Metcalf to start at halfback for Warriors after Martin ruled out
Luke Metcalf will start at halfback for the One New Zealand Warriors in their NRL Indigenous Round match against Penrith. This change comes after Te Maire Martin was ruled out due to a hamstring strain sustained during training. The game is scheduled to take place at Go Media Stadium.
Martin had been named to make his tenth consecutive start at halfback. He had previously come on as a replacement for Tanah Boyd during the club’s 42-12 Magic Round victory over the Brisbane Broncos in May. Martin also contributed to the Warriors‘ 42-6 win over the Titans, scoring two tries in that match.
Metcalf’s Return and Team Changes
Metcalf‘s inclusion marks his third first-grade start of the season and his first at halfback. His season was initially delayed by a return from knee surgery and later by a hamstring injury. His previous two appearances were at stand-off against the Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sutherland. He has also been on the NRL side’s six-man bench six times without being called upon.
The Warriors‘ extended squad saw another change with rookie hooker Makaia Tafua dropping out at the 24-hour deadline. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki returns this week from a one-week injury lay-off, but he is listed on the bench. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad retains the fullback position following his performance against Gold Coast, where he ran 253 metres, including 86 post-contact metres, and made a line break, five tackle breaks, and several defensive plays.
Leka Halasima is again named as a starting centre, having previously been a late replacement for Adam Pompey. Halasima, a regular back rower, recorded a try, 147 metres from 15 runs, 60 post-contact metres, a line break, a line break assist, a try assist, and five tackle breaks in a previous match.
The six-man bench for the Warriors includes second rower Morgan Gannon, who is in line for his second appearance of the season. The other players named on the bench are hooker Sam Healey, middle forwards Tanner Stowers-Smith and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Tuaupiki, and Adam Pompey. Riley Price is listed as the 20th man.
Milestones and Match Context
This match against the top-placed Panthers marks a milestone for Kurt Capewell, who will make his 50th appearance for the club. He will line up in the second row alongside Jacob Laban in an unchanged forward pack. Erin Clark and hooker Wayde Egan will make their 20th appearances, maintaining their record as the only Warriors players to feature in every game this season.
The Panthers will see Blaize Talagi return to the starting side, with Jack Cogger remaining in Sydney due to a family matter. Luron Patea has been added to the six-man bench. Izack Tago has been promoted to the starting side following a hand injury to Casey McLean, which created a spot on the bench for Blaize Talagi.
The two teams previously met in Round 13, a contest where the Panthers secured a 20-18 victory after leading 16-6 at halftime. The Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Warriors and have not been defeated by the Warriors in Auckland since 2018. Panthers prop Lindsay Smith is set to make his 100th NRL appearance in this fixture.
The match officials for the game include referee Gerard Sutton, touch judges Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski and Matt Noyen, and senior review official Ashley Klein.
Source: warriors.kiwi
