Warriors sign Berrigan

Thoughts? Im only really familair with his game as a hooker but apparently hes a centre as well? We have an obvious hole at centre and I was hoping Mara would get a good run of games next season so his flair can be allowed to develop.

Has it been confirmed confirmed yet? Last I heard he had got the early release he wanted but it was still between the Titans and the Warriors as to who signs him up.

He is very much in the Hohaia mold. At the Broncos, he was their Hohaia, covering multiplie positions. He's clever with a good pass, a good read and a good turn of pace. But in saying that, I haven't seen him since he left the NRL so lord only knows whether he has still got it. He's 32 now so you have to wonder if he still has the pace he once had.

Old news maybe but he has definitely signed. I think its a really good acquisition by the warriors, he has a load of experience from the Bennett era at the broncos, and as said he has a good pace, can read a game well and brings a kicking option. He'll defintiely push Heremia for the the starting hooker spot .I think Krisan Inu will slot straight into centre and partner up with Locke or that other young winger on the right hand side

Not to the put the mockers on but I think this could be be our year - we have a really strong forward pack - Mannering, Matalino, Packer, Brown, Berrigan, Rapira x2 Luck and true ball playing backrower in Mateo. In the backs I think we should still play to vatuvai's wings as much as possible but Inu will some flair to the right hand side. I'm definitley laying some cash on them this year - Hundy to win it and hundy for top four finish.

I trieds to put this to dalia on NYE and he looked at me like I had lost my mind

Two Rapiras in the pack!

Best / smartest buy we've made in ages. The guy has serious credentials and although he's probably past his prime the experience and mentorship he'll bring to the side will be invaluable. Awesome how he's got a boot too, we need that. (he's actually played a fair bit of 5/8th in his time apparently).

We should start a new NRL thread to discuss this but I'm wary of saying this will be our year just yet. We do have some X-factor in Mateo, Rapira and Vatuvei but you don't win a premiership without a world-class halves pairing, and we don't have one. Same story every year innit.

Hopefully Isaac John or Shaun Johnson come through the ranks this year - Berrigan could help with that.

Haha I'm so naturally wary when it comes to the warriors chances! Interestingly enough I don't really remember this conversation but I did drink a lot so I'm just gonna roll with it.

If everyone plays to their potential then the Warriors are unbeatable but as we know, it's rare that any NRL side has all their players fizzing all the time, let alone the warriors, but hey... It's great to dream of what it might be like to see Captain Mannering holding up the famous trophy!

Yeah that's a good dream to have.

Firmly of the belief that the Warriors need good firm older hands in the side, even if they are a bit past their prime, considering how many young cats we get through. Yes, other clubs have a lot of young guys too, but with our distance from the rest of the comp, and the......I don't know what the right word is....down to earthness?....of say our under 20's guys, this really makes a difference.

But yeah. Lots of kids coming through. Most of them haven't left home. The big time of NRL footy is nothing like anything they would have experienced. Some good wise heads to model themselves after does wonders for their careers and for the team.

grinder ty

"down to earthness"......I think you just invented new code br0

So the deal is finally done & dusted. Good summary of the guys credentials here:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10698597

Fucken gutted that we missed out on signing Matt Orford. If we'd got him we'd actually be looking pretty solid.