NRL: Manu-man

Manu Vatuvei. Photo / Getty Images

Expect more of the 'Make Way For Manu' approach this year. The Warriors were criticised for their range of attacking plays last year, with the kick to Manu Vatuvei's wing often seen as the main - and sometimes only - option.

Coach Ivan Cleary is certainly hopeful the team has more red zone options this season, but sees nothing wrong with the dependence on the 'Beast'.

"It's a great option," says Cleary. "It is usually the best option late in the count and we happen to have a guy that is very good at it. At no point last year were we looking for more options."

"[Manu] is two metres tall and 100-odd kilos - why wouldn't you kick to him?" adds playmaker Brett Seymour.

"He and Krisnan Inu jump like basketballers and catch like AFL players and it is about other teams trying to stop them."

Genuine set plays are becoming harder to execute in the NRL.

There are still some classics - St George often profit from Wayne Bennett's pet play where passes behind one or two decoy runners lead to the fullback creating an overlap. Melbourne like to use Billy Slater storming off a Cooper Cronk chip or inside ball.

In the early 90s, set moves by teams like the Raiders and Knights (with Ricky Stuart and Matthew Rodwell at the apex) were poetry in motion. Warriors teams of old got a lot of mileage from Stacey Jones doubling around Jerry Seuseu, and well as other set moves involving Ali Lauitiiti.

"Teams tend to be so dominant at the ruck these days and are trained defensively to a tee," explains Seymour.

"Well-drilled defensive patterns tend to shut down everybody's big play and it falls back on the last tackle when you are scrambling and anything can happen. Until the ruck gets a bit looser, I can see it going that way."

High kicks to the flanks have become probably the most popular scoring option in the game, with Penrith scoring over half their tries in 2010 from the tactic.

It is hardly new - Shaun Berrigan points out that the Broncos used the same strategy with twin towers Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuiquiri in 2000.

"It will be in the game for a while," says Cleary.

"Everybody knows a good kicking game is important and for the outside backs, part of their make-up these days."

Apart from options off the boot, the mercurial Feleti Mateo appeals as a genuine ball-player in the pack, something sorely missed at Mt Smart over the last few seasons.

"He [Mateo] has unique qualities," says Cleary. "He has skills that can really do positive things for your team."

"Feleti is a guy who can see space and reads the game pretty well," adds Seymour.

Meanwhile, after a month of trials Cleary is close to settling on his line-up for the 'Battle of Eden' against Parramatta next week.

There will be some tight calls; the most intriguing areas seem to be at fullback, wing, second row and hooker.

"It is a tricky team to pick but the amount of options available to Ivan is a luxury," says former Kiwis and Warriors coach Frank Endacott.

"It is their best squad in terms of depth for a while."

Endacott adds that NRL coaches typically allow for 15 per cent of their squad to be injured on any given week during the season, so the depth of the Auckland franchise is sure to be tested during the campaign.

Despite the impressive pre-season formof Kevin Locke, Endacott would start with Lance Hohaia in the number one jersey, with Vatuvei and Inu rounding out the back three.

"With Krisnan, you will always have your heart in your mouth but he has so many ways to score points," says Endacott.

Joel Moon should partner Jerome Ropati in the centres, Endacott says, in what shapes as a vital season for the Queenslander after a mixed time over the last two years.

The halves pairing of Seymour and James Maloney will remain unchanged, with Mateo slotting in at lock forward, he says.

That would mean Michael Luck moving into the second row, alongside captain Simon Mannering. Russell Packer and Sam Rapira would be his props, with Endacott preferring Aaron Heremaia over Shaun Berrigan in the number nine jersey.

"Heremaia did enough last year to warrant a starting spot and Berrigan gives so many options off the bench," says Endacott.

The 17 will be rounded out by Lewis Brown, Ben Matulino and Ukuma Ta'ai with the newly bulked-up Jacob Lillyman as the 18th man.

Probable Warriors 17: Fullback L Hohaia. Wings M Vatuvei, K Inu. Centres J Ropati, J Moon. Halves J Maloney, B Seymour. Lock F Mateo. Second row: S Mannering, M Luck. Front row: S Rapira, A Heremaia, R Packer.

Bench: S Berrigan, L Brown, B Matulino, J Lillyman.