Nice to see DWZ back. Some yarns around waiting to see if RTS will be match ready or not. 

I think RTS might play as planned round 11. 

Metcalf wins another close game this time with a field goal not to mention his 7th try this season. That was pure Grit win. Once you keep losing your middle forwards, especially Ford, that puts so much pressure on other players to make up for his big minutes and big defense. That dominos into no go forward and then eventually the backs tire out from hitting it up. So for me TMM coming on to play lock, as a Half Back/Full Back, and to do the job extremely well, was massive. 

Warriors when they start to peak, with this defense, could end up being a strong contender. But they need some 80 minute wins both offense/defense.

But its much nicer winning these close games, especially some of the top teams weve played to get the 2 points than it go against us like last year where we were struggling at this point. To only need 6 wins from 14 games remaining to make the 8 is a very different feeling. Resilient.

NRL Warriors 2nd place Official NRL Ladder for 2025 Premiership Season | NRL.com

NSW Cup Warriors (Res G) 1st place dominating with a 151 point positive differential. Some solid talent coming through. 2025 Ladder | NSWRL

Warriors NSW Cup this week put on 46pts before clocking off and Raiders came back with 30, not the best 2nd half of defense which culled the scoring. 

I think the Bears game was a better complete game The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights | Round Nine - Bears v Warriors | NSWRL

It shows just how good the combo of Lussick feeding Boyd and TMM is creating havoc., Boyd and TMM are both pushing that halves combo and Lussick has developed into a player we wouldnt want to lose as an obvious replacement for Egan, but could also play small forward utility. Along with Boyd who was named in the 1st grade extended side this weekend. Hes piling on the runs with his pin point conversions/penalties, currently leading the NSW comp at ~86%. Stats - NSWRL.com.au | NSWRL

Besides Tannah Boyds kicking, hes leading Line Engaged and 2nd only to TMM in Try Assists. Hes gotta be on Webbies mind, clearly being in the extended 1st grade lineup. I think hes worth a few first grade oppurtunities.

It makes me wonder if Tannah Boyd playing 7 and Metcalf playing 6 with CHT playing 14 would be a good combo, with Metcalf having some problematic games of goal kicking this year which made games closer than they should have, and Boyd imo showing he knows how to fit into an offensive Spine. I hope we dont lose him either way. At 24yo hes probably wanting to make the step up. 

There is a link on the NSW cup front page to live coverage of games.

Doggies win a close one to hold onto that number 1 spot.

Warriors need to win or will get leap frogged, possibly by a couple of teams, due to our for and against. Kick Off: 5pm today.

RTS is back and so is our Captain and top tier prop, Fisher-Harris. But Jackson Ford out due to the grade 1 Concussion via a head clash and Bunty wont be on the bench due to Knee injury. So we should be in pretty good shape to put on a better offense. 

Tuaupiki retains his spot in the team on Wing, but I think it makes a waste of RTS playing centre. A very tough one as I dont see Tuaupiki being a centre, so its the only option really.

Leka holds his starting spot in the forwards after producing some excellent performances this year. For me Erin Clarks defense and hit ups are part of the backbone or dna in this years team.

Nice to see us not concede points in the first 20 of the second half for once. A bit of luck our way but also a few offsides uncalled for the Phins. 

I just wish Metcalf or Harris-Tavita would put in a grubber kick intended for the sideline once in a while, especially late in the game. All they know is big bomb kick. 

Wakrak:

 

Nice to see us not concede points in the first 20 of the second half for once. A bit of luck our way but also a few offsides uncalled for the Phins. 

 

I just wish Metcalf or Harris-Tavita would put in a grubber kick intended for the sideline once in a while, especially late in the game. All they know is big bomb kick. 

 

BIG game this week vs the Raider, who imo are looking like contenders early on. Warriors missing Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett, thats going to be tough to replace our two best forwards/prop but we got lots of excellent young talent and some older guys back in the mix. Lieataua the young gun is back, being our best offensive centre should play imo, tough one with not much room in the 2nd row for Capewell and Pompey has played more than the 2nd string centre than expected this year. Afoa and Ford back. Tom Ale no doubt will be on the bench.

TeaLeaf:

 

BIG game this week vs the Raider, who imo are looking like contenders early on. Warriors missing Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett, thats going to be tough to replace our two best forwards/prop but we got lots of excellent young talent and some older guys back in the mix. Lieataua the young gun is back, being our best offensive centre should play imo, tough one with not much room in the 2nd row for Capewell and Pompey has played more than the 2nd string centre than expected this year. Afoa and Ford back. Tom Ale no doubt will be on the bench.

 

Raiders are my team and I think this should easily be game of the round. Happy to be in Auckland away from the dreadful weather in Eastern NSW. It will be close and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raiders sneak a win in a close one. Could even give golden point a look in.

I'm kinda surprised we're favourites ($1.78 vs. $2.05 at TAB) considering no Fish and Barnett. But I agree, should be a cracker. 

Wakrak:

 

I'm kinda surprised we're favourites ($1.78 vs. $2.05 at TAB) considering no Fish and Barnett. But I agree, should be a cracker. 

 

I know Boyd sucked at the Tits, but he is or was leading the NSW cup in many offensive areas like TRY and LB Assists. But also kicking 83%. Hes named in 1st grade reserves consistently, but he has TMM ahead of him so unlikely he will get a game no matter how good he is in RG with his ball skills. However Pompey is playing so give him the dang conversions, even CHT. 

Reminds me of the old days where teams would have a gun goal kicker just for that (usually on wing or FB if they could tackle). But 62% is not good enough for first grade regardless. Not when you have a couple of better options. But Metcalf needs to get those TRY and Line Break Assists up, currently only 4 and 5. No doubt hes an exciting runner. but imo hes a running 5/8th or edge back more than a classic 7. Hynes is currently 12/15 in Try and LB assists as an example.

JPNZ:Raiders are my team and I think this should easily be game of the round. Happy to be in Auckland away from the dreadful weather in Eastern NSW. It will be close and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raiders sneak a win in a close one. Could even give golden point a look in.

 

Well so much for thinking the weather would be better haha. Game as I predicted a really close battle. I epected wahs to score and force golden point in there.

Happy with the result and now onto SOO tonight.

Warriors just have to change goal kickers, ~60% is just not good enough, not when you have 2 players who Convert much better. It will cost them a match before the seasons out.

Great to be in this position at the half way.

Just need to get Metcalf running off CHT imo. Especially with such high quality in the outside backs and CNK chiming in. Need to defend a 7 try match, when they start clocking up 40-10 consistently thats when they will have immense confidence. Coach hopefully will have them peaking the right time of the season.

Mitch Barnett, felt so sorry seeing him hobbling in the changing shed with SoO 2 around the corner.

Surprised Pompey isn't given the kicking tee. 

Such a gritty team. No performance has been perfect, yet we continue to win.

I really struggle to see the upside with Afoa (have for a while). For a man his size, he hardly goes pass the advantage line. On the flipside, he doesn't make many mistakes and is a decent tackler, unless he's out there too long (i.e., Raiders game). 

Wakrak:

 

Surprised Pompey isn't given the kicking tee. 

 

I really struggle to see the upside with Afoa (have for a while). For a man his size, he hardly goes pass the advantage line. On the flipside, he doesn't make many mistakes and is a decent tackler, unless he's out there too long (i.e., Raiders game). 

 

Its nuts right, i mean Pompey kicks near 80% and CHT is high 70s if not 80s. Pompey has a very union like kick for the non main kicker, but its effective in League. While he is in the team bloody well use him. We could have lost that game on conversions. The one a metre to the right of the posts was embarrassing. Im a huge believer in Metcalf, but he is not Shaun Johnson. CHT has more creative play imo. 

CNK is clocking up the fantasy points every round. We thought RTS couldnt be beaten at FB. 339 run metres, 97 post contact (top for team), 1 Line Break, 8 Tackle Breaks, 1 try. Only somebody with an F150 engine can do that.

Try assists the spine is getting it done, Luke Metcalf 1, CHT 2 (and 2 line break assists) Egan 1. So somehow we are effective. I just wish we could defend big scores.

Afoa I would have agreed with but he looks more imposing this year. Either way, we got some massively talented forwards in our reserves and in the NSW Cup team, so Im not sure of his future. When is he signed too? I like the guy but I do see your point. 

Halasima and Viamauga with selective offloads are impressing me. They fit in around some big name forwards and do not look out of place.

Great great great effort. 

Wakrak:

 

Great great great effort. 

 

Either you are psychic or the GZ date is a day behind :), but yeah best performance so far this season, both attack but mainly defence.