Pick Your Team Warriors vs Penrith [Finals , Week 1 2025]

[wizard of Tauranga]

Very good analysis. I concur.

Webby ball is simply the best defensive and low error players keeping the opposition out. Then get a few individualistic tries to outscore them.

Therefore we need our best defensive/ low error players and 3-4 attacking x-factor players.

Early season our x-factor was Metcalf, Leka, Lauatua and Tuaupiki. They drew defenders, stressed the opposition line, created gaps and put fatigue into the opposition.

Who are those x-factor players now? Why do we have statistically inferior defenders playing come playoffs?

That’s why bottom 8 teams have been beating us and why we need to go back to the template that won come finals.

With all due respect to TSS, his high minutes, offloads, breaks, etc are irrelevant because Bunty will statistically dominate 19/20 tackles and TSS will only stop 18/20. That could be the difference between losing by a try…

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Webby ball is simply the best defensive and low error players keeping the opposition out. Then get a few individualistic tries to outscore them.

Therefore we need our best defensive/ low error players and 3-4 attacking x-factor players.

Early season our x-factor was Metcalf, Leka, Lauatua and Tuaupiki. They drew defenders, stressed the opposition line, created gaps and put fatigue into the opposition.

Who are those x-factor players now? Why do we have statistically inferior defenders playing come playoffs?

That’s why bottom 8 teams have been beating us and why we need to go back to the template that won come finals.

With all due respect to TSS, his high minutes, offloads, breaks, etc are irrelevant because Bunty will statistically dominate 19/20 tackles and TSS will only stop 18/20. That could be the difference between losing by a try…

Cant believe a week out from finals we are talking about bunty making the bench.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

I don't want either of TSS or bunty on the bench, webby need to throw as much as we can at penrith.

Thats why I would start Leka here and move niukore to the bench middle for toeava.

Also think with Tuaupiki at the back and healey on the bench must all happen this week. No time to pick conservative.

There is no need for martin. Yes he covers, but none of them really that well.

If they want martin that bad, it should be for CHT.

 

[Rick O’Shay]

I can totally see Pompey making a swerve move to draw 2 defenders at the death, offloads to Roger, runs 40m and steps another defender, and offloads the ball inside to nobody in support. #2025WahsLife

In my version it's the GF and looming up inside Rog is either Healey, Leka or Demi. Job done.

 

[Warriors55]

Despite the limp way our regular season ended, doesn't it feel good to be back in the finals! I feel like even 1 finals game will be a good experience for our younger players moving forward.

I just hope Webby doesn't play it too safe with the selections. If Healey is left out and Capewell is at centre, it will be a little disappointing. But whoever is selected, let's hope they can do the job.

To beat Penrith we are going to need to have a near perfect game. I see the game going one of the following ways.

1. Penrith grind us out comfortably and we lose by 12 points.
2. We turn up defensively and either teams wins in a low scoring thriller.
3. Penrith turn it on and thump us by 20+
4. We don't just look to get into the grind and throw something at Penrith and get out to an early lead and we defend it.

In my opinion if we fall behind by 2 tries at any stage in the game we are done. Cleary's boot will dictate play and we won't get a look in. We don't have the x-factor to chase down a big deficit against the Penrith juggernaut. The first 20 minutes are absolutely crucial. We need to come out aggressive, controlled, mistake free. Don't fall behind early and the crowd might bring us home at the back end. We need to take calculated risks when the opportunity arises.

If Webby selects Capewell at centre and leaves out Healey he is probably going for option 2 above.

 

[Noitall]

Despite the limp way our regular season ended, doesn't it feel good to be back in the finals! I feel like even 1 finals game will be a good experience for our younger players moving forward.

I just hope Webby doesn't play it too safe with the selections. If Healey is left out and Capewell is at centre, it will be a little disappointing. But whoever is selected, let's hope they can do the job.

To beat Penrith we are going to need to have a near perfect game. I see the game going one of the following ways.

1. Penrith grind us out comfortably and we lose by 12 points.
2. We turn up defensively and either teams wins in a low scoring thriller.
3. Penrith turn it on and thump us by 20+
4. We don't just look to get into the grind and throw something at Penrith and get out to an early lead and we defend it.

In my opinion if we fall behind by 2 tries at any stage in the game we are done. Cleary's boot will dictate play and we won't get a look in. We don't have the x-factor to chase down a big deficit against the Penrith juggernaut. The first 20 minutes are absolutely crucial. We need to come out aggressive, controlled, mistake free. Don't fall behind early and the crowd might bring us home at the back end. We need to take calculated risks when the opportunity arises.

If Webby selects Capewell at centre and leaves out Healey he is probably going for option 2 above.

40/20’s have completely swung momentum in our last two games and something we’re going to need to be really aware of here too. Something we’re really lack is someone who can kick these

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Simple, TSS is the future. He has a higher ceiling while pumping out, as you say, similar output to Bunty even after only a handful of NRL games.

At first I didn't rate TSS after several games, but as of late I've grown partial to his performances and of he keeps on the upward trajectory he'll make a solid NRL prop in our team. We don't need a superstar prop with all the talented youthful forwards we have establishing themselves..

Agree fully.

Hopefully, we have a few game breakers in the team moving forward - we've seen what Leka and Metcalf can do, and hopefully moving forward players like Fatialofa, Kali and hopefully Ali start to come into their own in FG soon.

While everyone can't be game breakers, I think it's important to have players who compliment those guys - Tanner seems to get to his feet extremely fast and plays the ball quickly. That's key to getting a roll on, and hopefully with Egan and Healeys ability to run or create from the front foot with a defense going backwards, I think that's the base we want our non game breakers to provide. Ford, Fish, Mitch and TSS quick, fast funs into gaps, getting a quick play the ball for Healey to weave and jink before passing to Metcalf, who has Leka/Demi/Fatialofa running lines, with Ali/Kali as the option out the back.

If we get that right, we're going to be very dangerous in 2026-2029

 

[Warriors55]

40/20’s have completely swung momentum in our last two games and something we’re going to need to be really aware of here too. Something we’re really lack is someone who can kick these

That's a good point. They are massive momentum changes and often lead to tries.

I see Boyd has kicked 2 in NSW cup this season, let's hope he can kick one in the weekend for us.

 

[Noitall]

That's a good point. They are massive momentum changes and often lead to tries.

I see Boyd has kicked 2 in NSW cup this season, let's hope he can kick one in the weekend for us.

Cleary and Schneider a threat too so back 3 will need their wits about them

 

[Victor_Radley's_Scrotum]

These poor Panthers boys are going to cop an absolute ass whooping, oh boy I almost feel sorry for them

 

[WAH MAN]

My buzz is starting to build now.

I'm up for it this week. We are officially in the finals and let's hurt a lot of people's feelings by causing a boil over and advancing to week 2

 

[Leon Black]

1 Tuaupiki
2 DWZ
3 Pompey
4 CNK
5 RTS
6 CHT
7 TMM
8 JFH
9 Egan
10 Ford
11 Capewell
12 Niukore
13 Clark

14 Healey
15 EIT
16 Vaimauga
17 Halasima

18 TSS or if available Ali

You can’t carry Boyd at NRL level, let alone into a knockout semi. He chokes when it matters — goal kicking sums it up. He nails one from the sideline when the game’s already gone, but when the pressure’s on, he fades. No experience in big moments, but I can’t see Webster making the tough call here.

 

[CWC]

In my version it's the GF and looming up inside Rog is either Healey, Leka or Demi. Job done.

It'll be Berry with a halo behind his head

 

[slime]

Simple, TSS is the future. He has a higher ceiling while pumping out, as you say, similar output to Bunty even after only a handful of NRL games.

At first I didn't rate TSS after several games, but as of late I've grown partial to his performances and of he keeps on the upward trajectory he'll make a solid NRL prop in our team. We don't need a superstar prop with all the talented youthful forwards we have establishing themselves..

Yep, I totally get that. Just thought it might make better sense to bring Cup guys in slowly, ie: bring them up for a few games then give them a week back in cup, because it will take time to get used to the change of pace. You've got a pretty much like for like replacement there who could have slotted in without any disruption, and hopefully the result would have been fresh players raring to go each game. The gameplan relies on high completion rate and tackle % which has all been a bit flakey in recent months with some players looking out of sorts.

Too late now, but just something I noticed.

 

[Noitall]

NRL denies Warriors’ request to change kick-off, sparking fan outrage | Sporting News Australia

Warriors fans are facing a tough choice, forced to decide between cheering on their team or tuning in to watch the All Blacks, after the NRL refused to shift the kick-off for their home elimination final against Penrith.

www.sportingnews.com

Nrl has denied a request by Warriors to shift the kick off time so it didn’t clash with All Blacks

 

[Rick O’Shay]

NRL denies Warriors’ request to change kick-off, sparking fan outrage | Sporting News Australia

Warriors fans are facing a tough choice, forced to decide between cheering on their team or tuning in to watch the All Blacks, after the NRL refused to shift the kick-off for their home elimination final against Penrith.

www.sportingnews.com

Nrl has denied a request by Warriors to shift the kick off time so it didn’t clash with All Blacks

No choice required in this house

 

[Ref]

If we stay in the hunt most hybrid TV fans will stay on the league.
All Black rugby union has become almost as overhyped as SOO.

 

[Noitall]

No choice required in this house

Yeah neither here but we certainly don’t seem to be afforded any decent treatment by the nrl in recent times. Probably a big ask to have to change tv slots, but crazy to learn sharks have Nicho Hynes after providing a medical report supporting him when nrl deliberately went against Warriors providing a medical report suggesting Kaufusi getting a longer suspension for breaking Laban’s leg

 

[Dlenai]

Absolutely nothing to lose, all pundits are expecting the Panthers to win - no pressure to deliver

I prefer when we're underdogs as opposed to coming into this as favourites, and I expect the team probably feel the same way.

 

[Noitall]

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOUOtGoE6c3/

SJ always said that playing finals in his first year, he thought it would be that way every year. The exposure is going to be huge for these young guys