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

[wizard of Tauranga]

Everyone saying Taine and Gannon drop off the bench when Niukore and Barnett comeback but who drops to 18 and 19?

TSS has to drop down but then one of Leka, Vaimaunga or Ford also? I think all those last 3 are better than Niukore. Or Healey drops to 18 and a 4 man forward bench with Healey injury cover?

What a headache to have!

 

[Tragic]

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

Ford probably in running for MoM Friday. Just behind capewell for me.

Never gets dominated, quick ptb, off ball efforts are unmatched, good defender, plays long minutes without a break giving you additional interchange options.

= not getting dropped or benched for anyone

 

[Tragic]

DWZ was good Friday, was good hitting it up and in defence wasstaying on his wing but after the second try they got down that edge he started playing closer in, we will get 2025 Dallin back if he can't trust the inside defenders

 

[WAH MAN]

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

Given the concern of his leaky defence, if he picks and sticks. We should see either the same, worse or better.

With our pack being up to scratch, I would utilise Ali as a point of attack. As in get it in his hands lots. If he is unsalvageable defensively. Then make sure he gets to attack a lot.

 

[WAH MAN]

DWZ was good Friday, was good hitting it up and in defence wasstaying on his wing but after the second try they got down that edge he started playing closer in, we will get 2025 Dallin back if he can't trust the inside defenders

That was Ali inside him who got skinned in his one on one assignments.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Given the concern of his leaky defence, if he picks and sticks. We should see either the same, worse or better.

With our pack being up to scratch, I would utilise Ali as a point of attack. As in get it in his hands lots. If he is unsalvageable defensively. Then make sure he gets to attack a lot.

at the very least, I'd consider swapping Ali and Pompey. Having Ali and DWZ on the same side is just nerve wracking. At least pair Ali up with RTS whose side we haven't worried about defensively since he was moved there last year.

 

[Beastmode]

Barney or Marata. Not both. It depends which of the two are physically ready given their injuries. Barnett has been out a considerable amount of time. He will be rusty. Give him a week in Cup to shake off those cobwebs

We need them both but we are at home not enemy territory so when boys heads are down the crowd needs to do their part to life them.

I really like the mix of young and old. Both Barnett and Marata back imbalances that mix

 

[Tragic]

I really like the mix of young and old.

You would love the Lesbians of Doom nurses of the old folks home episode, you can find it on youtube

 

[Beastmode]

You would love the Lesbians of Doom nurses of the old folks home episode, you can find it on youtube

Arse.

@Worried2Death wrong burner account mate

 

[the WARs]

what's the saying never change a winning team !! .. no harm letting some of these guys to play NSW cup prior to the move up to FG

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Are we seriously suggesting our captain Barney play NSW cup on his return? It's a no-brainer that if he's fit, he returns to the line up. The Raiders are the toughest physical test in the NRL, so we need our best available middle rotation to combat them. Can't surrender the middle as meekly as Manly did on the weekend and expect to win. Barney is central to that middle rotation, as is Marata who is the most destructive ball runner we have in the club. So if they are both available, I expect both to be named and two of TSS, Laban or Gannon to make way.

 

[Cces]

Marata who is the most destructive ball runner we have in the club.

Is this satire? The guy has scored 4 tries in his last 29 games for the club, made more than 100m just 5 times in those 29 games & averaged 1.3 tackle breaks pg in that period

 

[the WARs]

Are we seriously suggesting our captain Barney play NSW cup on his return? It's a no-brainer that if he's fit, he returns to the line up. The Raiders are the toughest physical test in the NRL, so we need our best available middle rotation to combat them. Can't surrender the middle as meekly as Manly did on the weekend and expect to win. Barney is central to that middle rotation, as is Marata who is the most destructive ball runner we have in the club. So if they are both available, I expect both to be named and two of TSS, Laban or Gannon to make way.

Barney would be the only player I'd have come onto the bench .. Marata that old style prop run hard up the middle, nothing much more I don't see the harm in a NSW game .. I must say as much as Leka is a freak, I really wish he would pass the ball when needed ..one point in the match he got the ball of course the Rooters player man up three on him had a chance to pass to DWZ that would have had a one on one.. last game of last season Leka gave away a potential try had he just passed the ball

 

[Cces]

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.

If they're competing for a bench spot it's hard to compare as Niukore has only ever come off the bench for the club on 3 occassions & all were in 2024. Looking at them it looks like he only played as a middle once, in an early season win over the Knights, and statistically he offered very little with the ball. 3 Tests off the bench in 2024 too with PNG the only win.
I think Gannon gets pushed out, which is a positive because he'll actually play some footy, and whoever doesn't comes on when JFH has his first spell will remain a spectator

 

[Beastmode]

It really depends on their conditioning

If Webby thinks their 100% fully fit and ready to go , bring them
in. But if they’re huffing and puffing after 10mins of sprints at training - they’re not ready. Let them brew for a few more weeks watching from the sidelines.

Canberra with the safety of home is great experience for TSS and Laban.

Good options to have though

JFH
Egan
Barnett
Marata
Capewell
Clark

Looks great on paper

 

[3rdstriker]

Are we seriously suggesting our captain Barney play NSW cup on his return? It's a no-brainer that if he's fit, he returns to the line up. The Raiders are the toughest physical test in the NRL, so we need our best available middle rotation to combat them. Can't surrender the middle as meekly as Manly did on the weekend and expect to win. Barney is central to that middle rotation, as is Marata who is the most destructive ball runner we have in the club. So if they are both available, I expect both to be named and two of TSS, Laban or Gannon to make way.

May as well bring back Bunty who could run better lines than Marata?

 

[Dannevegas]

It really depends on their conditioning

If Webby thinks their 100% fully fit and ready to go , bring them
in. But if they’re huffing and puffing after 10mins of sprints at training - they’re not ready. Let them brew for a few more weeks watching from the sidelines.

Canberra with the safety of home is great experience for TSS and Laban.

Good options to have though

JFH
Egan
Barnett
Marata
Capewell
Clark

Looks great on paper

Old ass pack that.

Surely Maratas days at second row for us are over

 

[CWC]

Ford probably in running for MoM Friday. Just behind capewell for me.

Never gets dominated, quick ptb, off ball efforts are unmatched, good defender, plays long minutes without a break giving you additional interchange options.

= not getting dropped or benched for anyone

I mean the chooks did hit him in the head, pulled his pants down and gave him a facial, still put up a MOM performance and VB hard earned went to Fish

What a total victim!

 

[CWC]

Guessing Webby will go

Fish
Egan
Barney
Cape
Marata
Clark

Healey, Ford, Demi, Leka. Laban, TT

I’d swap Marata for Laban’s 18th man, and Ford to start since that’s his position once Barney leaves, and Barney should be eased back like they did for him in 2023, give him 25 and Jacko 55

 

[Canonball]

Guessing Webby will go

Fish
Egan
Barney
Cape
Marata
Clark

Healey, Ford, Demi, Leka. Laban, TT

I’d swap Marata for Laban’s 18th man, and Ford to start since that’s his position once Barney leaves, and Barney should be eased back like they did for him in 2023, give him 25 and Jacko 55

In the presser Webster said Barney wouldn't be back for the Raiders - wouldn't bring Marata back in either - let's have Laban take a few shots from the angry red-head troll and then embarrass him with a sharp inside offload to Fish for a first try