February 23, 2025 • 33 mins
This week on The Big League Podcast - New Zealand rugby league legend and Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones joins us to go through all the off season drama, including the loss of Tohu Harris, the appointment of skippers Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris PLUS is Stacey heading straight to the casino in Vegas?
Senior New Zealand Herald writer Michael Burgess is back to give us the rundown on the new-look Warriors.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast Vast poet by News Talks VB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Welcome back to The Big League Podcast. This week, New
Zealand rugby League legend and Warrior's assistant coach Stacy Jones
joins us to go through all the off season drama,
including the loss of Tod Who Harris, the appointment of
skippers Mitch Barnett and James Fisher Harris. Plus is Stacey
heading straight to the casino in Vegas. Senior New Zealand
(00:44):
Herald writer Michael Burgess says back to give us the
rundown on the new look Warriors.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
My name is Nathan Limb. Let's go to b LB.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
It's been a long, hot summer, but rugby league is
finally here. There's something tantalizingly seductive about afresh NRL season,
said to be littered with triumph's heartbreak, drama and out
the gate action. The are a different team to last year.
The era of the great Sean Johnson has come to
a close. Luke Metcalf assumes the half back jersey talismanic
(01:17):
captain Tohu Harris has been forced into medical retirement. Mitch
Barnett's and James Fisher Harris take the Helm as co captains,
adding Vanua, Blake, Jan Stavanger and Marcelo Montoya are gone.
Aaron Clark, Tanna Boyd and Sam Healy are in thirty
seasons and counting. The question once again will be raised,
(01:38):
is this our year? It is my pleasure to welcome
back Michael Burgess, Senior New Zealand Herald writer, season three
of the podcast burg Are you excited?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
I can't wait. I can't wait for doing this every
week with you for the season. Of course, I don't
know where you were though, saying a long hot summer.
I was thinking was he in Australia or something for
most of the summer. But it has been pretty good.
It's great to be back, and of course this is
this is bigger than ever. I mean, we always get
excited about round one, but this realm one scenario is crazy,
(02:10):
isn't it?
Speaker 4 (02:10):
It is?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It is it is something different Las Vegas. You are
going to go to Las Vegas, Burge. I'm so jealous,
And to be honest, I think it's wrong. I think
I should be going. I think Las Vegas will be
wasted on you. Like I know, I'd make the most
of it. Are you gonna be at the what are
you gonna do? Well?
Speaker 5 (02:28):
I won't be following Stacey Jones into the straight deg
casino put it that way, But yeah, you want to
have a look. I'm quite keen to go to the
casino they used for Ocean's eleven, oh classic movie.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I'd love to know where that is and what that is.
But yeah, you're there.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
You're there to bring all the color and the excitement
and the stories from there. I mean, it's pretty crazy
having four teams in Vegas, plus the the International between
the Jilarus and England, plus Wigan and Warrington. Apparently there's
there's like an invasion of British fans, you know, because
they love to travel, love an excuse to get to
(03:04):
Vegas and it's a lot closer for them. So I
think the stories around the fans and their journeys and
the color. I'd love to know what the locals think
of this rugby League thing, and you know, let's wait
and see about the other things, like, you know, will
Donald Trump turn up to the game personally? I hope
not because if he does a security lockdown like crazy,
(03:24):
and next thing, I find myself outside the stadium because
I've got a bloody I don't know, a tripod and
a shelfie stick or something. But yeah, there's so much
to look forward to, and I feel very lucky that
I that I am going, And don't worry you'll be
that you'll be on the plane next time in about
ten years when they do the year.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
When they do the when they do the sequel. Oh well,
I look forward to it. Can you talk us through?
I guess what you expect to what your week's going
to look like? Yeah, I mean it's interesting, like I think,
for example, we arrive on the We arrive on Tuesday
at about midday, thirteen forty hours on the plane with
(04:03):
a lot of a lot of Warriors fans, a couple
of comedians, probably plenty of liquid refreshments for the fans.
So you know what can possibly go wrong, but it
should be a really fun flight. Arrival at midday, and
then the Warriors have a media session at two thirty
that afternoon, so to be a matter of getting out
of the airport going straight to their hotel, which we
(04:24):
should talk about actually their hotel sounds crazy, but going
to the hotel doing the media session with the players.
There's training on most days in the morning and then
a media session back at their hotel, so I'll be
criss crossing a lot of Vegas. There'll be a lot
of uber time and taxis, and then I think we
get to go to the UFC Gym, which is where
(04:44):
they're doing the gym sessions. There's a big fans event
and signing event at a place called Fremont Street, which
is apparently a really iconic area of Las Vegas, and
then I'm looking forward to seeing the stadium. The funny
thing for me is that there are no rugby fields
in Las Vegas, so there are no goldposts. So the
(05:05):
goalkickers apparently will not be to practice their goalkicking until
the Friday morning, and they get one chance on the
Friday morning during the captain's run half an hour Metcarfin
and Harris Avita, for example, We'll have one chance, but
before that they'll be I guess, chipping over soccer soccer
(05:26):
goals or something.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
So yeah, there's a lot of weird things going on. Well.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Next week, obviously you are going to be in Las Vegas.
So it'll be the Big League Podcast from Vegas and
we'll get to hear all about this week, all about
the game and what you got to experience. Now, we're
going to debrief all of the off season drama and
preview the year ahead. But first let's get some intel
from Warrior's assistant coach Stacy Jones.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It is my pleasure to welcome into the Big League
Podcast for the very first episode of the year, Warriors
assistant coach and Rugby League great Stacy Jones.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Stacey, thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
How are you? Thanks and yes, thanks for having me
on on your show.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Obviously, it's a massive, massive season ahead, there's so much excitement.
Has been a long, hot summer without rugby league, but
we're ready to get back into it. Stacey, wonder first
of all, you just taught me through how the preseason
has gone. And what are the biggest things I suppose
that have stood out for you as a coach ahead
of this season from your team.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
Yeah, good question, Nasan. Look, I feel that you know,
every preseason is really hard, but I feel this one
has been been extra hard on the players. They have
been really long days I'm out on the field. There's
been players sort of missing their marks on things. Then
there's been heavy, heavy consequences, usually this penalty, but there's
(06:48):
been been heavy consequence. So it's been a pretty tough
preseason for them. And also the other thing too, not
a good thing. But we were able to start back
earlier than what we did last year. It's been a
longer preseason than what we had the previous year because
we didn't make playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I suppose the big thing that I want to touch
on first of all is obviously the loss of Tohoo House.
It took us all by surprise that sort of injury
and forced retirement. But to also not have Sean Johnson
in the squadron around the group for the first preseason
and many to not have those two massive characters in
terms of sort of the face of your club and
Sean and your skipper and Tahoo, that must have changed
(07:31):
the environment. I suppose from a player perspective, does it
have a different feel without those two there?
Speaker 6 (07:37):
You know, certainly did you know those players have been
around around the club for quite some time, in particular
Sean with you know what he's done and then taught
who coming a few years later but being our skipper.
And also we lost Adams for Nord Blake and jas
Stavanger as well, players that have spent quite some time
at the club, so there was a different feel. Certainly,
(08:00):
those players are very experienced and we're great dierdents for
the for the club. But you know what's allowed to
do is for other players to step up. You know,
in particular, you know Mitch Barnett I think named co
captain with James Fisher Harris and what he's been able
to bring as a captain. And also you know the
younger players too. I feel like that they decided that
(08:22):
they'll put their hand up and try and lead as well.
So you know, I know where these worked really hard
with all the group as far as being leaders around
the group, and they've done a wonderful job. And now
they're going about things at the club with you know
where our leadership is.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, and you touched on Mitch Barnett, James Fisher Harris
just there. Both of them are talis manic in terms
of the n r L as a whole. Can you
explain to us, I guess the decision to name them
both as co captains as opposed to just pecking one.
Why have you gone with this leadership structure and what
does each player bring to it?
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Yeah, look, well I didn't have too much say in
what was going on, but I certainly supported the decision
that was made. You know, two players that sent me
lead from the front in different ways. You know, both
actions mean by what they on the field. But you know,
Mitch is more of a person that loves to lead
with with a lot of talk to and James, you know,
(09:17):
when he talks to everyone just really listens. He doesn't
say a lot, but when he does say something, there's
a real silence amongst the group that what what what
he's saying. So, you know, I don't think you could
ask for two better quality players as far as you know,
when you're when you're running out on the field, you've
got those two boats running out in front of you
knowing that they've got your they've got your back. So look,
(09:38):
I think it's been a really good decision made made
by Andrew Webster.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I want to go through a few of the like
specific player selections and different roles that you have, but
but first of all, what is the goal this season.
Like I guess it's it's very easy to say we
want to we want to.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Win the NRL. Do you like, where is the benchmark?
Speaker 3 (09:57):
What is your your sort of minimum expectations for this year,
because obviously last year sort of fell short in that regard.
I think it's probably.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
Fair to say, uh, you know, I think if you
ask every club what do they want to win? What
do they want to do, they want to win a premiership.
I don't think there's any benchmark or anything like that.
I think the benchmarkers out there and make sure we
perform this week and every week, you know. So there's
no we want to pick the top four, we want
to make the playoffs. We certainly want to be in
(10:25):
that position. And then when you're in that position, then
you can go on and win the win the competition.
So I guess, you know, the big goal for us
is to do that haven't done at this club before,
and you know, the autumn to be part of a
group that can do it. So there's no certainly know
this is where we want to be. We just know
that we want to perform every week.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Luke Metcalf is going to be the new half back
for this year. Stepping in the absence of obviously Sean
Johnson as a former half about yourself, what has impressed
you most about Luke? And I guess the way he's
taken the mantil. He's had some you know, strong showings
in the preseason games. What's impressed you most about him
and what gives you confidence that he is the right
man to be the half back.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
Oh, look, he's had a really good preseason. You know,
he ticks all the boxes as far as what you
need from a playmaker. You know, he's got a really
strong kicking game. You know, he defends really well, he
talks really well. So and he's still relatively young and
I think he's only twenty four years old, so you
(11:27):
know he's still learning the game. And obviously, you know,
with Sean not being there, he knows that he needs
to step up. So you know, we just love for
Luke to get some quality time out on the field.
And you know, the last couple of years he said
injury disruption, so we just hope that he can be
injury free throughout the year. But now there's other players
also in the squad that you can put pressure on
(11:49):
on Luke who so signing Tanner Board and combined there
as well, and Chanel Teita Harris. So you know there's
there's players there that you know, they can certainly put
put pressure on Luke and he's really driving on being
in this position.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
What will Luke's style be, because I guess Sean was
such a dominant half he was playing a ball on
both sides of the ruck. Will Medcalf be sort of
similar to that, or will to Midi Martin or whoever
you have in that five eighth role run the left
side of the field on his own, or how do
you see it sort of working?
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Ah, Look, you know each week it will change things
up a little bit. I'm not going to give you
too much away how we're going to play our game,
but you know Luke will play a dominant role and
whoever the other half is will do the same and
compliment each other. So I mean, you know, the beauty
of of what we do have is, you know, to
(12:41):
Mighty has played a lot on the left side. Chell's
played a lot on the left side. Lukes played on
left side. But they probably all natural or not not
Chanal but Commodi and Luke and Tara and natural probably
right side of players, but you can all play on
the left. Look, I'm not going to give way too
much of our structure, what we're going to do and
anything like that, but we just know we've got a
(13:02):
good crop of half that that can do a job.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
And Delan Watson is listening obviously unfortunately offering that injury
in the first preseason game and attained to a peak.
He's played parts of both those preseason games on the wing.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Obviously it courses there as well. How do you see uh,
you guys, I suppose.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Filling that that role on on on that side in
Dallan's absence, how do you see that going?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
As has Tane impressed you?
Speaker 6 (13:27):
It has done a really good job it cost He's
had some time there on the on the right wing too.
So yeah, I've been unfortunate with Dyllan's injury and he
and he got injured I think in the first sort
of ten minutes of the game of the first trial,
so we had plenty of time to give players a
run there, and Costs got to go there, and Tane
(13:47):
got to go there. And you know, also, you know
the other player Rocker Berry not being available to on
the right side's a bit of a for us, but
you know, we've got a few days to not a doubt,
but we've got a pretty good plan on on on
who we are, who's going to play there.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
You're going to have a go the casino in Vegas.
Make the most of it.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
I think. I don't think you can avoid it. Ken,
I'm sure there'll be times where we can probably throw
five bucks in here or that. I'm not a big
gambler as far as casinos go. Look, I know that
you know we're certainly going over there to do a job,
but I know you know we'd be wanting everyone to
make sure that you know they're going there to have
(14:31):
have have been a fun environment as well.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Fantastic, that's great to hear. Enjoy it, Stacey, where you
have the opportunity. Thank you so much for taking the
time to be on the Big League Podcast and a
mess of good luck for the season ahead.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
I'm sure we'll talk soon.
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Awesome, appreciate it. Thanks by WI.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
This is going Yeah, The Big League Podcast on the
Warriors Bad Wagons since day one. The Big League Podcast
on the Warriors Bad Wagons since day one.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Great to hear from Stacey Jones there. I found it
really interesting what he said about especial Harris. It was
obviously one of the big stories of late last year
in terms of him coming to the club. When he talks,
everyone else falls silent. There's a real aura, a real
mana about him. And I suppose, Burge, when you look
at the shock injury enforced retirement of Tollhu Harris and
(15:26):
obviously the departure of Sean Johnson, which was well documented,
that's what you need. You need someone who comes in
and has that gravitas. And I suppose between him and
Mitch Barnett, who we already have seen produce heroic performances
in a warrior's jersey, I'm really pleased with the decision
to name them both as co captains.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
It's a good one. It's a good one. You know,
Harris will leave a bigger void than we think. You know,
obviously his body was starting to give up on him,
but he was an amazing leader, did so much behind
the scenes, pretty good with the refs talking with him
all that. So that's tough. Johnson, you know, he just
he ran the team, didn't he on during the games.
But it's a good solution. It is a good solution.
(16:08):
Webster hasn't been a fan of co captains. He told
me that it wasn't It wasn't something he thought of instantly.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Actually, he pretty much was.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
Thinking Barnett, Barnette, Barnett, you know, because he thought it's
too much on James to come in and be captain.
But what he saw in three or four weeks of
preseason convinced him that, oh, the players really responding to
this guy he wants to lead. So it's an ideal blend,
you know. I think Barnett would be good at things
like talking to the referees. Fisher Harris might not be
(16:38):
as good at that, but they've got a lot of strengths.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
I guess.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
The only issue is the fact that there'll be times
and they're both off the field. So that's issue with
having two props as co captain. But that's where the
others have got to step up. Maybe they'll work out
away where they stagger it, but they're obviously the starting props,
so you'd think they'll be off at the same time sometimes.
But that's not a biggie. Andrew webs did didn't seem
to think there was a big one, so it's a
(17:03):
good call.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Yeah, I mean I really like obviously James only just
arriving at the club, but I really I think that
they needed to have a Kiwi somewhere in the leadership
ranks just because you know, obviously CEO Cameron George Australian,
Australian coach and Andrew Webster, if you have Mitch Barnett's
it's sort of like Australians all the way through. And
it is a New Zealand club. There's nothing wrong with that,
but just it does need to reflect I suppose the
(17:25):
fan base and having someone like James come in, who
is the Keiwi's captain and obviously a huge figure in
New Zealand rugby league, just keeps that sort of New
Zealand element in terms of what is running the team.
But I do I love having the mix of Australians
in there as well. I think they are quite different
to us and they bring something different in terms of
we sort of steal.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Yeah, I think I think you. I think you're right.
The you know, it's an Australian competition. They're dealing with
a lot of ossies, all the referees in Australian basically
all the other players, so many other players are Australian,
so it does help in some ways.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
And there weren't too many. I know Roger was spoken about.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
In fact Roger, some people were saying, oh, he should
be he was the obvious choice, but I don't actually
think Roger particularly would have wanted to be care And again,
I think he's got enough on his plate. Wade Egan
is a senior player and a good leader, and there
are a couple others as well, but I think Webster's
got it, got it just right.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
The part that's got me most excited about this offseason
and the way the Warriors team slightly looks different to
last year is is Luke Metcalfe and half back. His speed,
his game, vision, his kicking game isn't Johnson's. But it
is going to get more time to shine this year.
Where is it It didn't so much in the last
couple of years because Johnson was so dominant. Obviously, metcalf
(18:42):
had that long injury layoff last year as well. What
do you make of I suppose him taking the mental
and what you saw in the preseason trials because I
was impressed.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
I liked it.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
No, it's good, you're excited. I think a lot of
people will be he is a good choice. He's got
the best kicking game as well. People forget that he's
got the best kicking. Well, boys have got a good
kicking game too, But he's Metcalf's got a good kicking games.
You've seen with those forty twenties. He's fast, he can
threaten defenses, and he's not a bad organizer. And apparently
Webs was telling me his defense has really stepped up
(19:14):
in preseason. They've really been pressed with defense. So you're
talking about all round package. It's just for me whether
with all his playmaking and organizing dudies, will he be
able to still exhibit that running game that was so
good in twenty three and in bits of twenty four
outside of injury, will he get the chance to do that?
You know, it's such a big load, big number seven,
(19:34):
or will they share it around? Look, he's the best option,
but it's a big weight on his shoulders running the team.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Who's his five eighth? Because i've sort of this year
I want I would like to see a more balanced
approach to the halves than we saw with Johnson because
he was so dominant. He pop up on both sides
of the ruckie go and run the left side, and
too Midy Martin when he was partner with Johns, would
often go missing and games we saw to Madi really
shine when he stepped into that half back role, and
I was a big supporter of that. But I'd like
(20:06):
to see with Metcalf running that right side. I mean,
whether it's Tomty or Tana or whoever, they get the
license to be a bit more expressive and we have
dual playmakers. What do you think about who should partner Metca.
It'll be Chanelle in round one, is my feeling. I
know they like the idea of a left foot right
foot kicker. Chanell is a great defender and he just
(20:29):
seems to have the slight edge on to Marty at
the moment through the preseason.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
But that does not mean those two will be, you know,
in sconce for the rest of the year. There's probably
going to be injuries. It always happens, and also there's
room to change. I completely agree. I think they've got
a bit predictable twenty three at work, but twenty four
they got a bit predictable. Everyone knew it was going
through Johnson. It was quite easy to shut down it
was easy to pressure Johnson. It made it really hard
(20:54):
to Marty or Chanell on the left doing their thing.
There could be really good and of course you get
chance sweeping around, but overall.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
They bring different qualities.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
You know, Chanell is a great defender to Marte is
very good at the He's good defender too.
Speaker 4 (21:07):
He's very good at the off, the tough stuff.
Speaker 5 (21:08):
You know, he's a real ab lib type player, which
can be good, but I am I have to say
my major concern about this season is the harve situation
because people don't realize how big avoids Seawan Johnson will leave.
You know, he just had the supercomputer, the brain and
the way he did things. I'll just give you one example.
(21:30):
Shawn Johnson across the career has kicked seventeen field goals,
all those crucial you know, to win golden points, to
win towards the end of the game. The rest of
the Warriors halves this year Tomatoes kick one, Chanel's kick
one in his career, Boy three, and Metcuff none so.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
And we sort of saw that last year.
Speaker 5 (21:49):
When Johnson wasn't on the field, they didn't really know
they couldn't execute a field goal. It's a little example,
but that's the kind of thing that they'll have to
really really work out without with Johnson's experience. Big game, No,
how kind of gone sound a bit negative, haven't.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
I come on? Round one?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Done?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Shy A getst their negatives. I have faith, I have faith.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
I have faith in Metcalf, Dallan jatenez Lesniak his injury
rist injury, big blow and obviously that first preseason trial
game he's out until at least round seven, leaving a
big hole on that right edge. Tanned to Opeki has
played on the wing in both preseason games, somewhat unexpectedly.
My concern with him on the wing because obviously this
(22:31):
ed Corsey there as well as an option bigger body
as well. What does webs to do here? Because my
concern with two Opeaky on the wing is that he
is too short. He he cannot compete in the air
with the likes of Xavier Coats or Dominic Young. So
if Tane, I know Tane's on the wing and I'm
the Warrior's opposition, I am raining bombs down on his
(22:52):
corner all day every day.
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Yeah, Yeah, that's the thing Tane is. He's one point
seven eight meters, you know, So he admitted that. I
talked to him in Hamilton after the last trial and
he said, look, there's the thing. I'm, you know, one
of the shorter players in their own I know that
I'm going to need I'm going to need my teammates
around me to help me, and then I'm just going
to have to compete as hard as I can. It
kind of depends who they're playing, doesn't it. You know,
(23:18):
obviously there's some teams with taller wingers than others. I
think the Storm in that trial they had that guy
Bradley who was like the second or third tallest winger
in the comp so it looked kind of worse. But
you're you're on the money. It is a risk, right
if you use him. He brings a lot in terms
of paces finishing. He's so so snappy around the around
(23:38):
the ruck.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
He brings a lot.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Of course, he is the big body, the power the
yardage can get exposed with grubbers and behind obviously, and
he's not not nearly as fast.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
It's a lot to weigh up.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
I tried to ask Andrew Webster what he's going to
do and he said, he's kind of made of his mind,
but he certainly wasn't going to tell me fair enough.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
So that'll that'll be intriguing.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
But beyond round one, it is a bit of a concern,
a like they've kind of been caught a bit short
because they were counting on Dallen and Roger with one backup,
and then Dowling gets injured. They probably, in hindsight, would
have replaced Marcelo. I think they had to look around
in November and December, couldn't re find any and they
wanted and didn't want to bring in someone for the
sake of it. But they are a bit short with wingers.
(24:19):
So let's hope Roger obviously stays injury free and the centers, etc.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
And they find a way.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
You know what, I think the key factor is for
the Warriors succeeding the season, and it sucks because it's
something that's not really in their control, and that's injuries
in the halves. Last year, the issue was that because
they had injuries sort of spaced out nicely so that
you always had someone key out, they never got the
(24:48):
halves combination to click. Johnson intimighty. I was a big
proponent of them as a combination because they worked late
twenty twenty three and the two most experienced halves they
just never got it going, and Johnson struggled because he
had those injuries during the season that sort of just
kept coming about, and it was sort of every week
it was like is Johnson going to play or not.
(25:08):
The Warriors looked the best, I thought when they had
Timighty in the halfback jumper with Chanelle outside it probably
with metcalf two, but he was gone for such a
long time during that season and just that chopping and changing. Obviously,
Johnson returned later, but it just never clicked, never clicked
like it did in twenty twenty three, And I worry
that a couple of couple of key injuries and they
(25:28):
could be in the same situation again. Obviously different story
this year with Luke that starting half back, but that
for me would be the thing is can they get
the halves combination right, because I feel like if they
get that right, everything else will flow.
Speaker 5 (25:43):
It is definitely a key factor. The Warriors are much
more fragile when it comes to injuries than most other teams.
You just think like they can't really afford to lose
Egan for too long, can't afford to live Metcalf for
too long, same for Barnett, same for Chance Roger, Allie
le Otawa. You know, they just seem to have a
bit less cover than other teams. I'd say another key
factor would be the apprentices, the young players. They've got
(26:06):
two or three pre seasons behind them now. If some
of them really start to shine, could be a good thing.
And the other thing is that I'm been greedy. Hear
is just finding a way to replace Adam from them
a black finding a way that big body that was
so effective that got the matter trouble so many times,
deep in their own half, finding someone or a group
(26:27):
of them that are going.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
To do that.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans, Big Hits,
Big Moments, The Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
All right, Bert, we've still got quick fire predictions at
the end of this. We've only got two games to
look at this we can, but obviously we've got an
entire season ahead. So are there any season predictions of
where the Warriors are going to finish, who are going
to be the manor premiers? What are the big things
that you think are going to happen this year?
Speaker 5 (27:02):
Yeah, gee, Minor Premier is very hard to call obviously,
but I will say that I can see the Storm
being Minor Premiers again. I think they're just such a good,
consistent week to wing team. Whether they're good enough to
win the Grand Final, I don't know, but they're so
good week to week consistent. Someone that Eli Katoa is
just going to get better and better. They've got that
(27:25):
famous structure they've created. Well, I think they're going to
be probably because Peenith surely can't you stay up there.
But they've got to start losing at some point. Yeah,
that's right, it's getting boring. And then there's some simple ones.
The Broncos should be better under McGuire. The Rabbit should
be a lot better under Wayne Bennett. Do we want
(27:45):
to talk about the Warriors now?
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:47):
I mean, I'll just say I'm packing Brisbane Bronco's Minor
Premiers twenty twenty five. I think Michael mcgui would be
really good for that team, and they've they've underperformed so
much in last year.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
They just fell off a bit of a cliff.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
But the amount of star power that that team has,
they should be top four easily. And I think you're
right it's about time someone knocked off the Panthers. The
Storm will be would be the other team that I'd
be looking at as minor premiers, But I'm going to
pick the Bronco. Michael Maguire's going to have an absolute
blinder in his first year in charge. So that's what
I think will happen with that. Yeah, in terms of
(28:23):
the Warriors, I love it n I love it is.
I love these ballsy calls, none of this boring sitting
on the fence. Yeah. Well, Warriors, I'm picking they finished
between six and eight. They're going to be better than
they were last year. I'm not picking a twenty twenty
three kind of crazy run because I feel like they
really did catch everyone off guard like that everyone's going
(28:46):
to be more aware of still going to be aware of.
I guess what the Warriors will bring, but I expect
there to be some teething issues, especially early on in
the season. Without Harris Johnson, two huge personalities and people
for the group, I think that it might be a
little bit rocky to start the season. They'll come right
later on and I'm picking they scrape into the eight
(29:06):
between six and eight. They finish on the tape.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
I've given you sort of my reasons for fear, which
we've talked about, the injuries, the halves, the replacing Adam
those there's quite a few things that make you but worried.
The fact only they only had nine wins last year
and they've got a really springboard.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
But here's the reasons for hope. Lay them on me,
Aaron Clark.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
I think he's going to be really, really good. He
was a standout across both trials. I just think he
is a He's an upgrade on Jesseevanger. He'll be so important,
better than people think. Ali Lautaua could be amazing.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
He's only young.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
I don't want to put too much pressure on him,
but at center, if he can stay Andrew free and
just get used to things, we can work out. I
kind of got a similar answer to you, Actually not
that on coffeeing, but well, there's a whole swag of teams.
There's a whole there's sort of your top five teams,
and then there's a whole swag that can finish anywhere
from from six to twelfth.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
There really is.
Speaker 5 (30:03):
You know, if you take out the Panthers, the storm,
the roosters, the rabbit has be a lot better under
Bennett and then there's all these teams like, you know,
what are the Eels going to do? Surely they're going
to be better. The Cowboys would be good, the Raiders
be good again, mainly be good.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
There's all.
Speaker 5 (30:17):
It's just it's crazy how competitive this this competition is.
But yeah, I can see them being anywhere from from
six to tenths. I think they will make the finals.
But it always feels good to say that at this
time of year.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
You know, here we go again. All right, quick fire predictions.
There are two games Las Vegas. You're gonna be there
for both of them, Birds, so I expect your predictions
to be on point. Raiders versus the Warriors to kick
us off.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Raiders worry men, but hey they are. They're the kind
of team that always plays well against the Warriors. They've
got tours, three kiwis. I love Joseph Tarpan now. I
think he's amazing. I'd love to see him in a
Warrior's jersey. They've got a couple others and they're such
a gritty team under Ricky Stewart with some flair, so
they'll be tough. But I'm happy to be playing them
rather than a Panthers or a Sharks, or a Storm
(31:04):
or a Roosters. They're obviously beatable. Warrior's got a decent record.
I think the Warriors will do the job. But it's
too far to go to not win a game, too
far for all of us to go to not win
a game. So I expect them to perform well and
it'll be closer. It'll be a nervy Warriors by say
four points.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
The preseason's got me all excited those trials, so I'm
going to go for the Warriors, as we'll be fascinating
to see Panthers versus the Sharks, big headliner.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Yes, yes, yes, what do we do here? The Sharks
are the only team that are flying that are not
going straight to Vegas. They've decided to go to Los Angeles,
first few days in Los Angeles, then to Vegas, which
I think might be a mistake with three teams last
year that did that. Three teams went to LA first
(31:54):
with the theory and then I rived in Vegas on
the Wednesday. But apparently the players you know, got excited
at LA, then got on Wednesday and was still excited
about Vegas for two days, whereas all the other teams
are already in Vegas and they're getting out of their system
and they can prepare so that I count against the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
It'll be close. The Sharks look really good.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Adam will be great, But I just feel that the
Penrith big game experience should be should be the difference,
even without Loui, even without the players they're missing. I'll
go for Penrith by six points.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
I'm going to back the Sharks. I'm going to back
the Sharks. I think going to La, I'm actually going
to go the other way. I think I think going
to LA just having that separation, they can get the
whole excitement of moving over there out of their system,
and I think it makes the whole Vegas thing. If
you're arriving just before and you know you're there to
do a job, you come in and you've got right
where are here to win. I think that lifts it.
(32:47):
I think you get lifted for the occasion rather than
being there for a few days and you get a
bit comfortable and then it's like, oh, yeah, we'll rock
up for the game. So I'm going to go for
an upset. I'm going to go the Sharks beat the
Panthers in Las Vegas to start off the NRL. Please
follow and rate the podcast That'll do us for episode one,
Thank you Michael Bergers for your time. You're wisdom, Yeah,
(33:07):
insight and have a good time in last ves. We
look forward to hearing from you next week. My name
is Nathan Limb. Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
For more from News Talks at B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on Iharradio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio, The.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Big League Podcast Vast poet by News Talks VB.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Welcome back to The Big League Podcast. This week, New
Zealand rugby League legend and Warrior's assistant coach Stacy Jones
joins us to go through all the off season drama,
including the loss of Tod Who Harris, the appointment of
skippers Mitch Barnett and James Fisher Harris. Plus is Stacey
heading straight to the casino in Vegas. Senior New Zealand
(00:44):
Herald writer Michael Burgess says back to give us the
rundown on the new look Warriors.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
My name is Nathan Limb. Let's go to b LB.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
It's been a long, hot summer, but rugby league is
finally here. There's something tantalizingly seductive about afresh NRL season,
said to be littered with triumph's heartbreak, drama and out
the gate action. The are a different team to last year.
The era of the great Sean Johnson has come to
a close. Luke Metcalf assumes the half back jersey talismanic
(01:17):
captain Tohu Harris has been forced into medical retirement. Mitch
Barnett's and James Fisher Harris take the Helm as co captains,
adding Vanua, Blake, Jan Stavanger and Marcelo Montoya are gone.
Aaron Clark, Tanna Boyd and Sam Healy are in thirty
seasons and counting. The question once again will be raised,
(01:38):
is this our year? It is my pleasure to welcome
back Michael Burgess, Senior New Zealand Herald writer, season three
of the podcast burg Are you excited?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
I can't wait. I can't wait for doing this every
week with you for the season. Of course, I don't
know where you were though, saying a long hot summer.
I was thinking was he in Australia or something for
most of the summer. But it has been pretty good.
It's great to be back, and of course this is
this is bigger than ever. I mean, we always get
excited about round one, but this realm one scenario is crazy,
(02:10):
isn't it?
Speaker 4 (02:10):
It is?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It is it is something different Las Vegas. You are
going to go to Las Vegas, Burge. I'm so jealous,
And to be honest, I think it's wrong. I think
I should be going. I think Las Vegas will be
wasted on you. Like I know, I'd make the most
of it. Are you gonna be at the what are
you gonna do? Well?
Speaker 5 (02:28):
I won't be following Stacey Jones into the straight deg
casino put it that way, But yeah, you want to
have a look. I'm quite keen to go to the
casino they used for Ocean's eleven, oh classic movie.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
I'd love to know where that is and what that is.
But yeah, you're there.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
You're there to bring all the color and the excitement
and the stories from there. I mean, it's pretty crazy
having four teams in Vegas, plus the the International between
the Jilarus and England, plus Wigan and Warrington. Apparently there's
there's like an invasion of British fans, you know, because
they love to travel, love an excuse to get to
(03:04):
Vegas and it's a lot closer for them. So I
think the stories around the fans and their journeys and
the color. I'd love to know what the locals think
of this rugby League thing, and you know, let's wait
and see about the other things, like, you know, will
Donald Trump turn up to the game personally? I hope
not because if he does a security lockdown like crazy,
(03:24):
and next thing, I find myself outside the stadium because
I've got a bloody I don't know, a tripod and
a shelfie stick or something. But yeah, there's so much
to look forward to, and I feel very lucky that
I that I am going, And don't worry you'll be
that you'll be on the plane next time in about
ten years when they do the year.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
When they do the when they do the sequel. Oh well,
I look forward to it. Can you talk us through?
I guess what you expect to what your week's going
to look like? Yeah, I mean it's interesting, like I think,
for example, we arrive on the We arrive on Tuesday
at about midday, thirteen forty hours on the plane with
(04:03):
a lot of a lot of Warriors fans, a couple
of comedians, probably plenty of liquid refreshments for the fans.
So you know what can possibly go wrong, but it
should be a really fun flight. Arrival at midday, and
then the Warriors have a media session at two thirty
that afternoon, so to be a matter of getting out
of the airport going straight to their hotel, which we
(04:24):
should talk about actually their hotel sounds crazy, but going
to the hotel doing the media session with the players.
There's training on most days in the morning and then
a media session back at their hotel, so I'll be
criss crossing a lot of Vegas. There'll be a lot
of uber time and taxis, and then I think we
get to go to the UFC Gym, which is where
(04:44):
they're doing the gym sessions. There's a big fans event
and signing event at a place called Fremont Street, which
is apparently a really iconic area of Las Vegas, and
then I'm looking forward to seeing the stadium. The funny
thing for me is that there are no rugby fields
in Las Vegas, so there are no goldposts. So the
(05:05):
goalkickers apparently will not be to practice their goalkicking until
the Friday morning, and they get one chance on the
Friday morning during the captain's run half an hour Metcarfin
and Harris Avita, for example, We'll have one chance, but
before that they'll be I guess, chipping over soccer soccer
(05:26):
goals or something.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
So yeah, there's a lot of weird things going on. Well.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Next week, obviously you are going to be in Las Vegas.
So it'll be the Big League Podcast from Vegas and
we'll get to hear all about this week, all about
the game and what you got to experience. Now, we're
going to debrief all of the off season drama and
preview the year ahead. But first let's get some intel
from Warrior's assistant coach Stacy Jones.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
This is the Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
It is my pleasure to welcome into the Big League
Podcast for the very first episode of the year, Warriors
assistant coach and Rugby League great Stacy Jones.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Stacey, thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 6 (06:04):
How are you? Thanks and yes, thanks for having me
on on your show.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Obviously, it's a massive, massive season ahead, there's so much excitement.
Has been a long, hot summer without rugby league, but
we're ready to get back into it. Stacey, wonder first
of all, you just taught me through how the preseason
has gone. And what are the biggest things I suppose
that have stood out for you as a coach ahead
of this season from your team.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
Yeah, good question, Nasan. Look, I feel that you know,
every preseason is really hard, but I feel this one
has been been extra hard on the players. They have
been really long days I'm out on the field. There's
been players sort of missing their marks on things. Then
there's been heavy, heavy consequences, usually this penalty, but there's
(06:48):
been been heavy consequence. So it's been a pretty tough
preseason for them. And also the other thing too, not
a good thing. But we were able to start back
earlier than what we did last year. It's been a
longer preseason than what we had the previous year because
we didn't make playoffs.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
I suppose the big thing that I want to touch
on first of all is obviously the loss of Tohoo House.
It took us all by surprise that sort of injury
and forced retirement. But to also not have Sean Johnson
in the squadron around the group for the first preseason
and many to not have those two massive characters in
terms of sort of the face of your club and
Sean and your skipper and Tahoo, that must have changed
(07:31):
the environment. I suppose from a player perspective, does it
have a different feel without those two there?
Speaker 6 (07:37):
You know, certainly did you know those players have been
around around the club for quite some time, in particular
Sean with you know what he's done and then taught
who coming a few years later but being our skipper.
And also we lost Adams for Nord Blake and jas
Stavanger as well, players that have spent quite some time
at the club, so there was a different feel. Certainly,
(08:00):
those players are very experienced and we're great dierdents for
the for the club. But you know what's allowed to
do is for other players to step up. You know,
in particular, you know Mitch Barnett I think named co
captain with James Fisher Harris and what he's been able
to bring as a captain. And also you know the
younger players too. I feel like that they decided that
(08:22):
they'll put their hand up and try and lead as well.
So you know, I know where these worked really hard
with all the group as far as being leaders around
the group, and they've done a wonderful job. And now
they're going about things at the club with you know
where our leadership is.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Yeah, and you touched on Mitch Barnett, James Fisher Harris
just there. Both of them are talis manic in terms
of the n r L as a whole. Can you
explain to us, I guess the decision to name them
both as co captains as opposed to just pecking one.
Why have you gone with this leadership structure and what
does each player bring to it?
Speaker 6 (08:57):
Yeah, look, well I didn't have too much say in
what was going on, but I certainly supported the decision
that was made. You know, two players that sent me
lead from the front in different ways. You know, both
actions mean by what they on the field. But you know,
Mitch is more of a person that loves to lead
with with a lot of talk to and James, you know,
(09:17):
when he talks to everyone just really listens. He doesn't
say a lot, but when he does say something, there's
a real silence amongst the group that what what what
he's saying. So, you know, I don't think you could
ask for two better quality players as far as you know,
when you're when you're running out on the field, you've
got those two boats running out in front of you
knowing that they've got your they've got your back. So look,
(09:38):
I think it's been a really good decision made made
by Andrew Webster.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I want to go through a few of the like
specific player selections and different roles that you have, but
but first of all, what is the goal this season.
Like I guess it's it's very easy to say we
want to we want to.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Win the NRL. Do you like, where is the benchmark?
Speaker 3 (09:57):
What is your your sort of minimum expectations for this year,
because obviously last year sort of fell short in that regard.
I think it's probably.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
Fair to say, uh, you know, I think if you
ask every club what do they want to win? What
do they want to do, they want to win a premiership.
I don't think there's any benchmark or anything like that.
I think the benchmarkers out there and make sure we
perform this week and every week, you know. So there's
no we want to pick the top four, we want
to make the playoffs. We certainly want to be in
(10:25):
that position. And then when you're in that position, then
you can go on and win the win the competition.
So I guess, you know, the big goal for us
is to do that haven't done at this club before,
and you know, the autumn to be part of a
group that can do it. So there's no certainly know
this is where we want to be. We just know
that we want to perform every week.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Luke Metcalf is going to be the new half back
for this year. Stepping in the absence of obviously Sean
Johnson as a former half about yourself, what has impressed
you most about Luke? And I guess the way he's
taken the mantil. He's had some you know, strong showings
in the preseason games. What's impressed you most about him
and what gives you confidence that he is the right
man to be the half back.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
Oh, look, he's had a really good preseason. You know,
he ticks all the boxes as far as what you
need from a playmaker. You know, he's got a really
strong kicking game. You know, he defends really well, he
talks really well. So and he's still relatively young and
I think he's only twenty four years old, so you
(11:27):
know he's still learning the game. And obviously, you know,
with Sean not being there, he knows that he needs
to step up. So you know, we just love for
Luke to get some quality time out on the field.
And you know, the last couple of years he said
injury disruption, so we just hope that he can be
injury free throughout the year. But now there's other players
also in the squad that you can put pressure on
(11:49):
on Luke who so signing Tanner Board and combined there
as well, and Chanel Teita Harris. So you know there's
there's players there that you know, they can certainly put
put pressure on Luke and he's really driving on being
in this position.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
What will Luke's style be, because I guess Sean was
such a dominant half he was playing a ball on
both sides of the ruck. Will Medcalf be sort of
similar to that, or will to Midi Martin or whoever
you have in that five eighth role run the left
side of the field on his own, or how do
you see it sort of working?
Speaker 6 (12:21):
Ah, Look, you know each week it will change things
up a little bit. I'm not going to give you
too much away how we're going to play our game,
but you know Luke will play a dominant role and
whoever the other half is will do the same and
compliment each other. So I mean, you know, the beauty
of of what we do have is, you know, to
(12:41):
Mighty has played a lot on the left side. Chell's
played a lot on the left side. Lukes played on
left side. But they probably all natural or not not
Chanal but Commodi and Luke and Tara and natural probably
right side of players, but you can all play on
the left. Look, I'm not going to give way too
much of our structure, what we're going to do and
anything like that, but we just know we've got a
(13:02):
good crop of half that that can do a job.
Speaker 3 (13:05):
And Delan Watson is listening obviously unfortunately offering that injury
in the first preseason game and attained to a peak.
He's played parts of both those preseason games on the wing.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Obviously it courses there as well. How do you see uh,
you guys, I suppose.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
Filling that that role on on on that side in
Dallan's absence, how do you see that going?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
As has Tane impressed you?
Speaker 6 (13:27):
It has done a really good job it cost He's
had some time there on the on the right wing too.
So yeah, I've been unfortunate with Dyllan's injury and he
and he got injured I think in the first sort
of ten minutes of the game of the first trial,
so we had plenty of time to give players a
run there, and Costs got to go there, and Tane
(13:47):
got to go there. And you know, also, you know
the other player Rocker Berry not being available to on
the right side's a bit of a for us, but
you know, we've got a few days to not a doubt,
but we've got a pretty good plan on on on
who we are, who's going to play there.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
You're going to have a go the casino in Vegas.
Make the most of it.
Speaker 6 (14:11):
I think. I don't think you can avoid it. Ken,
I'm sure there'll be times where we can probably throw
five bucks in here or that. I'm not a big
gambler as far as casinos go. Look, I know that
you know we're certainly going over there to do a job,
but I know you know we'd be wanting everyone to
make sure that you know they're going there to have
(14:31):
have have been a fun environment as well.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
Fantastic, that's great to hear. Enjoy it, Stacey, where you
have the opportunity. Thank you so much for taking the
time to be on the Big League Podcast and a
mess of good luck for the season ahead.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
I'm sure we'll talk soon.
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Awesome, appreciate it. Thanks by WI.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
This is going Yeah, The Big League Podcast on the
Warriors Bad Wagons since day one. The Big League Podcast
on the Warriors Bad Wagons since day one.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Great to hear from Stacey Jones there. I found it
really interesting what he said about especial Harris. It was
obviously one of the big stories of late last year
in terms of him coming to the club. When he talks,
everyone else falls silent. There's a real aura, a real
mana about him. And I suppose, Burge, when you look
at the shock injury enforced retirement of Tollhu Harris and
(15:26):
obviously the departure of Sean Johnson, which was well documented,
that's what you need. You need someone who comes in
and has that gravitas. And I suppose between him and
Mitch Barnett, who we already have seen produce heroic performances
in a warrior's jersey, I'm really pleased with the decision
to name them both as co captains.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
It's a good one. It's a good one. You know,
Harris will leave a bigger void than we think. You know,
obviously his body was starting to give up on him,
but he was an amazing leader, did so much behind
the scenes, pretty good with the refs talking with him
all that. So that's tough. Johnson, you know, he just
he ran the team, didn't he on during the games.
But it's a good solution. It is a good solution.
(16:08):
Webster hasn't been a fan of co captains. He told
me that it wasn't It wasn't something he thought of instantly.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Actually, he pretty much was.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
Thinking Barnett, Barnette, Barnett, you know, because he thought it's
too much on James to come in and be captain.
But what he saw in three or four weeks of
preseason convinced him that, oh, the players really responding to
this guy he wants to lead. So it's an ideal blend,
you know. I think Barnett would be good at things
like talking to the referees. Fisher Harris might not be
(16:38):
as good at that, but they've got a lot of strengths.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
I guess.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
The only issue is the fact that there'll be times
and they're both off the field. So that's issue with
having two props as co captain. But that's where the
others have got to step up. Maybe they'll work out
away where they stagger it, but they're obviously the starting props,
so you'd think they'll be off at the same time sometimes.
But that's not a biggie. Andrew webs did didn't seem
to think there was a big one, so it's a
(17:03):
good call.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Yeah, I mean I really like obviously James only just
arriving at the club, but I really I think that
they needed to have a Kiwi somewhere in the leadership
ranks just because you know, obviously CEO Cameron George Australian,
Australian coach and Andrew Webster, if you have Mitch Barnett's
it's sort of like Australians all the way through. And
it is a New Zealand club. There's nothing wrong with that,
but just it does need to reflect I suppose the
(17:25):
fan base and having someone like James come in, who
is the Keiwi's captain and obviously a huge figure in
New Zealand rugby league, just keeps that sort of New
Zealand element in terms of what is running the team.
But I do I love having the mix of Australians
in there as well. I think they are quite different
to us and they bring something different in terms of
we sort of steal.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Yeah, I think I think you. I think you're right.
The you know, it's an Australian competition. They're dealing with
a lot of ossies, all the referees in Australian basically
all the other players, so many other players are Australian,
so it does help in some ways.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
And there weren't too many. I know Roger was spoken about.
Speaker 5 (18:01):
In fact Roger, some people were saying, oh, he should
be he was the obvious choice, but I don't actually
think Roger particularly would have wanted to be care And again,
I think he's got enough on his plate. Wade Egan
is a senior player and a good leader, and there
are a couple others as well, but I think Webster's
got it, got it just right.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
The part that's got me most excited about this offseason
and the way the Warriors team slightly looks different to
last year is is Luke Metcalfe and half back. His speed,
his game, vision, his kicking game isn't Johnson's. But it
is going to get more time to shine this year.
Where is it It didn't so much in the last
couple of years because Johnson was so dominant. Obviously, metcalf
(18:42):
had that long injury layoff last year as well. What
do you make of I suppose him taking the mental
and what you saw in the preseason trials because I
was impressed.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
I liked it.
Speaker 5 (18:53):
No, it's good, you're excited. I think a lot of
people will be he is a good choice. He's got
the best kicking game as well. People forget that he's
got the best kicking. Well, boys have got a good
kicking game too, But he's Metcalf's got a good kicking games.
You've seen with those forty twenties. He's fast, he can
threaten defenses, and he's not a bad organizer. And apparently
Webs was telling me his defense has really stepped up
(19:14):
in preseason. They've really been pressed with defense. So you're
talking about all round package. It's just for me whether
with all his playmaking and organizing dudies, will he be
able to still exhibit that running game that was so
good in twenty three and in bits of twenty four
outside of injury, will he get the chance to do that?
You know, it's such a big load, big number seven,
(19:34):
or will they share it around? Look, he's the best option,
but it's a big weight on his shoulders running the team.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
Who's his five eighth? Because i've sort of this year
I want I would like to see a more balanced
approach to the halves than we saw with Johnson because
he was so dominant. He pop up on both sides
of the ruckie go and run the left side, and
too Midy Martin when he was partner with Johns, would
often go missing and games we saw to Madi really
shine when he stepped into that half back role, and
I was a big supporter of that. But I'd like
(20:06):
to see with Metcalf running that right side. I mean,
whether it's Tomty or Tana or whoever, they get the
license to be a bit more expressive and we have
dual playmakers. What do you think about who should partner Metca.
It'll be Chanelle in round one, is my feeling. I
know they like the idea of a left foot right
foot kicker. Chanell is a great defender and he just
(20:29):
seems to have the slight edge on to Marty at
the moment through the preseason.
Speaker 5 (20:33):
But that does not mean those two will be, you know,
in sconce for the rest of the year. There's probably
going to be injuries. It always happens, and also there's
room to change. I completely agree. I think they've got
a bit predictable twenty three at work, but twenty four
they got a bit predictable. Everyone knew it was going
through Johnson. It was quite easy to shut down it
was easy to pressure Johnson. It made it really hard
(20:54):
to Marty or Chanell on the left doing their thing.
There could be really good and of course you get
chance sweeping around, but overall.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
They bring different qualities.
Speaker 5 (21:03):
You know, Chanell is a great defender to Marte is
very good at the He's good defender too.
Speaker 4 (21:07):
He's very good at the off, the tough stuff.
Speaker 5 (21:08):
You know, he's a real ab lib type player, which
can be good, but I am I have to say
my major concern about this season is the harve situation
because people don't realize how big avoids Seawan Johnson will leave.
You know, he just had the supercomputer, the brain and
the way he did things. I'll just give you one example.
(21:30):
Shawn Johnson across the career has kicked seventeen field goals,
all those crucial you know, to win golden points, to
win towards the end of the game. The rest of
the Warriors halves this year Tomatoes kick one, Chanel's kick
one in his career, Boy three, and Metcuff none so.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
And we sort of saw that last year.
Speaker 5 (21:49):
When Johnson wasn't on the field, they didn't really know
they couldn't execute a field goal. It's a little example,
but that's the kind of thing that they'll have to
really really work out without with Johnson's experience. Big game, No,
how kind of gone sound a bit negative, haven't.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
I come on? Round one?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Done?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Shy A getst their negatives. I have faith, I have faith.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
I have faith in Metcalf, Dallan jatenez Lesniak his injury
rist injury, big blow and obviously that first preseason trial
game he's out until at least round seven, leaving a
big hole on that right edge. Tanned to Opeki has
played on the wing in both preseason games, somewhat unexpectedly.
My concern with him on the wing because obviously this
(22:31):
ed Corsey there as well as an option bigger body
as well. What does webs to do here? Because my
concern with two Opeaky on the wing is that he
is too short. He he cannot compete in the air
with the likes of Xavier Coats or Dominic Young. So
if Tane, I know Tane's on the wing and I'm
the Warrior's opposition, I am raining bombs down on his
(22:52):
corner all day every day.
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Yeah, Yeah, that's the thing Tane is. He's one point
seven eight meters, you know, So he admitted that. I
talked to him in Hamilton after the last trial and
he said, look, there's the thing. I'm, you know, one
of the shorter players in their own I know that
I'm going to need I'm going to need my teammates
around me to help me, and then I'm just going
to have to compete as hard as I can. It
kind of depends who they're playing, doesn't it. You know,
(23:18):
obviously there's some teams with taller wingers than others. I
think the Storm in that trial they had that guy
Bradley who was like the second or third tallest winger
in the comp so it looked kind of worse. But
you're you're on the money. It is a risk, right
if you use him. He brings a lot in terms
of paces finishing. He's so so snappy around the around
(23:38):
the ruck.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
He brings a lot.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Of course, he is the big body, the power the
yardage can get exposed with grubbers and behind obviously, and
he's not not nearly as fast.
Speaker 4 (23:49):
It's a lot to weigh up.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
I tried to ask Andrew Webster what he's going to
do and he said, he's kind of made of his mind,
but he certainly wasn't going to tell me fair enough.
Speaker 4 (23:56):
So that'll that'll be intriguing.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
But beyond round one, it is a bit of a concern,
a like they've kind of been caught a bit short
because they were counting on Dallen and Roger with one backup,
and then Dowling gets injured. They probably, in hindsight, would
have replaced Marcelo. I think they had to look around
in November and December, couldn't re find any and they
wanted and didn't want to bring in someone for the
sake of it. But they are a bit short with wingers.
(24:19):
So let's hope Roger obviously stays injury free and the centers, etc.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
And they find a way.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
You know what, I think the key factor is for
the Warriors succeeding the season, and it sucks because it's
something that's not really in their control, and that's injuries
in the halves. Last year, the issue was that because
they had injuries sort of spaced out nicely so that
you always had someone key out, they never got the
(24:48):
halves combination to click. Johnson intimighty. I was a big
proponent of them as a combination because they worked late
twenty twenty three and the two most experienced halves they
just never got it going, and Johnson struggled because he
had those injuries during the season that sort of just
kept coming about, and it was sort of every week
it was like is Johnson going to play or not.
(25:08):
The Warriors looked the best, I thought when they had
Timighty in the halfback jumper with Chanelle outside it probably
with metcalf two, but he was gone for such a
long time during that season and just that chopping and changing. Obviously,
Johnson returned later, but it just never clicked, never clicked
like it did in twenty twenty three, And I worry
that a couple of couple of key injuries and they
(25:28):
could be in the same situation again. Obviously different story
this year with Luke that starting half back, but that
for me would be the thing is can they get
the halves combination right, because I feel like if they
get that right, everything else will flow.
Speaker 5 (25:43):
It is definitely a key factor. The Warriors are much
more fragile when it comes to injuries than most other teams.
You just think like they can't really afford to lose
Egan for too long, can't afford to live Metcalf for
too long, same for Barnett, same for Chance Roger, Allie
le Otawa. You know, they just seem to have a
bit less cover than other teams. I'd say another key
factor would be the apprentices, the young players. They've got
(26:06):
two or three pre seasons behind them now. If some
of them really start to shine, could be a good thing.
And the other thing is that I'm been greedy. Hear
is just finding a way to replace Adam from them
a black finding a way that big body that was
so effective that got the matter trouble so many times,
deep in their own half, finding someone or a group
(26:27):
of them that are going.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
To do that.
Speaker 2 (26:29):
The Big League Podcast for the biggest league fans, Big Hits,
Big Moments, The Big League Podcast.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
All right, Bert, we've still got quick fire predictions at
the end of this. We've only got two games to
look at this we can, but obviously we've got an
entire season ahead. So are there any season predictions of
where the Warriors are going to finish, who are going
to be the manor premiers? What are the big things
that you think are going to happen this year?
Speaker 5 (27:02):
Yeah, gee, Minor Premier is very hard to call obviously,
but I will say that I can see the Storm
being Minor Premiers again. I think they're just such a good,
consistent week to wing team. Whether they're good enough to
win the Grand Final, I don't know, but they're so
good week to week consistent. Someone that Eli Katoa is
just going to get better and better. They've got that
(27:25):
famous structure they've created. Well, I think they're going to
be probably because Peenith surely can't you stay up there.
But they've got to start losing at some point. Yeah,
that's right, it's getting boring. And then there's some simple ones.
The Broncos should be better under McGuire. The Rabbit should
be a lot better under Wayne Bennett. Do we want
(27:45):
to talk about the Warriors now?
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:47):
I mean, I'll just say I'm packing Brisbane Bronco's Minor
Premiers twenty twenty five. I think Michael mcgui would be
really good for that team, and they've they've underperformed so
much in last year.
Speaker 4 (28:00):
They just fell off a bit of a cliff.
Speaker 3 (28:02):
But the amount of star power that that team has,
they should be top four easily. And I think you're
right it's about time someone knocked off the Panthers. The
Storm will be would be the other team that I'd
be looking at as minor premiers, But I'm going to
pick the Bronco. Michael Maguire's going to have an absolute
blinder in his first year in charge. So that's what
I think will happen with that. Yeah, in terms of
(28:23):
the Warriors, I love it n I love it is.
I love these ballsy calls, none of this boring sitting
on the fence. Yeah. Well, Warriors, I'm picking they finished
between six and eight. They're going to be better than
they were last year. I'm not picking a twenty twenty
three kind of crazy run because I feel like they
really did catch everyone off guard like that everyone's going
(28:46):
to be more aware of still going to be aware of.
I guess what the Warriors will bring, but I expect
there to be some teething issues, especially early on in
the season. Without Harris Johnson, two huge personalities and people
for the group, I think that it might be a
little bit rocky to start the season. They'll come right
later on and I'm picking they scrape into the eight
(29:06):
between six and eight. They finish on the tape.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
I've given you sort of my reasons for fear, which
we've talked about, the injuries, the halves, the replacing Adam
those there's quite a few things that make you but worried.
The fact only they only had nine wins last year
and they've got a really springboard.
Speaker 4 (29:22):
But here's the reasons for hope. Lay them on me,
Aaron Clark.
Speaker 5 (29:28):
I think he's going to be really, really good. He
was a standout across both trials. I just think he
is a He's an upgrade on Jesseevanger. He'll be so important,
better than people think. Ali Lautaua could be amazing.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
He's only young.
Speaker 5 (29:40):
I don't want to put too much pressure on him,
but at center, if he can stay Andrew free and
just get used to things, we can work out. I
kind of got a similar answer to you, Actually not
that on coffeeing, but well, there's a whole swag of teams.
There's a whole there's sort of your top five teams,
and then there's a whole swag that can finish anywhere
from from six to twelfth.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
There really is.
Speaker 5 (30:03):
You know, if you take out the Panthers, the storm,
the roosters, the rabbit has be a lot better under
Bennett and then there's all these teams like, you know,
what are the Eels going to do? Surely they're going
to be better. The Cowboys would be good, the Raiders
be good again, mainly be good.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
There's all.
Speaker 5 (30:17):
It's just it's crazy how competitive this this competition is.
But yeah, I can see them being anywhere from from
six to tenths. I think they will make the finals.
But it always feels good to say that at this
time of year.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
You know, here we go again. All right, quick fire predictions.
There are two games Las Vegas. You're gonna be there
for both of them, Birds, so I expect your predictions
to be on point. Raiders versus the Warriors to kick
us off.
Speaker 5 (30:44):
Raiders worry men, but hey they are. They're the kind
of team that always plays well against the Warriors. They've
got tours, three kiwis. I love Joseph Tarpan now. I
think he's amazing. I'd love to see him in a
Warrior's jersey. They've got a couple others and they're such
a gritty team under Ricky Stewart with some flair, so
they'll be tough. But I'm happy to be playing them
rather than a Panthers or a Sharks, or a Storm
(31:04):
or a Roosters. They're obviously beatable. Warrior's got a decent record.
I think the Warriors will do the job. But it's
too far to go to not win a game, too
far for all of us to go to not win
a game. So I expect them to perform well and
it'll be closer. It'll be a nervy Warriors by say
four points.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
The preseason's got me all excited those trials, so I'm
going to go for the Warriors, as we'll be fascinating
to see Panthers versus the Sharks, big headliner.
Speaker 5 (31:34):
Yes, yes, yes, what do we do here? The Sharks
are the only team that are flying that are not
going straight to Vegas. They've decided to go to Los Angeles,
first few days in Los Angeles, then to Vegas, which
I think might be a mistake with three teams last
year that did that. Three teams went to LA first
(31:54):
with the theory and then I rived in Vegas on
the Wednesday. But apparently the players you know, got excited
at LA, then got on Wednesday and was still excited
about Vegas for two days, whereas all the other teams
are already in Vegas and they're getting out of their system
and they can prepare so that I count against the Sharks.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
It'll be close. The Sharks look really good.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Adam will be great, But I just feel that the
Penrith big game experience should be should be the difference,
even without Loui, even without the players they're missing. I'll
go for Penrith by six points.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
I'm going to back the Sharks. I'm going to back
the Sharks. I think going to La, I'm actually going
to go the other way. I think I think going
to LA just having that separation, they can get the
whole excitement of moving over there out of their system,
and I think it makes the whole Vegas thing. If
you're arriving just before and you know you're there to
do a job, you come in and you've got right
where are here to win. I think that lifts it.
(32:47):
I think you get lifted for the occasion rather than
being there for a few days and you get a
bit comfortable and then it's like, oh, yeah, we'll rock
up for the game. So I'm going to go for
an upset. I'm going to go the Sharks beat the
Panthers in Las Vegas to start off the NRL. Please
follow and rate the podcast That'll do us for episode one,
Thank you Michael Bergers for your time. You're wisdom, Yeah,
(33:07):
insight and have a good time in last ves. We
look forward to hearing from you next week. My name
is Nathan Limb. Have a fantastic week.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
For more from News Talks at B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
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