Pick Your Team Warriors v Manly - [Round 2, 2025]

[BlackToko88]

1. CNK
2. Tuaupiki
3. Pompey
4. Leiataua
5. RTS
6. CHT
7. Metcalf
8. Fisher-Harris
9. Egan
10. Afoa
11. Halasima
12. Laban
13. Ale

14. Walker
15. Vaimauga
16. Barnett
17. Clark

In: Afoa, Laban, Ale.
Out: Ford, Capewell, Niukore.

Forwards - we got dominated physically in the middle in Round 1, that cannot happen if we're any chance to win games in this competition. Our edges were sluggish and lacked any offensive or defensive threat, again, that can't be the case going forward. Barnett isn't a 13 in this side, we've seen how good he can be coming off the bench in the middle. He can sub Fish after 25-30 minutes so we have 1 of our captains on the field at all times. Bunty and Ale solidify the middle for the early stages, we simply cannot be dominated and exhausted like we were in Round 1. Laban is the future on that left edge, and Halasima on the right, time to take the leashes off, they won't be perfect but they will play with energy and desire which can't be said for Capewell and Niukore.

Backs: You can only piss with the dick you've got... we know we're slow but reality says that's not going to change in the short term. I'd move Ali to the left to combine with RTS and Laban, Pompey plays on the right until Berry is back to 1st grade fitness. I think Metcalf and CNK will be a decent enough halves combination if the forwards can at minimum hold parity in the middle. CNK holds his spot at fullback until DWZ returns and Tuaupiki becomes our #1.

Bench: Energy, Energy, Energy and more Energy.

Has Ale played much lock before? Ive only seen him play middle/off bench

 

[Riz]

Has Ale played much lock before? Ive only seen him play middle/off bench

I don't have the stats, but he has played a bit of 13. He hasn't been given many chances in recent times with Kalani Going having a mortgage on that position in the cup side and Tohu in 1st grade, but i think it's his best position.

 

[Inruin]

I don't have the stats, but he has played a bit of 13. He hasn't been given many chances in recent times with Kalani Going having a mortgage on that position in the cup side and Tohu in 1st grade, but i think it's his best position.

Has anyone heard why Ale didn't even make the squad to Vegas after he had been featuring regularly in the team last season?

 

[Riz]

Has anyone heard why Ale didn't even make the squad to Vegas after he had been featuring regularly in the team last season?

I can only assume it's because Webby prefers older, slower players

 

[Beastmode]

Dammit I forgot we’re not playing Manly this weekend but the week after.

Maybe two weeks for Webby to wake up to his selection mistakes is a blessing in disguise.

But if he picks the same old same old I fear some of you gonna have a mental breakdown …..,, this gonna be fun

 

[Mr Drag]

Dammit I forgot we’re not playing Manly this weekend but the week after.

Maybe two weeks for Webby to wake up to his selection mistakes is a blessing in disguise.

But if he picks the same old same old I fear some of you gonna have a mental breakdown …..,, this gonna be fun

I thought what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? It's still haunting me!

 

[Tookey 2.0]

I'm torn about the halves. I've preferred TMM and have said that all along, but if Webby has picked CHT you surely need to give him a few more opportunities after the shit show of Vegas.

Yes, he wasn't great but I do think most halves would have struggled behind the performance our pack put in.

My question is, how much time do you give CHT? Currently at 71 games and 25 years of age. There can't be many more opportunities before he's chucked on the scrap heap.

Fun fact - if you remove all the games were Boyd and CHT played less than 30 minutes, they both have similar try assists, despite Boyd playing off the bench more. CHT with more tries and better defensively, but as a half Boyd has the same amount of try assists and a superior kicking game...

 

[Neo]

Has anyone heard why Ale didn't even make the squad to Vegas after he had been featuring regularly in the team last season?

I’d imagine for the balance of the squad that they were taking away that it was a decision between him and Bunty. Essentially both have been surpassed by Demetric and Leka now

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 T Tuaupiki
2 C N Klokstad
3 R Berry
4 A Leiataua
5 R T Sheck
6 C H Tavita
7 L Metcalf
8 J F Harris c 50mins
9 W Egan 50 mins
10 M Barnett c 60 mins
11 J Laban (Left Edge) 80 mins
12 K Capewell 65 mins
13 E Clark 30 mins

14 D Walker 50mins
15 B Afoa 30 mins
16 D Vaimauga 35 mins (edge and Front row)
17 S Healey 30 mins

18 L Halasima

How has Bunty pushed his way up my thinking! I mean the guy ripped in the ttrials.

FUCK JACKSON FORD!!!!!

 

[Noitall]

I'm torn about the halves. I've preferred TMM and have said that all along, but if Webby has picked CHT you surely need to give him a few more opportunities after the shit show of Vegas.

Yes, he wasn't great but I do think most halves would have struggled behind the performance our pack put in.

My question is, how much time do you give CHT? Currently at 71 games and 25 years of age. There can't be many more opportunities before he's chucked on the scrap heap.

Fun fact - if you remove all the games were Boyd and CHT played less than 30 minutes, they both have similar try assists, despite Boyd playing off the bench more. CHT with more tries and better defensively, but as a half Boyd has the same amount of try assists and a superior kicking game...

I thought Metcalf was the one needing to show more rather than CHT. In my mind he’s failed his first audition and needs to step up. All fine and good to want to play halfback, but he has to show he’s worthy of it too

 

[Riz]

1 T Tuaupiki
2 C N Klokstad
3 R Berry
4 A Leiataua
5 R T Sheck
6 C H Tavita
7 L Metcalf
8 J F Harris c 50mins
9 W Egan 50 mins
10 M Barnett c 60 mins
11 J Laban (Left Edge) 80 mins
12 K Capewell 65 mins
13 E Clark 30 mins

14 D Walker 50mins
15 B Afoa 30 mins
16 D Vaimauga 35 mins (edge and Front row)
17 S Healey 30 mins

18 L Halasima

How has Bunty pushed his way up my thinking! I mean the guy ripped in the ttrials.

FUCK JACKSON FORD!!!!!

Surely Bunty has to start or not at all.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Surely Bunty has to start or not at all.

I just want him in the team, don't care if he's starts.

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Surely Bunty has to start or not at all.

How does he start though. Barney to 13 was a failure so I expect that to be the only change for next week.

 

[Riz]

I just want him in the team, don't care if he's starts.

You're preaching to the choir brother, for me he holds shit together in the middle for the first 30 rather than being impact off the bench.

 

[Riz]

How does he start though. Barney to 13 was a failure so I expect that to be the only change for next week.

Barnett comes off the bench mate, he was so good in that role in 23'.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Barnett comes off the bench mate, he was so good in that role in 23'.

Mate Barney made the NSW and Aussie teams last year from prop.

He's not going to lose that spot to fit someone else in like Bunty.

He'd only be moved for game changing superstars.

Like Jackson Ford lol

 

[Riz]

Mate Barney made the NSW and Aussie teams last year from prop.

He's not going to lose that spot to fit someone else in like Bunty.

He'd only be moved for game changing superstars.

Like Jackson Ford lol

Haha, too soon brother.

I don't see it as a demotion playing off the bench, his total minutes wouldn't really change but it allows us to have a captain on the field at all times. What's the point of having co-captains if they're sitting next to each other on the bench after 30 minutes.

 

[Naynay]

Mate Barney made the NSW and Aussie teams last year from prop.

He's not going to lose that spot to fit someone else in like Bunty.

He'd only be moved for game changing superstars.

Like Jackson Ford lol

Poor Jackson, I feel hes become a bit of a fave target here, just had a look at his stats from Vegas he was pretty much on par with Barrnett in every stat. Missed 2 tackles and 1 error in addition (although i think the error was the six again before the first try which is a bit unfair on him)

He's a solid player and I don't think he was the problem on the weekend just the most visible through no fault of his own.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Poor Jackson, I feel hes become a bit of a fave target here, just had a look at his stats from Vegas he was pretty much on par with Barrnett in every stat. Missed 2 tackles and 1 error in addition (although i think the error was the six again before the first try which is a bit unfair on him)

He's a solid player and I don't think he was the problem on the weekend just the most visible through no fault of his own.

It's dumb coaching, how is a guy ready for 51 mins straight in that cauldron after only one half of a trial? He was out there far too long!

 

[Mr Drag]

Haha, too soon brother.

I don't see it as a demotion playing off the bench, his total minutes wouldn't really change but it allows us to have a captain on the field at all times. What's the point of having co-captains if they're sitting next to each other on the bench after 30 minutes.

Fish first 25m then last 25m and Barnett comes on after Fish 25m and stays on for rest of game! So we have both for the last 25m