Gone to the pack already, say critics
More than five weeks out from their opening NRL game of 2020 the Warriors forward pack is already under pressure.
Following the club’s numerous attempts to bolster an underpowered forward pack all falling flat, a report out of Australia has labelled it the equal worst in the competition.
According to Fox Sports Australia, the Warriors forward pack has been rated a D+.
The lowly measure has been matched only by the West Tigers. Even perennial NRL battlers the Gold Coast Titans scored a Cdespite losing Ryan James who has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
The report didn’t hold back on the Warriors’ struggles.
‘‘When will the Warriors’ young stars take their game to the next level? Agnatius Paasi, Isaiah Papali’i and Jazz Tevaga have been touted as future stars their whole careers, but they need to take the next step,’’ the report read.
The Fox Sports report analysed each club’s forward pack.
‘‘A common theme in NRL premiership-winning sides is a big and mobile pack that offers a point of difference,’’ the report read.
‘‘From giant metre-eaters to skilful ballplayers and brutal defenders, a well balanced forward pack has to lay the platform for the halves and speedsters out wide to work their magic,’’ it said.
The Warriors finished 13th in 2019 with a pack that struggled to gain any ascendancy through the middle.
The Canberra Raiders topped the Fox Sports forward ratings with an A+ followed closely by the Storm, Rabbitohs, Broncos and last season’s champions the Roosters who all scored an A-.
The Dragons and Cowboys were both awarded B+ marks with the Sea Eagles, Eels and Panthers scoring B-.
The Sharks earned a C+ with Knights and Bulldogs joining the Titans at C-.
‘‘When will the Warriors’ young stars take their game to the next level?’’
Fox Sports Australia report on the coming NRL season