Post Match NZ Warriors v Melbourne Storm - [Round 6, 2026]

Tookey 2.0 · Apr 12, 2026

Inruin said:
LM had the preseason last year and our pack was dominant for majority of games. Our attack was clunky for a huge percentage of the time. The results masked the underlying issues a fair amount.

This time last season we had 3 wins, 2 losses, bye 98 for, 118 against. This year 4 wins 2 losses, 194 for, 118 against - our attack has improved significantly and defence slightly which is exactly what we needed from last season

I was not on the Boyd train at all at the beginning of this season but I can't remember a warriors side being this dominant in a group of wins. Our wins are averaging around 40 for and 18 against or something like that.

CHT interview after the game- 'we stayed connected'

Our two losses we looked very disconnected.

Boyd is going to have some average games but he is a true 7 and his organizing of the team is very good.

Boyd and CHT need to be the halves combo until form and results require a change. Unfortunately i fear Cuddle s has shown his hand already.

Need to be #ruthless

#CHocolaTe_chip_cookies_not_raisins

Agree completely. Best weve looked in the last 5 years imo.

Fair call to Webby for chucking LM in and trying to make it work with Boyd, but it clearly didn't work. Currently Tanah and CHT together look like one of the form halves pairings of 2026. It would be madness to break that up from here unless
a. injury or
b. LM puts 4+ dominant displays in Cup

We all saw what happened when Ciraldo got too cute last year with his halves for the Bulldogs.
Imo its a very similar situation - the less fancied Sexton takes them to top of the table, Ciraldo wants more and brings in Galvin, whose probably a better player than Sexton, but the team struggles to gel with Galvin and the Dogs end up stinking it up.

I guess were kinda fortunate LM had this little injury, as its given us further evidence that the Boyd/CHT combo needs to stay - surely Webby wont make the same mistake twice?

Damo · Apr 12, 2026

John Nick said:
Fuck. What a difference a week in the NRL can make on the forum.

I still think Webby and Cappy should get sacked

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

Tookey 2.0 said:
Agree completely. Best weve looked in the last 5 years imo.

Fair call to Webby for chucking LM in and trying to make it work with Boyd, but it clearly didn't work. Currently Tanah and CHT together look like one of the form halves pairings of 2026. It would be madness to break that up from here unless
a. injury or
b. LM puts 4+ dominant displays in Cup

We all saw what happened when Ciraldo got too cute last year with his halves for the Bulldogs.
Imo its a very similar situation - the less fancied Sexton takes them to top of the table, Ciraldo wants more and brings in Galvin, whose probably a better player than Sexton, but the team struggles to gel with Galvin and the Dogs end up stinking it up.

I guess were kinda fortunate LM had this little injury, as its given us further evidence that the Boyd/CHT combo needs to stay - surely Webby wont make the same mistake twice?

Have to wonder how much attitude has to with it though? In 2024 we had some good wins over panthers with TMM and CHT and then TMM and CNK in the halves the following week. Looks like when we’re dialled in that we’re hard to beat no matter the lineup. When Metcalf was leading the team around and getting wins, some had decided that he’s a 6 alone. Get the feeling it’s all down to getting a settled preseason to work at a combination. It was my view that CHT should be the one disappointed at not being selected, and for all we know he was eased back after a serious concussion?

Inruin · Apr 12, 2026

Tookey 2.0 said:
I guess were kinda fortunate LM had this little injury, as its given us further evidence that the Boyd/CHT combo needs to stay - surely Webby wont make the same mistake twice?

One would hope so but history suggests otherwise. Rushing LM in after 1 training session despite our great performances gives me huge concern that he will try to push him back in as soon as he can.

We have a great chance to give the competition a real shake this season. I hope we don't blow it by messing with combinations that so far are working well together.

Victor_Radley's_Scrotum · Apr 12, 2026

Now that my erection has finally subsided, I can think clearly and confidently say that was one of the best defensive efforts I've seen in ages. Roger's tackle on Warbrick was perfection.

KPWarrior · Apr 12, 2026

Bit late to the post match party, just got home, haven't even watched the game back yet, but far out what a night! Just want to give a shout out the fans who turned up, absolutely incredible atmosphere from start to finish, drowned out anything the Storm fans had. Storm fans walking out with 20 to go copping it from all angles............Pricless! Literally one of the best games I've been to.

As for the boys, fk me did we turn up or what? That goal line D in the 2nd half was right in front of us, fkn Massive effort! Well done boys, this one will stick around for a while. Gonna go watch the replay now through sober(ish) eyes. The ugly streak is finally over!

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

Victor_Radley's_Scrotum said:
Now that my erection has finally subsided, I can think clearly and confidently say that was one of the best defensive efforts I've seen in ages. Roger's tackle on Warbrick was perfection.

Gives me the impression RTS would love to have stayed and wanted to show Warbrick as much. RTS seemed to be doing a lot of talking in huddles and the team were hanging off his words

John Nick · Apr 12, 2026

Inruin said:
One would hope so but history suggests otherwise. Rushing LM in after 1 training session despite our great performances gives me huge concern that he will try to push him back in as soon as he can.

We have a great chance to give the competition a real shake this season. I hope we don't blow it by messing with combinations that so far are working well together.

Agreed. I thought Webster was a bit tough on Luke expecting him to pick up his previous good form without proper game time and reps together with Tannah

WAH MAN · Apr 12, 2026

Noitall said:
To me this is the exact purpose of our pursuit of players like NAS to use in this manner. If Bishop Neal progresses quickly and shows he can handle the contact of big units, he could be the one?

Leka used correctly can do exactly that. Our tries are varied now as in getting those runners hitting the right lines. Like Maratas try.

Leon Black · Apr 12, 2026

Garry Saloon said:
He would have passed to DWZ at least

Behind his shoulder like last weekend at Shark Park

MrFrankWhite · Apr 12, 2026

WAH MAN said:
It's a case of needing everybody to get through the whole season. The art we are defining is getting the right players each game. If we keep Roger at centre. Would you look at Pompey next season or someone else?

Of course. Pompey is still a good reliable player. He’s first cab off the rank if someone else goes down. I’d be much more confident having Pompey as the back up than say CNK again.

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

John Nick said:
Agreed. I thought Webster was a bit tough on Luke expecting him to pick up his previous good form without proper game time and reps together with Tannah

I wonder how much was to do with a better than expected start to the season? We were forced with CHT copping a head knock but still picking up a win with Hanson at 6. I agree with you perhaps tough to expect Metcalf to fit back seamlessly but people like SJ have said there’s no better preparation than first grade, so perhaps off the bench? Either way, it’s hard to try a Boyd/Metcalf combination again and feel like Metcalf is likely still viewed as a 7 currently

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

MrFrankWhite said:
Of course. Pompey is still a good reliable player. He’s first cab off the rank if someone else goes down. I’d be much more confident having Pompey as the back up than say CNK again.

You have to reward performances in my opinion and this is the reality of picking up a suspension or injury, that you may not earn your spot back. Metcalf is going through this because of his inability to stay healthy

rugged · Apr 12, 2026

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW_XalPziTO/?igsh=ZHBvODRoZmFjMGlr

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

rugged said:
View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW_XalPziTO/?igsh=ZHBvODRoZmFjMGlr

The way CHT was so incensed and first reaction was to charge at him was epic. Loiero held him back in a I know manner

kos · Apr 12, 2026

Our attack changed for this game
No short passing amongst the forwards
Just bash it straight up the middle backed up with one of our top ten defensive games
A quibble that’s all it is can RTS at centre please pass the ball to his winger?
Cht - this guy is our glue- the connection in we were connected
Great game by the whole team

John Nick · Apr 12, 2026

Noitall said:
I wonder how much was to do with a better than expected start to the season? We were forced with CHT copping a head knock but still picking up a win with Hanson at 6. I agree with you perhaps tough to expect Metcalf to fit back seamlessly but people like SJ have said there’s no better preparation than first grade, so perhaps off the bench? Either way, it’s hard to try a Boyd/Metcalf combination again and feel like Metcalf is likely still viewed as a 7 currently

The difference between nrl fg and Cup is huge. Speed, intensity and space mainly

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

Check out Tuaupiki in this photo, I reckon the team are taking the piss out of him with DWZ having a laugh. That moment along with doing all the hard work getting to the ball to pass it to Fa’alogo were moments to forget for him. I like him as our fullback though and is threatening along with being hearty

Wrighty · Apr 12, 2026

AKP is now in my favourite player category along with the Great Man Kane Evans. Loved the one percenters Alfonso did.

Noitall · Apr 12, 2026

Wrighty said:
AKP is now in my favourite player category along with the Great Man Kane Evans. Loved the one percenters Alfonso did.

The team seems to be sliding and covering edges much better which is beneficial to our wingers. Huge psychological hurdle to get over storm and do it so emphatically was great ay Wrighty