Pick Your Team Storm v Warriors - [Round 6, 2025]

[Noitall]

I'm picking the same team that was supposed to be playing last night. Berry back in and Kosi out.
I would like to see Berry have a couple more weeks in the lower grade but I'm sure if he's fit he'll be playing first grade. As for which side he plays? Not sure. Does either he or Leiatua have a preferred side?

I can't see TMM getting back into the team in the near future unless there's an injury. I think Metcalf has a few more weeks grace to prove himself. And nobody did themselves any great harm last night apart from some embarrassing missed tackles up the middle so business as usual from AW

I agree regarding Berry. His first nsw cup game back, he was looking like his fitness could do with a couple more games in the grade to get back to the fitness required. Skills wise he looked great though

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Metcalf moves to 75% winning percentage

 

[Beastmode]

Cracks me up that prior to last night, no one wanted him anywhere near the team. (Not having a crack, I was one of them).

What a difference 24 hours makes..

Kosi made zero tackles last night. They never pressured him on attack which surprised me.

Storm on the other hand will throw everything until he cracks

Should be a dry fast track.
Prefer we protect him and ourselves with Pompey and Taine on the wing, Berry at Center

Everything else stays the same.

AW.

 

[Inruin]

Metcalf moves to 75% winning percentage

Kosi on 100%

 

[John Nick]

Kosi made zero tackles last night. They never pressured him on attack which surprised me.

Obviously Bellyache is a better judge of talent than most of us in this site.

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

MODERATORS

Can we start an “Early season review” thread or something similar? (I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes)
Give us something to discuss/concentrate on over the next couple of weeks during the bye.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I don’t expect us to beat the Storm. Just be competitive and stay in the fight. Put the hurt on them a bit.

I don't expect a win either but I do expect them to turn up and put in a full blown effort. Earn the right to win. Get it team!!!

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I think most teams try to go around us rather than through us. That's what the tigers seem to be trying to do as it became clear that we were too strong for them through the middle.

And yet 3/4 of the Tigers tries were through forward pack. Need to tighten that defence up on the line.

 

[Boston Boy]

MODERATORS

Can we start an “Early season review” thread or something similar? (I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes)
Give us something to discuss/concentrate on over the next couple of weeks during the bye.

We can just keep talking about the longest range try we have scored in the last 15 years! Leka

 

[peewee]

No changes apart from Berry back.

I think Boyd at 7
Luke at 6
Berry back
I really think Boyd is a great 7 with good boot and can organise us like a 7 should.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I think Boyd at 7
Luke at 6
Berry back
I really think Boyd is a great 7 with good boot and can organise us like a 7 should.

You only want good organisation to help you win. If you are unsatisfied with Metcalf’s win % then that’s on you.

CHT and Metcalf just beat Laui and Galvin.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

You only want good organisation to help you win. If you are unsatisfied with Metcalf’s win % then that’s on you.

CHT and Metcalf just bet Laui and Galvin.

We won despite our halves not because of them (albeit the goal kicking was top level)

100 sets on their line with nothing set up from out halves isn’t sustainable.

Our halves are gaining experience and doing the job in defence but there will be a point where major questions need to be asked.

And the question is which pairing can take us deepest into the finals. I’m thinking that answer is currently in NSW cup.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Disagree. We won despite our halves not because of them (albeit the goal kicking was top level)

100 sets on their line with nothing set up from out halves isn’t sustainable.

Our halves are gaining experience and doing the job in defence but there will be a point where major questions need to be asked.

And the question is which pairing can take us deepest into the finals. I’m thinking that answer is currently in NSW cup.

Couldnt disagree more.

Winning is everything and not worshipping that is a losing mentality. Especially with non interchangeable parts such as the spine.

Metcalf was 100% with the boot and we won by 2. The disrespect is breathtaking.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

We won despite our halves not because of them

Bold statement. Very bold.

To imply (if I'm gauging you correctly) that our halves contributed nothing on attack/ hindered our attack is nuts.

Now, if you were to say that Metcalfs not a top halfback, sure.

But a hinderence?

Edit: Misread halves for metcalf. Point still stands.

 

[John Nick]

We won despite our halves not because of them (albeit the goal kicking was top level)

100 sets on their line with nothing set up from out halves isn’t sustainable.

Our halves are gaining experience and doing the job in defence but there will be a point where major questions need to be asked.

And the question is which pairing can take us deepest into the finals. I’m thinking that answer is currently in NSW cup.

Just remember Wiz there's light years between Cup and NRL.
Higher intensity, ability, speed, strength etc etc
Our Cup guys have been great but up against very weak defences. Not a true indicator

 

[Tohu’s_Knees]

We won despite our halves not because of them (albeit the goal kicking was top level)

100 sets on their line with nothing set up from out halves isn’t sustainable.

Our halves are gaining experience and doing the job in defence but there will be a point where major questions need to be asked.

And the question is which pairing can take us deepest into the finals. I’m thinking that answer is currently in NSW cup.

We’re not going to win it this year. So what are we actually gaining there?
IMO, we should have an eye on 2027.

If Metcalf and CHT can get 40+ games each over the next 2 seasons. And 35+ together as a combo. I think we’ll be better placed than most other clubs. In the sense we’ll actually have a settled halves combo.

By round 1, 2027
CHT, 111 games
Metcalf, 65 games
Plus 3 seasons of just being around each other.

If we really were to replace someone it’d be Metcalf, not cause CHT is a better player but because he’s probably going to be here.
But that’s probably not gonna happen so all in on Metcalf and CHT, with TMM first call up for either the 6 or 7.
Boyd can bounce.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Bold statement. Very bold.

To imply (if I'm gauging you correctly) that our halves contributed nothing on attack/ hindered our attack is nuts.

Now, if you were to say that Metcalfs not a top halfback, sure.

But a hinderence?

Edit: Misread halves for metcalf. Point still stands.

I’ll stand by my view that we would have won by substantially more with different halves. Our winning is through our pack; defence and individual brilliance.

There is no ‘flow’, structure or combinations from the halves at the moment.

Happy to agree to disagree though and am not calling for their replacement until they have had adequate time to prove themselves.

(Funny how you assumed I meant Metcalf… wonder why )

 

[steakncheese]

I think the halves need to be more vocal with Wade. Whether he’s trying to protect them or whatever his service is late. If it was SJ he’d be telling him straight from the deck bro, give me time.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

(Funny how you assumed I meant Metcalf… wonder why )

Weirdly enough there's been a lot of chatter recently about him lately.

But I'll cop that.

Regardless, I can see why people will agree with you. I just think you're assuming a lot and ignoring too much by proposing a hypothetical change in halves partners will get better results.

But hey, it's a long season. You might get to find out.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Just remember Wiz there's light years between Cup and NRL.
Higher intensity, ability, speed, strength etc etc
Our Cup guys have been great but up against very weak defences. Not a true indicator

Boyd and TMM have had plenty of first grade experience and have had success at the top level.

They would have every chance of nailing it, with so much good front foot ball laid as a platform by our pack.

I feel that platform isn’t being capitalised on but accept all 4 of our halves have their strengths and weaknesses with none really commanding the top spots.