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

[sydneywarrior92]

According to the NRL physio, RTS injury is probably not that serious. More likely a lateral ankle sprain that is probably a 1-2 week injury. Will likely be back after our 2nd bye.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Match ups galore for this one:
1. Battle of the Bash Brothers: Fish vs Leota
2. Battle of the Locks: Yeo vs Erin
3. Battle of the finishers: AKP v Milky

I firmly believe these three match ups will decide this game. I've been particularly looking forward to Yeo vs Erin for a while now. The two best locks in the game by a country mile.

 

[Brightman]

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.

For sure that's the right question but, Metcalf has to find form in cup before coming into the NRL. It's not his abilities that are questioned but his recovery from the ACL injury, better players with GF rings have stated it's an 18 month comeback and the final stage of that is a mix of mental adjustment as well as physical "muscle memory".

Something I've always believed is a form Metcalf will be an awesome injection to our well performing team say 8 games out from the finals..

 

[sydneywarrior92]

For sure that's the right question but, Metcalf has to find form in cup before coming into the NRL. It's not his abilities that are questioned but his recovery from the ACL injury, better players with GF rings have stated it's an 18 month comeback and the final stage of that is a mix of mental adjustment as well as physical "muscle memory".

Something I've always believed is a form Metcalf will be an awesome injection to our well performing team say 8 games out from the finals..

I don't disagree with any of that. Mets is not ready right now. But until then, TMM is a good replacement to keep the show going. As for the ACL, we've seen other players come back firing from much longer ACL layoffs (ie Mulitalo from Sharks and Bostock from Phins). So I feel the issue with Mets in rds 4-5 was more mental. Now that his future is sorted, I think interests of club and mets are better aligned. Met's knows that this is his one and only chance to win a prem in his career and will want to win the comp this year to the same degree as the rest of the roster. At his best, he is the missing X factor run threat that turns us from a top 4 side into a genuine premiership contender.

If I'm being honest, I'm not overly concerned about the 7. We have enough depth to cover that position. But if Erin or Wayde were to go down for an extended period, I'd be much more worried. They are far more pivotal to the way we play than the bloke wearing the 7 imo.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

. At his best, he is the missing X factor run threat that turns us from a top 4 side into a genuine premiership contender.

I would agree last year where our attack lacked threat. It was Metcalf or Leka that really tested defences.

This year we have AKP, DWZ has returned to form, Ali’s powerful and creating options around him, our forwards have opened gaps through the middle.

Metcalf adds to that but your half should make those around them better and be the icing on the cake rather than being a main attacking threat like he was last year.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I would agree last year where our attack lacked threat. It was Metcalf or Leka that really tested defences.

This year we have AKP, DWZ has returned to form, Ali’s powerful and creating options around him, our forwards have opened gaps through the middle.

Metcalf adds to that but your half should make those around them better and be the icing on the cake rather than being a main attacking threat like he was last year.

problem with last year as I saw it was our entire attack revolved around a player rather than a system. That player being Mets. So Mets running game was our entire attack. If teams found a way to contain that, we had nothing else. Raiders game at MSS perfect illustration of that. As soon as we lost Mets, we lost our entire attack and our season slowly disintegrated.

This year our entire attack revolves around a system with every player just a cog in that system. Whether it is TB, TMM, Hansen, etc we play in 7, they all play to that system and nothing really changes. I guess my initial concern with Mets is how willing is he to stick to that system vs ad lib and do his own thing. If it is too much of the latter, I'm worried that if he were to come back as the starting 7 at some pt we may return to the clunky attack of 2025. But if Mets is willing to play ball with the system and pick his moments to run, I think his x-factor can add to the nice attacking shape we've been building all year, especially around AKP.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

problem with last year as I saw it was our entire attack revolved around a player rather than a system. That player being Mets. So Mets running game was our entire attack. If teams found a way to contain that, we had nothing else. Raiders game at MSS perfect illustration of that. As soon as we lost Mets, we lost our entire attack and our season slowly disintegrated.

This year our entire attack revolves around a system with every player just a cog in that system. Whether it is TB, TMM, Hansen, etc we play in 7, they all play to that system and nothing really changes. I guess my initial concern with Mets is how willing is he to stick to that system vs ad lib and do his own thing. If it is too much of the latter, I'm worried that if he were to come back as the starting 7 at some pt we may return to the clunky attack of 2025. But if Mets is willing to play ball with the system and pick his moments to run, I think his x-factor can add to the nice attacking shape we've been building all year, especially around AKP.

Well said and an interesting observation.

Did the system just naturally evolved around Boyd who’s a more distributive player or was it Webster led?

I seem to remember attack under SJ was also more Metcalf style where it was let give it to SJ and see what he can set up?

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Did the system just naturally evolved around Boyd who’s a more distributive player or was it Webster led?

Well, Webby was Penriths attacking coach, for the two years before he got here.

To me, the Penrith attacking system has always thrived off consistency and execution.

Boyd is a very consistent player, so would naturally fit a system that relies on these qualities.

 

[Inruin]

I think players at a professional club know that players will be asked to move on or leave of their own accord as its a business at the end of the day. Ever seen a coworker leave for another opportunity because they put their own needs and wants above the team? Did you not want to work with them as a result? Did that person owe the company something? Did they owe ypu something? Its all a transaction.

I think its only the fans or rather some fans who are making this out to be a bigger deal than it is.

All parties involved in the Metcalf drama won out in the end. We ended up retaining Boyd who is probably a better fit as a halfback for the club. Metcalf got to go back to Syd closer to family esp after a newborn, with a bumper contract that he prob didnt envisage when he first signed on for the Warriors. Boyd's persistence and hard work paid off and is now our halfback. We got Metcalf's 900k off our books. Dragons landed some firepower. Chitty extended and solidified his position as our starting 5/8. It woulda been a waste to have all 3 signed up on decent contracts and have our 900k player in reserve grade. What is the actual issue in all this? Whats not to like? We still have Metcalf for this year, and with Boyd out im sure he will want to prove he deserved that contract, esp with a team that is amongst the best in the comp on the ladder right now, as he may never get this opportunity again.

Time to move on and support the players we have and think forward to what we can potentially achieve this year.

It's not your average work situation. Of course everyone knows that players will leave. One way or the other.

You would have to be incredibly naive to think the way this has played out would have no effect on team chemistry.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Well said and an interesting observation.

Did the system just naturally evolved around Boyd who’s a more distributive player or was it Webster led?

I seem to remember attack under SJ was also more Metcalf style where it was let give it to SJ and see what he can set up?

I don't think it is Boyd specific. The system that webby is trying to build values a half with a long kicking game and game management skills that are in Boyd's skillset. I think in 2023 Webby was just trying to work within the roster he inherited. He thought the best approach that year was to build attacking shape around SJ. 2024 is the first year where he actively tried to build the system we have now. We just didn't have the roster then to implement it. We have it now.

Of course the system itself is not enough. The thing that sets webby apart from Ciraldo is that he understands that you can't beat Penrith consistently by just copying/pasting their defensive system and implementing it with different players. You need to augment it with your own unique brand of attack that complements the strengths of the players in your roster. That's where AKP's speed, Healey's sniffing around a broken ruck and the ball movement within the forwards we've introduced this year has been so refreshing.

If we can get Mets to play ball within that system, that's another bow that can take our attack to the next level.

 

[Brightman]

I would agree last year where our attack lacked threat. It was Metcalf or Leka that really tested defences.

This year we have AKP, DWZ has returned to form, Ali’s powerful and creating options around him, our forwards have opened gaps through the middle.

Metcalf adds to that but your half should make those around them better and be the icing on the cake rather than being a main attacking threat like he was last year.

One thing Metcalf AND TMM bring us backing up through the middle when there is a break, typically from Egan but not exclusively as demonstrated by Erin Clark in recent games.
Those plays can break deadlocked games wide open..

 

[rugged]

In other news we are now leading the competition in attack! Goes nicely with second on the table, second best defence and points dif. Up up the Wahs

 

[sup42]

In other news we are now leading the competition in attack! Goes nicely with second on the table, second best defence and points dif. Up up the Wahs

Gee what a transformation.

If we had of won one of the two Metcalf games we could have been leading the Panthers on all metrics.

But that ain't reality, it is just a hint that the Tanah Boyd CHT Warriors were indeed the team to beat in this comp leading into this coming weekend.

Of course one should not overlook that it is the Te Maire Martin Warriors that carried us past the Panthers in attack.

That is why the coach has to find a way to use all three of Metcalf, TMM, CHT, or none of Metcalf. Stats like best attack in the comp don't lie.

I am picking that Webster et al won't want to change their new formula either, which is one of form over potential, results over fap about the only way we win finals, and even trying to convert shitty kicking halves into better versions of themselves, but most of all, people that can bloody tackle.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

In other news we are now leading the competition in attack! Goes nicely with second on the table, second best defence and points dif. Up up the Wahs

Its hard to sort of pinpoint exactly whats bought about the change in our attack this year, Some say its Webby's systems but the core of it - play out your set of six, boot deep then apply defensive pressure, win territory - hasnt changed since he arrived in 23. The most noticeable change (particulary from last season) is the increased amount of ball promotion particulary amongst the forwards.....Erin Clark, Fish......last season u pretty much had to get a crowbar to pry the ball out of their hands.....one out hit ups was their go......the tip ons amongst all the forwards this season (and on early tackles too which is a definite change in mindset) is leading to a lot more oppertunities opening and stretching defences.....the ball barely moved out of the middle 3rd in previous seasons when making yardage.....this year we're shifting towards the space moving defensive lines around so even if we dont break them first up, their still not quite re-set for the 2nd or 3rd go we have at them so if we're not breaking them we're at least picking up cheap metres.

What also cannot be underestimated is the six again speeding up of the ruck and how much of an advantage that gives to a disciplined team who treasures possession. The effect off not having the ball for long periods multiplies and snowballs the energy levels in the tank you have to use defending (we're running at tired defenders and defensive lines that are unable to re-set) also when u dont have the ball u have nothing in the tank and your more prone for errors. We're best team in the comp currently for possession.....this is huge, cause alternatively it means we have energy in the tank not just to attack but to apply early defensive line speed which helps u win the territory battle, and a big reason why we're also leading the defensive stat.....touch wood she's all coming up Warriors so far this season!

 

[sup42]

Its hard to sort of pinpoint exactly whats bought about the change in our attack this year, Some say its Webby's systems but the core of it - play out your set of six, boot deep then apply defensive pressure, win territory - hasnt changed since he arrived. The most noticeable change (particulary from last season) is the increased amount of ball promotion particulary amongst the forwards.....Erin Clark, Fish......last season u pretty much had to get a crowbar to pry the ball out of their hands.....one out hit ups was their go......the tip ons amongst all the forwards this season (and on early tackles to which is a definite change in mindset) is leading to a lot more oppertunities opening and stretching defences.....the ball barely moved out of the middle 3rd in previous seasons.....this year we're shifting towards the space moving defensive lines around so even if we dont break them first up, their still not quite re-set for the 2nd or 3rd go we have at them.

What also cannot be underestimated is the six again speeding up of the ruck and how much of an advantage that gives to a disciplined team who treasures possession. The effect off not having the ball for long periods multiplies and snowballs the energy levels in the tank you have to use defending, so when u do have the ball u have nothing in the tank and your more prone for errors. We're best team in the comp currently for possession.....this is huge, cause alternatively it means have energy in the tank not just to attack but to apply early defensive line speed which helps u win the territory battle, and a big reason why we're also leading the defensive stat.....touch wood she's all coming up Warriors so far this season!

There seems to be a confluence of micro factors adding to this picture (a flash way of saying you said it all, here goes fringe details that may or may not add up).

On top of what you have said about our forwards, we have more keep it live players in our backs too. In seasons past we seemed to have a few ball killers. CNK being one. He is like a bot, runs at defenders, get tackled, gets a quick ptb, pad some running meters stats. And that is great when you are coming out of your end, but CNK would have this mentality when play breaks down, when facing a staggered defensive line, CNK will run straight at the nearest defender - whereas Taine is far more likely to try to run around a defender. And even in block shapes, Taine is more likely to do a tip on or offload to stay live than Charnze would take the safe option and take the tackle.

TMM and Tanah (hate to go there coz it has been thrashed to death about taking on the line and running straight) are to cast this is new light, stay live players too, they do not run always with the mind to try to beat a defender, rather they make decisions on their read of the defenders reactions, rather than just try burn them - they'll hold the ball up out in front oldschool Seven style - so again, they tend to die with the ball less often than some others.

Then there are the thinner threads of the intangibles, like players that can score Try's that the men they replaced could not, Ali Leiatua has a bit of that in him, he is a lucky player (in as much as he makes his luck) where other poor hapless centers like Rocco and Pomps might drop the two intercepts Ali has made this season, or get ankle tapped and die (Ali gets ankle tapped and the defenders trip over themselves in goal, if that isn't lucky got the knack kinda player I dunno what is). So he is worth points.

Lofi is obviously a new points getter, and 100% he is scoring Try's our other left Wingers could not (that short range stuff to the corner looks deceptively easy as a looks like he is jogging, but that closing window is a gap that Roger nor Dallin would make so easily). And we saw how Lofi scored that random Try at the start of the Dragons game, he was out wide, the Dragons had a lot of defenders flooding left to cover which caused a massive hole to open up as Lofi drifted sideways. Now that too looked too easy, but Lofi drifts sideways faster than most defences are expecting, and again, Roger and Dallin don't make that gap before it closes, coz they just wouldn't be floating and drifting like that to see it appear.

Roger of course using the massive threat that is Lofi, scored Try's in bunches and looked rejuvenated with a class winger on his outside.

Dallin is having that aged period of a fine wine on the right, same old tricks as ever, won't try make an argument out of that, he is just doing what he has always done, just a bit slower, but the defence you talked about has given him the confidence to find his mojo both sides of the ball.

Amazing. I won't go into the injection of our bench forwards because it is really a reflection or extension of what you pinned down.

Should say something about CHT, coz he is having a great year, but to my eye he is just doing his job well, better and more consistently.