Pick Your Team NZ Warriors v Penrith Panthers - [Round 13, 2026]

[3rdstriker]

Metcalf has no more prep than TMM had before he played last week. I think our season rests on Metcalf now, so I'd have him in asap.

This week will be very interesting. We haven't played a team in the top 6 since round 3. We are still yet to confirm that we are a true contender vs one of a number of teams in a pack chasing a top 4 spot. Particularly so without our no.1 halfback.

"Its all up to him if he wants it"

 

[CWC]

1. TT
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. Pompey
5. AKP
6. CHT
7. TMM
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Ford
11. Halasima
12. Laban
13. Clarke

14. Healey
15. Demi
16. TSS
17. Marata
18. Fats
20. CNK/Hansen

Plot twist - Marata to drop to extended bench webby style and Fats get his debut to pump up the boys in the second half

See if CHT can step up and generate consistent long kicks or clever 4th tackle kicks, otherwise TT might make way for CNK later

I’d rest cape and barney cuz yes barney did his acl post origin and cape was rested every time since, and if we can beat them without these two it will send shivers down their spines and scar them, otherwise at least we know we have cards up our sleeves for the big dance

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Barnett and Capewell can handle it, other people can lift the intensity, those two can bring the leadership, the solidity and the discipline.

But Capewell and Barnett are oldschool origin players, they are REAL origin players, the type that always fronted on the weekend.

They've both also only played 5 games this year so should in theory be relatively fresh.

We can be smart with our bench use around this. If you start Barny at prop and sub him with Ford who will play the rest of the game, thats only one interchange, and then start Laban and Capewell, and then bring Leka on with 30 minutes to go for Capewell it means weve only used 2 interchanges, have started with both Origin players, given both a decent rest, and also have good X factor off the bench with 30 min to go.

Imagine the game on the line with Leka, JFH and Clark coming on in that last 25-30 minutes to close the game out.

 

[CWC]

"Its all up to him if he wants it"

I was onboard with the Mets was underdone post acl etc then I remembered barney destroying the knights on his return, then Ronaldo going nuts on his return, and then TMM scoring and setting up tries with death kicks against the premiers on his first FG game of the year Mets doing his community service at cup until a SOS call up and wear 6 on his back would be the best reintegration than having him walk straight back in at 7 barking orders after he demanded it and schemed and ripped his contract publicly just 2 weeks ago (cue how webby found out), there is a way to do it

 

[3rdstriker]

I was onboard with the Mets was underdone post acl etc then I remembered barney destroying the knights on his return, then Ronaldo going nuts on his return, and then TMM scoring and setting up tries with death kicks against the premiers on his first FG game of the year Mets doing his community service at cup until a SOS call up and wear 6 on his back would be the best reintegration than having him walk straight back in at 7 barking orders after he demanded it and schemed and ripped his contract publicly just 2 weeks ago (cue how webby found out), there is a way to do it

Yep definitely, interesting times ahead alright, hundred percent agree with having to have at least have 2 cup games,
Times ticking away for him.

 

[pleatedpantspete]

Metcalf played 6 in his games back and was trying too hard. He goes well as a 7 but he’s always been out of place at second receiver, saw that a couple years back.

Tmm is scoring tries because our second row is pretty lethal. Seems as soon as we get back to the edge we are successful, not matter who’s there.

The problem I have with tmm is he is rocks and diamonds without the diamonds. Time and time again he lets the pressure off with shit kicking. We can’t compete with Penrith with tmm

Also I never want to see cnk back in the top side.

Thanks

Apart from that in webby we trust

 

[WAH MAN]

Whoever's available. Get ready. It's going to be a great game. Challenges galore against a team that can smoke us. A team we can also buckle. A great time to play Penrith.

 

[WAH MAN]

Metcalf played 6 in his games back and was trying too hard. He goes well as a 7 but he’s always been out of place at second receiver, saw that a couple years back.

Tmm is scoring tries because our second row is pretty lethal. Seems as soon as we get back to the edge we are successful, not matter who’s there.

The problem I have with tmm is he is rocks and diamonds without the diamonds. Time and time again he lets the pressure off with shit kicking. We can’t compete with Penrith with tmm

Also I never want to see cnk back in the top side.

Thanks

Apart from that in webby we trust

You reckon we'll lose if TMM plays at 7?

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 T Tuaupiki
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey gk
5 A K Pereira
6 C H Tavita
7 T M Martin
8 J F Harris
9 W Egan
10 M Barnett
11 J Laban
12 K Capewell
13 E Clark

14 S Healey
15 J Ford
16 D Vaimauga
17 L Halasima
18 L Hanson
20 K Fatialofa

Metcalf has to come through cup for me. Hes already upset the apple cart. He needs to get back on side with the first team, and he can do that while leading the cup side around until needed.

If they wanted to rest Capewell and Barnett for T S Smith and Give Fatialofa a debut I would love that.

I think we have earned the right to rest players post origin.