Offload Preview - Sea Eagles -V- Warriors, Round 4, 2007

The Matchup:
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles versus the New Zealand Warriors.
Sunday 8^th April, 4pm (NZT), Brookvale Oval, Sydney.

History:
The Sea Eagles and the Warriors first met in round 5, 1995, with the Warriors losing at home. This trend has since continued, with the winner of all but two of their eleven matches being the away side. The teams have played eleven times, with the Warriors coming out victorious five times – four of those five victories were at Brookvale Oval.

Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 4: Sea Eagles 10-28 Warriors
2004, Round 10: Warriors 20-42 Sea Eagles
2005, Round 1: Warriors 20-26 Sea Eagles
2005, Round 25: Warriors 22-20 Sea Eagles
2006, Round 5: Warriors 8-22 Sea Eagles

Last Week:
The Warriors stumbled to the in-form Melbourne Storm, conceding an early 14-0 deficit. The club managed to regather, though, and ended up losing 30-12, avoiding what could have been a very embarrassing score line.

The Sea Eagles were fairly decisive in their victory over the Roosters, despite a slow start. After trailing 8-6 early in the second half, they powered to a 30-8 win.

In The Engine Room:
The Warriors forwards struggled against the Storm last week, due in part to the slippery surface at Olympic Park, but mostly because the Melbourne defence moved up quickly and prevented a lot of go-forward. Ruben Wiki gained only 65m, and Steve Price only managed 81m. Similar gains were made by Micheal Luck (77m), Evarn Tuimavave (77m), Epalahame Lauaki (70m), and Sam Rapira (65m). The defensive efforts from the forward pack was admirable, however.

The Manly forwards had a field day against the embarrassed Roosters. Jason King (161m), Brent Kite (138m), and Anthony Watmough (181m) punished their opposition.

Out The Back:
The Warriors’ backline struggled in Melbourne, with gaps appearing on the fringes, particularly on the right hand side. Coach Ivan Cleary was quick to make changes, however, and the slightly smaller, slightly slower Manly backline should be much easier to contain than the Storm were.

The most dangerous players for the Sea Eagles appear to be fullback Brett Stewart and centre Jamie Lyon. These two players both made more than 100m, and also did most of the scoring, with 18 points between them.

Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati (hamstring), Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), and Aiden Kirk (knee) are all still unavailable for selection.

The Sea Eagles are without Matt Orford (knee), Steve Matai (ankle), and Steve Menzies (groin).

Taking The Punt:
Warriors Logan Swann and Sam Rapira celebrate two separate achievements this weekend. For Swann, this will be his 150^th match for the club, whereas Rapira will take the field on his 20^th birthday. Ivan Cleary has showed faith in his side, despite losing to the Storm, and has named an unchanged seventeen – the only alteration being Nathan Fien will start, with George Gatis to start on the bench. The Sea Eagles have named an unchanged line up from last week, and while they have shown that they have depth, their backline may struggle, especially without the assistance of halfback Matt Orford. Both sides finished well last week after a slow start, so look for some fireworks as the game progresses. Warriors by 6.

Offload Preview - Storm -V- Warriors, Round 3, 2007

The Matchup:
The Melbourne Storm versus the New Zealand Warriors.
Sunday 1^st April, 2pm (NZT), Olympic Park, Melbourne.

History:
The Storm have long had a Kiwi connection associated with them, dating back to their inception when they fielded players like Stephen Kearney and Tawera Nikau – something that has always added that extra bit of meaning to their matches against the New Zealand-based Warriors. The passing of Melbourne Storm team manager Michael Moore in 2000 has added a sombre aspect to the clashes, with the Michael Moore Trophy contested each time the two teams meet. The Warriors currently hold the trophy.

Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 16: Storm 42-6 Warriors
2005, Round 14: Warriors 24-16 Storm

2005, Round 23: Storm 22-10 Warriors

2006, Round 1: Warriors 16-22 Storm
2006, Round 24: Storm 20-24 Warriors

Last Week:
The Warriors blitzed the Brisbane Broncos in the second quarter of their round two match at Mt Smart Stadium, but failed to capitalise on their lead in the second half. Their early efforts proved enough, however, as they ended up winning 24-14.

The Storm won their second consecutive match, beating a keen but inexperienced Canberra Raiders side 32-16. That follows their first round defeat of the Wests Tigers, with a narrow 18-16 score line.

In The Engine Room:
It should come as no surprise that Warriors captain Steve Price should be the man to watch when it comes to gaining metres up the middle. Against the Broncos he continued his strong early season form, gaining 148m.

The Storm props, Antonio Kaufusi and Brett White, struggled against the Raiders last week, gaining only 54m and 77m respectively. It was their backs who provided most of the gains.

Out The Back:
Warriors winger Michael Crockett scored another brace of tries last week, and he now leads the try scoring statistics across all sixteen teams. Michael Witt stood up against the Broncos, as did Tony Martin and Manu Vatuvei.

Billy Slater returned to form against the Raiders, scoring a try, breaking the Canberra line three times, and gaining a team high 167m. How he compares to Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon will be of high interest.

Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati (hamstring) failed to return to the field last week, but it is hoped he will be back by round four. Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), and Aiden Kirk (knee) are all still unavailable for selection. Patrick Ah Van (shoulder) makes his return in reserve grade for the Auckland Lions.

The Storm are without Adam Blair (unknown), Matt Rua (wrist), and Steve Turner (ankle). Michael Crocker returns from injury this week.

Taking The Punt:
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has selected an unchanged team to face the Storm. With both teams undefeated, the quality of opposition must come into account, and the Warriors have dispatched better sides, particularly the Broncos. The Warriors look stronger in the forwards, but the Storm have always excelled with their backs. Look for some great match ups including Slater versus McKinnon and Inglis versus Witt. This will be a close match, and a tough one to call. Warriors by 4.

Offload Preview - Warriors -V- Broncos, Round 2, 2007

The Matchup:
The New Zealand Warriors versus the Brisbane Broncos.
Sunday 25^th March, 4pm (NZT), Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.

History:
These two teams have a rivalry that goes right back to season one, round one. The Warriors have managed to beat the Broncos only seven times from twenty-one encounters. All seven victories have come during the last twelve matches, since the Warriors initial defeat of Brisbane in 2001.

Last Five Encounters:
2004, Round 22: Warriors 14-21 Broncos
2005, Round 2: Brisbane 12-24 Warriors
2005, Round 16: Warriors 30-18 Broncos
2006, Round 13: Warriors 18-23 Broncos
2006, Round 26: Brisbane 36-12 Warriors

Last Week:
In round one, the Warriors were decisive in putting the Parramatta Eels to the sword, running out 34-18 victors. Their first half effort was particularly impressive, and the went to the break with a 24-0 lead.

The Broncos did well to come back from a 16-6 half time deficit to draw level, before letting the Cowboys escape their grasp in the dying minutes. The final score was 23-16.

In The Engine Room:
In Steve Price and Ruben Wiki, the Warriors have a significant advantage when it comes to gaining metres. Against the Eels in round one, they gained 304 metres between them, Price in particular carrying on his impressive 2006 form.

For the Broncos, on the other hand, Dane Carlaw and Petero Civoniceva managed a respectable 216 metres, but Carlaw only contributed to 64 of those. He will need to provide more if the Brisbane backs are to reap many rewards.

Out The Back:
The Warriors found two of their new signings, Wade McKinnon and Michael Crockett, to be of particular use, as the pair started and completed attacking plays respectively. The Australians scored three of the Warriors’ six tries against the Eels.

Brisbane’s halves pairing of Shane Perry and Karmichael Hunt will be looking to make an impression in the absence of key playmaker Darren Lockyer. Hunt will especially savour the opportunity to perform well on New Zealand soil.

Injury Ward:
For the Warriors, Jerome Ropati has recovered from a hamstring injury, but has failed to make the first grade side, while Wairangi Koopu (shoulder), Louis Anderson (ankle), Patrick Ah Van (shoulder), and Aiden Kirk (knee) were unavailable for selection. Captain Steve Price fractured a finger the day before the match against Parramatta, but is still expected to lead the side against Brisbane.

The Broncos lost playmaker Darren Lockyer (ankle) and second rower Corey Parker (wrist) in round one, while David Stagg has yet to recover from a shoulder reconstruction.

Taking The Punt:
With Evarn Tuimavave joining the Warriors bench, it looks like coach Ivan Cleary is looking to turn this into a battle up front. If he gets his way, and Dane Carlaw performs similarly to the way he did last week, look to the Warriors backs to make easy metres around the tiring Brisbane forwards. Warriors captain Price will be looking forward to another opportunity to make his brother-in-law Brent Tate leave the field without two competition points. A wounded Bronco is particularly dangerous, but the Warriors should have enough firepower to put this stallion out of its misery. Warriors by 10.