The New Zealand Warriors may have more than one headache heading into the finals: making sure they win and picking the right halfback.
Their options are plenty, but with continuous injuries and varying combinations, will they pick Luke Metcalf to be their playmaker upon his return?
Luke Metcalf suffered a hamstring injury in their Round 24 clash against the Brisbane Broncos, with an expected return in week three of the finals.
Metcalf suffered the same injury but to his other hamstring, which caused him to be on the sidelines for six weeks earlier in the season.
As the star is set to make his return in the finals, this creates a dilemma for Warriors coach Andrew Webster. Webster needs to make a decision to either take a gamble on Metcalf or stick with the safer option, Te Maire Martin.
Webster chose to play Metcalf against Penrith a few weeks out from the end of the regular season to replace Martin, who had injured his hamstring in training.
Metcalf played exceptionally well in their clash against the Panthers, solidifying his spot at number seven. However, he injured himself the next time out, and it restarted the cycle of question marks..
Going into the finals, the Warriors seem to have healthy half options, with Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin. Metcalf may not walk into the side upon his return, and should he?
There is a reason why the New Zealand Warriors will consider using him immediately when he returns from injury. The 27-year-old has an attacking skill set that allows him to stick out from most; he has the ability to change a game in just one play.
In the modern, sped up version of rugby league, that is everything.
Te Maire Martin has been a great option for the Warriors at the halfback position; he is consistent and reliable, but does he have the spark they need for finals footy? Metcalf certainly does. The finals are not a time for sentiment; if Metcalf is fit and ready to go, the Warriors need to select players that can bring them their best chance of winning.
Martin and Harris-Tavita have both been part of the success the Warriors have found this season. Martin has been an integral part of the season, providing experience and composure in the halves.
Harris-Tavita has also become a significant part of this season and the Warriors' plans with their spine. The five-eighth has had a breakout season and solidified his spot in the halves.
This leaves Webster with a genuine decision to make: Does he reward players who have been consistent throughout the season and brought the Warriors to the finals? Or does he bring back the player who can add another attacking dimension to the side?
Metcalf halfback has never played finals in his career; Martin has. However, finals isn't defined by experience. With the forward pack the Warriors have, they need their spine to have individual brilliance to work off the success the likes of Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris will lay the groundwork for. Luke Metcalf may be the best option for the New Zealand side.
The Warriors don't need another player to control the game; they need a player to break it open. To provide flair and moments that break the team's defences. Metcalf has the ability to do that.
If the Warriors find themselves in a close match throughout the finals, the skill and talent of Luke Metcalf could be the spark they need to bring it home for New Zealand.
Can the Warriors afford the disruption really though?
As Metcalf has been sidelined through many weeks of the season, the combination of Martin and Harris-Tavita has become reliable and solidified. The inclusion of Metcalf could disrupt the organised spine of the Warriors, and is this the best time to trial a combination?
Metcalf is also entering the finals fresh off his injury; the Warriors can't afford for him to have an off game or take time to settle back into his form. Webster can't assume he will return at his best.
If Luke Metcalf is fully fit and can return for the New Zealand Warriors, Webster needs to seriously consider his inclusion.
Metcalf is due to leave the Warriors at the end of the season and join St George Illawarra Dragons at the start of 2027; however, he can still be the missing piece between winning the premiership and going home empty-handed.
His attacking abilities make it hard to be left out when finals footy is here; the Warriors have spent years searching for players capable of creating special, winning moments for their side.
They now have one waiting for his opportunity on the sidelines when he returns. Does Luke Metcalf give the Warriors a better chance of winning the premiership? Absolutely, he does.
I think the Wahs simply have to wait until week 3 and see which player is in better physical condition. Too hard to predict now.