NRL 2018

Warriors news: Warriors resign Isaiah Papali'i to a two-year deal and Isaac Luke on a much cheaper one-year deal.

@sneakdefreak glad that worked out well for the warriors! Bully to have a massive 2019 as he should be highly motivated now!!

@paekakboyz Gives the Warriors one more year to prepare either Nathaniel Roache or Karl Lawton for the role too.

Kiwis team to play Australia: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c), Ken Maumalo, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu, James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Leeson Ah Mau, Martin Taupau, Adam Blair, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes

I'm no expert on the sport so can someone tell me what's so special about Kenny Bromwich? He seems really underwhelming to me.

@akan004 said in NRL 2018:

Kiwis team to play Australia: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (c), Ken Maumalo, Esan Marsters, Joseph Manu, Jordan Rapana, Shaun Johnson, Kodi Nikorima, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Kevin Proctor, Isaac Liu, James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Leeson Ah Mau, Martin Taupau, Adam Blair, Peta Hiku, Jahrome Hughes

I'm no expert on the sport so can someone tell me what's so special about Kenny Bromwich? He seems really underwhelming to me.

Think of him as the not as good Whitelock or Barrett - he has the last name Bromwich.

Interesting to see Smith get the start and Hughes on the bench (or not on the bench). Even more interesting is the choice of captain. Here DWZ you're fully replacing RTS, you've both got two dads, you're the fullback, so you may as well be the captain as well.

Surprised to see Maumalo ahead of Isaako, although I'm not sure what wing the latter plays on. At least Maumalo should get more ball.

@bovidae said in NRL 2018:

Surprised to see Maumalo ahead of Isaako, although I'm not sure what wing the latter plays on. At least Maumalo should get more ball.

Yeah, I'm not sure that I really see Maumalo as a test wing (for the Kiwis as opposed to Samoa). He has his strengths, just not sure they're whats needed. Is Isaako injured? Otherwise there's no reason not to select him. The Kiwis shouldn't need Ken to be an extra prop like the Warriors do with the actual props they have.

Ok fern leaguies, how's it going to play out for the kiwis tonight?

@siam usual story, a win for the Aussies.

We’ll compete for 40 minutes then they’ll run away with it.

Did anyone else watch the most insane bit of skill from one of the Junior Kiwis? That's the greatest thing I think I have ever seen in either code.

@akan004 just saw it now. Still trying to work out if he did it on purpose.

@akan004 said in NRL 2018:

Did anyone else watch the most insane bit of skill from one of the Junior Kiwis? That's the greatest thing I think I have ever seen in either code.

Any way to post it up?

@taniwharugby That's 's the one.

@crazy-horse said in NRL 2018:

@akan004 just saw it now. Still trying to work out if he did it on purpose.

Looked like it was on purpose to me - from that clip TR posted.

Where is the crowd?

That was a good haka.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@crazy-horse said in NRL 2018:

@akan004 just saw it now. Still trying to work out if he did it on purpose.

Looked like it was on purpose to me - from that clip TR posted.

Definitely on purpose. Getting the offload was also impressive.

Sheesh, training run try for the Kangas.

Far out our defensive line is just waiting for the Aussies to run 10 before we tackle.

Mitchell making the easiest metres

@act-crusader said in NRL 2018:

Far out our defensive line is just waiting for the Aussies to run 10 before we tackle.

Also, DWZ needs to close down the space when defending at the back rather than just waiting.

More metres up that right side of ours. Two errors saving tries...

Better boys. More pace in the attack.

Not liking this change of direction pass behind the line. It’s going way too deep.

Knocked out!!!

He finally penalised them for offside on the line. Yet they've been offside at the try line in every set.

Bromwich has been awesome in this match. Yet Kidwell (and the NZRL) ditched him for a wife basher last year who defected to Tonga a year later anyway. Idiots.

Aussie errors keeping us in it.

@act-crusader said in NRL 2018:

Aussie errors keeping us in it.

Ref not penalising offsides on the tryline has helped keep us out it too.

And our errors letting us down at the right end of the field.

This is a pretty poor watch really. Such disjointed attack.

Oh man, SJ awesome work

That was good steeping by Johnson but he probably should have given it to Rapana at some stage to try drive over.

And the Kiwis are now playing with out a real hooker.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

This is a pretty poor watch really. Such disjointed attack.

Nikorima getting caught out at the ruck a couple of times. Missing our general.

Yes! Try to Maumalo.

I think there is vulnerability in this Aussie forward pack

Aussie backs have us on pace and are about as big as our boys. But I think if we continue to get Bromwich, JWH and co going we should have enough attacking opportunities throughout the whole game.

@act-crusader said in NRL 2018:

I think there is vulnerability in this Aussie forward pack

Aussie backs have us on pace and are about as big as our boys. But I think if we continue to get Bromwich, JWH and co going we should have enough attacking opportunities throughout the whole game.

Yep, having Bromwich, Taupau and a firing JWH is great for the Kiwis.

Yes try to Manu!

More good second man play and Joey Manu’s fend and force gets him a try.