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

[Warriorsitsouryear]

My position is that if we don't play him this weekend why didn't we agree with the Dragons reported according to rumours early 2026 release request. It would be really poor form of the Warriors to insist on keeping him for 2026 only as injury cover for TMM and CHT. So bad form that it would be poor corporate values.
He is in my humble new to league mind a clearly better half back than TMM and there should not be a quandry for Webster about who is better between them..
If TMM is viewed as being better than Luke then give Luke to the Dragons now so he can play. Life is short and careers are short.

PS sure TMM looked good against the Broncos. but the Dragons were terribad and that match is not an indicator of anything germane.

PPS I am not invested in this to a great deal. So will support whoever puts on the jumper.

Going on what Webster has said a few times - Luke needs reps... and as we have a bye after the Panthers game - I would look at him starting after the bye. We need a 7 that can kick. TMM has stated he is not great at kicking and 3 years at the Warriors - it is still not of the standard we need ... therefore having it as a work-on before the Panthers game - won't change too much. TMM has been great at what he can do - but with our pack and 9 so dominant - our game plan suits a kicking 7 of the Boyd, even Fogarty mould - for field position. Metcalf has a longer and more accurate kick than TMM - and even weak defensive halves can be kept with a bodyguard (Tonnie Carrol Mould for Lockyer).

At the end of the day - I support Webby's decision as he also knows what is happening on the inside with everyone - things that we will never be privy too.

 

[Shauns_Johnson]

1 TT
2 DWZ
3 Ali
4 Pompey
5 AKP (god help us on this edge if To'o and Cleary play)
6 CHT
7 TMM
8 JFH
9 Egan
10 Ford
11 Leka
12 Capewell
13 Clark
14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 TSS
17 Laban
18 Marata
19 Butcher
20 CNK/Hanson

1v2 match so we take it seriously as a one-off, that’s pretty much what’s informed my thinking. Hence:

• Capewah and Barney back up, it's a four day gap and they can just hang around in Sydney.
• Barney has played 111 minutes in 8 weeks, he'll be wanting the reps and definitely won't want a rest. Capes has played 80 mins this whole month, he'll be good to go also - though probably doesn't play 80, maybe we use 2 interchanges on our edges.
• Ford to start rather than Barney to give more optionality around interchanges.
• Metcalf to come back via Cup. I do think Metcalf and not TMM is probably our 7 if we play a GF this year, but after the "tumultuous" month he's had off zero rugby, throwing him to the wolves in a pre-bye round "away" fixture against Penrith would be madness. Also would be unbelievably unfair to TMM to drop him after the fortnight he's had.
• I think Metalf does need the minutes so CNK not Metcalf on the extended bench if fit (tbh does anyone actually know what's up with CNK - no return date listed for a neck injury and he's been out over a month - could be one of those sneaky ones where we don't see him for a while)
• Marata in 18 can cover both prop and edge - I see Fats dropping down one in the pecking order with Capewah back as a pure edge player. And just don't see a world where if we lose an outside back Webby decides that the day for Fats's debut is as injury cover out of position away at Penrith. Think he debuts after the bye. Also if we have Fats in 20 then he runs the risk of barely playing cup and only playing twice in six weeks when he needs the development.

 

[Sammyw]

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

14. Healey
15. Vaimauga
16. TSS
17. Niukore
18. CNK/Hanson
19. Barnett
20. Capes

if capes and barney are unscathed and ready to back up then game day shift, Laban to the bench and Capes starts with Niukore dropping off, and Barnett on the bench with TSS off. Metcalf to play a game of cup and then be readily available for NRL post BYE

 

[Wrighty]

Going on what Webster has said a few times - Luke needs reps... and as we have a bye after the Panthers game - I would look at him starting after the bye. We need a 7 that can kick. TMM has stated he is not great at kicking and 3 years at the Warriors - it is still not of the standard we need ... therefore having it as a work-on before the Panthers game - won't change too much. TMM has been great at what he can do - but with our pack and 9 so dominant - our game plan suits a kicking 7 of the Boyd, even Fogarty mould - for field position. Metcalf has a longer and more accurate kick than TMM - and even weak defensive halves can be kept with a bodyguard (Tonnie Carrol Mould for Lockyer).

At the end of the day - I support Webby's decision as he also knows what is happening on the inside with everyone - things that we will never be privy too.

Good post.