July 29, 2025 • 9 mins
A few surprises in the Warriors lineup to face the Dolphins on Friday.
There have been a few more injuries than head coach Andrew Webster is probably happy with.
Former Kiwi Richie Barnett spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave about what he makes of the team on Sportstalk.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talks'd be right.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Let's move on now to the Warriors. A number of
changes within the Warriors side. That team came out at
six o'clock today. That team on Friday is going to
take on the Dolphins. There have been changes and the
big changes are at six, eight and nine all through injury.
(00:36):
We joined now by Richard Barnett to take a look
at these changes and his thoughts.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Good evening, Richie, Good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
A few surprises in the Wars team, maybe not the
ones that we expected, and we'll talk about the complaints
around the edge shortly. But there's been injuries and there
are some big changes within the side. What's your initial
reaction to the changes and where they actually have been.
I suppose that the big one what would be the
(01:04):
big one for you? Would it be to Mighty Martin
coming in at Sex? Would it be Dementric vaimong Are
coming in for James Fisher, Harris or Sam Healley in
the hocking role. Because there's a reasonably big changes all
from injury.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Oh, Jeeves, I think it's a combination of all the
players since they're if we're looking at obviously injuries and
then the chemistry of players and then understanding, then it
all has an effect. I mean, I love what Sam
Healley has done. I really enjoy his style of play.
Dimitri comes in for Forsher Harris, which is going to
(01:40):
be a massive test for him. Fisher Harris has got numbers,
he's got a plays for the four minutes and this
kid has been outstanding, so it's a chance. It's a
chance for him to step up, which is great. The
bench changes tay until a Picky comes into it. Freddy
Last comes into the bench again. Freddy's been playing really
(02:02):
good football in New South Wales. Carp and Taine can
fit into that eying quite easily. So a lot of changes,
a lot of opportunities again, but there's some the changes
will have some effect in some way.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Ideally not want you want to do coming up against
the Dolphins, even that it's home on the back of
which was a pretty underwhelming loss over the weekend to
the Titans. So to jig together a team facing that,
how do these guys go about preparing for that? Because
they've panicked and the other decisions I see that we've
(02:37):
got the same wingman that's caused a bit of grief
in Dulan Martiney's leg in the acts will expand on
that edge as well.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
This is difficult, Yeah, it is difficult. I think what
the Dolphins are interesting. So they've got a couple of
players coming back. I mean, they've got threat all across
the field with too Fedo, and then you've got Herbie
Farnworth who's been somewhat an incredible center. I mean I
really enjoy his play. Cody comes back into the freight
(03:05):
six after injury, and you've got this incredible, gifted young
player called Cartella. I mean, he is something special that
I love seeing him play. And then not a lot
has said, but I really like Marshall King. I think
he's been really extraordinary for the Dolphins. In the last week.
Cal Fusi comes back into play, so he features in
number ten. So and then you've got also sorry Mark
(03:28):
Nichols who comes back from injury, and Josh Kurtse So
you've got some serious amount of players there from origin
experience coming into the play and they can put points
on you real quick. You know, they've put in the
last probably in three or four weeks they could put
forty points on you real quick. So the essence of
their play I think for the Warriors and if the
(03:50):
weathers it looks like it's not great at the moment,
it looks like the weather could improve for the Friday,
but me personally, if it's wet, they need to make
it really aggressive. They need to make their stay in
Auckland one of those times where the teams come and
talk and go, oh it's raining again, and make it
real bad so physicality and make it the worst day
(04:13):
they could ever experience.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Any surprise to you that Aleniak, who's basically been the
target of a lot of trolls over the last couple
of months with his possession or play, he's still there,
which has says to me that Webs has got a
huge amount of faith in what he's doing. But you know,
being a former professional, that you can't hang it all
on Dallin Muttony's alesniakt this this right edge essue that
(04:37):
they've had.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
No there's been so many injuries concerns on that right edge.
They've been in and outs right throughout this whole season.
And these chemistry, there's understanding of players and how they
react there's a balance between decision making in terms of
the new people coming in. So no, he's got an
element where he's got to improve. He's no doubt he's
coming through an injury and he's got to improve. He's
(05:01):
got to get better, there's no question about that. And
I thought last week was a little bit better than
what I've seen the last week. He's really been aggressive
and carrying the boy out of trouble, and Cape Well
has been another player that probably came in a number
of times last week that created a try. So again,
it's a tough decision making on the edge. I think
(05:23):
people realize how hard it is to defend.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Tell me about defending an edge in about the positional play.
A number of people they put their hands up and go, well,
it's his fault. He makes all the wrong decisions, and
it's very obvious when he's made the wrong decision. But
esp I suppose between the players, the ability to read
the play and what goes on there and playing behind
(05:47):
all these blokes you know about body position, about feints,
about shows in their position too, what does it rely on?
Because there's a number of processes here right the way
from the edge of the pack right the way through. Yeah,
it is.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
It's controlling the right first and foremost and then on
the edge. I mean we get to set on TV
and it's slow mo and you make decisions.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Go wow, what do you do that?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
The outdoor side defenders have got probably a fraction of
a second to make a decision. It's not that easy.
And if their body is turned in, the natural instinct
is going and jamming. So it's all about body positioning.
It is all about how they construct a set piece
to engage the third man in. So if you've got
(06:34):
someone like Karen Fawn who digs deep into the line,
that means there's less time for the outside the right
side of the defense of the Warriors to make decisions.
So that means they are holding off and they have
to make a split decision to whether they come in
hold off. And it's difficult. It is so difficult, and
it requires such a chemistry between all players, plus communication,
(06:59):
plus everything else. They have to make a decision when
there is so much shape coming at you. It's not easy.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Opposition players they know when there is trouble on an
edge or anywhere in a team, how much of a
part do they play in exposing that weakness that the
team has, because I expect they'll be looking at tells
as well. They'd understand when things are a little shaky
and they would benefit from that by peeling it open.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah. I agree. So Cartoa and his wisdom and his
ability will come out, and probably Pepper that left the
right edge attack of the Warriors one because he's got
such an amazing talent to either hold off a ball
and a short ball or to a sweeping runner. He
can read a plug very well. His vision is incredible.
(07:50):
So I think they're going to have to be at
their best. I think defensively, their ruck has to be
so strong in terms of controlling the speed of the ruck,
but also the decision making on their edge because you've
got two very accomplished players, Cartoa young amazing and the
Carema who's come out back to New Zealand to showcase
what he's done this year. He's been outstanding too.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
So controls defensive and on the edge. Who do you
look to? Is it a case of everybody carrying a
tiny bit of responsibilities. Did it all come from the halves?
Where does those commands come from?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Well, it's really hard because you're throwing decoy runners and
holding up the defense for that fraction of a second.
So you've got to make decisions based on shape where
they'll have players who will go to the line late,
and then the outside has a split decision to make.
It's not easy. So it's actually a ray of things
where you've got right in the middle, where you've got
(08:46):
your first receiving, the second receiver, how they move the
ball out wide, and then defensively, you've got to get
up and make them make a decision early. I think
that really starts from the inside out, and then the
decision making from the outside, ensuring that they've got confidence,
they've got chemistry between the players and the communications on
en call. I wish it was that easy when you
(09:09):
see it on screen when people make decisions and they
go why did he do that? It is not that easy.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talks'd be right.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Let's move on now to the Warriors. A number of
changes within the Warriors side. That team came out at
six o'clock today. That team on Friday is going to
take on the Dolphins. There have been changes and the
big changes are at six, eight and nine all through injury.
(00:36):
We joined now by Richard Barnett to take a look
at these changes and his thoughts.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Good evening, Richie, Good evening, Darcy.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
A few surprises in the Wars team, maybe not the
ones that we expected, and we'll talk about the complaints
around the edge shortly. But there's been injuries and there
are some big changes within the side. What's your initial
reaction to the changes and where they actually have been.
I suppose that the big one what would be the
(01:04):
big one for you? Would it be to Mighty Martin
coming in at Sex? Would it be Dementric vaimong Are
coming in for James Fisher, Harris or Sam Healley in
the hocking role. Because there's a reasonably big changes all
from injury.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Oh, Jeeves, I think it's a combination of all the
players since they're if we're looking at obviously injuries and
then the chemistry of players and then understanding, then it
all has an effect. I mean, I love what Sam
Healley has done. I really enjoy his style of play.
Dimitri comes in for Forsher Harris, which is going to
(01:40):
be a massive test for him. Fisher Harris has got numbers,
he's got a plays for the four minutes and this
kid has been outstanding, so it's a chance. It's a
chance for him to step up, which is great. The
bench changes tay until a Picky comes into it. Freddy
Last comes into the bench again. Freddy's been playing really
(02:02):
good football in New South Wales. Carp and Taine can
fit into that eying quite easily. So a lot of changes,
a lot of opportunities again, but there's some the changes
will have some effect in some way.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Ideally not want you want to do coming up against
the Dolphins, even that it's home on the back of
which was a pretty underwhelming loss over the weekend to
the Titans. So to jig together a team facing that,
how do these guys go about preparing for that? Because
they've panicked and the other decisions I see that we've
(02:37):
got the same wingman that's caused a bit of grief
in Dulan Martiney's leg in the acts will expand on
that edge as well.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
This is difficult, Yeah, it is difficult. I think what
the Dolphins are interesting. So they've got a couple of
players coming back. I mean, they've got threat all across
the field with too Fedo, and then you've got Herbie
Farnworth who's been somewhat an incredible center. I mean I
really enjoy his play. Cody comes back into the freight
(03:05):
six after injury, and you've got this incredible, gifted young
player called Cartella. I mean, he is something special that
I love seeing him play. And then not a lot
has said, but I really like Marshall King. I think
he's been really extraordinary for the Dolphins. In the last week.
Cal Fusi comes back into play, so he features in
number ten. So and then you've got also sorry Mark
(03:28):
Nichols who comes back from injury, and Josh Kurtse So
you've got some serious amount of players there from origin
experience coming into the play and they can put points
on you real quick. You know, they've put in the
last probably in three or four weeks they could put
forty points on you real quick. So the essence of
their play I think for the Warriors and if the
(03:50):
weathers it looks like it's not great at the moment,
it looks like the weather could improve for the Friday,
but me personally, if it's wet, they need to make
it really aggressive. They need to make their stay in
Auckland one of those times where the teams come and
talk and go, oh it's raining again, and make it
real bad so physicality and make it the worst day
(04:13):
they could ever experience.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Any surprise to you that Aleniak, who's basically been the
target of a lot of trolls over the last couple
of months with his possession or play, he's still there,
which has says to me that Webs has got a
huge amount of faith in what he's doing. But you know,
being a former professional, that you can't hang it all
on Dallin Muttony's alesniakt this this right edge essue that
(04:37):
they've had.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
No there's been so many injuries concerns on that right edge.
They've been in and outs right throughout this whole season.
And these chemistry, there's understanding of players and how they
react there's a balance between decision making in terms of
the new people coming in. So no, he's got an
element where he's got to improve. He's no doubt he's
coming through an injury and he's got to improve. He's
(05:01):
got to get better, there's no question about that. And
I thought last week was a little bit better than
what I've seen the last week. He's really been aggressive
and carrying the boy out of trouble, and Cape Well
has been another player that probably came in a number
of times last week that created a try. So again,
it's a tough decision making on the edge. I think
(05:23):
people realize how hard it is to defend.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Tell me about defending an edge in about the positional play.
A number of people they put their hands up and go, well,
it's his fault. He makes all the wrong decisions, and
it's very obvious when he's made the wrong decision. But
esp I suppose between the players, the ability to read
the play and what goes on there and playing behind
(05:47):
all these blokes you know about body position, about feints,
about shows in their position too, what does it rely on?
Because there's a number of processes here right the way
from the edge of the pack right the way through. Yeah,
it is.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
It's controlling the right first and foremost and then on
the edge. I mean we get to set on TV
and it's slow mo and you make decisions.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Go wow, what do you do that?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
The outdoor side defenders have got probably a fraction of
a second to make a decision. It's not that easy.
And if their body is turned in, the natural instinct
is going and jamming. So it's all about body positioning.
It is all about how they construct a set piece
to engage the third man in. So if you've got
(06:34):
someone like Karen Fawn who digs deep into the line,
that means there's less time for the outside the right
side of the defense of the Warriors to make decisions.
So that means they are holding off and they have
to make a split decision to whether they come in
hold off. And it's difficult. It is so difficult, and
it requires such a chemistry between all players, plus communication,
(06:59):
plus everything else. They have to make a decision when
there is so much shape coming at you. It's not easy.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Opposition players they know when there is trouble on an
edge or anywhere in a team, how much of a
part do they play in exposing that weakness that the
team has, because I expect they'll be looking at tells
as well. They'd understand when things are a little shaky
and they would benefit from that by peeling it open.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yeah. I agree. So Cartoa and his wisdom and his
ability will come out, and probably Pepper that left the
right edge attack of the Warriors one because he's got
such an amazing talent to either hold off a ball
and a short ball or to a sweeping runner. He
can read a plug very well. His vision is incredible.
(07:50):
So I think they're going to have to be at
their best. I think defensively, their ruck has to be
so strong in terms of controlling the speed of the ruck,
but also the decision making on their edge because you've
got two very accomplished players, Cartoa young amazing and the
Carema who's come out back to New Zealand to showcase
what he's done this year. He's been outstanding too.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
So controls defensive and on the edge. Who do you
look to? Is it a case of everybody carrying a
tiny bit of responsibilities. Did it all come from the halves?
Where does those commands come from?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Well, it's really hard because you're throwing decoy runners and
holding up the defense for that fraction of a second.
So you've got to make decisions based on shape where
they'll have players who will go to the line late,
and then the outside has a split decision to make.
It's not easy. So it's actually a ray of things
where you've got right in the middle, where you've got
(08:46):
your first receiving, the second receiver, how they move the
ball out wide, and then defensively, you've got to get
up and make them make a decision early. I think
that really starts from the inside out, and then the
decision making from the outside, ensuring that they've got confidence,
they've got chemistry between the players and the communications on
en call. I wish it was that easy when you
(09:09):
see it on screen when people make decisions and they
go why did he do that? It is not that easy.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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