Gameday NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks - [Round 5, 2026]

[NZWarriors.com]

NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks - [Round 5, 2026]
GAME DAY
Sunday 5th April 4:00pm NZST
PointsBet Stadium, Cronulla​

Welcome to your NZWF game day thread for todays clash.

Follow the game live at Warriors Live for live updates.

This thread will be locked following the final whistle with or without warning. Discussion will then be shifted to the POST MATCH thread.

UP THE WAHS!!!

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Warriors in a Boyd special - 40-14

 

[sydneywarrior92]

It's a shame that this isn't the channel 9 game. Contender for match of the round this. I'm going the JANFIN special for this one.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

JFH vs AFB will decide this game.

AFB is the only one in that pack who consistently runs for 100+ metres per game. So if we can shut him down, I back us to win the battle in the middle like we did in the corresponding fixture last year. Looks like Sharks have omitted BHU from their bench to accommodate the return of Nikora, so they aren't carrying as big a bench as they normally do. I also think we have the power advantage in the back row: Laban/Halasima vs Wilton/Burns.

Taine, Healey and Mets do their best work on the front foot. Not so great at turning momentum. So if we can win the ruck, we have enough speed and creativity in the backline to score enough pts to win this.

 

[sup42]

It would be nice to see our defence improve this week. Hoping to see some Webster ball today, lock the field down, play for territory, respect the opposition (not taking the Tigers seriously was fatal).

A win would obviously be awesome. Fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Old Sid]

A good solid start building the renewed belief, fair officiating with no phantom 6-agains and increased pressure on the Sharkies as the game progresses. Decided in last 20.
Wah's by 8

 

[roguei]

Interestingly unlike previous years the team isn't going to do any prolonged stays in aus. And have only flown out today or yesterday for this game, trying to minimize the time spent over there. Which I'm not sure we've done before under webby, normally at least the captains run is done over there and at least once a year they stay over for 2 games.

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.

 

[Naynay]

Interestingly unlike previous years the team isn't going to do any prolonged stays in aus. And have only flown out today or yesterday for this game, trying to minimize the time spent over there. Which I'm not sure we've done before under webby, normally at least the captains run is done over there and at least once a year they stay over for 2 games.

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.

Id imagine that they are looking to stay until after the melbourne game, so might be to Minimise the time spent away in total

 

[snake77]

Interestingly unlike previous years the team isn't going to do any prolonged stays in aus. And have only flown out today or yesterday for this game, trying to minimize the time spent over there. Which I'm not sure we've done before under webby, normally at least the captains run is done over there and at least once a year they stay over for 2 games.

Should be interesting to see how that pans out.

Interesting as overall under Webster playing under in Australia has been less of an issue under Webster.

They obviously are getting something right in the process. I recall an interview with Cameron George and he mentioned they all enjoy spending time together, travelling as a group. Hopefully, it is something as simple as that.

 

[Bluecat]

Us by a few. Metcalf and Boyd have hopefully worked things out a bit better. They are my main concern. I'm confident we can match the Sharks ok and win our share of possession but what we do with it will decide the game.
Warriors 12 and under. I got excited last week and predicted us by 13+ and look what happened. So back to 12 and under and I'll be pleasantly surprised if we run away with it. I can't see it though. I think Benji showed last week that coaches are studying us and are looking for ways to nullify what we can do

 

[roguei]

Id imagine that they are looking to stay until after the melbourne game, so might be to Minimise the time spent away in total

Nah. At around 9:20 he says the team is returning each week https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2026/04/03/webster-on-sunday-our-actions-will-tell-the-story/

 

[sup42]

Good to see Webster treating the flights like a bus trip. Far too much is made of the travel factor in the NRL (most of it is psychology and failure to stay mobile and active - with some minor diet and circadian rhythm hacks - drinking water).

Interesting as overall under Webster playing under in Australia has been less of an issue under Webster.

They obviously are getting something right in the process. I recall an interview with Cameron George and he mentioned they all enjoy spending time together, travelling as a group. Hopefully, it is something as simple as that.

If you are having fun on a trip the trip metaphorically flies by right? Fun and socializing is so underrated.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Good to see Webster treating the flights like a bus trip. Far too much is made of the travel factor in the NRL (most of it is psychology and failure to stay mobile and active - with some minor diet and circadian rhythm hacks - drinking water).

If you are having fun on a trip the trip metaphorically flies by right? Fun and socializing is so underrated.

I think it's when you get two options of omelet or rolled oats that kills the trip!

 

[snake77]

Hopefully, that Tigers game was a blip and servers as a wake up call. We see a performance more like the first 3 rounds.

I'd like to see a return of the passing in the middle with the forwards and hopefully we get some shape to see Tuaupiki linking around the back on some plays.

Need the defence to be on point. The Sharks looked good last week.

 

[Zaggo]

JFH vs AFB will decide this game

AFB had egg on his face last time after chirping all week, then doing sweet F.A while Fish scored a try. Wonder if he'll try make up for that embarrassment, but he's been pretty average this year.

 

[snake77]

I think it's when you get two options of omelet or rolled oats that kills the trip!

Better than my flight with Jetstar last week. On the return flight I got $10 to spend. I opted for a Coke Zero Sugar and a banana bread.

Last month I was lucky and got an early morning coffee.

 

[sup42]

I think it's when you get two options of omelet or rolled oats that kills the trip!

You just described my 24/7 365. They're not even whole grain real oats....soft....soft soft....

 

[Beastmode]

Ref isn’t Adam Geezus today so we back to business

Warriors + 12

 

[Inruin]

We will be fronting up after that game last week. All the focus will be on Metcalf and his combo with Boyd. Need him to focus on his defensive positioning and making his tackles.

With CHT he owns that defensive space and the attacking output is good on top of that.

Can't have the odd piece of attack from LM that covers somewhat for average defense.

Webster is big on effort, resilience and defense, and build our attack on the back of this. Not the other way round.

 

[Neo]

I think CHT will play instead of Healey today to get some game time into him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Niukore start in the second row as well, with Laban replacing him and Niukore moving to the middle to reduce the amount of interchanges. We failed to limit the Tigers back 3 last week so I think defensive energy will be the big focus