Gameday - Warriors v Tigers

[nswarrior]

I am shocked how well the season has gone so far and what a strong Warriors team we have for 2026 and a coach who gets a lot of credit for it.

I didn’t see this coming and long may it continue.

Our forward pack should be too strong for the Tigers. Can’t wait to see Luke back in the halves although likely to be a bit rusty. The backs should match the Tigers.

We are hot favourites with the bookies which makes me nervous given our 30 year history of disappointments but surely we got this.

Hope to see a great halves combo building.

Go Warriors!!

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Didn't see it coming is right...I remember posting early season that Metcalf couldn't come back soon enough and if he was back round 8 or so, we might be 2-5 or so by then. Now, him coming back is a luxury that we feel we could do without, if we had to.

A team is going to beat us one week because they'll expose an edge defense, obviously most likely being that right side. Until they do, we just match up so well across the board.

The fact that guys like TT, CHT, TSS can't make our 17 is genuinely nuts. Three guys in great form who would piss in to other sides.

The wet track might hold us back a bit but I expect us to dominate territory and win by 18 or so

 

[nswarrior]

Didn't see it coming is right...I remember posting early season that Metcalf couldn't come back soon enough and if he was back round 8 or so, we might be 2-5 or so by then. Now, him coming back is a luxury that we feel we could do without, if we had to.

A team is going to beat us one week because they'll expose an edge defense, obviously most likely being that right side. Until they do, we just match up so well across the board.

The fact that guys like TT, CHT, TSS can't make our 17 is genuinely nuts. Three guys in great form who would piss in to other sides.

The wet track might hold us back a bit but I expect us to dominate territory and win by 18 or so

Agree - the depth is what gives me confidence. Of course we will have a few disappointing games - everyone does, even the Panthers. But I have seen enough to believe it’s going to be a very good season

 

[Izz]

I'm getting worried lol

Jacko and Boyd have been getting praised and interviewed all over Australian media, we're massive favourites, and we're due an average performance.

Plus, the Tigs lost to Souths but they weren't terrible, and they match up pretty well against us across a fair few stats. Yeah I know Luai's out, and Benji's probably playing games by naming Doueihi, but I'm still worried

We've got to keep that 'dogs in defense' mentality we've had the first 3 weeks. If our D is relentless we'll wear them down

 

[Izz]

Ali knocked back to Cup...

So does that mean CNK to centre and TT to fullback?

 

[nswarrior]

Ali knocked back to Cup...

So does that mean CNK to centre and TT to fullback?

Wtf - I didn’t think he was that bad and he was improving. I didn’t see that coming to be honest. And Ali is captain in Cup

 

[Izz]

Wtf - I didn’t think he was that bad and he was improving. I didn’t see that coming to be honest. And Ali is captain in Cup

Yeah neither did I. Webby pulling out all sorts of tricks this week.

Looks like Bunty is playing Cup as well so we won't see him playing against us in FG

 

[nswarrior]

Yeah neither did I. Webby pulling out all sorts of tricks this week.

Looks like Bunty is playing Cup as well so we won't see him playing against us in FG

I suppose based on performance TT deserves the fullback spot and CNK has been reliable and performed well too

 

[Izz]

I suppose based on performance TT deserves the fullback spot and CNK has been reliable and performed well too

Maybe Webby's got another trick up his sleeve. Won't know the final lineups until an hour before kickoff so I guess we'll see what happens lol

 

[nswarrior]

Maybe Webby's got another trick up his sleeve. Won't know the final lineups until an hour before kickoff so I guess we'll see what happens lol

We do know Ali is out. Tell you that would have thrown the West Tigers plans out the window as they would have identified the weakness on defence and were planning on targeting him

 

[Izz]

Ali lets the Tigers reggies in for their first try, then scores our first lol

Sums him up

 

[Izz]

Patrick Herbert trying to break some necks lol

 

[Big Marn]

how wet is the track. Its been cats and dogs in the far north but not sure if Auckland copped the same.
I always worry a wet track will level the teams and make luck more of a factor.

 

[Izz]

how wet is the track. Its been cats and dogs in the far north but not sure if Auckland copped the same.
I always worry a wet track will level the teams and make luck more of a factor.

Looks pretty good, considering. Maybe slightly heavy but AKP certainly looks as fast as usual

 

[hitro]

 

[Izz]

Have more thoughts re the reggies game in the Development/Grades thread but on Ali: looks very low on defensive confidence. He might be in Cup for a few weeks. Always a threat with ball in hand, though, and knows how to create space for his winger

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Wow, Webby is a new man in 2026.

 

[nswarrior]

Wow, Webby is a new man in 2026.

A couple of years ago he wouldn’t change anything game after game even when we were losing

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Wtf - I didn’t think he was that bad and he was improving. I didn’t see that coming to be honest. And Ali is captain in Cup

I feel like we’ve been really lucky with Ali that they haven’t exposed him more. Webby clearly agrees

 

[Izz]

Grind through the first 8 minutes