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Poching backs Warriors halves after ‘flat’ performance
Sport Nation • July 27th, 2026 12:02 pm
Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
With pressure mounting on the Warriors after a flat performance against the Bulldogs, Willie Poching believes the halves pairing of Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita have earned a second chance.
Calls have grown for Luke Metcalf to return to the starting side, but Poching believes Andrew Webster’s loyalty to his players will see Martin and Harris-Tavita given another opportunity to reignite their form against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.
“I think if you look back at the Warriors and how they've been under Andrew Webster, he's shown loyalty," Poching told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
Poching says Martin’s performances throughout the season have been strong, with the playmaker forming a successful partnership with Harris-Tavita after Tanah Boyd was ruled out with a season-ending ACL injury.
“Up until this week Te Maire Martin's been fantastic. His kicking game, his running game, him and Chanel have been outstanding as a partnership and I think that's the way he'll go.
"He'll give them another week, see how they go, try and get it right this week, it's a one-off.”
The Warriors looking dejected | Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
However, the presence of Metcalf on the bench makes the calls for change understandable, especially with finals quickly approaching, Poching admits.
Ultimately, Poching believes the competition for the halves spots could work in the Warriors' favour, with Metcalf’s presence providing extra motivation for Martin and Harris-Tavita to play at their best.
“I said before that he'll play a part in the season. It might be just a kick up the bum for Te Maire and Chanel and the bit of pressure behind them to get it right this week against the Gold Coast.”
Luke Metcalf celebrates against Manly | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
But while the spotlight is on the halves, Poching believes the entire Warriors side must do better after the performance fell well below their usual standards.
“For the first time, probably the season, they were really flat. I just thought it was a really flat, lethargic performance.
“No one really firing to where they have been and part of that is because of the standards they've set and what we expect out of them,” he explained.
And Poching warns the intensity won’t ease, with teams - including the Titans - fighting for their opportunity to break into the top eight.
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“The (Bull)dogs came out firing and the Warriors needed to match that. That's where they're at, they're at that point of the season where there's teams like the dogs that are fighting for opportunities to get into the eight.
“They are fighting for their season and they've got to match that, they've got to get themselves ready for the playoffs.
“The disappointing thing is it follows on from a performance that was sub-par last week, full credit to St. George and all that last weekend.”
Listen to the full interview below:
