Pick Your Team NZ Warriors v St George Illawarra Dragons - [Round 12, 2026]

[Dannevegas]

There’s a big chance we go even better with Martin or Metcalf at 7. I think we’re doing so well because of the rule changes and Webby as a coach has adapted probably the best out of all the coaches.

 

[steakncheese]

Well, What a pickle.

Can a halves pairing of Martin and Channel win a comp? I’d say no. Metcalf and CHT? I say yes. Metcalf and Martin I say yes, maybe even more so than a Metcalf and Channel. But that would be a big fuk u to Channel, and would probably see him leave, so ye

Cuzz the Broncos had 3 halfbacks in the Grandfinal win, it was the No.1 that won it just like it’ll be our No.1 fwd pack chur

 

[Rick O’Shay]

Very small sample size so far in the one game but I'm really interested in seeing more of Linnane.

 

[steakncheese]

Right… now we know original teams..

1. TT
2. DWZ
3. Ali
4. RTS (assuming fit)
5. AKP (assuming not suspended)
6. CHT
7. Metcalf (has to be)
8. JFH
9. Egan
10. Ford
11. Leka
12. Laban
13. Clarke

14. Healey
15. Demi
16. Marata
17. TSS
18. EIT
20. TMM

21. CNK if fit
22. Gannon

Metcalf ain’t in bro Webby already ruled him out

 

[steakncheese]

Playing first grade =/= being a first grader

Metcalf to cup is begging him to get compassionate release. We were top 4 with him last year and barely in the 8 without him. Tanah come a long way but metcalf is a class player

Just asking for a Doggies debacle as in the Galvin effect. Let him get some reps and some respect back from the team first.

 

[Stalefish540]

Although TMM played well yesterday he is not the answer at 7. If he had a better long kicking game, then it might be different.

As Tanah looks to be out for the season we have to bring Metcalf back.

We shouldn't waste a month or so before doing it either while experimenting with TMM as it could cost us points. The big question is what is Metcalf's relationship like now with the boys and will they accept him coming back in after TMM played well.

It probably won't matter much this week against the Dragons but I would be picking Metcalf as we won't win the comp with TMM at halfback and the team needs to gel with Luke again.

Metcalf > Jett > TMM. Keep TMM in the match day squad as he is one of the best in the comp along with Healey coming off the bench or filling in for injuries during the game.

If it was CHT who went down then TMM would be prime to take over the 6 but not the 7.

Who's going to babysit Metcalf? Leka is having his struggles as it is on that side of the game. That combination is ripe for exploitation by teams.

Last year he was crabbing across field and that edge was clunky mainly due to him because he doesn't square up and go deep into the line. He was doing the same thing on return in those two losses. But fair enough, you can't really develope your game when you are out with an ACL.

Both TMM and Metcalf have chinks in their armour, Boyd is a big loss make no mistake about it. I really struggle to see how Metcalf is going to take us to the promised land going off what we saw last year.

For me we shouldn't waste a month on Metcalf and then have him go down again, likely losing games along the way as we already have. I'd rather build with TMM, him and CHT compliment eachother much better. TMM suits the Warriors 2026 gameplan better IMO.

We'd be a better rounded team with TMM and then Taine stepping in to do necesssry yardage kicks ala Ponga/Walsh.

 

[AlwaysOptmistic]

All I can say this year, is that if Shaun Johnson has any plans to go white baiting on the Waikato River, he better keep his cellphone on him.

 

[Tragic]

I know tmm and cht aren't great long kickers but I don't remember that being a strength of luke either.
So I don't get using that as a reason to rush him back into the team.
I agree we need that skill somewhere in the side.

 

[Shauns_Johnson]

Now I’m not saying that I’m the answer at 7 but I was on the plane with Shaun Johnson coming back from magic round and that feels important

Anyway

1 Taine
2 DWZ
3 Pompey
4 RTS
5 AKP
6 CHT
7 TMM
8 JFH
9 Egan
10 Ford
11 Halasima
12 Laban
13 Clark
14 Healey
15 Vaimauga
16 TSS
17 EIT
18 Gannon
19 butcher
20 Hanson (but ok with Cleary)

To be clear - Metcalf plays next week for me in an origin round, but he plays cup this week under lower stakes. If we can’t beat St George with this team then what are we doing. I think Marata is just kinda done for us honestly

I’m also very fine with 3 Leiataua 4 Pompey 5 RTS

 

[Stalefish540]

I know tmm and cht aren't great long kickers but I don't remember that being a strength of luke either.
So I don't get using that as a reason to rush him back into the team.
I agree we need that skill somewhere in the side.

It's definitely better than both CHT & TMM, but not close to Boyd's. Not sure it outweighs his shortcomings though.

If anything this year has proven we go better with a quality distributor than what we had with Metcalf last year.

I'm not in the sour on him crowd either, as have been neutral on the whole situation. Just don't see what we know of his game trumps what TMM can bring.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Metcalf was an elite long kicker last year. Better than Boyd.

 

[Five&Last]

Everyone recovers from an ACL reconstruction at different speeds. Will also take him a minimum 2-3 weeks to get back up to match fitness as well.

You're able to do pretty heavy fitness loads well before return to actual contact. Most guys are at almost peak areobic fitness by the time they're actually cleared to play. But he will obviously needs reps getting confidence in putting weight on the knee in contact situations and building trust in that knee.

The timing his of injury puts him almost smack bang on round 1 if you compare to Barnett and Metcalf.

 

[Ryno 2.0]

What is also quite interesting, the combination of TMM and CHT would have to be one of the best defensive pairings in the comp as well.

So looking forward to the team list tomorrow!