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

[ToiletDuck]

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.

Is icing on tries the goalkick?

 

[sup42]

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.

Fair point.

He has been off for weeks, otherwise I wouldn't even go there. Last week vs the Broncos he was awful retiring at a slow jog when we were scrambling.

He and Dimitric are the only two young bucks not getting rotated. As such they will hit flat patches.

 

[mrblonde]

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

So long as it's not like the fight in "Star Wars", where two old geezers gently poke at each other, as "Honest Trailers" called it...

The ultimate, of course, would be Jett orchestrating the public humiliation of his older bro and pa...But guess this isn't the right time for that.

Same team except maybe Mitch and/or Kurt on the Bench. Tanner loses out, maybe Laben too...

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Of course they should be favorites. They are the 4 time champs for a reason. But Penrith have looked very beatable in the last few games, far from being the all conquering side of the first 5 rounds.

Dogs showed us that Cleary can get incredibly flustered by a fast moving defensive line. The Phins game as well as the Manly game showed us that their left edge (whichever one Mclean is on) can be very leaky. We have the pack to match them and even overpower them through the middle and speed out wide now to challenge their edges. We have the bye the week after so we can absolutely empty the tank for this game.

We are in this game up to our eyeballs as the kids say. Penrith are due another loss.

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.

 

[kos]

I wonder if Penrith if they chooose or die to origin injuries etc play Freddie Kalani and Tom Ale in this game

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

I wonder if Penrith if they chooose or die to origin injuries etc play Freddie Kalani and Tom Ale in this game

Freddy is playing regardless, because of the injury to Mitch Kenny. Doubt the other two are going to.

 

[WAH MAN]

The game is big as far as first v second.
Penrith being the pace setters.
A marker of our progress against our ability to win how many times we have this season.

We have not played an 80min of our best type of game. This is where I would love for us to flex our best and sustain it for the whole game and see how it fares.

I know and acknowledge that Penrith are favourites for many reasons. But we have every opportunity to earn and win this game and kick on further into this season.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

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.

How did Metcalf go last time he was put straight back in to the team? TMM went a hell of a lot better than that, if you are looking for comparisons.

Metcalf needs to play cup and get some match fitness and reps in. If the team stagnates with the current halves then they can look to bring him in, especially if the lack of a long kicking becomes a real hindrance.

 

[rugged]

I think our season rests on Metcalf now, so I'd have him in asap.

I agree that LM is our best choice 7, comfortably so. But premierships aren't won in May, we have to get LM back to full fitness so he is re-integrated from a place of strength.

Those worried about the team harmony, bottom line is Webby has said he wants him here for this year, he also said Luke wanted to be here. It is up to the players to be professionals and work with him. Somewhere it was reported that Luke has addressed the playing group and said he wants to win a premiership this year. That's all they should need to hear to lock in.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

How did Metcalf go last time he was put straight back in to the team? TMM went a hell of a lot better than that, if you are looking for comparisons.

Metcalf needs to play cup and get some match fitness and reps in. If the team stagnates with the current halves then they can look to bring him in, especially if the lack of a long kicking becomes a real hindrance.

Not quite apples and apples. Metcalf wasn't playing 7 and on the ball all of the time. Barnett, TMM, Linnane came back in without missing a beat. His knee has had another 6 weeks, his hamstrings an extra 2-3. He's obviously an emotional guy who wasn't in the headspace at 6. I just don't think that his earlier games are evidence to hang him.

Personally I believe the long kicking is something you front foot rather than waiting for it to lose you a game.

To be honest I'm not worried either way and personally I'd probably like to see LM in Cup to earn 7 back, but my head says get him back in on this one.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

The only way he gets back in is via necessity, surely (severe drop in form or injury). Dropping TMM for no reason would be a disaster in terms of team harmony.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

The only way he gets back in is via necessity, surely (severe drop in form or injury). Dropping TMM for no reason would be a disaster in terms of team harmony.

Would it though? I get the feeling TMM knows where he stands in the pecking order. He talks about his limited kicking game himself.

I feel like a lot of the anti-Metcalf/"Metcalf's not ready" talk comes from a fanbase with their nose (justifiably) out of joint. Fans are also guessing as to what the mood is in camp.

TMM's a great player, but imho Metcalf/CHT is a combination that takes us further. This is a guy most fans were relieved we spent $900k on. Our season fell apart without him last year. I'm relaxed with him coming in after the bye, but I'd like him in there. TMM is the ultimate super-sub.

 

[CWC]

It is up to the players to be professionals and work with him. Somewhere it was reported that Luke has addressed the playing group and said he wants to win a premiership this year. That's all they should need to hear to lock in.

Webby and Barney both said “it’s up to him”
Agar is the only one belting out proper PR

He needs to play cup to show he’s the man, 100% mentally and physically up to it, until proven it’s all assumptions what the 2026 version is outside those 2 games
(Not having a go at you btw)

 

[pleatedpantspete]

Real question, how come team harmony wasn’t an issue dropping taine in a winning team (who’s been far superior to cnk all year) for cnk to walk back to fullback?

It took webby a few games and for cnk to get injured and we don’t even know if the change has stuck

 

[WAH MAN]

Real question, how come team harmony wasn’t an issue dropping taine in a winning team (who’s been far superior to cnk all year) for cnk to walk back to fullback?

It took webby a few games and for cnk to get injured and we don’t even know if the change has stuck

Chitty as well.

 

[Inruin]

Real question, how come team harmony wasn’t an issue dropping taine in a winning team (who’s been far superior to cnk all year) for cnk to walk back to fullback?

It took webby a few games and for cnk to get injured and we don’t even know if the change has stuck

I would guess that if you have a squad that is willing to help and support each other, and accept decisions for the team, that's a powerful thing when everyone buys in to it. Must create some sort of disharmony when one of the squad says that's not him and I'm off to a new club.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

I would guess that if you have a squad that is willing to help and support each other, and accept decisions for the team, that's a powerful thing when everyone buys in to it. Must create some sort of disharmony when one of the squad says that's not him and I'm off to a new club.

We all knew 3 into 2 didn't go. It was the talk of the preseason. It sucked the way it went down, but I don't think anyone would have expected all three players to be here in 2027. Most just expected it would be Tanah or CHT gone, but Tanah's product went beyond back up. Metcalf is here til the end of the year. Business as usual.

At the end of the day Metcalf sorted his future early and quickly, so that everybody could move forward with a focus on this season. There's no need for everybody to shoot themselves in the foot over it.