Player movements and rumours

I would add that even if the Warriors were a well-structured, successful club who provided lots of rep players, they'd still be a bit of out of sight, out of mind for the Sydney and Brisbane media, and Australian players playing for them would be at a disadvantage when it came to Origin selection for that reason. That they usually finish mid-table and have mainly NZers playing for them just adds to that really.

 

I think Mateo is a good example of someone who probably would've played Origin at his peak if he was playing for a successful Sydney club at the time and not the Warriors.

 

I like to think he's really matured over the last couple of seasons, but it might just seem like that because he has stronger characters as his coach/teammates now.

 

I think it'd be a bit of a strange signing for the Warriors anyway. They're not exactly short of edge forwards; it should really be the least of their worries. I guess Hoffman and Mannering are getting on a bit now, but they're both still contracted for next season on big money (and Mannering for 2018 as well IIRC), and Bodene is really solid as well.. not to mention Lane and Bunty who'd be in first grade more regularly at a bunch of other teams.

Spending big money on a second rower was silly when they did it with Hoffman and it's even sillier now.

 

Would've liked to see him go to a team with less second row competition, but yeah good stuff.