[ad_1]
The Warriors have underlined their case for a spot within the high eight – and possibly even within the high 4 – with a crushing 46-10 win over a depleted Parramatta at Commbank Stadium.
The Kiwis got here in off the again of a poor defeat to Souths, however have been far too good for an Eels facet shorn of Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to Origin plus Dylan Brown’s suspension.
The scoreline exhibits how good the Warriors’ assault was, with 5 eighth Luke Metcalf the standout. The Aussie import was price two tries and an help.
Past him, Mitch Barnett and Marcelo Montoya each scored twice and, in fact, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed the stripe.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster may have recognized how necessary this sport could be for his facet’s trajectory: with their opponents lacking key males and a releatively benign run-in, this was the proper likelihood to kick begin their run to the finals. Now, the sights should be set larger than merely qualifying.
It was as if the message had been despatched round Sydney, too. With over 20,000 in attendance, it appeared like greater than half have been there to see the Kiwis.
Brad Arthur, alternatively, shouldn’t fear an excessive amount of. He gained’t admit it, however towards a superb facet with loads of males out, there wasn’t rather more that his group may have carried out.
They struggled defensively to comprise a rampant opposition, and created little of significance of their very own, however with out their three greatest gamers, that was at all times more likely to occur. No one ought to choose them too harshly for this defeat.
Let’s Gone Luke Metcalf
This was an train in all that’s good about Webster’s Warriors. They defended firstly, then placed on their assault when out there, with loads of males in movement and the ball at all times destined for the wingers.
At their greatest with the ball, they’re a mini-Cronulla, with the identical type however a yr earlier in its growth. They face the Sharks subsequent week, by the way, and that ought to be a superb barometer of the place each side are.
High of that pile was somebody who is aware of the Craig Fitzgibbon type higher than most, the previous Cronulla 5 eighth Luke Metcalf.
‘Former Cronulla’ is likely to be beneficiant: Metcalf managed only one sport below the brand new coach in 2022, with the majority of his footy being performed within the retro confines of Henson Park. Anybody who noticed him for Newtown knew he was a participant, with 14 tries in 13 video games for the Jets.
He’s the proper participant for this method, as a result of he balances each side of the sector and works beautifully as an outdoor receiver.
That enables Shaun Johnson to take the reins and Metcalf to improvise off the again, normally via feeding the skin backs however, crucially, additionally having licence to assist via the center and go himself when the temper takes him.
He’s a mini-Matt Moylan or Nicho Hynes, however was blocked in development by each of them within the Shire, plus one other excellent back-up in Brayden Trindall.
This was one thing of a breakout night time for Metcalf within the high grade, but it surely comes as no shock to anybody who noticed him play in reggies for Newtown. On the Jets, he was normally probably the most thrilling participant on the group, and that was in a facet that scored a number of factors.
There’s one thing to be stated for Webster and the Warriors’ recruitment: they clearly understand how they wish to assault and acquired the perfect participant outdoors of the NRL at taking part in that system.
At occasions, the key gripe with the Warriors has been their means to enact that attacking set-up towards the perfect opposition, as was seen in defeat to the Broncos and Souths.
Taking part in it in antagonistic situations, too, is a matter, as they intention for the corners of the sector, which is of course extra dangerous within the moist.
Neither of these have been a problem tonight in Parramatta, on an ideal observe towards weakened opposition, and we noticed the perfect of what the Warriors could be consequently.
This isn’t Parra’s fault
Parra truly began the sport properly, and dominated the early operating when it comes to possession and place.
But it was already clear the place they have been going to battle: they collected an honest quantity of fine ball within the opening phases, however by no means appeared like scoring and, on the final, appeared to not know who the designated kicker was. Will Penisini had a stab and missed the ball fully.
On the subsequent set, the Warriors went the size of the sector and scored via Metcalf. The 5 eighth put Jackson Ford via a gap and, from the damaged play, darted over himself. It underlined the variations in playmaking capabilities pretty succinctly.
Parra are a superb attacking facet, however with out their fullback, halfback and 5 eighth, what have been they meant to do?
The Warriors defend properly towards good groups and didn’t break sweat defending this version of the Eels.
The one strive was a easy run off a scrum play, and you watched Webster could be livid that they conceded even that.
Actually, there’s not rather more to it than that. The one evaluation into this sport price doing is why it was performed in any respect, with one of the very important video games of the yr when it comes to figuring out who makes the eight was performed with such a deficit in expertise.
This was an amazing argument for a three-week Origin interval. It’s not that Parra would essentially have gained if their greatest stars had performed, however we’ll by no means know now.
[ad_2]