Wests Tigers V NZ Warriors Trial *Live Thread..

[happy_tiger]

We still complaining?

If we don't show up at near 100% Rd 1 v the Saints it will go to another level

If there is anything we should have learnt over the last 4 years we can't drop winnable games because we aren't ready

We aren't like certain sides who can go on 6,7 or 8 games winning streaks if they have a slow start

 

[TheDaBoss]

UPDATED
Preview: Wests Tigers in New Zealand for final trial match
Author
Wests Tigers
Timestamp
Thu 27 Feb 2020, 08:58 AM

Wests Tigers will head across the Tasman this Sunday to take on the New Zealand Warriors for their final trial match before the 2020 season officially gets underway.

A strong Wests Tigers side has been named for Sunday's game including all five new recruits, while co-captains Benji Marshall and Moses Mbye will also join regular first-graders such as Corey Thompson, David Nofoaluma and Alex Twal in the side.

With both sides emerging with a loss in their first trial match but naming their strongest sides available for the clash in Rotorua, Sunday is set to be a blockbuster event that certainly gives some insight to how the year will unfold.

The two sides squared off last year in a trial match at Whangarei with the Warriors claiming a 26-16 win on the day, but the visitors would get their revenge less than a month later when they piled on the points en route to a big win in Round 2.

Coach Michael Maguire has already said the key for his side will be how the new combinations fare out in the middle amidst a number of intriguing storylines.

Michael Maguire previews Warriors trial and 2020 preparationsMichael Maguire previews Warriors trial and 2020 preparations
Michael Maguire previews Warriors trial and 2020 preparationsMichael Maguire previews Warriors trial and 2020 preparations

The Leilua brothers are set to unite on the same side of the field for the first time in an NRL match this year, with their potency in attack a huge potential weapon for Wests Tigers in 2020. The pair haven't ever been a part of the same club, let alone the same side of the field before, and could offer a genuine X-factor to Maguire playing on a talented right edge controlled by the evergreen Marshall.

In the middle, Billy Walters gets first crack at the number nine jersey after a good performance last week with Josh Reynolds set to come off the bench. With Mbye named in the centres, Walters and Reynolds appear set to battle it out for the hooking duties on Sunday — a result which could certainly come in to the thinking for who starts at hooker come Round 1 in a fortnight's time.

The Warriors also come in to Sunday's game with their fair share of questions at this point of the season. Injuries to several middle forwards in recent weeks have compounded a frustrating injury situation, but there's still more than enough talent in Stephen Kearney's side to cover the loss of depth up front.

The return of Adam Blair and Kodi Nikorima from representative duties, along with the inclusion of Tohu Harris, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu'a, Blake Green, Ken Maumalo and Isaiah Papali’i, sees the home side name a very strong squad all up and will certainly offer plenty of challenges in both attack and defence.

The trial match will be live streamed on www.weststigers.com.au, while coverage is also available via FOX League (Ch.502) and KAYO Sports.

Leilua x Leilua: Double TroubleLeilua x Leilua: Double Trouble
Leilua x Leilua: Double TroubleLeilua x Leilua: Double Trouble

MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, March 1, 2019

Time — 12:00pm AEDT (2:00pm local)

Venue — Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, New Zealand

TV, LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via FOX League (Australia only), SKY Sport (New Zealand)

Live Stream — Free via www.weststigers.com.au, Kayo Sports (subscription required)

TICKETS
Click here to purchase your ticket to New Zealand Warriors vs. Wests Tigers!

LIVE STREAM
Watch the live stream of Saturday's NRL game with a FREE NRL Account!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We still complaining?

If we don't show up at near 100% Rd 1 v the Saints it will go to another level

If there is anything we should have learnt over the last 4 years we can't drop winnable games because we aren't ready

We aren't like certain sides who can go on 6,7 or 8 games winning streaks if they have a slow start

Does us getting well beaten by the Warriors in last years trial than winning our first two games, including putting a score on the Warriors register at all?

 

[happy_tiger]

We still complaining?

If we don't show up at near 100% Rd 1 v the Saints it will go to another level

If there is anything we should have learnt over the last 4 years we can't drop winnable games because we aren't ready

We aren't like certain sides who can go on 6,7 or 8 games winning streaks if they have a slow start

Does us getting well beaten by the Warriors in last years trial than winning our first two games, including putting a score on the Warriors register at all?

It does ...and the losses v Penrith and 2 v Dogs register with you

We can't drop winnable games if we want to make the 8

Remember this off season we had three players join very late ...not like a typical November 1 signing who had had a complete off season training with the side ...every minute playing in match hardened conditions would have helped the entire squad be match ready come Rd 1

If we look like headless chickens Rd 1 .....Madge needs a serve ...pure and simple

But as we know ... most will blame everyone bar the people truly at fault

I just hope we smash the Dragons to smithereens and hope Madge proves I'm wrong

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Eisenhuth , was mentioned on twitter by club insiders as being a lock for the NRL team. Personally I think he should start . He definitely shores up the middle despite whether you think he’s a plodder or not . Douehi to start and momo to the wing . I see CT and Jennings dropping out. Bench of Aloai Musgrove chee kam and Clark/Taylor/Lawrence

 

[Russell]

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

Musgrove and Doueihi will both start R1as will Momo.

Momo in, who out?

Mbye bench

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Mbye play centre over Momirovski. Madge was willing to part with Momirovski for a year.

Momo wasn't picked, so you could be right.

 

[TheDaBoss]

intresting to see who does the goal kicking..........

 

[Tim Sheens]

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

Musgrove and Doueihi will both start R1as will Momo.

Momo in, who out?

Mbye bench

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Mbye play centre over Momirovski. Madge was willing to part with Momirovski for a year.

Momo wasn't picked, so you could be right.

Out this week with his ankle injury anyhow.

 

[Masterton]

We still complaining?

If we don't show up at near 100% Rd 1 v the Saints it will go to another level

If there is anything we should have learnt over the last 4 years we can't drop winnable games because we aren't ready

We aren't like certain sides who can go on 6,7 or 8 games winning streaks if they have a slow start

Does us getting well beaten by the Warriors in last years trial than winning our first two games, including putting a score on the Warriors register at all?

It does ...and the losses v Penrith and 2 v Dogs register with you

If we look like headless chickens Rd 1 .....Madge needs a serve ...pure and simple

You're like a chihuahua always looking for an ankle to bite. Douehi was injured last week. Being fit for round 1 is more important than a trial.

 

[Russell]

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

hope zane musgrove grabs a bench spot

Musgrove and Doueihi will both start R1as will Momo.

Mwasn't picked, omo in, who out?

Mbye bench

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Mbye play centre over Momirovski. Madge was willing to part with Momirovski for a year.

Momo so you could be right.

Out this week with his ankle injury anyhow.

That is what I meant - one of my first picked if fit.

 

[JC99]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Doueihi gets good minutes on the weekend anyway.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

goal kicking…

M'Bye or Benji? - does Doohicki kick?

 

[Cairnstigers]

Combinations key for Maguire in Rotorua trial
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Wed 26 Feb 2020, 11:47 PM

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire says combinations will be the key thing he's watching for in Sunday's trial match against the New Zealand Warriors in Rotorua as the focus continues to narrow for the 2020 season ahead.

Maguire has named a squad of 23 players for the cross-Tasman trial match for the second year in a row, with all the regular big names including Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye included for the visitors.

Having watched a number of the club's new faces trial strongly against the Penrith Panthers last Saturday, Maguire said seeing how the combinations between players develop would be the key thing for him this week and a deciding factor in who will force their way in to the Round 1 side.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing those combinations," Maguire said.

"We've done a lot of work in the pre-season and I've seen the boys grow throughout that time but it's now about getting out on the park and delivering a strong performance before we start the season.

"I think the combinations will be the big thing for us — whether it's the right edge, left edge or through the middle — they're all growing. It's going to be down to us to how they go in a game situation."

Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
©NRL Photos
Having watched new recruits Zane Musgrove, Adam Doueihi, Billy Walters and Luciano Leilua all have their first game for the club last week, Maguire said he was excited to see the new places take the next step forward now in their second game.

"Trials is a little bit about blowing off the cobwebs," he said, "but it's also too about seeing how they're going to perform in the team and the unit and the way that we're playing.

"We've got big BJ [Leilua] coming in this week... and all our big players are playing so I'm really looking forward to watching those combinations grow throughout the game.

"We've been doing a lot of work for quite a couple of months on that but it's now about what they do on the field against the opposition."

Wests Tigers will kickoff against the New Zealand Warriors at 12:00pm AEDT on Sunday (2:00pm local time) in their final hit-out before the 2020 season officially gets underway for Maguire's side on March 15 against St. George-Illawarra.

So combinations are important now ...but they weren't important last week .....

I am questioning why he's not starting with AD. He, Benji and Brooks have had zero game time together. Bizarre decision.

It was mentioned Douehi had an upper leg injury ....but again he is either fit to play or not fit to play

Take a Happy pill
Madge is the coach and has his reasons
If I was you Happy, i would be more worried about the two footy tipping comps you are in
Why you ask
Because you are about to go down faster then Monica Lewinsky in the white house
?

 

[JC99]

goal kicking…

M'Bye or Benji? - does Doohicki kick?

I’ve heard that Walters can kick but I can’t find any stats about it - only kicked about 5 last year.

Think it’ll be Mbye kicking in the trial, once Doueihi is on maybe him.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

5 last year

Well, that'd nearly be 4 more than anyone else in the current squad!

Match Report

In a freeflowing game, The Weststigers were dominant throughout scoring six tries to 4, to narrowly go down to the Warriors 25-24 after a field goal at the death from beyond halfway by Blake Green sealed the Kiwis victory. A lack of a goalkicker hampered the Tigers scoreboard pressure. Meanwhile, Coach Madge says he was happy with the Combinations but wanted a little more spice in the Special Fried Rice.

 

[TheDaBoss]

5 last year

Well, that'd nearly be 4 more than anyone else in the current squad!

Match Report

In a freeflowing game, The Weststigers were dominant throughout scoring six tries to 4, to narrowly go down to the Warriors 25-24 after a field goal at the death from beyond halfway by Blake Green sealed the Kiwis victory. A lack of a goalkicker hampered the Tigers scoreboard pressure. Meanwhile, Coach Madge says he was happy with the Combinations but wanted a little more spice in the Special Fried Rice.

yum fried rice....

 

[Geo]

Combinations key for Maguire in Rotorua trial
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Wed 26 Feb 2020, 11:47 PM

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire says combinations will be the key thing he's watching for in Sunday's trial match against the New Zealand Warriors in Rotorua as the focus continues to narrow for the 2020 season ahead.

Maguire has named a squad of 23 players for the cross-Tasman trial match for the second year in a row, with all the regular big names including Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye included for the visitors.

Having watched a number of the club's new faces trial strongly against the Penrith Panthers last Saturday, Maguire said seeing how the combinations between players develop would be the key thing for him this week and a deciding factor in who will force their way in to the Round 1 side.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing those combinations," Maguire said.

"We've done a lot of work in the pre-season and I've seen the boys grow throughout that time but it's now about getting out on the park and delivering a strong performance before we start the season.

"I think the combinations will be the big thing for us — whether it's the right edge, left edge or through the middle — they're all growing. It's going to be down to us to how they go in a game situation."

Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
©NRL Photos
Having watched new recruits Zane Musgrove, Adam Doueihi, Billy Walters and Luciano Leilua all have their first game for the club last week, Maguire said he was excited to see the new places take the next step forward now in their second game.

"Trials is a little bit about blowing off the cobwebs," he said, "but it's also too about seeing how they're going to perform in the team and the unit and the way that we're playing.

"We've got big BJ [Leilua] coming in this week... and all our big players are playing so I'm really looking forward to watching those combinations grow throughout the game.

"We've been doing a lot of work for quite a couple of months on that but it's now about what they do on the field against the opposition."

Wests Tigers will kickoff against the New Zealand Warriors at 12:00pm AEDT on Sunday (2:00pm local time) in their final hit-out before the 2020 season officially gets underway for Maguire's side on March 15 against St. George-Illawarra.

So combinations are important now ...but they weren't important last week .....

No they weren’t. Last week was about giving the newbies a taste first grade.

So organize a trial against a Group side for the CC squad ....

Penrith treated the trial differently funnily enough ....many other clubs are treating both trials importantly

If we aren't ready to rock come Rd 1 ...we've got it wrong .....and I'm guessing many on here will blame everyone bar who they should point the finger at

Damn it..and I got in first and everything..

 

[wicked_j]

What's the chances of the team running out similar to the back end of last year - so the named 9 starts off the bench, an extra forward starts, and Benji covers dummy half for the first 20 or so?

This means Walters only has to play 60mins, and means we're not short a forward. Just need one (or more) of the forwards to act as a link man to Brooks in the first 20.

Matterson was the one who filled that role, the only other one who has the ball skills for it is Luciano Leilua but you don’t want to dampen his running game which is his biggest weapon

That's what I thought re. Matterson - but is Lucy really our only *potential top 17* forward with ball skills ?
I thought ET has done a bit of that role previously (going back a few years though), although not sure if he'll be in our top 17 at this stage!

 

[innsaneink]

Combinations key for Maguire in Rotorua trial
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Wed 26 Feb 2020, 11:47 PM

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire says combinations will be the key thing he's watching for in Sunday's trial match against the New Zealand Warriors in Rotorua as the focus continues to narrow for the 2020 season ahead.

Maguire has named a squad of 23 players for the cross-Tasman trial match for the second year in a row, with all the regular big names including Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye included for the visitors.

Having watched a number of the club's new faces trial strongly against the Penrith Panthers last Saturday, Maguire said seeing how the combinations between players develop would be the key thing for him this week and a deciding factor in who will force their way in to the Round 1 side.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing those combinations," Maguire said.

"We've done a lot of work in the pre-season and I've seen the boys grow throughout that time but it's now about getting out on the park and delivering a strong performance before we start the season.

"I think the combinations will be the big thing for us — whether it's the right edge, left edge or through the middle — they're all growing. It's going to be down to us to how they go in a game situation."

Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
©NRL Photos
Having watched new recruits Zane Musgrove, Adam Doueihi, Billy Walters and Luciano Leilua all have their first game for the club last week, Maguire said he was excited to see the new places take the next step forward now in their second game.

"Trials is a little bit about blowing off the cobwebs," he said, "but it's also too about seeing how they're going to perform in the team and the unit and the way that we're playing.

"We've got big BJ [Leilua] coming in this week... and all our big players are playing so I'm really looking forward to watching those combinations grow throughout the game.

"We've been doing a lot of work for quite a couple of months on that but it's now about what they do on the field against the opposition."

Wests Tigers will kickoff against the New Zealand Warriors at 12:00pm AEDT on Sunday (2:00pm local time) in their final hit-out before the 2020 season officially gets underway for Maguire's side on March 15 against St. George-Illawarra.

So combinations are important now ...but they weren't important last week .....

I am questioning why he's not starting with AD. He, Benji and Brooks have had zero game time together. Bizarre decision.

Maybe he wants AD to earn his spot rather than serve it up to him on a serving dish... Thommo is the incumbent to and showing him that respect after his performances the last couple of years is justified imo

I think he should be playing whoever he’s intending to play fullback in round 1. If it’s Thommo then fine, otherwise it doesn’t make too much sense. Testing combinations in real game conditions is really important so close to the season, especially given AD was only recently signed. That’s more important than showing respect imo. This is our last proper hit out before the season kicks off.

Maybe he's still undecided
Maybe they both get 40 at the back
It's just a team list for a trial... Can only name 1 in the #1

 

[happy_tiger]

Combinations key for Maguire in Rotorua trial
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Wed 26 Feb 2020, 11:47 PM

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire says combinations will be the key thing he's watching for in Sunday's trial match against the New Zealand Warriors in Rotorua as the focus continues to narrow for the 2020 season ahead.

Maguire has named a squad of 23 players for the cross-Tasman trial match for the second year in a row, with all the regular big names including Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Moses Mbye included for the visitors.

Having watched a number of the club's new faces trial strongly against the Penrith Panthers last Saturday, Maguire said seeing how the combinations between players develop would be the key thing for him this week and a deciding factor in who will force their way in to the Round 1 side.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing those combinations," Maguire said.

"We've done a lot of work in the pre-season and I've seen the boys grow throughout that time but it's now about getting out on the park and delivering a strong performance before we start the season.

"I think the combinations will be the big thing for us — whether it's the right edge, left edge or through the middle — they're all growing. It's going to be down to us to how they go in a game situation."

Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
Wests Tigers new recruit Luciano Leilua
©NRL Photos
Having watched new recruits Zane Musgrove, Adam Doueihi, Billy Walters and Luciano Leilua all have their first game for the club last week, Maguire said he was excited to see the new places take the next step forward now in their second game.

"Trials is a little bit about blowing off the cobwebs," he said, "but it's also too about seeing how they're going to perform in the team and the unit and the way that we're playing.

"We've got big BJ [Leilua] coming in this week... and all our big players are playing so I'm really looking forward to watching those combinations grow throughout the game.

"We've been doing a lot of work for quite a couple of months on that but it's now about what they do on the field against the opposition."

Wests Tigers will kickoff against the New Zealand Warriors at 12:00pm AEDT on Sunday (2:00pm local time) in their final hit-out before the 2020 season officially gets underway for Maguire's side on March 15 against St. George-Illawarra.

So combinations are important now ...but they weren't important last week .....

No they weren’t. Last week was about giving the newbies a taste first grade.

So organize a trial against a Group side for the CC squad ....

Penrith treated the trial differently funnily enough ....many other clubs are treating both trials importantly

If we aren't ready to rock come Rd 1 ...we've got it wrong .....and I'm guessing many on here will blame everyone bar who they should point the finger at

Damn it..and I got in first and everything..

My replies are based on IQ level and cohesive replies ...wait your turn I will get to you eventually