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Well, after round one I gave the Warriors no chance of making the NRL top eight.
19 weeks later, they’re sitting in sixth position and are odds on to prove me wrong. 30 competition points will be enough for them to qualify for the finals and with the Titans at home, Sharks away, and Knights at home. Currently they have 24 points and sit in sixth on the ladder. The negative points differential’s a concern, but they can take that out of the equation with a strong finish to the season.
There’s been plenty of standout players of late: Lewis Brown ranging wide, Jerome Ropati coming back into form, but most impressive for me is playmaker James Maloney. The little Aussie’s a tough bugger and cool under pressure. He’s scored 119 points this season including seven tries, and with Brett Seymour out injured for the majority of the year, has had to steer the team around with just four NRL games under his belt at the Storm. A remarkable player and a shoe-in for NRL rookie of the year I reckon.
It’s been a great year for New Zealanders in the NRL. Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney must be excited about the Four Nations Down Under at the end of the season.
Here’s my FORM thirteen:
Lance Hohaia - WARRIORS
Sam Perrett - ROOSTERS
Shaun Kenny-Dowall – ROOSTERS
Steve Matai – SEA EAGLES
Manu Vatuvei – WARRIORS
Kieran Foran – SEA EAGLES
Benji Marshall – TIGERS
Sam Rapira – WARRIORS (he’s been injured for ages, but his early form was so good, he’s still in there)
Isaac Luke – RABBITOHS
Fuifui Moimoi – EELS
Simon Mannering – WARRIORS
Lewis Brown – WARRIORS
Frank-Paul Nu’uausala – ROOSTERS
I haven’t forgotten about my deal … if the Warriors make the top-eight, then Steve Price gets to tackle me. And if the Warriors beat the Titans on Sunday at Mount Smart, I may have to put in my request then.
Not looking forward to having my ribs broken.
(I’ll be needing one of these).
John Day