KEY POINTS:
The season opener on Friday evening between the Roosters and Rabbitohs was greatly anticipated - and not just by league fans.
Scores of people I have spoken to lately are looking forward to a more open brand of play. The summer has dragged on and the much-vaunted new experimental laws of the Super 14 have left many confused as to why only the Blues and Crusaders have embraced and exploited the variations to their advantage. Consequently we have been bored watching the other teams struggling to adapt.
Rugby league has been low profile during the pre-season but if Friday night's games are an indication, we are in for another bumper year. The Titans/Cowboys game highlighted the difference between the two codes and how the speed of the game and the skill level was maintained throughout 80 minutes; I was totally impressed.
More notable was the impact on the game by the smaller players, Anthony Minichello and Isaac Luke from the Roosters and Rabbitohs respectively were outstanding and will be big players as the year rolls on. From the fixture between the Cowboys and Titans, Matt Bowen and Jonathon Thurston for the Cowboys will again be instrumental. Similarly, Scott Prince, Preston Campbell and Mat Rogers will be at the centre of all the Titans' plays.
If this is the going to be the point of difference for NRL teams, then I look at the Warriors and the players who need to follow the lead. Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt have it all in front of them to follow suit and direct the team around the field. The pair lack the flair and excitement of the previously named players but have more than enough enthusiasm to create similar big plays. On the back of these two, the Warriors have Nathan Fien who can create; Jerome Ropati and Lance Hohaia are also available to construct a platform.
Looking at their opposition on Monday night, the Storm have playmakers in Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater who are similar to Prince and Campbell in that they can create for both themselves and others. From anywhere on the field, they will be dangerous and it is little wonder the pundits are selecting them as the 2008 premiers. They are a well-balanced team with few faults but I think the Warriors are being underestimated by most people on the back of Wade McKinnon's injury.
The Warriors have taken the right step in purchasing Brent Tate for their troubled midfield, and I like what they are doing with the front row by starting Ruben Wiki from the bench. Sam Rapira will be the future prop and hence needs to start taking over the role by starting games; this is a good move and it will be interesting to see how often Evarn Tuimavave will start if he is to take over from Steve Price in the future.
Watch for the smaller men to have a big role. More importantly, look out for the upset tomorrow night when the Warriors turn a few heads and silence some experts.
