Attacking the big problem
The lowest scorers in the NRL, Warriors need more from hooker and halves
With the new NRL rules aimed at ensuring a higher-paced product, there has never been more importance on a strong running game.
Unfortunately, the Warriors are still trying to figure out how to make the most of that.
The back five have been posting plenty of metres with ball in hand, mostly working their way out of their own 20m early in the tackle count. Add to that the work of the second rowers — particularly Tohu Harris — hitting the ball up, gaining ground hasn’t been the problem.
Where the Warriors are struggling is in causing problems for the opposition’s defence. Even before the restart, the Warriors’ creativity on attack was non-existent. Through four rounds, they’ve scored four tries — two courtesy of forwards from close range and another a penalty try.
With ruck infringements now offering teams repeat sets opposed to penalties, more often than not, a quick play-the-ball is on offer and a good running game can exploit the holes in the retreating defence — particularly late in the contest when fatigue sets in.
But where the Warriors are lacking is in the running games of their halves and hooker. In the No 9 jersey, Wayde Egan is yet to make any sort of impact on attack. In the past two weeks, he’s run the ball just seven times for a total of 25m. For comparison, Penrith Panthers hooker Apisai Koroisau ran for more than 100m in 11 carries — nine from dummy half.
Heading into the season restart, Kodi Nikorima was given the nod alongside Blake Green in the halves, as the new rules should suit his ability to run the ball.
Both he and Green have been running the ball, sure, but they haven’t been asking questions.
In their loss to the Panthers last weekend, only once did either half attack the line with ball in hand, which opened space for Gerard Beale to pierce the defensive line.
For the most part, when the halves ran, it was only for a short time before palming the ball off to a forward, and more often than not, this was done well before the defensive line and was therefore well handled.
And in the first half, neither Nikorima nor Green ran the ball once.
On the other side, Jerome Luai and Matt Burton forced the Warriors to make defensive decisions throughout the contest, with a late try from Billy Burns a prime example of a half attacking the line, as Burton drew in defenders before sending Burns in.
Defensively, the Warriors have been solid — at least in the last couple of weeks. While the 26-0 scoreline against the Panthers wasn’t flattering, they conceded a few unlucky tries which helped to blow it out. But their attack — or lack thereof — is a dire situation.
With just four tries to their name, the Warriors have scored the fewest in the competition.
They’ve also made the fewest line breaks (four), second-fewest line break assists (two), second-fewest offloads (23) and, you guessed it, scored the fewest points (24).
Getting more out of the halves and hooker can only help things.
Egan is yet to make any sort of impact on attack. Nikorima and Green have been running the ball but haven’t been asking questions.