Pick Your Team NZ Warriors v Canberra Raiders - [Round 2, 2026]

[tyrael]

I might create an Ali burner profile so I can shit post

Are you Kevin Durant?

 

[BrisbaneWarrior]

Papali’i failed an HIA tonight

 

[Dannevegas]

Marata is back. He comes in for TSS. Barney probably needs another week.

Idk, Tanner’s had 3 very solid games in a row now. Don’t know if he deserves to be dropped for Marata.

 

[Dannevegas]

Unchanged.
Raiders back 5 are a handful, I just hope Dallin doesn’t have PTSD from Tamale.

 

[WAH MAN]

Unchanged.
Raiders back 5 are a handful, I just hope Dallin doesn’t have PTSD from Tamale.

Charnze has PTSD from Tapine

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Idk, Tanner’s had 3 very solid games in a row now. Don’t know if he deserves to be dropped for Marata.

I agree. But this thread is about the team we expect to see named, not the one we'd like to be named. Against Canberra, we need to field our strongest and most experienced middle rotation possible and Webby clearly sees Marata as a key part of that alongside Ford, JFH, Barney, Erin, Demi and co. TSS has done a good job filling in, but he's not at a stage where he is indispensable to the team like Demi or Leka.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

According to NRL casualty ward, Barney and Marata should both be back for this game. I think that allows us to field our first choice pack for this game whereas the Raiders will be missing Papalii. We have the side to match them physically up front. So the big concern here is what to do about Ali. I doubt Webby will drop Ali this early into the season after only one game, so it's on Ali to not let the team down again this week. I

 

[Horriors2013]

Idk, Tanner’s had 3 very solid games in a row now. Don’t know if he deserves to be dropped for Marata.

You're kidding right? I don't get the Marata dislike. He runs a good line, he has size, experience, and intimidation factor. Opposition will be more afraid of him than TSS.

 

[CHWAH]

I agree. But this thread is about the team we expect to see named, not the one we'd like to be named. Against Canberra, we need to field our strongest and most experienced middle rotation possible and Webby clearly sees Marata as a key part of that alongside Ford, JFH, Barney, Erin, Demi and co. TSS has done a good job filling in, but he's not at a stage where he is indispensable to the team like Demi or Leka.

Not to split hairs … but the thread is “name your team” … not, “name Webby’s Team”

Anyway, I agree Webby stuck with Marata and his key guys last year, maybe too much so. This is the litmus test for great coaches, when do they work aging players out and work young talent through. So rather than asking is TSS indispensable, is he (TSS) better that Marata. Does Webby simply use the line that Marata needs game time and plays some reserve grade first.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Not to split hairs … but the thread is “name your team” … not, “name Webby’s Team”

Anyway, I agree Webby stuck with Marata and his key guys last year, maybe too much so. This is the litmus test for great coaches, when do they work aging players out and work young talent through. So rather than asking is TSS indispensable, is he (TSS) better that Marata. Does Webby simply use the line that Marata needs game time and plays some reserve grade first.

I think we are saying the same thing really. That our top middle rotation, when fully fit, includes Marata but not TSS. TSS has done great but he's not yet better than the other members of the middle rotation. So if it's a question of picking the best middle rotation available, it is natural that TSS makes way for Marata. If Barney comes back this week, then the question of who makes way for him will become even harder.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Marata is back. He comes in for TSS. Barney probably needs another week.

I dont think he does! TSS has carried on his form from preseason with a strong outing. I think marata could do with a game in cup to get some match fitness.

I could see Toava coming up to Gannon spot and both Gannon and marata start in cup.

 

[3rdstriker]

You're kidding right? I don't get the Marata dislike. He runs a good line, he has size, experience, and intimidation factor. Opposition will be more afraid of him than TSS.

Stowers smith deserves another run.
Intimidation is all Marata brings, his bad defensive reads and going missing in games are well below his pay packet.
Webby should keep tss there as he's so hungry and full of enthusiasm Maratas been so flat for year's, he only has the odd good game.

 

[Ref]

I think Marata should start in Cup where they badly need some experience and intimidation and if he is dominant then he has earnt a shot.
The comments so far in this thread are 50/50 on him getting an instant first grade recall.
I don’t get the love.
We have better options.

 

[Tragic]

Can't understand why anyone would pick Marata over TSS at prop at this stage of the season. TSS way better in that position - cue @Cces to put me back in my place with stats.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Can't understand why anyone would pick Marata over TSS at prop at this stage of the season. TSS way better in that position - cue @Cces to put me back in my place with stats.

It will be a fascinating call for Webster.

Traditional says he goes with the experienced senior player regardless of form.

Is he evolving? This selection will show us a lot.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I was surprised and a little disheartened a few days out from our first game where Webby confirmed that Marata would be back for rd 1. While that didnt eventuate its clear Marata is likely to feature heavily in Webby's team moving forward, atleast for the first 8 rounds or so.

Not disheartened about Marata specifically, just that someone (likely TSS) would miss out, who had a good preseason.
I mentioned in the post match that I thought our young, exciting bench didn't do the job on the weekend - we stagnated from the 30-60th minutes so I can see the appeal of bringing a veteran in to help rectify this.

 

[Naynay]

I think the big talk is really most like 2 have to make way in the forwards. Laban should keep the starting second row and barney comes back in, maybe barney hits the bench and Ford to start.

For me Gannon drops off the bench TSS probably goes 19 and then who makes way for Marata if he comes back. Thats the real question. If Barney starts probably ford at 19 and TSS to nswcup

 

[Muddogz]

If Niukore comes back, it will be for Laban I would think. Laban was underwhelming for me, five missed tackles and an error.

TSS was solid and you need four props in the rotation. Laban to take Gannons spot in the 19.

 

[regenerated borg]

Barney and Marata are the key here... if 1 or both play, just a couple of changes, Marata in and Laban to the bench.. cause Ali needs a bodyguard on that edge... at this level a centre should hold his own... while Berrys out hes got every opportunity to make that spot his own... Barney to the bench and slowly work back in..
Gannon and TT to cup for match fitness and gametime...

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

I dont think Marata is better than any of the guys who played in the first game, he just has a bigger pay packet. I'd only be making changes in the forwards once Barney returns.

Same in the backs, would love to have Rocco as the right centre to shore up that spot but for now I guess we need to roll with Ali.