Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf is in line for his long-awaited return after being named on the extended bench for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against the Penrith Panthers in Sydney.
Metcalf has not featured since round five and his inclusion in Andrew Webster’s 22-man squad gives the Warriors a potential boost before one of their biggest matches of the season.
It would be the 27-year-old’s third appearance of the campaign and his first since confirming he would leave the club at the end of the season to join the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Metcalf has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and then wasn’t training as he negotiated his deal with the Dragons.
Should he play, Metcalf is expected to come into the side as a late inclusion, with Te Maire Martin named to start at halfback after filling the void left by Tanah Boyd’s season-ending ACL injury.
But if Metcalf doesn’t take to the field, he will get on the field for the Warriors’ reserves, having been named at five-eighth alongside Jett Cleary in the halves for their clash on Saturday afternoon.
Webster has otherwise opted for continuity, making one injury-enforced change to his starting side. Adam Pompey returns in the centres after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury suffered in last week’s win over the Broncos.
In a surprise move, Webster has elected to rest State of Origin duo Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell before Wednesday night’s series opener, with both expected to play key roles for New South Wales and Queensland, respectively.
Marata Niukore replaces concussed Eddie Ieremia-Toeava on the bench.
The Panthers have named their New South Wales quartet of Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o and Casey McLean on their extended bench and will leave a decision on their availability until later in the week.
The Warriors are chasing their first win over the Panthers since Magic Round in 2024. Penrith have won 10 of their last 11 against the Warriors.
After the clash with the Panthers, the Warriors have their second bye of the season.
Meanwhile, Rocco Berry has been cleared from the injury list for the first time this season, although the news isn’t so good for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who is still sidelined with a neck injury and no clear timeline on his return.
Morgan Gannon is on personal leave.
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stower-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Marata Niukore, 18. Kayliss Fatialofa, 20. Luke Hanson, 21. Makaia Tafua, 22. Luke Metcalf, 23. Jason Salalilo (three to be omitted).
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
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