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

[sydneywarrior92]

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

I think those stats lack a bit of context.

Marata has mainly been used as an edge backrower up until this year, which naturally limits his metres compared with players who have been used primarily in the middle during that same period. Until this year, I'd say that his role hasn't been about middle yardage, it's been more about hitting decoy lines, hitting short crash balls, or carries inside compressed edge defence. None of these are designed to generate big metres or tackle breaks. I also think you need to compare the tackle break stat with our other forwards, none of whom have crazy tackle breaking ability. I don't think he compares badly when you do that.

More broadly, the raw stats don’t really capture the way he runs the ball. When he does carry, he’s still a very destructive runner who regularly bends the line and generates quick play-the-balls. We don't really have anyone who can do that. Certainly not a big minute player anymore, but he still has a role as a limited middle impact player.

 

[WAH MAN]

Webby lauded Ford. But in light of Barney possibly being back, the shuffle order will simply go back a click.

 

[Cces]

he’s still a very destructive runner who regularly bends the line and generates quick play-the-balls. We don't really have anyone who can do that.

More often than not, TSS had a faster PTB than him but don't think you'll find anyone describing him as destructive

 

[Dannevegas]

I think those stats lack a bit of context.

Marata has mainly been used as an edge backrower up until this year, which naturally limits his metres compared with players who have been used primarily in the middle during that same period. Until this year, I'd say that his role hasn't been about middle yardage, it's been more about hitting decoy lines, hitting short crash balls, or carries inside compressed edge defence. None of these are designed to generate big metres or tackle breaks. I also think you need to compare the tackle break stat with our other forwards, none of whom have crazy tackle breaking ability. I don't think he compares badly when you do that.

More broadly, the raw stats don’t really capture the way he runs the ball. When he does carry, he’s still a very destructive runner who regularly bends the line and generates quick play-the-balls. We don't really have anyone who can do that. Certainly not a big minute player anymore, but he still has a role as a limited middle impact player.

More often than not Marata is stopped in his tracks, even with a full head of steam. He’s bfn

 

[Beastmode]

Marata has always been used as a battering ran out wide. He holds the ball tight to his chest when taking contact. No free hands to pull an offload or a fend. If he wants to evolve his game and stay relevant he’s got to free his hands up and offer a threat not from shear power. The power game only works when you’re 5 mins from the try line

 

[Tragic]

More often than not, TSS had a faster PTB than him but don't think you'll find anyone describing him as destructive

Maybe not destroyed but did a bit of damage to our salary cap

 

[sup42]

I wouldn't change a winning team apart from the fact that Barnett has to come in because he might be our best player...certainly is in that conversation.

Webster has shown time and again that he doesn't go for the winning team fable anywho.

TSS has to drop out. No he doesn't deserve it. But our mix last week showed that we had the balance of Prop to back row forwards just right, and Barnett is a prop.

It is good for guys like TSS to have to do Reggies time. Leka might even benefit from a spell there to up his minutes if we are gonna keep using him as a five minute wonder, I would prefer they took the long view and got him in the eighty minute shape that Webster said he wanted to see (massive hint there that Leka is not tracking on the endurance side this preseason in the fashion Webster wanted).

Guys like TSS, Leka, Dimitric, Laban are all very young, and no matter how good you are at that age, Reggies should be seen as a part of your development not a set back or a punishment.

The same should even extend to old dogs at the Warriors, but we haven't quite mastered that de stigmatizing approach to Reggies use.

Controversial I know, many will get butt hurt reading a suggestion that star young players should regularly do Reggies time which is fine but it completely ignores the big picture. Let me be very clear on this point (won't work but I will try spell it out anyway) I am saying that young players that are playing well in first grade should get Reggies time to help them sustain their growth and not burn out during their early years.

So no TSS same team plus Barnett, and Ali out there would be good so we can confirm he is a horrible option or he can prove that fact wrong with some effort.

 

[Blain]

I think those stats lack a bit of context.

Marata has mainly been used as an edge backrower up until this year, which naturally limits his metres compared with players who have been used primarily in the middle during that same period. Until this year, I'd say that his role hasn't been about middle yardage, it's been more about hitting decoy lines, hitting short crash balls, or carries inside compressed edge defence. None of these are designed to generate big metres or tackle breaks. I also think you need to compare the tackle break stat with our other forwards, none of whom have crazy tackle breaking ability. I don't think he compares badly when you do that.

More broadly, the raw stats don’t really capture the way he runs the ball. When he does carry, he’s still a very destructive runner who regularly bends the line and generates quick play-the-balls. We don't really have anyone who can do that. Certainly not a big minute player anymore, but he still has a role as a limited middle impact player.

Even if what you're saying is true, Marata should be running more at halves and centres far more than any middle forward does. When ranking him against other sides starting second rowers.. He's well down the list. I hit Kautoga from the Eels, and he had better 2025. Even Luke Garner and Lemuelu had better seasons, while being far younger with upside.

Not trying to shit on the guy, but.. He rarely bends the line, has poor post contact metres, doesn't offload or have ball skills, while not playing 80 minutes or doing a tonne of defensive work. His defence dropped off last season with a tackle rate of only 90%. He averaged 72 metres in 2025. He does have experience, a bit of intimidation and is by all counts a good dude to have in the sheds. His play the ball speed is pretty good generally.

He's in his final contract year. He is a perfect guy to move aside, reduce their role and give one of our many young guns a prominent role in this team. Laban, Leka, TSS even EIT all look ready for bigger roles than 20 minutes now. They are our future. I don't mind Marata at all as a 30 minute bench second row/middle cover guy. But I find it hard to justify in 2026 that he should have more than that..

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

Oh thank god we are in the last year of Maratas contract. Hopefully with our new forwards coming through we can splash some money on spine and backline players.

 

[Beastmode]

So no TSS same team plus Barnett, and Ali out there would be good so we can confirm he is a horrible option or he can prove that fact wrong with some effort.

Yeap. I agree. I’ll let Andrew know the decision

 

[3rdstriker]

I wouldn't change a winning team apart from the fact that Barnett has to come in because he might be our best player...certainly is in that conversation.

Webster has shown time and again that he doesn't go for the winning team fable anywho.

TSS has to drop out. No he doesn't deserve it. But our mix last week showed that we had the balance of Prop to back row forwards just right, and Barnett is a prop.

It is good for guys like TSS to have to do Reggies time. Leka might even benefit from a spell there to up his minutes if we are gonna keep using him as a five minute wonder, I would prefer they took the long view and got him in the eighty minute shape that Webster said he wanted to see (massive hint there that Leka is not tracking on the endurance side this preseason in the fashion Webster wanted).

Guys like TSS, Leka, Dimitric, Laban are all very young, and no matter how good you are at that age, Reggies should be seen as a part of your development not a set back or a punishment.

The same should even extend to old dogs at the Warriors, but we haven't quite mastered that de stigmatizing approach to Reggies use.

Controversial I know, many will get butt hurt reading a suggestion that star young players should regularly do Reggies time which is fine but it completely ignores the big picture. Let me be very clear on this point (won't work but I will try spell it out anyway) I am saying that young players that are playing well in first grade should get Reggies time to help them sustain their growth and not burn out during their early years.

So no TSS same team plus Barnett, and Ali out there would be good so we can confirm he is a horrible option or he can prove that fact wrong with some effort.

Yep fair enough, I think Marata should do some time in Reggies just to galvanize him.
Could do him a world of good.

 

[Defence]

I’ve always been a- don’t change a winning team- kinda guy.
Losses/ injuries/ suspensions will come along soon enough.
And if they don’t… well that’s farken great.

 

[roguei]

Gotta remember it's contract year for Marata. I'd put some money on him doing a pretty good job once he's back, to line himself up with good 3 year contract as he'll be 30 by middle of this year. He's on silly money at the moment, and to get that sameish level of money out of perth (most likely team he'll goto IMO) he needs to have a great year this year.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

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.

Yeah but marata has a far superior player the ball speed!

 

[WarriorsNrlFanatics]

Yeah but marata has a far superior player the ball speed!

I would not be dropping Tanner Stowers Smith for Niukore at this rate. If Niukore wants his spot he has to work for it. Players shouldn’t be picked just on reputation.

 

[WarriorsNrlFanatics]

My Team to take on the Raiders

 

[WAH MAN]

More often than not, TSS had a faster PTB than him but don't think you'll find anyone describing him as destructive

Tanner has a good PTB speed and on the back of that, the team is destructive.

 

[WAH MAN]

I would not be dropping Tanner Stowers Smith for Niukore at this rate. If Niukore wants his spot he has to work for it. Players shouldn’t be picked just on reputation.

But he probably will be as kind of he wasn't ready for round one but is now so will get seniority pick. And that's just my opinion.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Weather forecasts suggest cloudy with some rain. Going to be a yuck game played up the middle just like last year. Last year they had the upper hand with JFH and Barney out for us and them fielding the full strength pack with Horsborough overlooked for origin. This year things might be reversed with Barney in for us and Papa out for them.

 

[Billyspleen75]

Barney said on League Lounge he won't be back this week.
He's back doing full contact and he said "a couple weeks" and seemed that he meant round 3 or 4