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

[Lance155]

I don't think you do.... maybe.

To me it really depends how sustainable our style of footy is. If we are hitting the end of the season and still playing with this intensity, then we are in white hot form.

I just don't know if it's even possible. It's a long season and our boys are pounding the shit out of whoever is infront of them. My only concern is the same issue that the doggies have suffered from; end of season burnout.

Honestly every season is split into 2. The first third is where solid defence and simple game plans (executed well) win out. The last 2 thirds is where the top teams rise and you need more complex attack and defense to excel.

 

[Garry Saloon]

You guys are freaking me out, whenever this forum is this confident we lose...

We were confident last week mate. Enjoy the good times.

 

[RobRoyMcCoy]

I am still shocked and bewildered by the naming of Metcalf. Webby showing balls to stick with Tannah and put Metcalf, the golden future seven, in at six which most of us probably think is his best position. Like other posters, if Tanwah and Luka can actually gel and make it work, it could be one of the most devastating halves combos in the NRL, especially with Egan feeding them. I guess it all comes down to chemistry and repetition.

To be fair to Chanel he has been outstanding as the Robin to Tanwah's Batman. It is good to know that if it doesn't work we can revert to that pairing, although that would be a bad outcome for Metcalf.

I am not convinced that TT should be dropped given his impact on our team performance. However Charnze is qwalitay at Fullback so it is hard to argue with Webby on this one. Hopefully it inspires Charnze to one of his epic toils up the guts.

Apart from Metcalf, I am most excited about seeing how our forward pack go. Unless the Tigers pack pull out a herculean effort, I suspect that over the course of the 80 minutes we will put them through the mincer and open us space and time for Tanwah, Luka and our try scoring front rowers ;p

If Adam Doehei doesn't play, then up the guts all day long is my guess for our winning of the game. I suspect the totally under-the-radar-but-magnificent Egan will have an absolute field day, as will Healy if he gets on.

Also excited to watch the NSW cup team with Tia, Neale etc. learning their craft.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I just wanted to throw a bit of perspective as to the start of our season, compared to the high point of last year.


View: https://youtu.be/EA9_jl1oIcQ?si=v3zGwFcraYVM4D3t

1) we look far fitter and far more intense at the moment.

2) Luke is very good at linking up with the younger lads.

3) CNK is clutch in defence.

So what?

Well, here's my thoughts.

1) Tanah has been really good at linking up with the rest of the team. I'm not saying that Luke won't be, but what I'm saying is that there's strengths to having both out on the field.

2) Luke should, in theory, have to do less of the core attacking and can focus on the x factor stuff that we know he has in him.

3) both halves are supported by a much fitter and grindier team this year.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this is going to work. In my opinion, we could be looking at a Penrith style workrate, with more creative options in attack.

Less safe than Penrith, but more explosive.

at least for this week, I'm sure the plan is for TB to take control as a way for Mets to ease into his first game back. Let Tannah take care of the kicking (both general and goal kicking) and Mets can focus on looking for opportunities to run.

Something I feel we are missing is fast support play. When TB made that break down the sideline, it was a bit worrying that it was JFH who was the main support back through the middle. Luckily his strength and power got him to the line, But it would have been an easier thing if it was Mets backing up on the inside. TT and Wayde made many breaks through the middle in the first half last week but there was no support back on the inside. Mets coming back hopefully changes that dynamic.

 

[WAH MAN]

at least for this week, I'm sure the plan is for TB to take control as a way for Mets to ease into his first game back. Let Tannah take care of the kicking (both general and goal kicking) and Mets can focus on looking for opportunities to run.

Something I feel we are missing is fast support play. When TB made that break down the sideline, it was a bit worrying that it was JFH who was the main support back through the middle. Luckily his strength and power got him to the line, But it would have been an easier thing if it was Mets backing up on the inside. TT and Wayde made many breaks through the middle in the first half last week but there was no support back on the inside. Mets coming back hopefully changes that dynamic.

Here's hoping it was just the high humidity. Taine was good at fast backup but Metty is fast too. Excited for this game.

 

[Ref]

Possible burnout can be tempered by smart rotation.
We could have this forward pack and bench one week
JFH
Egan
Barney
Capewell
Leka
Clark

Healey
Gannon
TSS
Ford

Following Week
Nuikore
Egan
Demi
Laban
Fatialofa
Clark

Healey
Ford
TSS
EIT

CHT
Sikuvea
Salalilo

In the wings

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Mets coming back hopefully changes that dynamic.

Maloney/SJ circa. 2011, here we come.

 

[Citygirl]

You guys are freaking me out, whenever this forum is this confident we lose...

Freaks me out too, but we've got every right to be confident, not cocky

 

[Canonball]

Freaks me out too, but we've got every right to be confident, not cocky

Honestly can't see them getting near us, it really should be a matter of making sure we're keyed in

 

[sydneywarrior92]

I think Wests get treated with kids gloves in the media because they have been the NRL charity case for so long. So much talk about how gutsy the Tigers were v the Bunnies. But the reality is that game was a fraud check for them. Like Newcastle before them, they were made to look good by the cows who are in the running for this year's wooden spoon. The moment they faced a half decent opposition that gave them limited time and space to play Benji ball, they folded like a dinner suit. Wests fans like to blame the loss of Luai/Douehi for their clunkiness in attack, but really they were looking rudderless well before they got taken off the field.

Souths themselves are no world beaters: they may have class on the edges but their pack is bottom 4 like the cowboys imo. They are also an incredibly dumb footy team that gave the Tigers multiple opportunities to win that game (that 8 pt try was unforgivable as well as the penalty straight after their third try which immediately surrendered their lead). Yet the tigers still struggled to put them away.

Tigers fans have rocks in their heads if they think they can out-physical us at home when neither Canberra or the Roosters were up to the job. The pack they are bringing over is basically the same one that we belted last year at MSS. Royce Hunt provides some impact for them off the bench, but he can barely last 20 minutes whereas our bench can go for days. We will get over the top of them over the course of the 80 minutes: we just have to be patient.

We are becoming Penrith like in our final quarter domination: we lead the league in final quarter tries scored and are third in final quarter tries conceded (after Penrith and Dogs). Unless we absolutely shit the bed and gift them a 13+ lead heading into the final quarter, I cannot see how we lose this.

 

[BlackToko88]

be total buildups if metcalf is cut last minute especially with all the social media posts ans 1news coverage

Rain radar no rain after 12pm so migbt be a bit slippery but shouldnt be stormy or anything

 

[Naynay]

be total buildups if metcalf is cut last minute especially with all the social media posts ans 1news coverage

Rain radar no rain after 12pm so migbt be a bit slippery but shouldnt be stormy or anything

Anyone heard any rumors of the training session talk seemed to be if he looked ready today he would be in.

I won’t be surprised to see CHT come in with the 24 hour team list

 

[BlackToko88]

got a sneaky feeling mitch and metcalf are ruled out for friday

 

[out the gate]

Speaking of sellouts, I'm wondering if we get close to a first ever league sellout at the Caketin for the Dolphins ANZAC clash - there weren't all that many left on the Ticketek map last time I checked (already got mine with a group of mates).

Think the biggest league crowd there was for one of the Bulldogs games, in the mid 20k range (edit: was 30k in 2013 ), and last game there (R1 '23 v Knights) was pre the UPTHEWAHS movement hah!

Let's hope the crowd behaves this time. I was at the Knights game & as much as I love a laugh, I thought the few that made it onto the field during & post game were a bunch of clowns & so not what the game's about. Piss goes in & brains go out.

 

[CWC]

Hah, those Tui orange shirts were quite the campaign - I got one of the first ones (with the big target on the front) but the closest I got to a catch was a dude about 10 rows behind me at Westpac Stadium wearing a suit (and not a prize-winning shirt) catching one-handed while balancing his fish 'n chips in his other hand

LOL I know that one I can’t find it online, guy in black business suit right hand catch then in Christ the Redeemer stance to show how based he was

 

[CWC]

I think Wests get treated with kids gloves in the media because they have been the NRL charity case for so long. So much talk about how gutsy the Tigers were v the Bunnies. But the reality is that game was a fraud check for them. Like Newcastle before them, they were made to look good by the cows who are in the running for this year's wooden spoon. The moment they faced a half decent opposition that gave them limited time and space to play Benji ball, they folded like a dinner suit. Wests fans like to blame the loss of Luai/Douehi for their clunkiness in attack, but really they were looking rudderless well before they got taken off the field.

Souths themselves are no world beaters: they may have class on the edges but their pack is bottom 4 like the cowboys imo. They are also an incredibly dumb footy team that gave the Tigers multiple opportunities to win that game (that 8 pt try was unforgivable as well as the penalty straight after their third try which immediately surrendered their lead). Yet the tigers still struggled to put them away.

Tigers fans have rocks in their heads if they think they can out-physical us at home when neither Canberra or the Roosters were up to the job. The pack they are bringing over is basically the same one that we belted last year at MSS. Royce Hunt provides some impact for them off the bench, but he can barely last 20 minutes whereas our bench can go for days. We will get over the top of them over the course of the 80 minutes: we just have to be patient.

We are becoming Penrith like in our final quarter domination: we lead the league in final quarter tries scored and are third in final quarter tries conceded (after Penrith and Dogs). Unless we absolutely shit the bed and gift them a 13+ lead heading into the final quarter, I cannot see how we lose this.

They actually beat penrith during heavy rain one year, but we are pretty good in the rain now, makes me wonder if we play Penrith in the rain we might belt them if they still can’t do rain…

 

[Wrighty]

Hah, those Tui orange shirts were quite the campaign - I got one of the first ones (with the big target on the front) but the closest I got to a catch was a dude about 10 rows behind me at Westpac Stadium wearing a suit (and not a prize-winning shirt) catching one-handed while balancing his fish 'n chips in his other hand

That was on TV and the man was Ollie Newton who happened to be by coincidence a Wellington Firebird fast bowler at the time. I have faced him in the nets for my club.

 

[Garry Saloon]

at least for this week, I'm sure the plan is for TB to take control as a way for Mets to ease into his first game back. Let Tannah take care of the kicking (both general and goal kicking) and Mets can focus on looking for opportunities to run.

Something I feel we are missing is fast support play. When TB made that break down the sideline, it was a bit worrying that it was JFH who was the main support back through the middle. Luckily his strength and power got him to the line, But it would have been an easier thing if it was Mets backing up on the inside. TT and Wayde made many breaks through the middle in the first half last week but there was no support back on the inside. Mets coming back hopefully changes that dynamic.

The support play against the Knights wasn't where it was in the first two rounds. But by all accounts it was hot as hell and humid to boot. Did you see Leka when he got the try? Didn't have it in him to jump up or celebrate. I think everyone was buggered for much of the game.

 

[Garry Saloon]

got a sneaky feeling mitch and metcalf are ruled out for friday

Where'd you hear that?

 

[Beastmode]

Possible burnout can be tempered by smart rotation.
We could have this forward pack and bench one week
JFH
Egan
Barney
Capewell
Leka
Clark

Healey
Gannon
TSS
Ford

Following Week
Nuikore
Egan
Demi
Laban
Fatialofa
Clark

Healey
Ford
TSS
EIT

CHT
Sikuvea
Salalilo

In the wings

Too soon for burnout

Feel the team haven’t reached peak yet…

Reckon rd 6 after the Storm we need to give Ford, Clark, Egan, JFH a spell … get the fresh legs in - Gannon, TSS, EIT, Healey… let them step up

Capewell should be back also