News Warriors News, Signings, re-signings and Transfers

TerryG

TerryG

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A sticky shopping list and contracts thread. Previous recruiting and contract discussion might eventually be moved to this thread to make them easy to find.

At April 5th:

15 players off contract in 2013:
Nathan Friend, Sione Lousi, Charlie Gubb, Ngani Laumape, Carlos Tuimavave, Pita Godinet, Kevin Locke, Sam Lousi, Alehana Mara, Feleti Mateo, Steve Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Sio Siua Taukeiaho

2014:
Elijah Taylor moves to the Penny Panthers where he'll join another highly talented former Warrior Lewis Brown.
 
Knitey

Knitey

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New Zealand WARRIORS
2014 Coach: Matthew Elliot
GAINS:
LOSSES: Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers)
RE-SIGNED:
Off Contract: Feleti Mateo, Nathan Friend, Pita Godinet, Sam Lousi, Steve Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei
 
Muppet

Muppet

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Knitey said:
New Zealand WARRIORS
2014 Coach: Matthew Elliot
GAINS:
LOSSES: Elijah Taylor (Penrith Panthers)
RE-SIGNED:
Off Contract: Feleti Mateo, Nathan Friend, Pita Godinet, Sam Lousi, Steve Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei
Click to expand...

One would hope the Warriors move quickly to secure the re-signing of Pita Godinet. From his showing so far, he has a bright future ahead.

Would also like them to resign Nathan Friend. We really do need at least one first class hooker in the side.

Mateo will re-sign as I have heard his asking price is high and no one is prepared to pay that sort of money for his inconsistencies. Outside of us, that is.

I have a feeling Ropati may go to England. We have some good young centres coming through the ranks and he is coming to the end of his career. Just my opinion.

Like the Lousi brothers, so they will find some money in the cap for them.

Manu is an interesting one. I know he is only just back from injury, but he has some competition for a wing spot. Needs to lift his game a bit and should do over the coming weeks. Speeking of wingers, even Bill Tupou has surprised me. Has played his best 2 games of his career in a Warriors jersey these past weeks. he was one who needed to step up his game.
 
Northern_Union

Northern_Union

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I'm a big fan of Godinet. I actually prefer him at 7 to Johnson. On the hooking front i think we actually have two first class hookers in the squad, Friend and Lulu. Not fused on Mateo, wouldn't be to upset to see him move on. On JoRo, i've never liked him as a player. His defensive lapse have lost us plenty of games over the years.
 
TerryG

TerryG

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Muppet said:
....Speaking of wingers, even Bill Tupou has surprised me. Has played his best 2 games of his career in a Warriors jersey these past weeks. he was one who needed to step up his game.
Click to expand...

Amazing how some players can lift when they notice competition for their spot...shall we call this the Ngani Laumape effect? :D
 
Muppet

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TerryG said:
Muppet said:
....Speaking of wingers, even Bill Tupou has surprised me. Has played his best 2 games of his career in a Warriors jersey these past weeks. he was one who needed to step up his game.
Click to expand...

Amazing how some players can lift when they notice competition for their spot...shall we call this the Ngani Laumape effect? :D
Click to expand...

We most definitely can. He's a good young kid, with a bright future ahead of him.
 
Muppet

Muppet

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S J said:
That Packer's a big boy !
Click to expand...

Even though he isn't that fit yet, he has been missed in some of the early rounds. Most certainly adds to the intimidation factor.
 
Muppet

Muppet

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Northern_Union said:
Sam Rapira is the one we have missed most i think. His impact in the tackle and play the ball speed are crucial to getting the team going forward.
Click to expand...

True and he is still a ways off from his best. That bodes well for the club.
 
Muppet

Muppet

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Northern_Union said:
Given time to develop i think his Brother Steve could be really good for the club as well. But he seems to be injury prone.
Click to expand...

He is a very hard defender. Certainly can punish in defence. He hasn't really shown much in the way of offloads or hard running, like his brother. But as you said, injuries haven't been kind to him.
 
Muppet

Muppet

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S J said:
I like the look of the young half for the Warriors. Locke has ability too.
Click to expand...

We haven't seen the best of Locke this season. My understanding is, he is still carry some sort of leg injury. He is very talented. Given time to mature (as a footballer and person) i'm sure he could be one of the top fullbacks in the NRL.
 
TerryG

TerryG

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Sportal are pushing a story that Mt Smart are trying to recruit Jayson Bukuya from the Sharks.

29902_4_2.jpg


According to wikipedia, the 23 year old can play "Second-row, Lock and Centre", but he's started as a 2nd Row on the right for 22 games, the left 5 games, once as a left Prop and 12 times from the bench: a career total of 40 games.

Mt Smart could have a partial replacement for Elijah Taylor and backup for Todd Lowrie in mind. Bukuya is a more effective running player and much better at breaking tackles, but Taylor sets a very high bar for his tackle count. Bukuya reliably plays more minutes than Taylor, but that could be down to the different jobs they have been doing in past.

If you think Mt Smart should be hiring (1) multiple-role players for better injury cover and (2) looking at intermediate experience recruits rather than promoting more rookies from the NYC, Bukuya could be ideal.

More at: http://www.sportal.com.au/author-news-display/the-lurkernrl-rumour-filewednesday-229767
More at: http://www.nrl.com/tabid/10874/newsId/54270/Default.aspx
 
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