Luke Metcalf Faces Selection Challenges as Warriors Continue Winning Streak
Luke Metcalf finds himself in yet another selection dilemma after the Warriors secured a 30-12 victory over St George Illawarra. This win marked the Dragons’ 15th consecutive loss, and it came at a time when Metcalf was not available for the match due to his ongoing move to another club.
Metcalf missed training this week to finalise his transition, leaving the halfback spot open. The injury of Tanah Boyd, his usual replacement, initially seemed to present an opportunity for Metcalf to reclaim his starting position. However, the performance of third-choice halfback Te Maire Martin has complicated matters.
Martin delivered a standout performance, scoring two tries and assisting in two more during the game. His efforts were met with mixed reactions from the crowd, who booed the Dragons at full-time. Warriors coach Andrew Webster praised Martin’s contributions, calling them “terrific.”
Webster remained tight-lipped about his next selection for the upcoming clash against Penrith, stating that while the team is winning, players must earn their spots. He added that he would not be making any decisions on the night of the match.
Martin’s first try came after the Saints conceded three restarts and a penalty. The halfback used a clever dummy inside Hayden Buchanan to break through the defense. His second try came six minutes into the second half, where he shrugged off Clint Gutherson’s tackle and sprinted past Josh Kerr.
Martin also played a key role in Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s second try, delivering a well-timed pass to Chanel Harris-Tavita. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sealed the victory with a double, scoring a try after intercepting a pass from Luciano Leilua.
The Warriors’ sixth consecutive win was achieved without State of Origin stars Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett. Mid-game injuries to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (knee) and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (head knock) further disrupted the team’s plans. Jackson Ford moved to the second row in his first game since being excluded from the NSW State of Origin squad.
The Dragons faced their own challenges, including the absence of Jaydn Su’A and his replacement, Hayden Buchanan. Buchanan suffered a shoulder issue early in the game, forcing the Saints to rely on a makeshift right edge. The Warriors capitalized on this weakness, scoring four of their six tries against the under-strength defense.
Veteran hooker Damien Cook also left the field in the final minutes with an apparent ankle injury. Despite the setback, Cook remained optimistic, saying, “It’s a bit sore at the moment … hopefully it’s nothing serious.”
The Dragons managed to score the first try of the game thanks to a flat pass from Dan Atkinson to Hamish Stewart, who then passed to Setu Tu. However, poor red-zone execution and 16 errors plagued the Saints throughout the match.
Interim coach Dean Young acknowledged the team’s strong start, noting they were 61% in completion rate. However, he admitted that such performance would be difficult against teams at the bottom of the competition, let alone the second-placed Warriors.
The Dragons now hold the second-longest losing streak in NRL history, behind only Newcastle’s 19-game slide that ended in early 2017. This result highlights the challenges the team faces as they continue to search for consistency and form.
