Warriors spring surprise in halves as key playmaker Luke Metcalf returns ahead of schedule
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Luke Metcalf has been named to start at five-eighth for the Warriors as they host Wests Tigers in round four of the 2026 NRL season on Friday night (8pm kickoff).
The 27-year-old hadn’t been expected back from a lengthy injury layoff until round six at the earliest.
Metcalf ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Warriors in a loss to the Brisbane Broncos last June.
He had been in career-best form up until then, after taking over from Shaun Johnson as the club’s halfback at the start of the 2025 season.
Ahead of this season, it had been expected he would reclaim the No 7 jersey once fit.
But incumbent halfback Tanah Boyd’s stellar form in the opening rounds – levels above where he was when he replaced Metcalf last year – has made him undroppable.
Coach Andrew Webster has therefore returned Metcalf to the No 6 jersey, which he occupied in 2023 and 2024 while Johnson was the club’s main playmaker.
His return ahead of schedule will further energise the already high-flying Warriors, who are unbeaten through three rounds.
It means utility Chanel Harris-Tavita has only been named on the interchange bench as he returns from concussion protocols.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad missed last Saturday’s win over the Newcastle Knights for the same reason, but has been named to return at fullback.
Taine Tuapuki, who impressed in Nicoll-Klokstad’s absence, as he always does, has therefore only been named amongst the reserves.
Adam Pompey will also return at centre after missing the Knights match while welcoming his first child.
His partner Casey gave birth to daughter Kiara Dawn on game day.
Forward Morgan Gannon – who was concussed in his NRL debut – and five-eighth Luke Hanson – who scored a try at the end of his – have dropped out.
Co-captain Mitch Barnett has been named on the interchange as he continues his return from his ACL injury.
He played 38 minutes in his first match back last weekend, after Gannon was ruled out of the contest.
Barnett went down four weeks before Metcalf in June last year, as the Warriors beat the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Warriors have won three from three to start 2026 with a bang and sit atop the NRL ladder on points difference.
Their combined margin of victory (84) is two points better than the Penrith Panthers’ (82).
The Warriors beat the Sydney Roosters 42-18 at home in round one then beat the Canberra Raiders 40-6 at home in round two.
They beat the Knights 38-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium across the Tasman in round three.
They have only won their first three matches once previously – in 2018, when they ultimately won their first five.
Leka Halasima has four tries in three matches, having first come off the bench, then started in the second row as a late injury call-up, then started at centre.
He has been named to start in the second row this week.
The Tigers are without key playmaker Jarome Luai for Friday’s match, after he was injured in round three.
Former Warrior Bunty Afoa has been named on their interchange.
The Warriors have won their last nine matches against the Benji Marshall-coached side.
Warriors v Wests Tigers – NRL round four
Friday 8pm; Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Luke Metcalf, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark; Interchange: Sam Healey, Mitchell Barnett, Demitric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Marata Niukore, Chanel Harris-Tavita; Reserves: Taine Tuaupiki, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula, Jeral Skelton, Sunia Turuva, Heamasi Makasini, Luke Laulilii, Jock Madden, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Apisai Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul, Alex Twal; Interchange: Tristan Hope, Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt, Alex Seyfarth, Bunty Afoa, Faaletino Tavana; Reserves: Tony Sukkar, Latu Fainu, Patrick Herbert