Pick Your Team NZ Warriors v Melbourne Storm - [Round 6, 2026]

[Canonball]

Problem we have if CNK and Pompey are also out (though I'd be dropping the former and can't believe the latter won't cruise through a halfway fair judiciary hearing) is that other than Ali our NSW backs just aren't ready for ist grade, I know the arguments for AKP but he's so scatty and loose I can't see him not screwing up with dire consequences 2 or 3 times in a top grade game at the moment - Hansen has been there but same thing applies, can't see him maintaining composure for extended periods when under pressure, so if I'm saying that about them then that's also the reason why Ali is down a grade too - and I'm an Ali believer - so it kinda has to be:

TT
DWZ
Ali
LEKA
RTS
CHT
Tannah

or (more outrageously):

TT
DWZ
LEKA
CHT (was reports of him doing reps here in preseason?)
RTS
Hansen
Tannah

Forwards pick themselves

 

[Dannevegas]

our NSW backs just aren't ready for ist grade, I know the arguments for AKP but he's so scatty and loose I can't see him not screwing up with dire consequences 2 or 3 times in a top grade game at the moment

Fk it throw them in and see what they’ve got, I really like what I’ve been seeing from AKP, despite not being on board with the signing at first. Man’s just hungry to get involved, spreading the ball around in our own 20 looking to create something and at the very least when storm make there 50 line breaks against us at least we have someone who can actually run them down.

Also we already no what we’re gonna get if webby Picks his favourites, Roger, CNK, Pompey. A whole lot of slow motion, Vanilla and a L

 

[Five&Last]

Fk it throw them in and see what they’ve got, I really like what I’ve been seeing from AKP, despite not being on board with the signing at first. Man’s just hungry to get involved, spreading the ball around in our own 20 looking to create something and at the very least when storm make there 50 line breaks against us at least we have someone who can actually run them down.

Also we already no what we’re gonna get if webby Picks his favourites, Roger, CNK, Pompey. A whole lot of slow motion, Vanilla and a L

When seen what Ali has, he was terrible.

Putoko might be even worse than Ali defensively in NSW up at the moment. He's nowhere close to a debut based on that. Even though he's been strong with ball in hand. 150 something meters on the weekend.

Kayliss is next man up at center imo but he looks banged up at the moment. Heavy leg strapping and doesn't look like he did last season.

Norris, Kali and Pasikala can't get a look in for NSW cup

 

[Dannevegas]

When seen what Ali has, he was terrible.

Putoko might be even worse than Ali defensively in NSW up at the moment. He's nowhere close to a debut based on that. Even though he's been strong with ball in hand. 150 something meters on the weekend.

Kayliss is next man up at center imo but he looks banged up at the moment. Heavy leg strapping and doesn't look like he did last season.

Norris, Kali and Pasikala can't get a look in for NSW cup

Ali was building in form, and then gets dropped for Charnze who is abysmal. And then we have Pompey on the other side who’s been jogging around for 70 metres a game and missing tackles.

Shame if Fatialofa is busted, would’ve liked to see him and Ali in the centres.

good thing we rejected Timoko

 

[Five&Last]

Ali was building in form, and then gets dropped for Charnze who is abysmal. And then we have Pompey on the other side who’s been jogging around for 70 metres a game and missing tackles.

Shame if Fatialofa is busted, would’ve liked to see him and Ali in the centres.

good thing we rejected Timoko

I don't think you could say Ali was building form. His effort areas on the defensive side were droppable offences. Thats the sort of plays that make your teammates distrust you.

I think with CNK being so bad we should invest in Ali for a month or two and let him play though some mistakes.

If I'm being completely honest though, I just don't think Ali has it.

He's always been a bit of a weight bully. His defensive mistakes are half effort and half lacking the lateral quickness to move side to side quick enough.

And he'll never have the work rate required to make it as a second rower like his uncle.

 

[Sammyw]

factoring in the potential outs..

1. TT
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. RTS (can’t be worse than charnze or how bad he’s been on the wing
5. AKP
6. CHT
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Ford
11. Leka
12. Laban
13. Clarke

14. Gannon
15. Vaimauga
16. TSS
17. Niukore
18. Hansen
19. Fatialofa

 

[Te Mana-wah]

1. Tuaupiki
2. AKP
3. Leka
4. Ali
5. RTS
6. Hanson
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Ford
11. Niukore
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. CHT
15. Vaimauga
16. TSS
17. Gannon

18. Fatialofa

 

[sup42]

1. Tuaupiki
2. DWZ
3. EIT
4. Gannon
5. AKP
6. CHT
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Hanson
10. Ford
11. Capewell
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. Healy
15. Niukore
16. Demitric
17. Tanner Stowers Smith
18. Fatialofa
19. Leiataua

Why this team?

1. We have to get CHT and Boyd back in charge.

2. We have an excess of talented in form back row forwards. We have an excess of poorly defending outside backs. We are about to play the club that exploits defensive weakness in Warriors sides better than any opponent.
To me the solution is obvious. Populate the holes with your most mobile back rowers (Capewell notwithstanding in terms of mobility although he probably won't play and which is a shame because he brings the defence in spades).

3. We have seen some piss poor efforts from our outside backs. This is unacceptable. I do not care about specialists for this game (this point really should be point 1. not three, my blood pressure is rising as I type) kick some arses Webby, take a stand. No effort no play - AKP gets a pass having never played in fg for us, Niukore gets a pass for doing 'barely enough' - if I had one more fit forward he would be out.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

1. Tuaupiki
2. AKP
3. Leka
4. Ali
5. RTS
6. Hanson
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Ford
11. Niukore
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. CHT
15. Vaimauga
16. TSS
17. Gannon

18. Fatialofa

Leave out old mate who just scored a hat trick?

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

I’m thinking maybe we go back to literally the R1 team and TT should be the super sub for plan B.

Theres no guarantees that everything goes back to the way it was. However, there's some questions that need answering and I'm not sure what other way you get the answers.

 

[Canonball]

Monday games are great - no gap between those and TLT... just gotta do something about Wednesday - get on it V'landys! Looking forward to what webby does tonight

 

[Kaos A.D.]

I believe Webster would have egg on his face if it wasn't for Pompey being banned for this game, cause I reakon he would have moved CNK back to FB, Ali back to the centres.... now he can bring Ali back in without making it seem like a dumb move dropping him....

 

[Zaggo]

I wonder if they'll challenge the Pompey charge. If it was a Walsh or Cleary they'd be walking away a free man but have a feeling they'd try make an example out of Pompey.

 

[Five&Last]

I wonder if they'll challenge the Pompey charge. If it was a Walsh or Cleary they'd be walking away a free man but have a feeling they'd try make an example out of Pompey.

There’s a precedent that’s been set with Stephen Crichton doing it most games. I’m sure they’ll contest the charge.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

So if I offer to crack out the robes and sacrificial goats a second time, is everyone going to call me gay again?

Only if the robe is pink.

Btw, Taine to keep the 1.

 

[Bay39er]

There’s a precedent that’s been set with Stephen Crichton doing it most games. I’m sure they’ll contest the charge.

At least challenge the grading and get it reduced to a fine

 

[Evil_Mush]

Yeah, when I saw the replay of the "incident" I couldn't see anything wrong with it, and looking at the comments on the NRL on Nine instagram post it seemed like just one guy replying to everyone about the "raised knee" so maybe not something the Sharks fans particularly saw as noteworthy either

 

[LUKAMIKIAFU]

1. Tuaupiki
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. RTS
5. AKP
6. Hanson
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Ford
11. Marata/capes
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. CHT
15. Demitric
16. TSS
17. Leka
18. EIT
19. Gannon

 

[Boston Boy]

1. Tuaupiki
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. RTS
5. AKP
6. Hanson
7. Boyd
8. JFH
9. Healey
10. Ford
11. Marata/capes
12. Laban
13. Clark

14. CHT
15. Demitric
16. TSS
17. Leka
18. EIT
19. Gannon

You gotta have CHT if RTS is in the centres. Need his defensive stability.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

The Warriors are challenging Pompeys charge.