Pick Your Team Wests Tigers v NZ Warriors - [Round 4, 2026]

[Boats n Hoes]

Ive waxed lyrically about our pack in this thread but geez their performances so far has sent a warning shot to all comers that if u dont turn up ready to grind, or are even just a smidgen off your game we're gonna control that ruck all day. Cause our guys just dont switch off either side of the ball, for the whole 80.....not the biggest, strongest, or most powerful pack but its just all effort.....even from our young guys......its great that those effort areas are now ingrained in our DNA. Means we can go into every game knowing we're at least going to give ourselves the chance of winning.....such a change from the jeckyll and Hyde eras of yesteryear.
Current rotation takes me back to the Pricey/Benny Matts/Rapira/Lillyman days.....possibly even better.

I mean its still early days and yeah it could all go pear shaped but like i said, the effort areas just look ingrained now.

 

[WAH MAN]

I think we need both Taine and CNK. Taine is too good to leave out of the 13, adds a point of difference to our attack. CNK is a rock defensively and has the experience.

Taine 1, CNK 3

Poor Ali has been in 3 winning teams and is ready for forum crucifixion again.

 

[Cces]

CNK has only ever played 1 game at right Centre for either the Warriors or Kiwis & that was SJ's final game. He played well & should get an extended run there. Don't switch Pompey's side to accommodate because that removes this best weapon, his left foot step. Ali carries the ball in his left arm so if he wants to crack the side again it needs to be on the left

 

[cock_o]

Does Niukore look bigger this year? Like he has beefed up to be a permanent middle.

 

[Beastmode]

Does Niukore look bigger this year? Like he has beefed up to be a permanent middle.

RTS too

Looks thick

 

[Beastmode]

Prefer Marata to start in the second row and Leka and Demi to come on at the 20min mark to step it up a gear with fresh fast legs

The young hungry combo is no joke

Barney comes on in the last 10 to really tear it up

 

[Warriors55]

I would pick TT at full back if fit - easily. If Pompey is back, I would drop CNK to cup.

 

[Beastmode]

I would pick TT at full back if fit - easily. If Pompey is back, I would drop CNK to cup.

Doesn’t need to bash himself playing cup

An extra week if rest might do him good

 

[Warriors55]

Doesn’t need to bash himself playing cup

An extra week if rest might do him good

That's fine but what I am trying to say is that moving forward I think CNK should be playing cup if TT, Pompey and Ali are all fit.

 

[juju]

Trial form is important. I guess not.

 

[CWC]

I wouldn’t mind for the Storm game CNK right centre TT FB, Bellamy will be ruthless throwing plays at Ali all day, and Ali, Barney and Luke can be our aces on the bench depending on what we need to counter them

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Taine has to remain at fullback. He offers so much attaching flair and is defence is not too shabby either .
Barnett on the bench again and perhaps in future he comes in at second row ahead of Laban?

only thing with Taine is the height issue. Hunt jumping over him for the first try is not the first time he will be targeted for that. Bula is a tall man as well. But I think webby can work with him on it.

 

[Cces]

I wouldn’t mind for the Storm game CNK right centre TT FB, Bellamy will be ruthless throwing plays at Ali all day, and Ali, Barney and Luke can be our aces on the bench depending on what we need to counter them

I like this but don't think you can squeeze Luke Hanson & Ali onto the bench if both CHT & CNK play.
Assuming TT at #1 & CNK at #3 it will probably look like:

14 Healey
15 Barnett
16 Vaimauga
17 TSS
18 Niukore
20 Leiataua/Hanson

 

[CWC]

I like this but don't think you can squeeze Luke Hanson & Ali onto the bench if both CHT & CNK play.
Assuming TT at #1 & CNK at #3 it will probably look like:

14 Healey
15 Barnett
16 Vaimauga
17 TSS
18 Niukore
20 Leiataua/Hanson

I mean Luke Metcalf

Ya was thinking Ali 20 since Metcalf and Boyd can both play 7, I’d probably play Metcalf 14 Healey back to cup, CHT 6 and spells Egan

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Probably won't happen but would be stoked for him if Bunty got to play against us. He's better man-for-man than the other members of their starting pack imo. He deserves an NRL place somewhere.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

Probably won't happen but would be stoked for him if Bunty got to play against us. He's better man-for-man than the other members of their starting pack imo. He deserves an NRL place somewhere.

Great, love Bunty but it shows how stacked we are in the forwards......he would not get a look in.....TSS didn't play today even ...Capes to come back ...wow our forward pack is actually crazy. Barnett straight back to being Barnett after a damn ACL. Good times for us.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

1 C N Klokstad
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 C H Tavita
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 L Halasima
12 J Laban
13 E Clark

14 S Healey
15 D Vaimauga
16 M Barnett
17 M Niukore
18 T Tuaupiki
19 L Hanson

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

1 C N Klokstad
2 D W Zelezniak
3 A Leiataua
4 A Pompey
5 R T Sheck
6 C H Tavita
7 T Boyd
8 J F Harris c
9 W Egan
10 J Ford
11 L Halasima
12 J Laban
13 E Clark

14 S Healey
15 D Vaimauga
16 M Barnett
17 M Niukore
18 T Tuaupiki
19 L Hanson

Can we really leave out TT? Id find space for CNK too, was in great form.

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Can we really leave out TT? Id find space for CNK too, was in great form.

I know! But we need to see as much of Ali this year as possible! Otherwise he's scrap heap! We know what CNK and Tuaupiki bring.

I'd be torn if it was me, good luck to webby and who ever goes with will be the right call.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

I know! But we need to see as much of Ali this year as possible! Otherwise he's scrap heap! We know what CNK and Tuaupiki bring.

This is also true.....what a wonderful problem to have