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

[wizard of Tauranga]

I hope Penrith don't disrespect us by resting all their superstars. As much as this game is our biggest test for the year, we are also their biggest test of the year.

We’re the ones leaving out our origin players and Metcalf…

 

[NZ born and bred]

Interesting take, I don't agree with the idea that we will play with any intention not to do the best we can to win this.

Having said that, I don't wanna get down on your original take for this game for the sake of it (a plan of the sort usually seen in the last rounds of the comp when ladder placings are locked in and outcomes no longer matter). At least you think outside the box.

Pretty sure Webster would like to win the minor premiership if he can, that would be helpful in the finals, cue the pressers where Webster say's "we haven't done anything till we win the comp" but privately a trophy of any sort is a personal achievement and useful for team confidence and useful for ticket sales - a reward of sorts for supporters too.
In years past a minor premiership might backfire for a Warriors side, give them a premature overinflated sense of themselves. But this team is pretty grounded, there is a swagger there too, which comes from guys like Alofiana Khan Pereira, but the mix of the side seems to keep that in some kind of balance. I think this team can process success and feed off it in ways prior Warriors sides could not. We are shifting from a confidence team to one that goes after it and believes.

I agree with one point though, Webster will use his less experienced replacements based off what he thinks is best for their careers as much as he will make calls based on what is happening in game.

Your point aligns with the omission of the Origin players (there is a flavor there of keeping our powder dry).

I think the plan vs the Panthers this year is very much going to be about unsettling them as much as we can, every time we play them, and trying to beat them for all our might is part of that.

It’s almost a 2 pronged thought.
If we are leading and utilise our bench for experience and still win, then It makes Penrith ( and other sides ), start questioning how we will perform with our full available squad…
If we lose doing this, it still leaves teams thinking the same question…
A game of chess..
The internal team culture will not be impacted by a loss, and may place us in a better position, as we know we need to improve, and if we win, then the competition within the squad to be part of this, will eliminate complacency.
Agreed that in the past, we have had an inflated ego, with the press pumping our tyres, and yes, I believe we are much better and grounded unit.
Our fan base ( who are really the warriors 14th player) is second to none, & being at Caxton street during magic round, was truly a humbling experience…

 

[Ryno 2.0]

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.

Thanks for this, I actually was able to watch the game vs Dragons, was on Watch NRL which I didn’t realise.

I was like man who’s this guy that seems super hard to tackle and has a super quick play the ball, and sure enough it was Salalilo.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

We’re the ones leaving out our origin players and Metcalf…

Hey mate, taking into account form since his injury and the fact he hasn't played in like 6 weeks (we have won every game he hasn't played and lost every game he has played too) after a 9 month absence.....what reason is there to pick Metcalf right now over TMM?

 

[Five&Last]

Hey mate, taking into account form since his injury and the fact he hasn't played in like 6 weeks (we have won every game he hasn't played and lost every game he has played too) after a 9 month absence.....what reason is there to pick Metcalf right now over TMM?

Kicking game.

It’s TMM’s jersey for now and Webby’s approach to selection this season means they just have to keep winning for TMM to stay the number 7.

But he was shaky at best off the boot against the Dragons. Kicked one out on the full and just struggled to get distance in general.

 

[xWarrior]

Why is Barney not backing up ?