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‘Ice in his veins’: Ayshford backs Metcalf to retain halfback spot after statement Warriors return
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 10th, 2026 9:49 am
Luke Metcalf celebrates scoring a try on his NRL return | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Former NZ Warriors centre and Sport Nation analyst Blayke Ayshford has praised Luke Metcalf’s impressive return to the NRL side, describing his performance as a major statement in the club’s run home.
Metcalf was thrown back into first-grade action following months away from the NRL team after Te Maire Martin picked up a hamstring strain at training.
27-year-old Metcalf, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury while leading the Dally M points in 2025 returned to the New South Wales Cup team in early 2026.
He then played two first-grade games at No. 6 alongside Tanah Boyd while Chanel Harris-Tavita was injured, with the team losing both matches before Metcalf quickly fell back into the second-grade side.
While it could have been Metcalf’s time to shine in Round 11 after Boyd also tore his ACL, he began negotiating a contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons, whom he has since signed with beyond 2026.
Coach Andrew Webster refused to play him while that negotiation process was ongoing.
Consequently, Ayshford said he had doubts about Metcalf’s first-grade return, especially given the challenge of playing against the competition’s benchmark team. The game ended 28-12 in favour of the Warriors.
He told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy on Monday: “I'll admit mate, I was so far off the mark. Lukey Metcalf. Wow.”
“For being out of the team for four months plus, he was sensational and didn't he let everyone know about it? ‘Geez, I'm good.' I'm glad he was there smiling. I'm proud we got a post-try celebration again, because geez, he has ice in his veins and nothing phases him.”
Team mates celebrated Luke Metcalf after scoring on his NRL return | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Ayshford said the performance may have settled one of the Warriors’ biggest selection debates in recent weeks, with Metcalf competing against Te Maire Martin for a place in the halves.
Despite Martin’s strong performances since taking the reins from Boyd, Ayshford believes Webster is likely to see out the season with Metcalf.
“I think he sticks with the hot hand,” he claimed.
“We saw that with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who once again was outstanding.”
“I think he does stay with Lukey Metcalf and this is nothing against Te Maire Martin because I had the Warriors winning on Friday night with Te Maire Martin as well,” Ayshford explained.
“That performance was definitely a statement game from Lukey Metcalf and with four or five games remaining, it looks like barring injury, that could be the team that takes it forward.”
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored a try in his second game back at fullback | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The Warriors now have several genuine selection battles across the park. Metcalf and Martin are competing in the halves, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Taine Tuaupiki are options at fullback, while Leka Halasima and Adam Pompey are also part of the discussion in the centres.
But Ayshford believes there will not be any bad blood for whoever misses out come finals time.
“I've spoken to a lot of these fellas and it just seems like it really is team first, and I know it's a word that gets thrown around a lot.
“I just have no inkling that these guys are out for themselves. I think Andrew Webster is that good of a coach that everyone is pulling in the right direction and everyone is a part of something and he's made them believe that they are really a part of something which they are.”
Welcome back to first grade, Luke Metcalf! | Warriors Live
He also said players will be especially desperate to secure their spot in the squad during the final stretch of the Warriors’ standout season.
“I really think it is going to be hard on Andrew Webster and he is going to have some tough conversations, that's where I think we see how good of a coach Webby is because we know what he is like, we know he's a great man manager and a great coach so that's going to be tough on Webby.”
With just four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Warriors sit third, just behind the Panthers and Roosters, both of whom they have beaten. Ayshford believes it could finally be the Warriors’ year.
“Can you imagine being in a top 30 squad that is the first team to win an NRL title for the New Zealand Warriors?”
Listen to the full interview below:
