Post Match Preseason 2025 Trial 1 - Warriors vs Sharks

[BangBro's (still banging)]

It was a nice hitout for Metcalf. It seems like he has worked hard on his fitness as he was everywhere and tried to get himself involved. At one stage he even popped up outside of TMM on the left to create a nice play. If we go with a running 5/8, that should be TMM's role to provide that level of support not Metcalf. TMM seemed content with stationing himself on the right and just waiting for the ball to get to him. Didn't seem to be directing his side well either.

Webster has said a few times that he wants both halves to take control in their respective sides of the fields (from last year). However with TMM at 6 it simply does not eventuate. Either Webster is making weird comments that are unrelated to how he wants the team to play, or we have individuals who are not able to carry out the gameplan.

Bring on CHT.

At the end of the day it was simply a trial but still disappointed to see a lack of enterprising play. We seem to have a very lop sided squad in terms of salary cap expenditure with a primary focus on the forwards. Tie this in with the emerging crop of forwards knocking on the door. In the backs, the cupboard looks like pretty bare. Pompey is a good player to have as backup/depth. I wont say anything about Kosi since people seem to be living out their fantasy with him in the team. Might as well put a team of players who play social footy at the local football field on the weekends if we want to do that because we arent winning shit with players that close to what is supposedly a professional sporting team. Teams that want to win dont give jumpers out to park footballers as charity.

I suggest cutting him lose right now! What are we going to get this season with him there, he's essentially a dead man walking and he showed he knows it last Friday!

I would give his spot to Moala Graham Taufa Sio Kali in a heartbeat!

At least bunty showed he wanted to be there! I would most certainly be asking the cup coach to play Kali, Pasikala, or Amituanai over Kosi.

 

[Wrighty]

How many times have TMM and Metcalf played together? Maybe it was because they are a new combination, notwithstanding TMM struggled at 6 with SJ as well.
Rugby league project says they have played together 4 times:
2023 pre season match
2024 pre season match
2025 pre season match
2024 August NSW cup match

Maybe they aren't' used to playing with each other much and it is just a matter of time. I gave Chat GPT some information and it produced this:
Below is a game‐by‐game breakdown outlining how a new halves pairing in the NRL might evolve over five games as they learn to play together:

Game One – The Initial Teething Phase

• Expectations:
  • Communication & Timing: The pair will still be finding their rhythm. You may see miscommunications on set plays and moments of hesitation, particularly from the stand-off (TMM), who might appear rushed or uncertain in his decision-making.
  • Individual Brilliance vs. Collective Flow: While the halfback (Luke Metcalf) might display composure and clear vision, the overall link-up with TMM could be patchy, leading to occasional errors or missed opportunities.
• Overall: The game is a testing ground, where both players get a feel for each other’s style, even if it means some early hiccups.

Game Two – Early Adjustments

• Expectations:
  • Building Communication: With one game’s experience under their belts, the duo will likely begin to adjust. TMM may show signs of slowing down his decision-making process, taking a bit more time to read the play and support the halfback.
  • Incremental Improvements: You might notice a reduction in misdirected passes or rushed plays, as both players start learning each other’s tendencies on the field.
• Overall: While still raw, there’s a visible effort toward synchronizing their play, with both players starting to communicate better during sets.

Game Three – Building Trust and Understanding

• Expectations:
  • Increased Awareness: By now, the pairing should exhibit greater awareness of each other’s positions and preferred movements. TMM might begin to settle into a more comfortable role, aligning his support runs and links with Luke’s playmaking.
  • Smoother Transitions: You can expect fewer miscommunications during quick plays and a more deliberate build-up from dummy-half to edge plays, signaling a growing trust between the halves.
• Overall: The duo is beginning to find a rhythm. Their interplay should be more fluid, although there might still be moments where adjustments are needed.

Game Four – Enhanced Fluidity and Game Management

• Expectations:
  • Refined Communication: With continued practice, pre-play signals and in-game adjustments become more natural. TMM’s decision-making is sharper, and he’s more in sync with Luke’s play calls.
  • Strategic Cohesion: The halves pairing can start to craft more sophisticated attacking plays. Their support lines and off-the-ball movements become integral to unlocking defensive structures, resulting in smarter, well-timed plays.
• Overall: The pairing is now less about individual errors and more about collaborative tactics. Their evolving understanding is evident in how they manipulate play and control the tempo.

Game Five – An Emerging Partnership

• Expectations:
  • Cohesive Unit: By this stage, you should see a halves combination that’s much more than the sum of its parts. Both players are more confident in their roles: Luke’s composure is complemented by TMM’s now more measured approach to linking and supporting.
  • Tactical Maturity: Their decisions become more instinctive, allowing for creative playmaking and efficient exploitation of opposition weaknesses. The chemistry on the field starts influencing overall team strategy positively.
• Overall: Although still evolving, the halves pairing has established a working partnership. The game plan is more consistent, and their collaboration is setting a solid foundation for further refinement as they continue to gel.

---

Summary:

• Game 1: Rough start with individual brilliance but poor synergy.
• Game 2: Early adjustments lead to better communication and fewer rushed decisions.
• Game 3: Building trust brings smoother transitions and improved support play.
• Game 4: Enhanced fluidity and tactical awareness lead to more cohesive plays.
• Game 5: An emerging, confident partnership that begins to influence the team’s overall strategy.

This progression mirrors how even the most promising halves pairings need time to build on-field chemistry, gradually transforming initial missteps into a well-coordinated, strategic partnership.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I wonder if the all stars selections feed into niukore starting over Laban and RTS being pulled completely?

Looking forward to seeing who suits up this weekend.

 

[John Nick]

I wonder if the all stars selections feed into niukore starting over Laban and RTS being pulled completely?

Looking forward to seeing who suits up this weekend.

Trials might not be so insignificant after all

 

[Wrighty]

TMM positions played in his career according to Rugby League Project

Fullback	24
Five-eighth	70
Halfback	18
Lock	1
Bench	11

 

[CWC]

TMM positions played in his career according to Rugby League Project

Fullback	24
Five-eighth	70
Halfback	18
Lock	1
Bench	11

Lock

Here we go

 

[Inruin]

Lock

Here we go

Oh man, we can't play EVERYONE at lock.

Or can we?

 

[CWC]

Oh man, we can't play EVERYONE at lock.

Or can we?

Let it go

 

[John Nick]

Oh man, we can't play EVERYONE at lock.

Or can we?

Maybe in Fantasy.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

How many times have TMM and Metcalf played together? Maybe it was because they are a new combination, notwithstanding TMM struggled at 6 with SJ as well.
Rugby league project says they have played together 4 times:
2023 pre season match
2024 pre season match
2025 pre season match
2024 August NSW cup match

Maybe they aren't' used to playing with each other much and it is just a matter of time. I gave Chat GPT some information and it produced this:
Below is a game‐by‐game breakdown outlining how a new halves pairing in the NRL might evolve over five games as they learn to play together:

Game One – The Initial Teething Phase

• Expectations:
  • Communication & Timing: The pair will still be finding their rhythm. You may see miscommunications on set plays and moments of hesitation, particularly from the stand-off (TMM), who might appear rushed or uncertain in his decision-making.
  • Individual Brilliance vs. Collective Flow: While the halfback (Luke Metcalf) might display composure and clear vision, the overall link-up with TMM could be patchy, leading to occasional errors or missed opportunities.
• Overall: The game is a testing ground, where both players get a feel for each other’s style, even if it means some early hiccups.

Game Two – Early Adjustments

• Expectations:
  • Building Communication: With one game’s experience under their belts, the duo will likely begin to adjust. TMM may show signs of slowing down his decision-making process, taking a bit more time to read the play and support the halfback.
  • Incremental Improvements: You might notice a reduction in misdirected passes or rushed plays, as both players start learning each other’s tendencies on the field.
• Overall: While still raw, there’s a visible effort toward synchronizing their play, with both players starting to communicate better during sets.

Game Three – Building Trust and Understanding

• Expectations:
  • Increased Awareness: By now, the pairing should exhibit greater awareness of each other’s positions and preferred movements. TMM might begin to settle into a more comfortable role, aligning his support runs and links with Luke’s playmaking.
  • Smoother Transitions: You can expect fewer miscommunications during quick plays and a more deliberate build-up from dummy-half to edge plays, signaling a growing trust between the halves.
• Overall: The duo is beginning to find a rhythm. Their interplay should be more fluid, although there might still be moments where adjustments are needed.

Game Four – Enhanced Fluidity and Game Management

• Expectations:
  • Refined Communication: With continued practice, pre-play signals and in-game adjustments become more natural. TMM’s decision-making is sharper, and he’s more in sync with Luke’s play calls.
  • Strategic Cohesion: The halves pairing can start to craft more sophisticated attacking plays. Their support lines and off-the-ball movements become integral to unlocking defensive structures, resulting in smarter, well-timed plays.
• Overall: The pairing is now less about individual errors and more about collaborative tactics. Their evolving understanding is evident in how they manipulate play and control the tempo.

Game Five – An Emerging Partnership

• Expectations:
  • Cohesive Unit: By this stage, you should see a halves combination that’s much more than the sum of its parts. Both players are more confident in their roles: Luke’s composure is complemented by TMM’s now more measured approach to linking and supporting.
  • Tactical Maturity: Their decisions become more instinctive, allowing for creative playmaking and efficient exploitation of opposition weaknesses. The chemistry on the field starts influencing overall team strategy positively.
• Overall: Although still evolving, the halves pairing has established a working partnership. The game plan is more consistent, and their collaboration is setting a solid foundation for further refinement as they continue to gel.

---

Summary:

• Game 1: Rough start with individual brilliance but poor synergy.
• Game 2: Early adjustments lead to better communication and fewer rushed decisions.
• Game 3: Building trust brings smoother transitions and improved support play.
• Game 4: Enhanced fluidity and tactical awareness lead to more cohesive plays.
• Game 5: An emerging, confident partnership that begins to influence the team’s overall strategy.

This progression mirrors how even the most promising halves pairings need time to build on-field chemistry, gradually transforming initial missteps into a well-coordinated, strategic partnership.

Feel TMM was more than just linking up though, when the ball went his was he didn’t offer much individually.

 

[Playdaball]

I’m hoping this year that the Warriors don’t dominate on the RH side , especially after Coach Webster basically said , he’d give Metcalf the keys to the car.
We need to use the LH side too , with RTS on that side.
Last year we became too predictable and all sides knew we’d go down that side of the field and either swing the ball out to DWZ , with CNK entering the line or we’d kick for the corners.
Use the LH side too … unless Kosi is there on the wing .

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I’ve been of that mindset but was impressed how he plucked that one out of the air on attack early in that trial. Starting to be tough to leave him out with the work he’s obviously putting in. Would imagine there’s a good chance DWZ doesn’t start the season looking at how he was holding that wrist, Tuaupiki takes his wing for me. If DWZ is fit, Webster has some big decisions to make. I think it’s just a matter of time before he’s a regular though, just in what position?

Taine showed that he had a mistake in him when he put the kickoff out on the full against Penrith last year.

But he also showed confidence in himself to get into the game and that day he showed a great range of qualities that benefit this team. Wing, fullback or halves and he'll go good

 

[run_it_str8_again]

It was a nice hitout for Metcalf. It seems like he has worked hard on his fitness as he was everywhere and tried to get himself involved. At one stage he even popped up outside of TMM on the left to create a nice play. If we go with a running 5/8, that should be TMM's role to provide that level of support not Metcalf. TMM seemed content with stationing himself on the right and just waiting for the ball to get to him. Didn't seem to be directing his side well either.

Webster has said a few times that he wants both halves to take control in their respective sides of the fields (from last year). However with TMM at 6 it simply does not eventuate. Either Webster is making weird comments that are unrelated to how he wants the team to play, or we have individuals who are not able to carry out the gameplan.

Bring on CHT.

At the end of the day it was simply a trial but still disappointed to see a lack of enterprising play. We seem to have a very lop sided squad in terms of salary cap expenditure with a primary focus on the forwards. Tie this in with the emerging crop of forwards knocking on the door. In the backs, the cupboard looks like pretty bare. Pompey is a good player to have as backup/depth. I wont say anything about Kosi since people seem to be living out their fantasy with him in the team. Might as well put a team of players who play social footy at the local football field on the weekends if we want to do that because we arent winning shit with players that close to what is supposedly a professional sporting team. Teams that want to win dont give jumpers out to park footballers as charity.

I'm picking TMM to kick on well this season. He and Luke just need to work out their non existent combination.

 

[Woofa]

Tuapiki at 6 is the answer. Im convinced. We have too little strike. Imagine it with him @ 6.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Feel TMM was more than just linking up though, when the ball went his was he didn’t offer much individually.

He looked lost when it came to him.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

He looked lost when it came to him.

He'll be alright once it matters I reckon. But there's no way I see our less than five different players in the halves this season

 

[SouthernWorrier]

Tuapiki at 6 is the answer. Im convinced. We have too little strike. Imagine it with him @ 6.

does he have any background in the halves?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

---

Negetives

• It’s hard to blame TMM for some of these broken plays—the whole side felt like a mess. He made some great deep runs and delivered quality passes, but nothing came of them because stuff like Pompey being positioned way too far back to take advantage of TMM dragging in extra defenders

The problem is as a playmaker, TMM should be directing players all the time. The fact that his side kept turning to shit isnt a good sign.

 

[sup42]

Strong defence Warriors, Raiders stuck inside their half

 

[sup42]

Raiders come in hard in reply to the Warriors defence