Round 22, 2010: Warriors 37 - Sharks 10 @ Toyota Stadium

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Gallen: We Just Weren't Good Enough

Gallen: We Just Weren't Good Enough
By Paul Gallen
9/08/2010 4:20:09 PM

Shane Flanagan said after the Warriors game that the boys from Auckland were “not that good”.

I know they beat us 37-10 and maybe some of their players, officials and coaches will take issue with what Flanno had to say at the media conference.

But if you’re asking me what I think – and I guess by reading this, that’s what you’re doing – then I’ve got to agree with Flanno. I don’t think they can threaten. If they think they played good, then I really don’t think they can.

That’s because I don’t think the Warriors played well.

We were average. We were a reserve grade team, the way we executed things.

I mean, if the Warriors get to the finals they’ve got potential. They’re huge, strong men. If they put it together and those off-loads start coming off, they can beat anyone on their day.

But I just think the structure and the good smart playmakers like those of the Roosters and the Dragons, Brisbane, Penrith when they play well ... I can’t see them beating teams like that, realistically.

As for our performance – well, the new coach thing sort of fizzled out this week. A new coach comes in, the media talks it up a bit, you get a bit of confidence, you play good and you think it’s going to continue without the effort.

That’s not to say there was no effort on Saturday night. Our execution was terrible, right from the start. We couldn’t get out of our own end. They just dominated us in defence.

Where-ever they ran, they made yards all night. Going into halftime at 14-6 down was probably a bit flattering for us.

The momentum of the game was all with them.

Our plays were poor, our game plans went out the window and when they started getting ahead, we got frustrated, flicking balls, throwing balls, intercepts ... it was just embarrassing.

But as I said – and as Flanno said – I thought the Warriors were there to be beaten.

http://www.sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=28872



http://sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=28872

 

[Ramzyv1]

I have this game taped and haven't watched it yet, I plan to watch it tonight. I am now very glad I wasn't able to see it live as I am sure I would have been mightily pissed off!! Sounds like the boys will learn alot from this, I hope it didn't hurt their confidence too much.

I have only seen highlights and Cov's defence seemed to be an issue again but I will reserve judgement. Plus I still think his past loyalty deserves to see him finish his career in first grade.

I am sure I will be on here tonight or tommorow bagging a bunch of our players from what I know of the game tho.

 

[snowman]

hahahaha

 

[Google News]

Warriors' coach brushes off Cronulla criticism

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...onal-sport/4012756/Cleary-dismisses-criticism

Warriors' coach brushes off Cronulla criticism
By ROBERT LOWE
Last updated 12:31 11/08/2010

New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has brushed off the opinion from the Cronulla camp that his side were unlikely to threaten if they made the National Rugby League (NRL) playoffs.

The Warriors scored a convincing 37-10 victory over the Sharks in Sydney last weekend, but neither Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan nor lock Paul Gallen rated the visitors' effort.

Cleary, however, thought the Warriors "played well enough".

"We went there to do a job," he said.

"We only had to beat one team and that was Cronulla and we did. I thought we were really accurate in what we did. I actually thought they played okay. They (Flanagan and Gallen) obviously didn't, but I thought they went all right."

The defeat was Cronulla's sixth in a row and the Sharks, who had a change of coach last month with Ricky Stuart's departure, would be bottom of the table but for Melbourne's loss of points as part of their salary caps penalties.

"Those comments might just be a reaction to how they're feeling," Cleary said.

"I didn't read too much into that."

The Warriors scored six tries to two and completed 30 of their 34 sets for an 88 percent completion rate at Toyota Stadium as they secured a win that kept them in the top eight.

Their ball security was particularly notable in the opening spell, when they didn't make an error in their 19 possessions.

However, Flanagan wasn't impressed, saying the Warriors weren't that good and were helped by the Sharks' own poor performance.

"I thought they were there to get beaten but we were just average," he said.

"I didn't think they were good at all. They just did what they had to do."
Gallen said some people would take issue with Flanagan but he agreed with his coach.

"I don't think they can threaten," he wrote in a blog on the sportnewsfirst.com.au website.

"If they think they played good, then I really don't think they can. That's because I don't think the Warriors played well."

Gallen said the Warriors, with a huge, strong side, had potential if they got into the finals, but he didn't believe they were a realistic chance of progressing far.

"If they put it together and those offloads start coming off, they can beat anyone on their day," he said.

"But I just think the structure and the good smart playmakers like those at the Roosters and the Dragons, Brisbane, Penrith when they play well ... I can't see them beating teams like that, realistically."

 

[Google News]

National Rugby League round-22: Sharks vs. Warriors

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...gby-League-round-22-Sharks-vs-Warriors-a21250

National Rugby League round-22: Sharks vs. Warriors
Posted By: Carmen Harrison
11-Aug-2010

NRL round-22: Sharks vs. Warriors

The Sharks welcomed the Warriors to Toyota Stadium in Cronulla over the weekend for the second Saturday game.

The Sharks have taken the seat of spoilers, and with only five rounds remaining, they sat at the bottom of the table heading into their match-up against the Warriors.

The New Zealand side meanwhile was interested in keep up the strong play that has moved them into a play-off position late in the season.

Recap

The game was never in doubt as the Warriors stormed into Toyota Stadium and left with an impressive victory. At the end of the first half the New Zealand side was up by eight points, and they only increased their lead in the second half, taking the match by a score of 37-10.
The game seemed slow early on as neither side were able to make considerable gains, and questions were asked of both sides offensive abilities.

Nevertheless, in the 17th minute Brent Tate scored the opening points of the match for the Warriors, by crossing the line for a try. James Maloney kicked the conversion and the visitors found themselves with a 6-0 lead.
It looked as though the Sharks may have come to play that evening when Trent Barrett managed a try in the 24th minute, and Luke Covell scored a conversion to tie the game up early.

However, the Warriors did not take long to respond as Maloney scored a try and conversion to give the New Zealanders a 12-6 lead in the 33rd minute. Maloney then notched a penalty at the very end of the first half to give the Warriors a 14-6 lead heading into the break.

Early in the second half the Warriors were able to add to their lead with a Joel Moon try, and another Maloney conversion to make it 20-6 for the away team.

After the Moon score Bill Tupou took over, crossing the line in the 53rd minute and again in the 63rd, giving the New Zealand club a 30-6 lead.
The Sharks’ Paul Aiton stumbled over the whitewash for a try in the 72nd minute, but it was far too late. Tupou scored his third try of the day and Maloney added a conversion and a field goal to put the game on ice in the 77th minute.

The Warriors watched the clock run down on what was an impressive offensive day and a 37-10 victory over the Sharks.

Maloney and Tupou had outstanding games. Maloney scored a try, five conversions, a penalty and a field goal to put his name in every category of the score-sheet, and register 17 points on the night. Meanwhile, Tupou’s three tries, and 159 all-run-metres capped off an impressive day for the Warriors star.

Analysis

The Warriors are locked in a battle for the final play-off spot with a number of eager clubs. The win over the Sharks was a must for the New Zealand side. They will have to maintain their strong play if they hope to get into the post-season. They have another easy match-up next round when they take on the Knights at home.

The Sharks have nothing to lose heading into their final four games of the season, and one can bet that they will play hard in next weeks match-up against the Roosters.

 

[sharks.com.au RSS]

Sharks v Warriors - Round 22 Multimedia

View the Sharks photo galleries, match reports, and post match press conference from the Sharks v Warriors round 22 game here.

http://www.sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=28991
Sharks v Warriors - Round 22 Multimedia
10/08/2010 8:24:32 AM

MULTIMEDIA:

Check out the match reports, photo gallery, video highlights and the post match press conferences from the Sharks v Warriors round 22 game here.

Click here to read the NRL match report.

Click here to read the NYC match report.

Click here to view the NRL & NYC photo galleries.

Click here to view the post match press conference.

Click here to view the video highlights from the game.

Click here to see an injury update.

 

[SF]

Friday Night Football - Be There!

Some more great work by El Coco!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP_jNxQ8-ks&feature=player_embedded#!

PS: New YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/SharksBelieve

 

[Sharky Pete]

Some more great work by El Coco!



PS: New YouTube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/SharksBelieve

I have posted it to my FB profile, SF.

Classy vid that.

Hopefully Gards gets out his box of magic tricks and pulls off that sparkling try like he did in that game on June 5.

Anyone for barbecued chicken?

Come on lads, get in there!!!!!

UP UP CRONULLA!!!!

 

[snowman]

good video, that was a great shot by cuthbo, he needs to do more of that

 

[El Coconuto]

For those that will be down there at the game there will be a new one-off BELIEVE video played on the big screen in the pre-game pump up before we watch the boys roast some chickens on OUR pitch!

BE THERE!

 

[snowman]

awesome coco

 

[IronShark]

I'll be there, can't wait!:cheers

 

[sharkiesboomboomboom]

Will definitely be there!!!

 

[chrisshark]

sold, I'm in

 

[Jigsaw]

I envy all of you that live in the shire! and NSW! none of you have any excuse not to go to this game!

 

[Google News]

Gallen's a goose who needs to open his eyes

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...s.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/awenguttenbeil/183/1

Gallen's a goose who needs to open his eyes
Awen Guttenbeil
August 12, 2010

I had to laugh when I read Paul Gallen's latest outburst and I wonder if he copped a knock to the head in the loss to the Warriors.

Putting the boot into a side is not the smartest thing to do when they've just toweled you up.

For those of you who haven't seen it Gallen and Sharks coach Shane Flanagan both gave it to the Warriors after the game on Saturday night.

They suggested the Ivan Cleary coached side has no hope in the finals and were only lucky to beat the Sharks anyway.

And then Gallen followed that up by saying the biggest problem for the Warriors is their lack of quality in the halves pointing out that they would be no match for sides like Brisbane, the Roosters, Penrith and the Dragons.

He obviously doesn't watch much footy on the weekends because if he did he'd know that the Warriors have actually notched up wins against all but the Dragons – and they only just went down to them.

There are a lot of people in Aussie writing the Warriors off but that's nothing new.

Funnily enough it was the same in 2002 when we won the minor premiership and made the grand final.

We faced up against the Sharks in the major semi and everyone across the ditch said we had no show.

But the history books now tell us a different story and hey maybe Paul should go and rent that video and have a watch, he might learn something.

If the Warriors needed any extra motivation in the coming weeks they only need to look at the Aussie papers.

They're not out of the woods just yet but they're a hell of a lot better than what's being written about them.

This Sunday's clash with Newcastle is a vital game for both sides.

The Knights have to win to stay in contention for the eight and the Warriors need a victory to mathematically book a spot in the finals.

Another win secures their place but three out of four could get them a home semi final.

The Knights come into this game having dealt to some of the top contenders in recent weeks and if anything they are the type of side who will look to spoil the Warriors' party at home.

They have firepower out wide in the likes of Akuila Uate and the old stager Mad Dog MacDougall not too mention the ace in their pack Kurt Gidley.

Up front they have Antonio Kaufusi, Isaac de Gois and Zeb Taia so on paper they don't look like a side that you'd be taking a 13+ margin on.

Their game will revolve around Gidley, playing him at halfback gives him the opportunity to get into the mix of a lot of play.

If the Warriors can shut him down that will go a long way to securing the win.

I've heard a whisper also that Gidley's partner in the halves Jarrod Mullen will not travel to Auckland because he has a rib injury.

The Knights will have trained knowing this all week so it won't be that much of a disruption.

The Warriors have named an unchanged side from last week's solid performance against the Sharks and come into their second to last home game of the year back in the winner's circle.

They need to start the game well and dominate from the opening whistle.

The key to victory for where I'm sitting is to blow the Knights' candle out early.

They know they have to win, so if the Warriors can destroy their spirit in the first 20 they should run away with it.

That means their forwards will have to bring their A game to the defensive structure.

Over the last few weeks I've been saying Ivan needed to use Manu Vatuvei a bit more, he was doing some really good things for the team that they went away from mid-game.

Last week we saw him getting more involved but it was taking hit-ups in the centre of the field as opposed to making line breaks and scoring tries.

The key here is for them to be working smarter with their aces not harder. I'd love to see them go back to the game plan of a few weeks ago when Manu was injected early in the play on the fringe resulting in good tries.

One player who has really excelled this season has been Brent Tate. He is playing with courage and commitment and this is what you need to be in the finals – and let's not forget he leaves the club at the end of the season.

With less than a month left in the regular season there's one other thing that will be on the minds of a lot of players – the Four Nations.

Rep jerseys are up for grabs and there's no better time to be making an impression than right now.

Prediction: If the Warriors can get on a roll early they'll take this one out.

<EDITED>

 

[sharkiesboomboomboom]

For those that will be down there at the game there will be a new one-off BELIEVE video played on the big screen in the pre-game pump up before we watch the boys roast some chickens on OUR pitch!

BE THERE!

Good to see the link for this video on the letter from Paul Gallen on the Sharks site.Makes me proud of our Sharksforever mate, El Coconuto. I hope they continue to take advantage of his work next year...

 

[MattyShArk]

ill be there....even if it means missing out on my mates band who are playing at the crest friday night lol

 

[shark23]

All that coming from a one-eyed Kiwi/Warriors supporter! I am sure that you would all agree with me that watching a Warriors home game on Foxtel/Sky Sports is worse than listening to Gus Gould commentating the Roosters, or even an AFL equivalent - Eddie Macguire commentating the Magpies! They blow that much smoke up the Warrior players backsides, that you wonder if they are not all having 1 big love affair!!

Hey Awen - how about you beat it and go pash your good buddy Jason Costigan!!! Gallen shows more ticker on the footy field than you ever did!! While you are at it, go and install some mirrors at your house because if you look in to it, you will see a goose in the form of yourself!

I suggest Awen goes and re-reads the article regarding Gal and Flanno again - they were slaying us more than the Warriors by saying that our performance was poor and that the Warriors, if they had played better, probably would have put more points on us and didn't!

 

[DruNkDazZ]

Will be there to celebrate Coach Flanagan's 1st NRL victory.