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

[John Nick]

The old master tactician Ivan Cleary
Vs
His apprentice
Andrew Webster
It’s not just another game

Absolutely
Be very important to get over them to create pressure for later in the year

 

[Bay39er]

The old master tactician Ivan Cleary
Vs
His apprentice
Andrew Webster
It’s not just another game

And will have the eyes of all league followers on it!!

 

[sydneywarrior92]

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.

we are 4 pts ahead of the chasing pack for 4th with a far superior p/d. Our consistency over the entire comp is only matched by penrith. I think we've proven that we are a bona fide top 4 team at minimum. The real question is how deep do we go: is this a repeat of 2023 where we make the 4 and are just happy to make it to week 3 or are we a real shot of making it to the big dance.

 

[CWC]

we are 4 pts ahead of the chasing pack for 4th with a far superior p/d. Our consistency over the entire comp is only matched by penrith. I think we've proven that we are a bona fide top 4 team at minimum. The real question is how deep do we go: is this a repeat of 2023 where we make the 4 and are just happy to make it to week 3 or are we a real shot of making it to the big dance.

Maybe penrith comes out all guns blazing trying to put 50 on us as a statement game, like they did 42:0 to the sharks when they were at the top

 

[~Navigator~]

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

Yet Webby said he needed to get some game time in before he would come into the team and that was just last week

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Maybe penrith comes out all guns blazing trying to put 50 on us as a statement game, like they did 42:0 to the sharks when they were at the top

which is why we need to be at their best. They are coming off the bye and they will be fresh. They have been playing tired for weeks and were starting to look beatable. We need to expect Penrith that was belting teams between rounds 1-5, not the version scraping 1-12 pt wins over the last few weeks.

 

[WAH MAN]

Absolutely
Be very important to get over them to create pressure for later in the year

We have taken some good scalps and broken some very stronghold mental barriers this season. Penrith are bearable but this is not the pinnacle or end game of our season so a loss won't disappoint me but that doesn't mean I don't want us to take a whooping to their pedigree backsides.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Absolutely
Be very important to get over them to create pressure for later in the year

I would like them to come out and play like they did vs Melbourne. Chip on the shoulder. Fuck your bully asses, Tonight/Today we are the bullies.

 

[Inruin]

TAB currently
Panthers $1.46
Warriors $2.75

 

[sydneywarrior92]

TAB currently
Panthers $1.46
Warriors $2.75

very disrespectful to us but I'm on that big time.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

very disrespectful to us but I'm on that big time.

Is the assumption that Penriths players are backing up after origin?

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Is the assumption that Penriths players are backing up after origin?

and also maybe the Boyd injury. I was expecting this to be more like 1.65-2.25 split. But being rank outsiders for this one probably benefits us. We thrive as underdogs.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Is the assumption that Penriths players are backing up after origin?

Last season if I remember right the were very conservativearoundresting players during origin.

Should be far enough after to back up but any players a bit sore could get pulled???

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Very very important that Pomps plays and takes over the Goal Kicking.

 

[3rdstriker]

Yet Webby said he needed to get some game time in before he would come into the team and that was just last week

Ya Can't have game time until you've trained...

 

[ToiletDuck]

Panthers should be clear favourites against us regardless of whether Nathan etc play. We are a good side but they are in a different stratosphere. I think our halves will be found out to a degree this weekend which will give Webby some food for thought around how best to proceed for the rest of the season - and whether a title push is genuinely on the cards or whether a finals spot with an eye on next year is the way to go. This combination will be fine against most of the comp but not against the best sides in finals games.

I think we'll struggle to score points this weekend and some frustration will creep in which will probably put a bit of pressure on our own D. Not a bad time to come up against them though, it's not a must win and we also have a couple of guys out so a chance for others to step up.

 

[3rdstriker]

TAB currently
Panthers $1.46
Warriors $2.75

The Boyd injury and our Dragons performance together.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

The TMM charge was given a Grade 1, and with a clean record, its a $1,000 fine by entering an early guilty plea.

Free to play next week.

 

[jonesy101]

1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
5. Alofiana Khan Pereira
6. Chanel Harris Tavita
7. Te Maire Martin
8. James Fisher Harris
9. Wade Egan
10.Jackson Ford
11. Jacob Laban
12. Kurt Capewell
13. Erin Clark

14. Samuel Healy
15. Dimitric Vaimauga aka Sifakula
16. Mitch Barnett
17. Tanner Stowers Smith

18. Kayliss Fatialofa
19. Leka Halisima

Leka needs a rocket. Bit rough on Jacob and the combinations, but Leka is hardly gelling with his halves on the ball.

Leka is too important, too young, to not get an early and swift kick up the arse. Takeaway the special status and replace it with form and team. Make him find the love again.

Leka had to play most of the game as a makeshift centre yet again and did an adequate job. To drop him based on last night game would be a step too far.

 

[3rdstriker]

I think we'll struggle to score points this weekend and some frustration will creep in

I don't actually think we'll struggle to score points.
This whole season hasn't reflected that if it's dry out there we should hold our own in D and offense,
We might just struggle for field position and to put the icing on the tries.