General Metcalf - Halfback Replacement 2025

[sup42]

Which is your preferred halfback/pairing for the remainder of the year?

There are two options to pick Boyd and only one configuration to pick TMM.

This was not an attempt to stack the odds in Boyds favor, merely a reflection that no one in the threads has entertained the extremely unlikely option that Martin plays halfback with Boyd as his six - whereas Boyd has an established partnership with TMM, and Channel is the incumbent six thus the two poll options for Boyd.

Channel was not considered for the Poll as his mums vote while precious doesn't add to the statistical significance of the data.

 

[Damo]

Channel 2 please.

 

[Blain]

CHT
Boyd

Boyd gives you a true 7 game with kicking and control. TMM at 6 is probably a better combination, but that would take adjustment time and I can't see CHT getting moved anyway.

And would add Taine to fullback. He gives you that x factor speed and acceleration we lack with no Metcalf. RTS has been playing well on the wing, leave him there. Doesn't have the zip he had years ago.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Tanah Boyd has the kicking game, the goal kicking, the drop kick, loves playing at Go Media.

What's not to like?

 

[sup42]

Early doors but a clear lead to the Boyd 7. CHT 6. pairing.

Not surprising really, this has to be the most intriguing team naming Tuesday coming.

 

[Ref]

Early doors but a clear lead to the Boyd 7. CHT 6. pairing.

Not surprising really, this has to be the most intriguing team naming Tuesday coming.

And not just the halves.
The whole team really.

 

[bomb to vats]

1. Tuapiki
2. RTS

7. Boyd
6. CHT

14. TMM

 

[tajhay]

7. Boyd. Probably the best complete game manager in the team and will be able to carry out AW's gameplan which is all about territory, and pinning opposition in their own half.
6. Chanel. This one should not even a debate. Why should he lose his position because his halves partner was injured?

I wish TMM could be like a Lance Hohaia and be able to provide a meaningful impact when put into wherever he is as part of the utility role. I can totally understand why he is not required going forward. I would prefer to see Sam Healey in the utility role.

Wish we could just rewind back a few weeks and not have the 3 key players injured as we currently do.

 

[Cces]

The more I think about it the more I lean towards Boyd. Assuming Tuaupiki is Fullback, he isn't going to create the momentum off kick returns that CNK does plus Niukore's go forward pales in comparison to Barnett, so we need a longer boot and Boyd provides that. I do have concerns with him defending on the right for the first time in 2025, inside & outside guys he's had no game time with, but I'm sure the well placed Bye will be beneficial

 

[tyrael]

Boyd and TMM have played several games together. Their combo works better than CHT and Boyd.
It's hard on CHT as he's played well and doesn't deserve to be dropped but it's what best for the team imo.

 

[bomb to vats]

Boyd and TMM have played several games together. Their combo works better than CHT and Boyd.
It's hard on CHT as he's played well and doesn't deserve to be dropped but it's what best for the team imo.

Its not going to happen, why would you drop CHT and another key spine player just because of a combo formed in reserve grade? May as well drop Egan too while we are at it.

 

[Sammyw]

Boyd and TMM have played several games together. Their combo works better than CHT and Boyd.
It's hard on CHT as he's played well and doesn't deserve to be dropped but it's what best for the team imo.

CHT shouldnt be dropped because metcalf got injured, the combo in NSW cup is going great but lets not underestimate the jump from cup to nrl. easy decison at this stage, Boyd is the backup 7, he should go in. if that doesnt work then reassess. losing metcalf should not mean we change 6 and 14 as well.

 

[tyrael]

Its not going to happen, why would you drop CHT and another key spine player just because of a combo formed in reserve grade? May as well drop Egan too while we are at it.

Because some players are better when they are with other players. Walsh is better with Mam at 6. Eli Katoa is better when Jahrome is playing well.

This is the sticky end of the season and we don't have time to form combinations. CHT has to my knowledge, never played with Boyd. Who calls what, who overrides whom?

But all said, CHT won't get dropped. Webster likes who he likes.

 

[BlackToko88]

Id prefer Boyd at 7. His kicking game is good, in particular long kicking. Has kicked a few 40/20s. Based off our game plans where we kick deep and chase pressure that suits the mould more. He also has kicked field goals (one against us i think in 2022), which could be cruical in the tight games.

CHT at 6. Dudes exceeded my expectation and moving him just cause metcalf is injured creates more shuffling.

id prefer healey off the bench, but having te maire there gives you a good halves option should someone get injured

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Their combo works better than CHT and Boyd.

How many weeks did you watch this combo play?

 

[Tragic]

Boyd gives us something we have missed all year, a long kicking game. With Berrys kick chase this works for our grind game.
Without Metcalf we lose strike power so that's why I would go with tmm and put CHT on the bench. Tmm unlocks others, he is a better footballer than CHT.
I wouldn't be disappointed if they kept CHT as he is defensively good and has surprised me with his attack this year.
I would be disappointed if they go with TMM and CHT, it's a dead end, neither has a great kicking game, neither is a controlling half.

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

is Boyd a better overall league player than TMM - probably not, is he a better 7 given he will have trained there all year, and we need a decent boot in the side - probably yes.

 

[Tragic]

CNK we will miss for yardage. Putting TMM at back is not what we need. Our back 3 make our yardage. Our best bet is TT but with support from wingers so they take tackle one contact then he goes on two or three. When there should be less likelihood of being monstered and opportunity to find a gap.

 

[tyrael]

How many weeks did you watch this combo play?

I haven't, just looking at stats and general observation of, if you haven't played together, it will take time to gel. We don't have the luxury of time.

TMM has played 6 games in NSW.

4 tries
110 kick metres
15 try assists
9 LB assists
8 offloads
104 tackles made
126 avg running meters

I understand that NSW is a lesser league but ppl on here talking like TMM is mud.

 

[Damo]

Boyd and TMM have played several games together. Their combo works better than CHT and Boyd.
It's hard on CHT as he's played well and doesn't deserve to be dropped but it's what best for the team imo.

They haven't even played together for a month kind of making this combination thing semi-redundant.