The warriors team to compete in the Cougar World Sevens rugby league tournament in Sydney has been named. The players are as follows:

Louis Anderson

Sione Faumuina (captain)

Wairangi Koopu

Thomas Leuluai

Haami Lauaki

Ali Lauiti'iti

Francis Meli

Justin Murphy

Karl Temata

Clinton Toopi,

Brent Webb

Ed's Breakdown Analysis:

Coaches often use the sevens medium as a tool to give young players with little or no NRL game time a chance to gain experience and confidence. Of course they throw a few veterans into the mix to give the team an air of credibility. Usually these veterans are players in need of a little preseason tweaking.

It seems that winning the competition sits low on the priority list, and can almost be considered a nice bonus to what is only a preseason fitness exercise. This years selection makes you wonder whether you can have your cake...and eat it too".

Yes there are the usual rookie / veteran combinations. But this year the ratio of veterans is in greater proportion than has normally been the case. This warriors side is a real humdinger!

The obvious rookies in need of experience and confidence are Thomas, Karl, Louis and Haami. They will all gain valuable experience and be all the better for it.

Wairangi Kopu has probably been included because he has a large mobile frame conducive to the sevens environment. He seems like a player ever struggling to pierce the the thin but durable skin preventing a good hardworking player from becoming a standout. Perhaps they hope this tournament can instil in him a confidence that could launch his game to a new level.

Ali seems to be an included for two reasons also; firstly he could greatly benefit from an opportunity to find his former Dally M winning form, and secondly the team would benefit greatly from his attacking prowess (should he find it) as it would prove lethal in the running game that is sevens.

Murphy offers pace which will always have a strong role in sevens.

Lastly there are players like Sione, Francis, Brent and Clinton who are true firepower players with the potential to devastate any opposition sides defences.

Over all I feel this team has a good balance between players chosen for pre-season preparation and players with true open play talent. At the end of the day Warrior fans have to be pleased at this teams chances. They look to be our greatest opportunity to win the sevens to date. Yeah! -Ed

Posted 3rd January, 2004

Update:

There have been some changes to the team initially announced. New warriors signing Tony Martin will debut for the club in this tournament. Martin comes fresh from England's Super League competition where he played for the London Bronco's. Before his one year stint in the UK Martin was previously based in the Melbourne Storm franchise.

Also rookie Manu Vituvae has been called into the team to replace Sione Faumuina who will be missing the tournament to sort out some problems. Francis Meli will now wear the mantle of captaincy in Sione's stead.

Posted 16th January, 2004

  Sione Faumuina

Francis Meli

images from www.warriors.co.nz