General Luke Metcalf vs Te Maire Martin

[Inruin]

I feel CHT is the most rounded left edge player out of the three.

He unfortunately is too much of a Swiss army knife, so TMM is favoured so they can fit the best 17 on the field. Even though I feel CHT has the better left foot kick and right to left pass.

I got laughed at for suggesting this previously but I agree with you. I just wonder how match fit his body is for week to week 80 minutes after his season off. Already off injured for a period. Might be that his best position for the team is that utility role on the bench which leaves TMM and Metcalf as the preferred options at 6. I'm expecting CHT to be back and playing 6 with TMM at 7 for a game or two to rest SJ in the near future

 

[John Nick]

I got laughed at for suggesting this previously but I agree with you. I just wonder how match fit his body is for week to week 80 minutes after his season off. Already off injured for a period. Might be that his best position for the team is that utility role on the bench which leaves TMM and Metcalf as the preferred options at 6. I'm expecting CHT to be back and playing 6 with TMM at 7 for a game or two to rest SJ in the near future

I can see that happening sooner or later.
SJ is struggling with injury obviously and it's a long arduous season

 

[Stalefish540]

I got laughed at for suggesting this previously but I agree with you. I just wonder how match fit his body is for week to week 80 minutes after his season off. Already off injured for a period. Might be that his best position for the team is that utility role on the bench which leaves TMM and Metcalf as the preferred options at 6. I'm expecting CHT to be back and playing 6 with TMM at 7 for a game or two to rest SJ in the near future

Yea sorry should have noted I meant in an ideal world. I don't feel after the year off he is probably ready to play week in week out at half for the whole season.

I think I mentioned it previously, but I would be more than happy injuries aside to have a combo of Metcalf and CHT post SJ.

A lot of other players with promise have improved under Webby, so I don't see any reason to believe a determined player such as CHT can't do the same.

I've always been a massive CHT fan, but also aware of his shortcomings. Would be good to see him finally get some good coaching and reach his potential.

 

[Inruin]

Yea sorry should have noted I meant in an ideal world. I don't feel after the year off he is probably ready to play week in week out at half for the whole season.

I think I mentioned it previously, but I would be more than happy injuries aside to have a combo of Metcalf and CHT post SJ.

A lot of other players with promise have improved under Webby, so I don't see any reason to believe a determined player such as CHT can't do the same.

I've always been a massive CHT fan, but also aware of his shortcomings. Would be good to see him finally get some good coaching and reach his potential.

I half agree with you

 

[Stalefish540]

I half agree with you

Agreed, we'll leave it at that.

 

[mrblonde]

I half agree with you

I find this one-eighth of a lack of agreement about the Warriors halves disturbing.

 

[Inruin]

I find this one-eighth of a lack of agreement about the Warriors halves disturbing.

If only we were all as good at fractions as Bilbo Baggins

 

[Cces]

Just a few stats to refer to down the track.
In Metcalf's 3 full games (excluded his brief stint vs Knights) his Winger scored one try off a beautiful long ball the first play after the opposition made an error on their line, & his Second Rower scored a try off his bomb. He also scored two himself. 1W-3L.

In CHT's 70'ish minute stint at #6 his Winger scored once of his bomb. Result was a win.

TMM has played 5 games at #6. He's scored once & his backrower has scored once (*courtesy of SJ). 1W-1D-3L

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Just a few stats to refer to down the track.
In Metcalf's 3 full games (excluded his brief stint vs Knights) his Winger scored one try off a beautiful long ball the first play after the opposition made an error on their line, & his Second Rower scored a try off his bomb. He also scored two himself. 1W-3L.

In CHT's 70'ish minute stint at #6 his Winger scored once of his bomb. Result was a win.

TMM has played 5 games at #6. He's scored once & his backrower has scored once (*courtesy of SJ). 1W-1D-3L

Can’t wait for CHT to be back…

 

[Mr Drag]

Just a few stats to refer to down the track.
In Metcalf's 3 full games (excluded his brief stint vs Knights) his Winger scored one try off a beautiful long ball the first play after the opposition made an error on their line, & his Second Rower scored a try off his bomb. He also scored two himself. 1W-3L.

In CHT's 70'ish minute stint at #6 his Winger scored once of his bomb. Result was a win.

TMM has played 5 games at #6. He's scored once & his backrower has scored once (*courtesy of SJ). 1W-1D-3L

CHT has always looked a 7 and Metcalf at 6 could be our future pairing!

 

[Boston Boy]

We just need someone who can kick the ball 60+m at this stage.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

2025.

Metcalf or TMM?

Anyone changed their mind?

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

2025.

Metcalf or TMM?

Anyone changed their mind?

If we keep doing well with TMM playing in whatever spot, lock him in for the rest of the season.

If we make a grand final, keep him next year.

 

[Inruin]

2025.

Metcalf or TMM?

Anyone changed their mind?

Not me, knew it all along

 

[defensivebomb]

I feel that TMM has given us more, and shown he can play big games

Metcalf has shown glimpses of a high ceiling, but hasn’t shown enough distribution for my liking yet

If they both gave us the best they’ve shown, I probably would rather TMM

 

[Worried2Death]

Be good to find a way to use Luke's speed, if he's still got it, don't know where though, backup half probably. Our achilles heel is lack of outright pace except for Dallin, we don't seem capable of finishing breakout tries from our own end. Love the way Webby's designed his plans to suit our strengths though.

 

[John Nick]

Not me, knew it all along

Only since he has been at 7 .Fact

 

[Noitall]

Be good to find a way to use Luke's speed, if he's still got it, don't know where though, backup half probably. Our achilles heel is lack of outright pace except for Dallin, we don't seem capable of finishimg breakout tries from our own end. Love the way Webby's designed his plans to suit our strengths though.

Think he would be a handy fullback, and has played there in nsw cup. Have grown fond of Tuaupiki too now after having initial reservations

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I think a lot of people have forgotten TMM was a gun playmaker as a junior and at the Cows as a youngster and had a lot of experience and achievements prior to the brain bleed:

- kiwis half
- junior Kiwis half
- played a grand final
- In 2 seasons of Holden cup he was named as five-eigths in the Holden cup team of the year.

It’s been frustrating as he’s struggled to get back to peak, broken leg, SJ getting all the play, etc.

But I felt he always had the better potential based on what he has achieved previously.

 

[Inruin]

I think a lot of people have forgotten TMM was a gun playmaker as a junior and at the Cows as a youngster and had a lot of experience and achievements prior to the brain bleed:

- kiwis half
- junior Kiwis half
- played a grand final
- In 2 seasons of Holden cup he was named as five-eigths in the Holden cup team of the year.

It’s been frustrating as he’s struggled to get back to peak, broken leg, SJ getting all the play, etc.

But I felt he always had the better potential based on what he has achieved previously.

The Cowboys had him lined up initially to replace Thurston.

Watching what he had delivered last season before getting injured and the knights semi final coming back early, NSW cup this year it was pretty clear to me what he offers. Certainly talk of him not being first grade standard tells you more about the people making those comments IMO. In regards to Metcalf he has a fair bit of developing to do and I haven't seen anything yet to suggest he is more than a very handy back up half. With his injury it will take a bit to get his confidence back as well. Said early on that my preference to partner SJ would be TMM or CHT. It looks like that was a pretty fair call. Biggest concern for next season is if SJ doesn't extend another year we will have something like TMM at 7 and CHT at 6 with only Metcalf as a back up coming back from a broken leg - all three players haven't strung a huge amount of games in row yet either. Walker is to valuable at 13 IMO. Could use CNK again with Taine at fullback. Interesting times ahead.