Smallish prop. But surprisingly impactful. Keeps moving up. Not that long ago was playing Flegg. Very strong runner. Will be FG, just a matter of time. Personally, I prefer Rodney Tuipolotu-Vea because of size. But there's no doubt Salalilo makes impact. And we have a clone of him in Vake. The production line never ends.
Team List NZ Warriors v Penrith Panthers - [Round 13, 2026]
- Thread starter NZWarriors.com
- Start date
- Status
He did Parra game, this year.
Wahs_Ultras
🌶️
You kinda know what you’re gonna get with Sutton. Absolutely no flow whatsoever but consistent 6 agains and penalties on both sides.
Webster is dialed into this kaupapa of leaving his incumbents alone if they are playing well, rewarding form.
I guess that is why Metcalf is playing at six in cup instead of taking Cleary's spot (arguably the best player in cup, it is out of him, or Marata, and when fit plus Morgan Gannon for the stand out players, Linnane looks like he will change that order too - go past Gannon's piece meal showings - him or Bishop Neal).
No mean feat to stand out in that cup side, I'm no fanboi of any of them (talk some of them up when they are playing awesome, but don't care which ones Webster promotes nor when, apart from Gannon and Hanson, none of them are NRL ready, and Hanson is a desperado pick).
Dunno where this idea that Metcalf play's NRL comes from, it ain't happening, he probably doesn't play next game either (NSW cup we have a bye again, so Metcalf might not get near the NRL for a month or so).
Evil_Mush
🛡️
Yup, said he's "training the house down" apparently, so that's nice to hear.
WAH MAN
⭐
There are highlights of cup and flegg matches on YouTube by warriors anonymous that would show him
Yeah that is nice to hear.Probably realised he has fucked up & trying to redeem himself.
Whatever anyone thinks of him it must have been very frustrating for him with his never ending injuries.
i think this team will be as named on sunday, maybe fats onto the bench and niukore drops off. otherwise pretty slim chance theres mass rotation with tmm/metcalf etc. a game in cup then a couple weeks training puts luke back in the picture after the bye, but if we win this week TMM should stay in 7 imo.
i think penriths side will vastly change though, got the feeling intention is all origin players to backup pending injury
i think penriths side will vastly change though, got the feeling intention is all origin players to backup pending injury
I am interested in seeing how Fats goes if he gets a run, he looks faster than Leka (anyone got any mail on that?) just going off watching him fly down the touch line with Linnane in Linnane's debut.
He is not really the next Leka though (doesn't have the defence yet and is not a crazy side stepper). Kinda a cross between Leka and Dimitric (an athletic attacking forward with some power runs).....but I'm only making that comparison with a self created 'if I were forced to' situation.
Bishop Neal is the interesting one, he is a one of a kind in our squad, David Fafita.....just a fast big Mack Truck, gonna be quite tricky to develop him for the speed of the modern game, probably diet is going to be his best friend or worst enemy.
He is not really the next Leka though (doesn't have the defence yet and is not a crazy side stepper). Kinda a cross between Leka and Dimitric (an athletic attacking forward with some power runs).....but I'm only making that comparison with a self created 'if I were forced to' situation.
Bishop Neal is the interesting one, he is a one of a kind in our squad, David Fafita.....just a fast big Mack Truck, gonna be quite tricky to develop him for the speed of the modern game, probably diet is going to be his best friend or worst enemy.
Yeah I thought same re Neal, in some of his earlier highlight reels he has absolutely massive thighs, looked more like a prop than backrower. Which is always a concern when they're that young and already that bulky in today's game. He looks to have trimmed down a bit though this season, and by all accounts has had a fairly disciplined upbringing so that bodes well.
He could always be developed as a middle in the mould of Haas or JT if he's not nimble enough for the edge.
He could always be developed as a middle in the mould of Haas or JT if he's not nimble enough for the edge.
I think it probably means he has to play with whichever number on his back that suits the team at the time. Webby will be acutely aware that he has to balance Metcalf's reintroduction with the development of our depth in the halves - i.e. not displacing Jett.
Metcalf/CHT makes more sense as a combination that TMM/Metcalf, so I would assume Metcalf will get the 7 back once he gets another crack in first grade.
The guy is pure cement. Old school hard. Looks like they have transitioned him from a prop into a lock. To cover Erin Clark?
Extremely....and I mean EXTREMELY hard to bring down to the ground just based on his gravity and strength. The type of player the opposition hate to tackle because he is going to bodily hurt you on his carries.
Where Tanner Stowers Smith is full of work, energy, dynamic and rapid with his play the balls... Jason Salalio is wall busting, hurt delivering, bumping always the first defender off and relentless. A bit like James Gavet was.
More Manu Mau and James Gavet than Fuifui Moimoi. Basically a bully lol
Mets is gooooooone , so no point ' developing ' him in his preferred position. But he does need match fitness.
It is more likely they just want to get him to have a game so he gets some match fitness. Would not be surprised if he gets taken off before fulltime if he is going well.
WAH MAN
⭐
He already knows how to play both 6 and 7 so it's really about match fitness and getting his body and mind focused.
CWC
🔍
Almost certain he won't be slotted to play a full game. But it will be a pleasant surprise if he does.
Worriers
📈
The guy is pure cement. This 100%
He has a bouncing run to him, really announcing himself off the bench lately. He looks really fit on D too. Haven't seen much of his passing game though as he and auloa have been on the field together...another good-looking prospect, just needs a bit more size as he's behind tafua in the hooking pecking order. So much talent!!
I personally think RTV is struggling to make an impact this year. He's a hard worker but you notice the intensity change in games when Sikuvea or Salalilo have come on. I think at his peak RTV is probably a 70-80 meter per game prop that gets through his tackles.
While Laumalili and Ravosai are less polished than RTV in terms of front rower intricacies, they have higher ceilings than RTV imo. I've never seen RTV make a line break or even half line break like Ravosai does in Flegg.
Gordon Afoa has also surprised me at how he's handled the step up. The speed of the game with the 6 agains, we might be moving to pocket rocket front rowers that are quick around the park like Salalilo, Sikuvea and Afoa.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Poll
- Poll
- Locked
- Poll
- Locked
- Poll
NZ
Team Ave
Team Average
Taine Tuaupiki
Highest
Best Performance
Marata Niukore
Lowest
Needs Improvement
