Match 2024 NRL Round 1 New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 7:50 pm Friday 8 March @ Go Media Stadium, Auckland

[Blair]

Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Iro fan and think he’d kill it in first grade but he provides more or less the same yardage work as Sifa with way less offensive output. For a player who just had a 5t/8lb/17ta/23lba/165m season you’d think he was a fringe first grader with how often people wanna replace him.

I agree with the whole post, but especially the bolded bit. To be honest, I’m surprised nobody ever suggests Ramiens centre to be under threat. I understand that Jesse can’t play other positions like Sifa, and is a genuine NRL class centre, but I’d argue his output/effectiveness are not as consistent as Sifa’s.

Is the lack of pressure on Jesse purely cause neither Kayal nor Sifa could switch to the right side?

Straight up - I don’t want Iro getting a run unless the other two are out of contention, but I’m surprised how quickly people are wanting to shift one of our best attacking threats.

 

[bort]

Social pages like Rugby League Guru and Bloke have hyped Iro to hell and back to the point most people probably think he’s the greatest player to ever touch a footy.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge Iro fan and think he’d kill it in first grade but he provides more or less the same yardage work as Sifa with way less offensive output. For a player who just had a 5t/8lb/17ta/23lba/165m season you’d think he was a fringe first grader with how often people wanna replace him.

His best bet to getting in over Sifa was defence but Trindall did wonders for our left edge in that respect and Iro isn’t such a gun defender to the extent where he has to be in the side.

Guru actually promoted the value of Sifa a lot though too, even though he's always a big fan of giving a younger guy a go and likes the look or Iro

I don't think any of these pages are much more to blame than a general consensus around NRL fans Talakai has played one good half of football because he a) doesn't dominate to a legendary tier every week and b) doesn't look or play like their teams best centre

 

[Sparkles]

I am keen to see how Kayal goes. I agree he will get a spot when someone goes down, nothing before then.

The main reason I am keen to see how he goes is up until now we haven't really seen how he goes in a full first grade 17 over the course of a few weeks. The defensive issues are there and can't be ignored HOWEVER maybe a few weeks in first grade with someone getting an injury will be enough for him to settle into a role.

Reckon we all are... but we'll have to temper our excitement when he gets 15 minutes for the first handful of games. Quite a few people will go nuts when it happens.

 

[DaveFromTelstra]

As a sharks fan living in Auckland I can tell you that the Warriors are up for this game. Selll out ground. Fans going ballistic. If we aren’t careful we could get flogged. Hope I am wrong.

 

[XGinga]

We have a debutant touch judge.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1765236710336540780

 

[HaroldBishop]

We have a debutant touch judge.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1765236710336540780

Jesus we're commenting on touchies now haha.

 

[bort]

Jesus we're commenting on touchies now haha.

They're an important part of the game mate, can't play without them.
Well actually...

Let’s just hope that’s his real first name and it’s not a post by one of Spencer’s fam

 

[BurgoShark]

We have a debutant touch judge.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1765236710336540780

Do they get in one of the immortal touch judges to present him with his flag?

 

[Gards]

I agree with the whole post, but especially the bolded bit. To be honest, I’m surprised nobody ever suggests Ramiens centre to be under threat. I understand that Jesse can’t play other positions like Sifa, and is a genuine NRL class centre, but I’d argue his output/effectiveness are not as consistent as Sifa’s.

Is the lack of pressure on Jesse purely cause neither Kayal nor Sifa could switch to the right side?

Straight up - I don’t want Iro getting a run unless the other two are out of contention, but I’m surprised how quickly people are wanting to shift one of our best attacking threats.

My answer to that is that Jesse just had a very solid even strong season. His defense and discipline was at the best level we have seen from him and still a big threat carrying the ball as he gets used to his smaller frame. His defense has really improved in the last 12 months though.

He made alot of good reads and decisions in defense on that right side and executed the tackle shutting down plays. Prior to 2023 he would rush out and tackle no one or not wrap them up fully. I assume part of this has been better communication with Katoa on his wing.

He is playing too well all round to consider moving out of right centre and no player in our squad would be doing as good a job there, so that's why there wouldn't be that much pressure on him but I think at this level there is always some pressure. A string of bad games or fitness and coach is asking questions so he has to maintain his form

 

[Capital_Shark]

People's willingness to give up Sifa's metres and try assists really doesn't compute to me.

There's not a lot of good reasoning behind it. Most want it to "give Iro a crack", "he deserves it", "he'll leave if we don't". All equally **** reasons.

 

[Sevshark]

My answer to that is that Jesse just had a very solid even strong season. His defense and discipline was at the best level we have seen from him and still a big threat carrying the ball as he gets used to his smaller frame. His defense has really improved in the last 12 months though.

He made alot of good reads and decisions in defense on that right side and executed the tackle shutting down plays. Prior to 2023 he would rush out and tackle no one or not wrap them up fully. I assume part of this has been better communication with Katoa on his wing.

He is playing too well all round to consider moving out of right centre and no player in our squad would be doing as good a job there, so that's why there wouldn't be that much pressure on him but I think at this level there is always some pressure. A string of bad games or fitness and coach is asking questions so he has to maintain his form

Thought last year was Jesse's most consistent season. Seemed to cut the costly penalties on kick chase out of his game for the most part as well.

 

[Tatus]

My answer to that is that Jesse just had a very solid even strong season. His defense and discipline was at the best level we have seen from him and still a big threat carrying the ball as he gets used to his smaller frame. His defense has really improved in the last 12 months though.

He made alot of good reads and decisions in defense on that right side and executed the tackle shutting down plays. Prior to 2023 he would rush out and tackle no one or not wrap them up fully. I assume part of this has been better communication with Katoa on his wing.

He is playing too well all round to consider moving out of right centre and no player in our squad would be doing as good a job there, so that's why there wouldn't be that much pressure on him but I think at this level there is always some pressure. A string of bad games or fitness and coach is asking questions so he has to maintain his form

The difference this year (or last year for that matter) was Jesse looking to create something. He wasn’t just taking hit ups, he was using his size and speed perfectly. I think he’s got a lot more growing in him.

I think he had a little stint at FB one game towards the end of the season and he was a firecracker from then on out.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

There's not a lot of good reasoning behind it. Most want it to "give Iro a crack", "he deserves it", "he'll leave if we don't". All equally **** reasons.

I must say if you can get IRO and Sifa in the same side making huge meters it would be handy! in saying that, I would like our props to make more meters and get some momentum through the middle.

 

[bort]

Thought last year was Jesse's most consistent season. Seemed to cut the costly penalties on kick chase out of his game for the most part as well.

Started a bit not great, seemed to lack a little punch and had a couple brain snaps in first few games if I recall (one was a dumb hit on a guy in the air if I recall). But really was solid and impactful for a big chunk of the season.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Started a bit not great, seemed to lack a little punch and had a couple brain snaps in first few games if I recall (one was a dumb hit on a guy in the air if I recall). But really was solid and impactful for a big chunk of the season.

Yeah I remember a lot of us questioned his weight loss early on. Certainly got better as the year went on.

 

[bort]

Yeah I remember a lot of us questioned his weight loss early on. Certainly got better as the year went on.

As far as I’m concerned he undid that change, but I certainly have no evidence of that

 

[BurgoShark]

I must say if you can get IRO and Sifa in the same side making huge meters it would be handy! in saying that, I would like our props to make more meters and get some momentum through the middle.

Jesse is also a beast on yardage. Katoa too.

Only way bringing Iro in would upgrade the yardage game would be for him to replace Ronnie or Kennedy. That ain’t happening.

 

[egg]

As a sharks fan living in Auckland I can tell you that the Warriors are up for this game. Selll out ground. Fans going ballistic. If we aren’t careful we could get flogged. Hope I am wrong.

NO , I won't have it !

 

[The Punisher]

I have little optimism for this game & the season in general.
Warriors win 13+

 

[andrew's_sharks]

I think we lose this game. Just because we never seem to start the year strongly and NZ at home will be difficult. All I want is a competitive game where we are in it to the end and be at least a chance to win.