Warriors Trial Game

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Yes, I have some insight although not based on being a witness. I think it started when someone made a comment about underarm bowling. Then there was a comment about rugby world cups, then something said about NRL also rans, then the league world cup got a mention. Eventually King said enough of this chit chat and whacked Luck in what normally would be an acceptable manner, albeit illegal in terms of the rules of the game. Some of the kiwis were disappointed in his action, and some of the Manly players felt obliged to stick up for their co-captain's judgment, just on principle. I don't think any blood was spilled in the brawl.

King is simply trying to establish his credentials for SOO. Luck ran out for Luck (he does seem to get whacked a lot).
 
A come from behind win rather than being run down like last year. Welcome back Donny Singe.
 
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/stewart-returns-as-sea-eagles-swoop-to-snatch-victory-20110226-1b9bx.html

Stewart returns as Sea Eagles swoop to snatch victory
February 27, 2011

Warriors 12 Manly 14

BRETT STEWART has made a successful comeback to rugby league in Manly's 14-12 pre-season trial win over the New Zealand Warriors at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.

The gifted fullback played 20 minutes against the New Zealand side and declared himself on track to play in his side's round one NRL match against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on March 12.

Stewart, returning to the game after consecutive season-ending knee injuries, hadn't played since the first round in 2010.
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The 26-year-old said he ''couldn't be happier'' with his cameo appearance and was keen to get some more game time under his belt.

A try to Vic Mauro eight minutes from time gave his side the win.

The Warriors had led for much of the physical encounter but couldn't quite close out the match.

Ahead 6-4 at halftime after a try to second-rower Ben Matulino, the Warriors extended the lead to 12-4 in the 52nd minute when a neat cut-out pass from Feleti Mateo put winger Kevin Locke over in the right corner and James Maloney converted.

However, the Warriors were guilty of failing to complete their sets consistently enough while Manly, benefiting from a superior completion rate, hung in.

The biggest talking point of the first 40 minutes was a high shot on Warriors forward Michael Luck by Manly prop Jason King. It was a tackle that left Luck prostrate and incensed his team-mates and the crowd. A powder keg atmosphere was brewing.

The crowd wanted King to be sent off. He was allowed to stay on but sanity prevailed when Manly coach Des Hasler interchanged him soon after to take the heat off.

Luck was assisted from the field but team doctor John Mayhew said there were no concerns about his state.

King is likely to have cause for concern with the NRL's match review committee certain to take an interest in the tackle which seemed to challenge the bounds of legality.

But with the wind behind them the visitors finished off strongly, taking advantage of a number of errors from their opposition.

Michael Oldfield scored a soft try to get Manly in touching distance and when Mauro scored the decisive try after a handling error from Warriors winger Krisnan Inu, the visitors took the lead.

Manly's other points had come from a first-half try to Jamie Buhrer.

A large crowd of 15,000 watched the match and contributed to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

But the 14-12 result was of minimal concern to Warriors coach Ivan Cleary as he contemplated the club's season-opener titled the 'Battle of Eden' against a new-look Parramatta side on March 12.

Cleary and his assistant Tony Iro derived much more from a contest that was at times brutal, certainly torrid, and fully tested their players' resolve.

Later Cleary said he had never known the club to have as much competition for spots in his time as coach, stretching back to 2006 and 126 games in charge.

He said he took ''great satisfaction'' from knowing he has several selection posers as the team now counts 13 days to the start of their 2011 campaign. There was great encouragement again in the efforts of new acquisitions Mateo and Shaun Berrigan.

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http://www.sportal.co.nz/league-news-display/warriors-downed-in-warm-up-113201

Warriors downed in warm-up
26/02/2011 8:56 PM
Matiu Workman
Sportal
The Warriors have had their first true test in the NRL pre-season, pipped 14-12 by the Manly Sea Eagles at North Harbour on Saturday, although that wasn't the worst news for local fans.

Workhorse Michael Luck needed to be assisted off the field after a storming hit from number eight Jason King left the backrower lying on the field, needing the attention of two assistants. It was later revealed, however, there were no concerns for Luck's state.

The match began with a moment of silence for the lives lost in the Christchurch earthquake, and provided a sombre reminder for everyone about the impact of the earthquake on the country as a whole.

The Warriors carried the momentum for the majority of the half, and they were rewarded when Naenae lad Ben Matulino spun from a defender to score beside the posts.

That try sparked the visitors in to action, and after some good build-up work, Jamie Buhrer dotted down near the posts to get the visitors on the board.

Sea Eagles' coach Des Hasler's speech at half time paid dividends when the visitors came out firing, and had the Warriors immediately under the pump.

But against the run of play, lance Hohaia launced a 40m counter-attack that ended with Kevin Locke scoring in the corner to hand the Warriors a 12-4 lead to the delight of the 14,000-strong crowd.

But, just as the Warriors were looking comfortable, Michael Oldfield scored for the visitors to stun the home crowd.

And, with the Warriors' defence starting to tire, the Sea Eagles scored soon after to conjure a two-point lead with eight minutes to go.

It was the Warriors' first test of whether they had the resolve to overcome that deficit, but they failed to fire.

They did have one final opportunity in the last few seconds of the match as Locke streaked down the touchline, but his chip kick to chase was out of reach and the Manly defence held strong.

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http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/brett-stewart-in-comeback-cameo/story-e6frfgbo-1226012551216

Brett Stewart in comeback cameo

    * Cameron Bell
    * From: The Sunday Telegraph
    * February 26, 2011 8:46PM

    * MANLY 14 NEW ZEALAND 12

HE spent longer signing autographs after the game than he did on the field but Manly fullback Brett Stewart is back in business.

After a horror two years, in which he had two serious knee injuries and was acquitted of sexual assault charges only five months ago, Stewart played 20 minutes in his team's victory over the Warriors in Auckland.

After playing only six games since the Sea Eagles' 2008 grand final triumph, Stewart was relieved to have come through unscathed.

"I'm delighted to finally be back on the field and everything is going to plan for the start of the competition," he said in a statement. "I've worked hard with our medical staff over a long period of time and when I jumped on the plane to come over here for the game, I enjoyed every minute of being back in a team environment."

Stewart's first touch came from a scrum, while he also produced a trademark 30m burst.

Coach Des Hasler couldn't have been happier with his Star player's return.

"I'm delighted to have Brett back and our objective was to give him those 20 minutes," Hasler said. "He has come through the game and we look forward to having him fit and ready for round one."

The Warriors led 6-4 at the break and 12-8 inside the final 10 minutes. But the Sea Eagles hit back with eight minutes to go through a try to Vic Mauro, which was converted by young halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, to grab the win.

The match was marred by an all-in brawl in the 27th minute, which resulted in Manly captain Jason King being placed on report after he appeared to shoulder Michael Luck.

MANLY 14 (Jamie Buhrer, Michael Oldfield, Vic Mauro tries, Daly Cherry-Evans 1/3 goals) NEW ZEALAND 12 (Ben Matulino, Kevin Locke tries, James Maloney 2/2 goals)
 
NRL: Warriors have a big hit out against Manly
By Michael Brown
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10709050

Manly prop Jason King did his best to try to knock a few Warriors around in his interpretation of the earthquake relief match but coach Ivan Cleary should have a fully fit squad to choose from for their NRL season opener against Parramatta in a fortnight.

King put a massive shoulder charge on Micheal Luck, which flattened the Warriors lock. He had to be helped from the field and didn't return. King had been looking to put a big shot on someone throughout the game and Luck was the, ahem, unlucky one.

It was debatable whether it was legal and King was put on report but Luck later pronounced himself "sweet" as he went out to sign autographs for some of the 14,000-strong crowd who flocked to North Harbour Stadium.

He might feel a bit dazed this morning but Cleary will have a headache of a different kind as he ponders the make-up of his side to take on the Eels at Eden Park in a fortnight.

The Warriors might have lost last night, on the back of a draw and two wins in their other pre-season matches, but the team which ended the game hardly resembled the one that started.

Cleary opted for a strong starting side, minus Manu Vatuvei (thigh) and Sam Rapira (wrist). They showed enough in the first 60 minutes before myriad changes were made to suggest they will be competitive again this season. They had good shape in both attack and defence without revealing too much close to the line.

Cleary has decisions to make right across the park, most notably at wing, in the halves, second row and hooker. It's a squad with considerable depth but with few 'stars' and the conclusion many left with last night is that the match against Manly didn't answer many questions.

Krisnan Inu continues to be an enigma. He is a freakish talent and can do some wonderful things - but he can also make dreadful mistakes and was at fault for three errors last night. He can look like he's not even trying, or doesn't even care, but can suddenly burst into life.

Whether that's enough to convince Cleary he deserves a spot or Kevin Locke joins Vatuvei on the wings, only Cleary knows. How he will utilise Mateo also isn't clear. He was one of the Warriors' best last night, laying on a try for Locke and nearly setting up another, but Cleary is blessed with plenty of contenders for the back row. He could use Mateo as a ball-playing second-rower or move him into the halves where he can control the game even more.

Cleary is conservative by nature and isn't expected to spring too many selection surprises. It didn't mean he was giving much away last night.

"I don't think [we have ever had such a competitive squad in my time as coach]. Part of that is that most of the guys have done the pre-season and played the trials. Even the rep guys, look pretty fresh, too.

"But, in saying that, we're not quite ready. There are a couple of areas there to improve before the season starts - goal-line defence and we made too many errors towards the end of the game. On the balance of the game, we probably had the better chances. They probably just wanted it a bit more today."

It was certainly willing and many of the Warriors sought retribution on the Manly prop for his King hit.

"That was really good, I thought," Cleary said about the physicality of the match. "It's exactly what you need leading into the games. It's certainly going to be willing in a couple of weeks. It didn't hurt."

He wasn't the one on the receiving end.

* Warriors 12 (B. Matulino, K. Locke tries; J. Maloney 2 gls)

* Sea Eagles 14 (J. Buhrer, M. Oldfield, V. Mauro tries; D. Cherry-Evans gl).

* HT: 6-4.
 
Just listening to Zorba he gave big wrap to Hoppa, Cunnihngham and Lussick!  Brett went well, made a couple of breaks and pulled up fine.  Wolfman only injury concern but hoping to be right for Round 1 - also Shane Rodney should be available.
 
Stewart in successful Manly return

Brett Stewart has made a successful comeback to rugby league in Manly's 14-12 preseason trial win over the New Zealand Warriors at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.

The gifted full-back played 20 minutes against the New Zealand side and declared himself on track to play in his side's round one NRL match against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on March 12.

Stewart, returning to the game after consecutive season-ending knee injuries, had not played since the first round of the competition in 2010.

The 25 year-old said he "couldn't be happier" with his cameo appearance and was keen to get some more game time under his belt.

A try to fringe second rower Vic Mauro eight minutes from time was enough to give his side the win.

The Warriors had led for much of the physical encounter but couldn't quite close out the match.

Ahead 6-4 at half-time thanks to a try to second-rower Ben Matulino, the Warriors extended the lead to 12-4 in the 52nd minute when a neat cut-out pass from Feleti Mateo put winger Kevin Locke over in the right corner and James Maloney converted.

But with the wind behind them the visitors finished off strongly, taking advantage of a number of errors from their opposition.

Michael Oldfield scored a soft try to get Manly in touching distance and when Mauro scored the decisive try after a handling error from Warriors winger Krisnan Inu, the visitors took the lead.

Manly's other points had come from a first-half try to Jamie Buhrer.

A large crowd of 15,000 watched the match and contributed towards the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/26/3149865.htm?site=sport&section=rugbyleague
 
Sounds like there may be some heat in this game in round 6, King was having a crack at the warriors bench when he came off and when he went back on they were all trying to take his head off
 
Well if King can just fire up his partner Kite like he did against the Storm a couple of years ago then we might have a potent front row. Can gentle George take some angry pills as well? We need to be fired up big time to outmuscle the opposition. Bring on the Storm.Not a bad effort last night considering no Lyon,Matai,G Stewart, Rodney, Galuvao, and only 20min Snake.
 
Have thrown a couple of questions out on the Warriors fan site

Brett was hard to judge due to lack of game time
Our forwards were full of mongrel and smashed them up
Our 2 most impressive in 1 guys eyes were Cherry-Evans and King, King put on some huge hits apparently

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And another view

"Brett Stewart was solid, but not spectacular. He looked to be running lines mostly, and was sniffing around the ruck as per usual. Never got a chance to open up and test his gas, but from a Sea Eagles perspective it would have been encouraging. The thing that really stood out to me was Kieran Foran - he is playing very direct, very straight - and your big boys were doing the business"
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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