tough trip away to Newcastle.
Isaac Liu is playing his role in a redonkulous middle forward rotation at the Roosters, Danny Levi's shining coming off the bench for Newcastle and we've got a Panthers vs Tigers #KiwiNRL feast.
David Kidwell doesn't want Benji Marshall, which is all good. Kidwell isn't really in a position to be so arrogant though.
Ben Matulino is putting himself in the frame to replace Jesse Bromwich for Aotearoa. Sio Siua Taukeiaho and a few others are also looking rather impressive as we continue to wind up the #KiwiNRL funk.
Cronulla Sharks were too slick for our Warriors - no surprises there. We now bid farewell to a four-game stretch against better teams and kia ora to a few games against teams below the Warriors on the ladder.
Konrad Hurrell has a bung hammy and won't be able to help Gold Coast Titans chase a Finals spot. Here's hoping the toko is good to go for Tonga come World Cup time.
Aotearoa might need a centre for the World Cup and Joseph Manu might be that guy. Manu is one of many Kiwis contenders looking to push their case, there's also Sosaia Feki's return to Auckland and Elijah Taylor sliding to the Tigers edge.
Cronulla Sharks are going to send Wade Graham flying at Mason Lino and the Warriors halfback didn't respond too well under the pump last week. That's just one talking point ahead of an enticing contest at Mt Smart on Friday night.
Morgan & Munster is a little series on two of my favourite rugby league players. Starting with Michael Morgan, the North Queensland Cowboys halfback who has already etched himself in history and has many more years of greatness ahead of him.
Brandon Smith and and Jahrome Hughes will stay with Melbourne Storm for the rest of this decade, at least.
David Kidwell must have Nelson Asofa-Solomona's name already jotted down along with a few others. He's got some funky decisions to make at centre and who he rolls with to replace Jesse Bromwich.
Aotearoa Warriors fans get upset when their team doesn't try hard, doesn't play with enthusiasm and desire. Up in Townsville against the Cowboys they oozed that good stuff. Ok cool, but...