The talk of not being able to win the big games without Metcalf is interesting when you look at how he and Te Maire Martin performed wearing the 7 jumper vs the bench mark club in the NRL.
Of the pairing Martin is the only one to have orchestrated a win over the Panthers, and even in the highlights you can see what a horrible defender Metcalf is.
Martin was paired with Charnze, Metcalf had CHT.
Metcalf had Egan, Martin ended up losing Egan and having Paul Roache for a hooker.
Martins side played against JFH, Metcalf's team had him leading the pack.
Metcalfs bench was:
Martin
Ford
Vaimauga
Stowers Smith
Martins bench was:
Jazz
Laban
Tom Ale
Roache
View: https://youtu.be/k5L-jId60Ik?si=btqNbkw7lQ5uTxeq
View: https://youtu.be/R7J5DZV4Un0?si=gyjmLJsu7WYvT6XP
If we win against the Panthers, Martin is the only half to do that in this era, and he will have two wins V the best, pretty much time on the ole can only win with Metcalf chestnut.