Also I would assume the same rules will be run for cup so 6 man bench for cup games too?
General Warriors Preseason 2026
- Thread starter WahsaurusRex
- Start date
The first pre season game, probably see the new recruits among the mix, Gannon, Mellars, AKP plus those who tore up preseason training etc... Second game possible rnd 1 team and bench .. I think if 1 or 2 maybe more who did enough to impress in game 1 may find themselves in game 2, then 1 or 2 of the incumbents could find themselves in cup come rd 1
WHB
🛡️
Wonder if a rookie will pop up every now and then?????
WHB
🛡️
that’s such a dumb rule change, webby can’t even use 4 players.
There’s a good chance you have 2 players warming the bench for 80 every week
What do you mean good chance? There will always be two players warming the bench every week. You can only use 4 players on the bench out of the 6
and the same rule applies to all teams not just the warriors..
Selections are going to be entertaining; 3 core forward rotation but instead of a 'supersub' 3 key position replacements and/or 'hail mary' players if we're getting rolled and need to roll the dice a bit. For mine that would be a Healey or Tuapiki or even AKP. I think it will suit Webby as most coaches will surely do what he tends to and sits on the player until the last 20m barring injuries. My guess would be Healey #5 and maybe one of the young halves #6.
The disruption would be how do we spell Egan if our 'core' is 3 x forwards or do we just expect him to roll to that 60m mark...?
Will TMM see less gametime as the backline utility emergency sub only. I like him but I think it's fair to say he doesn't spark the team
Can't wait to see how they play it.
Bevosa
🌅
The 6 man bench is confirmed, I can’t say I’m a fan of the idea yet.
Our real strength is our forward depth, so it makes sense to load the bench with four forwards, likely Marata, Ford, Demi, and one of TSS or EIT.
TMM has reportedly been training reps at centre, which gives him genuine versatility, covering hooker, both halves, and centre. TT on the bench then provides coverage for wing and fullback.
I’d expect Healy to continue playing 80 in Cup this year and comes into first grade roughly once a month. That gives TMM Cup game time while allowing Egan a 20–30 minute breather.
I hope Ford has put on some more size, he has had to change his body type to move to the middle, never an easy or fast thing to do, this is his 2nd preseason since the change.
Our real strength is our forward depth, so it makes sense to load the bench with four forwards, likely Marata, Ford, Demi, and one of TSS or EIT.
TMM has reportedly been training reps at centre, which gives him genuine versatility, covering hooker, both halves, and centre. TT on the bench then provides coverage for wing and fullback.
I’d expect Healy to continue playing 80 in Cup this year and comes into first grade roughly once a month. That gives TMM Cup game time while allowing Egan a 20–30 minute breather.
I hope Ford has put on some more size, he has had to change his body type to move to the middle, never an easy or fast thing to do, this is his 2nd preseason since the change.
Not that I think it will happen, but imo Healey for 20-30 min each game would really improve our overall attacking game, especially if he's coming on against tiring defenders. It's doubly beneficial for us too, as it preserves Egan a little more each game and hopefully wouldn't get as burnt out as he has seemed to the last 2 years.
Id have that in my game plan from very early on in the season, and as you'd have Healey on either in the 2nd half or last 10 min of the first half, it gives you the opportunity to see how the game is playing out and adjust accordingly with who else you may have on your bench.
I can't imagine Healey staying on past next year if he's not getting good regular came time too so I'm interested to see how that pans out
CWC
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That’s as packed as Waikato Hospital A&E!
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