Warrick Nicolson | 07/02/08
STATE OF PLAY
An inspirational season from skipper Steven Price was the catalyst for the Warriors returning to the Finals for the first time since 2003.
But they failed to overcome an Eels team who played poorly in the Qualifying Final in Auckland, and then capitulated up front against an under-manned Cowboys outfit in the Elimination Final in Townsville.
As a result the Warriors missed a golden opportunity to make a title run, strong form running into September (won three of their last four) had suggested.
Last 3 Finishes:
2005: 11th
2006: 10th
2007: 5th
ROSTER ROUND-UP
Price had arguably his best year in First Grade (in his fourteenth year) but like fellow veteran Ruben Wiki; both players may not have many seasons left in the tank at 33 and 34 respectively.
That’s not to say they aren’t capable of replicating their 2007 performance but expecting the duo to keep improving with age is not realistic. Sam Rapira emerged as a player with an enormous future, improving remarkably on his rookie season of 2006.
The jury is still out over the long-term potential of Epalahame Lauaki. Harnessing his raw talents, might allow the second rower to make the impact people have predicted from him for a few years now.
Traditionally the Warriors have a huge group of forwards and this year will be no different, with Simon Mannering moving from the centres to the backrow and young giants Sonny Fai and Russell Parker joining the pack.
Tackling machine Micheal Luck, elder statesman Logan Swann, interchange prop Evarn Tuimavave and utility Wairangi Koopu round out the depth chart.
Nathan Fien saw off the challenge of George Gatis (who went to the UK), for his number nine jersey but may have Lance Hohaia to fend off, if the skilled utility can’t force his way into the halves.
Former Bradford Bull Ian Henderson also signed with the club during the off-season, looking for an opportunity to break back into the NRL.
Speaking of the halves, both incumbents Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt followed above average regular seasons with abysmal performances in the Finals – leaving the Warriors rudderless in the games that really mattered.
Witt in particular went missing in the crunch game against the Cowboys and Rovelli couldn’t get the job done on 5th tackle when the team needed a big play.
Hohaia will come into calculations if either player struggles early in the season, while teenagers Isaac John, Daniel O’Regan and Angus Cameron will press their claims through the Toyota Cup Under 20s competition.
The team really missed Jerome Ropati and Manu Vatuvei in the Finals and the 20 tries they’d scored between themselves during the regular season.
Ropati looks likely to replace Mannering in the centres, while Vatuvei remains somewhat of a project on the flank.
The team hopes that a fresh start will re-invigorate Brent Tate as they unveil him as their marquee outside back.
Tate definitely adds speed which the team lacks outside of fullback Wade McKinnon and semi-regular winger Michael Crockett.
Look for Patrick Ah Van, Aidan Kirk and Malo Solomona to also figure at the selection table.
One can only hope that 17-year-old winger Siuatonga Likiliki gets a run at some stage too, so commentators and journalists alike get an opportunity to wrap their tongues around his name.
STRONGEST LINE-UP
1. McKINNON, Wade
2. CROCKETT, Michael
3. TATE, Brent
4. ROPATI, Jerome
5. VATUVEI, Manu
6. WITT, Michael
7. ROVELLI, Grant
8. RAPIRA, Sam
9. FIEN, Nathan
10. PRICE, Steven
11. WIKI, Ruben
12. MANNERING, Simon
13. LUCK, Micheal
14. KOOPU, Wairangi
15. LAUAKI, Epalahame
16. TUIMAVAVE, Evarn
17. SWANN, Logan
FEARLESS FORECAST
Despite making it back into the Finals after a three year hiatus, the advancing years of some key players make 2008 possibly the last season in which the current group can take a shot at a premiership.
Question marks were raised about the big play ability of the halves during the playoffs which had to be concerning.
The club will be boosted by some added quality in other positions which may help in that regard but the onus is on the six and seven to deliver. A tough first three rounds (Storm, Eels and Sea Eagles) could set the tone for the entire season.
PREDICTED RECORD: 11-13
PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
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