NZ Warriors 2025 Round 4 Review: Warriors Dig Deep to Edge Tigers, Extend Streak to Three

After their hard-fought victory over the Roosters, the Warriors travelled to a wet and windy Sydney to face a Wests Tigers side coming off a 30-18 win over the Dolphins.

It was another gritty contest as the Warriors found themselves trailing on the scoreboard several times. However, a standout play from one of their emerging young forwards and a clutch 40-meter penalty goal from their young halfback helped them secure a 26-24 victory, extending their winning streak to three.

The Warriors forced a dropout early but couldn't capitalize. They kept the pressure and were rewarded in the 4th minute, when Adam Pompey broke through, fending off multiple defenders to score, with Luke Metcalf converting for a 6-0 lead. A penalty against Jarome Luai gave the Warriors momentum, but an error from Marata Niukore handed possession back. After sustained pressure, the Tigers earned a penalty and leveled the score in the 11th minute when Fonua Pole crashed over. Api Koroisau converted to make it 6-6.

Both sides traded sets in wet conditions, with handling errors creeping in. The Warriors earned multiple penalties, camping on the Tigers' line. Wayde Egan burrowed over from dummy half but was held up before Marata Niukore powered over a few plays later in the 33rd minute. Metcalf converted, putting the Warriors ahead 12-6.

Just before halftime, the Tigers struck back. Lachlan Galvin sent Alex Seyfarth through a gap, who offloaded to Starford To'a for a runaway try. Tallyn Da Silva's conversion leveled the scores at 12-12 to close the half.

The Warriors struck early in the second half when Wayde Egan spotted a gap, linking with Chanel Harris-Tavita to send Luke Metcalf over in the 41st minute. Metcalf converted to give them an 18-12 lead.

A high shot from Jarome Luai on Ed Kosi gave the Warriors good field position, but Kosi was forced off for an HIA. They built pressure on the Tigers' goal-line, but Bunty Afoa was held up before a loose pass ended their attack.

A penalty against Marata Niukore helped the Tigers push forward, and in the 49th minute, a Lachlan Galvin grubber was pounced on by Solomona Faataape. Api Koroisau converted to level the scores. Minutes later, the Tigers struck again, with Latu Fainu slicing through in the 52nd minute. Another Koroisau conversion made it 24-18.

The Warriors struggled for momentum, with errors and poor last-tackle options keeping them on the back foot. The Tigers almost extended their lead, but Terrell May lost the ball over the line, and moments later, a Jahream Bula try was denied for obstruction.

Momentum shifted when Leka Halasima sprinted down the sideline in the 69th minute, breaking tackles to score. Metcalf converted, tying the game at 24-all. A high shot on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad minutes later gave Metcalf a 40-metre penalty attempt, which he nailed to put the Warriors ahead 26-24.

The Tigers, feeling the pressure, lost their composure. A late attacking chance ended when they had no dummy half, allowing the Warriors to dive on the loose ball and seal a gritty victory 26-24.

My Thoughts

Well, this was another character-building performance from the Warriors; they definitely made it hard for themselves at times. Around the hour mark, they looked almost certain to remain winless away from Auckland; they looked rattled for a spell, but they found a way to turn the momentum in their favor and get the job done.

The weather was awful, which caused a few more errors than either side would have liked, but both sides put together some nice attacking plays with some second-phase football and threw caution to the wind, making for an exciting yet nerve-racking match to watch. This was another match where the Warriors didn't panic even when behind on the scoreboard; they just kept pushing forward. This side's resilience since Round 2 has been the most pleasing aspect for me of this squad; they have faced adversity and pressure and found a way to still wind up on top. As I said last week, the true mettle of this side will be tested when they face a top-four side, which is just around the corner, so we don't have long to wait to see how much fight this team actually has. 

Back to the match, the forwards did their job well. Six of the pack ran for over 100 metres. For most of the contest, they won the battle up front, giving the backs more time and room to make attacking plays. Unfortunately, a combination of the Tigers' solid defence and the Warriors' attack left wanting at times, there were plenty of missed chances. However, with some fine-tuning, those missed opportunities will become points. The Warriors' defence was good for most of the game. Still, there were moments where there was either missed communication or they just switched off for a spell, which was all the Tigers needed to score some easy points, and if they had been a bit more clinical, they may have wrapped the game up with those two tries that were disallowed. But the NRL is full of what-ifs, and the Warriors found themselves on the right side of things this time. They find themselves 3-1 as they enter the bye and in a pretty sweet spot, but things will get more challenging after that with matches against the Storm, Broncos and Knights so they will need to use the bye week to rest up those niggles and work on improving the facets of thier game that are lacking a bit, if they do that and secure a win or two in those next three rounds, a finals spot is not as crazy as I thought it would be before the season kicked off. However, I want to see this side continue to improve each week without looking too far ahead.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

This side just keeps finding a way to win the tight ones this season, which is the polar opposite of the Warriors team we saw in 2024. They don't seem to panic as much when they are chasing games. A more composed mindset is keeping them in the fight, and that needs to continue as you cannot expect to always be in front when you are playing in the NRL. In my end-of-year review last year, I said that if the Warriors had won a handful of the games they lost by a try, they would have been playing finals, so fingers crossed they continue to be on the winning side of these tight tussles.

The call-ups did their job. Rocco Berry was named, like I predicted, but he injured his hamstring, which saw Edward Kosi enter the lineup. As I said last week, I did not have a lot of faith in him being able to get the job done. He proved me wrong, running for 200 metres and only making two errors. He was safe under the high ball and did enough to keep his spot after the bye. Kosi is a confidence player, so I hope this performance allows him to find another level if he is named in Round 6. With the shock news of Dylan Walker leaving midweek to join the Eels, Bunty Afoa got the call-up to join the bench, had an active 25 minutes running for 114 meters and making 15 tackles. I had him in my Round One predicted team. While I was wrong there, I am happy to see him get his chance and not let anyone down, and I expect him to feature in the gameday 17 for the rest of 2025.

Lastly, Leka Halasima, man, this kid just continues to impress. He got another 30 minutes in this match but will be remembered for his 70-meter try, streaking down the sideline before bumping off two defenders to score in a great display of his speed and power. His power was also displayed in the rest of his performance, constantly being a handful for defenders to try and get to the ground. He is still very young and raw, but he is brimming with potential, and as exciting as his first NRL try was, we will surely see many more from the young forward. It's a matter of when, not if, that Halasima becomes a star in the NRL, and ensuring he remains a Warrior for a long time must be at the top of the front office's to-do list.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

As I mentioned above, there were moments in this game when it looked like the Warriors switched off. These were brief lapses, but they became scoring opportunities for the Tigers. The Warriors will need to work on being present for 80 minutes, as teams like the Storm, Broncos, and Panthers will run away with games if you give them a sniff. This side has heart and has shown they will not quit on each other, so if those lapses disappear, it will make them much tougher to defeat.

Some of the Warriors' fifth-tackle options were subpar, and some wayward passes and kicks saw them waste some scoring opportunities. The halves are still working on developing their partnership, and cohesion will come in time; they just need to keep fine-tuning. The forwards will continue to play their part and try to win the middle battle to give them enough time to create attacking plays; they will just need to make the most of it, and I'm confident they can do it.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Wayde Egan.

Another outstanding performance from Egan here, was electric running out of dummy half, never missing an opportunity to dart out of the ruck when the Tigers' markers were not paying attention. Also made 45 tackles with 5 misses and continues to remain healthy, which has always been his most significant issue. I'm unsure if he can continue playing for 80 every week. I don't know what the Warriors' plan is if he gets hurt during a match, but the Warriors' attack looks more threatening with him on the pitch, so long may his injury-free run continue. 

Warrior to Improve

I have no Warrior to improve this week, as I couldn't find any player in the 17 who let the side down.

Not everyone was perfect, but they all gave it 100%, which is all we can ask for.

Bye Round and Round 6 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 5, the Warriors get their first bye of the season. It's a bit earlier than last season, but it's a good time to get some extra time for R&R and work on the issues I highlighted above as they prepare for the tough run of matches coming up. They are sitting in a good spot right now, but they can't get ahead of themselves and need to remain grounded as it's still very early days.

After the bye, the Warriors head to Melbourne to face the Storm, who play the Sea Eagles in Round 5.

As for the team I'd select, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will still be unavailable, so I am sticking with the same 17 that played in Sydney. None of the players in this game did anything to warrant a demotion, so I would reward them with another shot.

The Storm have been good this season, with strong efforts against the Eels and Panthers, but they did suffer a shocking defeat to the Dragons this Round. The match against the Sea Eagles hasn't happened yet. Still, it will be another tough one, but they will likely welcome the return of Jahrome Hughes when they face the Warriors in Round 6, which will make them very tough to beat. For the Warriors to end their Storm losing streak, which has seen them not record a victory over Melbourne since 2015, they need to not take a back step and make every scoring opportunity count; they cannot have any defensive lapses and give the Storm spine no time or room to play. I believe they have the ability to secure the victory, but unfortunately, I think the Storm are just too strong, so I am going with a Storm win by 12, but I hope I'm wrong.

So, that was a nerve-racking but positive Round 4, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you have a player to improve?

Would you make any changes to the gameday 17 for Round 6?

How confident are you that the Warriors could be a finals team this season?

What is your score prediction against the Storm?

NZ Warriors 2025 Round 3 Review: Warriors’ Grit Shines in Hard-Fought Roosters Win

After their surprising but pleasing upset victory over the Sea Eagles, the Warriors remained on NZ Soil to host a Roosters side riding the high of their own upset win over the Panthers in Round 2.

It wasnt a pretty performance, but the Warriors showed their grit and determination to overtake the Roosters, walking away with their first win over the Sydney side since 2018, 14-6.

What Went Down

The match kicked off with both teams showing plenty of energy but struggling to turn their attacking raids into points. Early errors and stout defensive efforts kept the game scoreless through the opening 20 minutes, as neither team could establish a rhythm.

The Roosters finally broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, courtesy of Naufahu Whyte’s powerful determination. Executing a well-timed hit-and-spin move near the posts, Whyte crashed over the line, giving the Roosters a much-needed breakthrough.

But the Warriors weren’t rattled. They hit back almost immediately, responding four minutes later when Leiataua slid over the line to score his second try in as many weeks. The try highlighted the Warriors’ ability to strike quickly, even when under pressure.

Despite a growing HIA toll that saw Victor Radley cleared to return while Connor Watson was ruled out, the Roosters continued to press. They nearly extended their lead when Mark Nawaqanitawase made a blistering run down the sideline, chipping ahead and regathering the ball with remarkable skill. However, his effort went unrewarded as the former Wallaby slid over the dead-ball line before grounding the ball, leaving the Roosters frustrated.

The narrow escape kept the scoreline tight, with the Roosters holding a slim 6-4 lead as the teams headed into the halftime break.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams locked in a physical battle, neither willing to give an inch. The Roosters attempted to seize control following a brilliant 40/20 kick from Chad Townsend, setting them up with a prime attacking position.

However, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had other plans. In a moment of brilliance, the Warriors’ fullback produced a sensational try-saving tackle on Dominic Young, denying what looked to be a certain try. Unfortunately for the Warriors, RTS's heroic effort came at a cost, as he limped off the field with a hamstring injury, dealing the visitors a significant blow.

The Warriors’ woes continued when James Tedesco’s desperate defensive effort held Adam Pompey up over the line, preventing another golden opportunity for the home side. Both teams continued to battle for dominance as the tension mounted, knowing the next score could prove decisive.

Finally, in the 65th minute, the Warriors broke through. Chanel Harris-Tavita chased down his own bomb, leaping to snatch it out of Tedesco's grasp, to the delight of the 23,219 fans in attendance. The try gave the Warriors the lead and injected them with renewed energy and belief.

Just five minutes later, Leiataua struck again to seal the win. Latching onto a crisp pass from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who was celebrating his 50th game for the club, Leiataua powered his way over the line, pushing the Warriors’ lead beyond a converted try and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

In the final moments, the Warriors maintained control, and their defence held firm to secure a hard-earned victory in a match filled with drama, resilience, and brilliant individual efforts.

My Thoughts

Well, it wasn't the prettiest game, but I left the stadium feeling reasonably happy with the Warriors' performance. Despite their attack looking disjointed for large parts of the match, the Warriors dug deep and kept grinding away.

Neither side was at their best, but the Warriors capitalized more effectively on the Roosters' mistakes. That's now two weeks in a row where the Warriors didn’t panic or drop their heads. Although it’s still early in the season, their resilience gives me more confidence that they could be genuine finals contenders. When the going gets tough, this team shows it can stay in the fight. Of course, it’s still early days, and the real test will come when they face a top-four side.

Overall, it was a solid effort. Players I had doubts about, like Kurt Capewell and Jackson Ford, put in strong performances, and most of the squad stepped up, apart from one or two who didn’t quite meet expectations. Still, I’m hoping that’s just a blip rather than the start of a bigger issue. 

The forwards played hard, while the backs, though looking a bit lost at times, still posed a real threat.

I know some people are calling it a bludger of a match, but I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Maybe being in the live crowd amplified that feeling, but it was a tight tussle with the game hanging in the balance until about the 70th minute. It wasn’t try-a-minute footy, but it was thrilling for me just the same.

The pace issues are still concerning, especially with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s injury. However, the scrambling defence has been steadily improving, successfully shutting down the Roosters’ speedsters or pressuring them into making mistakes.

There’s still plenty to work on, which isn’t unusual three weeks into the season. Honestly, I’d be more worried if the Warriors looked perfect from the start without any room for growth. But the fact that they’re building on their performances each week makes me more excited for this season, especially since I came into it feeling pretty low on optimism.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The youngsters, particularly Ali Leiataua, are starting to shine. 

The Warriors only made three linebreaks in this match. Two of them were by Leiataua, who was constantly a threat with the ball in hand and showed great defensive efforts with a handful of bone-rattling hits. It's great to see him finally getting his chance to impress after several injury-affected runs in previous seasons. He has a superstar written all over him, and it's great to see him gain confidence.

Leka Halasima also fits in this positive, with an outstanding 30 minutes from him while the game was in the balance.

I talked last week about how the Warriors need to ensure that either Barnett or Fisher-Harris remain on the pitch at all times, and that didn't last a week with Webster parking them on the bench together for an extended period. However, instead of the usual lull we see from the Warriors when the starting front-rowers are off the field (I include the previous seasons when AFB was with the club, too), the rest of the forwards fronted up and didn't let the Roosters pack gain the upper hand. Jackson Ford silenced my criticism about him lacking impact off the bench, running for 151 metres; if Ford and the rest of the pack can fill the hole left by the skippers, then the Warriors will be a stronger outfit and more challenging for teams to take down so long may it continue.

Lastly, is Mt Smart (Go Media Stadium) becoming a fortress again? In 2024, the Warriors only had 4 wins at their official home ground despite sell-out crowds every week trying to get them across the line. This season, so far, they are now two from two. Winning the majority of your home matches makes climbing that ladder easier, and the vocal crowd seems to make the environment intimidating, so the Warriors need to continue to take advantage of it, especially when the next three matches at their traditional home are going to be challenging (Broncos, Raiders and Panthers).

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors won, but their performance was far from polished. Their attack often lacked cohesion, and poor execution and miscommunication led to missed chances and errors. The kicking game also lacked precision, failing to build pressure or create scoring opportunities.

Despite these issues, they managed to get across the line thanks to moments of individual brilliance. Flashes of skill and creativity from key players broke the game open when their structured play couldn’t. However, their struggles near the try line and inability to consistently build pressure remain concerns. Against a more clinical opponent, these flaws could have been costly. The Warriors need to sharpen their attack and improve their kicking game to stay competitive.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s injury is a significant concern, especially given the current depleted state of the Warriors’ outside backs. He suffered a hamstring injury, and while the exact severity remains unclear, he'll likely be sidelined for at least this week’s clash against the Tigers. With the Warriors fortunate enough to have a bye the following week, it provides Roger with a valuable window to focus on his recovery. Hopefully, the extra rest and rehabilitation will be enough for him to return to full fitness in time for the Round 6 matchup, as my confidence in the players that may replace him is not that high.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

After a few weeks of heavy criticism over his performances, I was eager to see him respond with a display that reminded us of his capabilities. In his 50th game for the Warriors, he more than delivered. With 316 running meters, seven tackle breaks, and sent Leiatau over for both of his tries, he was everywhere. His energy never faltered, especially in the final 10 minutes, when he elevated his impact. Solid in defence and always charging forward, CNK’s performance was a perfect reminder of his relentless commitment. It showed that while milestones are meaningful, his true value lies in his work ethic and heart.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Luke Metcalf.

Being a young halfback in the NRL comes with its challenges, and Metcalf had a tough night. He made a few errors, made some poor decisions on his last tackle options, struggled with his short-kicking game and had a bad night at the kicking tee, kicking 1/3. He also shied away from his running game, only making two runs for 9 meters. A few weeks ago, Shaun Johnson mentioned that Metcalf needs to maintain a run-first mindset, as that’s when he plays his best and can create openings in the defence.

It wasn’t all bad, though. Metcalf did contribute to Leiatua’s tries with some nice passes, but overall, it was a disappointing performance for the young half. While the Warriors came away with the win, the coaching staff will undoubtedly review his performance in detail this week. Metcalf must bounce back strongly against the Tigers to regain his confidence.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 4, the Warriors travel across the ditch for the first time this season to take on the Wests Tigers, who secured a come-from-behind victory over the Dolphins, winning 30-18.

As for the team I'd select, I'm sticking with the same 17 players, with one change, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck likely being out. I would bring in Rocco Berry and move Adam Pompey to the wing. I have more confidence in Pompey and Berry than I would in bringing Ed Kosi or Morgan Harper into the side.

The Tigers have had a strong start to the season, with the additions of Jarome Luai, Terrell May, and Sunia Turuva having a significant impact on their performance. They defend solidly and create plenty of scoring opportunities through second-phase play. For the Warriors to secure a win, they need to wrap up the ball carriers to prevent offloads, contain May, and apply pressure on Luai to limit his time and ability to set up his strike weapons. It won’t be an easy task, especially playing in Sydney, but I believe the Warriors are up for the challenge and will come away with a 10-point victory.

So, that was a hearty Round 3, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who would you replace RTS with?

Do you back Metcalf to bounce back this week?

How crucial was this win for the Warriors in terms of building confidence early in the season?

What is your score prediction against the Wests Tigers?

NZ Warriors 2025 Round 2 Review: Warriors Recover from Vegas Stumble, Soaring Past Sea Eagles

After their disappointing Vegas showing, the Warriors returned home to New Zealand to host a Sea Eagles side buoyant after their dominating Round 1 victory over the Cowboys.

My lack of confidence in the Warriors' ability to stay competitive with Manly proved unfounded. After a scratchy start, the Warriors took control of the match and showed more of their attacking potential, cruised to a 36-16 victory.

What Went Down

Manly made it look like it was going to be a tough watch for the 21,212 fans watching live in the stadium, taking only 4 minutes to get on the scoreboard after Reuben Garrick sent Jason Saab into open space before he got the ball back to Tom Trbojevic who finished the play untouched, Garrick missed the conversion but added a penalty goal in the 10th minute to give Manly a 6-0 lead. The visitors then squandered a couple of opportunities via a dropped ball and a forward pass, the Warriors capitalized on these when Luke Metcalf put Chanel Harris-Tavita over in the 18th minute to level the scores. The home side then looked to take control of the match scoring two more tries in the space of four minutes, the first in the 25th minute when Taine Tuaupiki received a cutout pass from Metcalf and stepped back inside, evading several defenders to dive over near the posts, then in the 29th minute Metcalf was involved again throwing a shortball to Ali Leiataua who crashed over, handing the Warriors a 18-6 lead as both sides entered the sheds for halftime.

Manly started the second half the same way they started the first, taking advantage of some errors and poor discipline from the Warriors. They were rewarded in the 45th minute when Luke Brooks threw a long pass to Saab, who flew down the edge and dived over in the corner. It appeared that he lost control of the ball while grounding; however, the Bunker deemed that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision. The Warriors didn't let the decision rattle them and were back on the scoring sheet after Wayde Egan scooped up a dropped ball from Taniela Paseka and sprinted down the field, he was caught, but the Warriors continued to pile on pressure. A few plays later Egan sniped out of dummy half and burrowed his way over the line in the 49th minute. Both sides traded sets for a spell before Manly reduced the lead in the 55th minute after Tom Trbojevic sent Saab down the sideline, the winger then kicked into the ingoal area where Garrick tapped the ball back to Daly Cherry-Evans who grounded the ball. It was another questionable try with the Bunker taken several minutes to review the play before once again giving the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team in a decision that showered the field with boo's from the crowd. Those boo's changed to cheers with 15 minutes left when Jake Trbojevich was sent to the sin bin after Mnaly conceded thier 11th set restart of the match. During his absence, the Warriors found the tryline again in the 70th minute after they shifted to the left before Adam Pompey threw a slick offload to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who cut back inside and charged over the line through several defenders. In the match's dying stages, Manly saw Tom Trbojevich and DCE leave the field with injury complaints that appear to be minor, but with the game out of reach, it was not worth pushing through. With the game winding down, the Warriors finished in style with Tuaupiki intercepting a Brooks Harbour Bridge pass, he offloaded to Leiataua who then sent Metcalf away to score under the posts with his conversion securing the Warriors their first win of 2025, 36-16.

My Thoughts

Well, I have never been happier to be wrong. Last week, I predicted a 12-point Sea Eagles win. After their impressive 42-12 win over the Cowboys in Round One, I expected a similar scoreline here. After Tommy Turbo scored in the first five minutes, those fears lingered. However, the Warriors stayed composed and fought their way into the contest before taking control, it wasnt the best performance with some patchy moments, but they took advantage of Manly's ill-discipline and punished them for it. 

While sticking with the same 17 did rub some of the fanbase the wrong way, the players stood up and improved from their Vegas performance, which is all we can ask for at this point in the season. 

It looks like Andrew Webster took note that the changes he made an hour before kickoff in Round One did not work, and thankfully, he did not tinker and allowed Erin Clark to start. He did not disappoint, he also figured out a better way to use Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris as a unit, roughly giving both 60 mins each and ensuring that at least one of them was on the field at all times. This is a must if the Warriors want to be successful in 2025 with the rest of the prop rotation either not being able to cover for both of them being off the field or Webster not trusting his young players to do that job just yet, however it was promising to see Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima both get some decent stints on the pitch. 

I still worry about the lack of pace the side has and they were found wanting when the Manly speedsters found open space, but in fairness, players like Saab and Turbo are elite regarding speed, but it is still something to be concerned about long-term. However, while there is plenty that the side needs to work on, it was their best performance at home since their Round 17 win over the Broncos last season, that they won 32-16 so it was good to see them win and win well and hopefully it's a confidence booster that leads to more wins on the bounce.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

After being bullied in Round One, the Warriors pack looked more formidable in this match with four of the pack hitting my triple digit target, (Erin Clark 150m, James Fisher-Harris 130m, Mitchell Barnett 120m and Jackson Ford 110m), this is only one more than last week but the rest of the forwards despite not hitting the big numbers they kept the Warriors rolling forward. This allowed the Warriors more time and space to create scoring opportunities. It's not rocket science, but if the pack can get the edge in the battle in the middle, it makes winning easier, so if they can build on the platform from this performance, then the Warriors should be in the fight every week.

The Warriors' attack looked better this week but was still very clunky in patches. However, they had more ideas with the ball in hand. They heaped pressure up the middle of the field, which created gaps out on the edges, and more often than not, they turned those into scoring opportunities. There still needs to be fine-tuning as there were still a few mistimed passes and poor choices, but I think this is an attacking system that they can build on and make more dangerous, they just have to keep working on the combinations.

I was critical of Webster's interchange usage last week, but I thought he was better with it this week, ensuring that Barnett or Fisher-Harris was always on the field helped keep the Warriors in control of the battle. Dylan Walker had fewer minutes this week, but the way Erin Clark performed didn't impact the overall performance. Jackson Ford still seems like the tricky option, starting him takes the sting out of the pack and bringing him off the bench doesn't provide a lot of impact either, so I would look at swapping him out for a more impactful bench forward like Bunty Afoa or Tom Ale. However, it was promising to see the bench being used a bit better. Some tinkering is still needed, but it was a hell of an improvement from Vegas.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

I didn't have many negatives this week, but the Warriors had some issues defending out wide. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck rushed several times, giving the Sea Eagles open space down the edge. I'm unsure if this was an issue in the middle of the defensive line or if he lacked confidence in Adam Pompey. Still, whatever the problem was, it needs to be addressed and fixed now, as all opposition sides will have that marked in their game plan and will be attacking that edge heavily until they sort it out.

Lastly, the Bunker. Two of the Sea Eagles' three tries were questionable, and I am biased, so I thought they got both calls wrong. Thankfully, this did not change the result, but it feels like the Bunker never improves, as those were not the only shocking calls that happened in Round 2. It always sounds like sour grapes when you complain about officials, but they still need to be held accountable if they make mistakes, I'm happy that the game wasnt ruined by some poor decisions.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Wayde Egan.

Egan had a great game. He led the Warriors in tackles, making 41 in his 80 minutes. 

He also kept himself busy on attack running for 143 metres of 10 carries. When Egan is lively around the ruck, it opens up many attacking avenues everywhere in the park. He needs the pack to do their part to open the gates, but when they do, he needs to deliver more performances like this. 

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Adam Pompey.

This was a tough one as I struggled to pick out any player that let the side down, and I may be harsh picking Pompey, but he was the back with the least amount of running metres with only 39, add to that the defensive issues with him and RTS (although he may not be at fault as I mentioned above). It was just a quiet night for him, but he delivered a fantastic offload for RTS to score and I expect him to bounce back this week with more significant numbers.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 3, the Warriors will remain at Go Media Stadium to host the Roosters, who scored probably the biggest upset of Round 2, defeating the Panthers 38-32.

Regarding the team I would pick, I would still stick with the same 17, unless they want to drop Ford for Afoa. However, the team showed improvement this Round, and I expect that after another week, we will see more improvement again.

The Roosters are a hard team to predict right now, I expecting them to get crushed by the Panthers, but they played with heart and just refused to quit. Their defence was a bit suspect and they almost let the Panthers steal the win, so as good as the win was, there were still weaknesses that the Warriors can exploit. For the Warriors to win here, they just need more of what we saw against Manly, the pack needs to control the tempo and give the halves time and space to test that suspect Rooster defence. The Rooster's have dangerous players on the edges so they will need to restrict the amount of open field they give them. I am more hopeful this week so I am picking the Warriors to get the win here by 16.

So, that was a better Round 2, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Did you have a player to improve?

Would you make any changes to the 17?

Are there any players in NSW Cup that you would like to get a chance in the top side?

What is your score prediction against the Roosters?