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Full Noise by SN
Live sport on SN this weekendTime heals small wounds for Warriors and their halves
Scott Bailey, AAP •  April 4th, 2026 2:35 pm
Better for the run: Luke Metcalf's combination with Tanah Boyd will only grow at the Warriors | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has warned not to judge Tanah Boyd and Luke Metcalf's combination after one game, backing his halves to bounce back against Cronulla.
Metcalf and Boyd will play their second game starting together against the Sharks on Sunday, following the Warriors' first defeat of the year to Wests Tigers last week.
Boyd has been the most improved player in the competition this year, doing enough to keep his spot in the Warriors' halves after starring in the first three rounds.
Hard to catch: It has been a new Tanah Boyd at the Warriors in 2026 | Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP
But the Warriors flatlined against the Tigers last Friday in Metcalf's return, after the 27-year-old had been the Warriors' best in his first season at the club last year before his ACL rupture.
"They'll get better with more reps," Webster said of his halves pairing.
"They had one training session together plus a captain's run, which was only light because it was a six-day turnaround last week.
"This week they have had two good sessions and then they get another captain's run.
"With their combination, they were seeing things well and we've only built on them this week."
Webster pointed to issues bigger than his halves out of last week's defeat, concerned about the side losing big moments after they let a 10-0 lead slip.
But he was adamant there would be a bounce back in Cronulla on Sunday, after the best opening three weeks to a season in Warriors history.
"We can learn while we win, but nothing hits you in the face more than a loss," he said.
"The boys were gutted losing, but at the same time they were very optimistic.
"On Sunday our actions will tell the story. How we've come back, and have we learnt from that stuff, and have we hung onto the good stuff."
The Warriors will be without star front-rower Mitch Barnett for Sunday's clash after the prop broke his thumb in last week's defeat.
Big blow: Mitch Barnett's broken thumb means he will be missed against Cronulla | Photo: Darren Pateman/AAP
Webster revealed Barnett had been hurt early in the game but played through, before medical staff deemed he required surgery.
The Warriors are unsure how long he will miss, but the injury is not expected to sideline him long term after his 2025 was also ruined by an ACL rupture.
"He played with it for a long time - typical Mitch," Webster said of Barnett's thumb injury.
"If he had his way he would probably be playing this week instead of having surgery, but his thumb has to stay attached so we'd like him to get it done.
"He is a world-class player and Origin player and played for his country. We're going to miss him, but next man up attitude and whoever plays will do a great job."
