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Live sport on SN this weekendWebster explains fullback benching call in selection headache
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • September 4th, 2026 2:53 pm
Taine Tuaupiki | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
Warriors coach Andrew Webster has admitted Taine Tuaupiki was “very hard done by” after being demoted to the bench for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s return from suspension.
Webster had several difficult selection decisions to make for the final regular season round, including whether Nicoll-Klokstad should return to the wing to temporarily fill the void of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after a successful mid-season stint there.
Instead, Nicoll-Klokstad has been named at fullback, leaving Tuaupiki on the bench despite a strong fortnight in the No. 1 jersey.
Tuaupiki has also taken over the goal-kicking duties in recent weeks, converting 15 of 16 tries against the Rabbitohs and Knights to help the Warriors build enough points differential to move into first place on the NRL ladder.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Taine Tuaupiki celebrate a try | Photo: Tertius Pickard/Photosport
But Webster said Nicoll-Klokstad’s form at fullback made the decision almost impossible to avoid.
“We played three of our best games when Charnze was at fullback,” he explained.
“He came back into the team on the wing, he nearly missed the birth of his baby at Tigers on the wing.
“Then he got his opportunity back at fullback and I thought he was outstanding.”
But Webster was quick to stress that Tuaupiki’s demotion was not a reflection of his performances.
“I think Taine is very hard done by, like he's so important to us.
“Once again, it's a depth challenge but it's also a headache every coach wants.”
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Webster acknowledged Tuaupiki’s goal-kicking form had made the call even tougher.
“You can say it hasn’t played a part because I haven’t picked him but I can say it gave me a headache, I thought about it.
“I reckon it keeps everyone on their toes, I think if you asked those two players, ‘are they better players than they were four years ago because of each other’, I’d say they’d definitely say yes because they are best of mates and they compete so hard.
“Our motto is open and honest. Taine is all for the team but he’s ambitious, he wants to be in the team, he’s not just handing it over.”
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Rather than Nicoll-Klokstad stepping back onto the wing, Adam Pompey will wear the No. 2 jersey against the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday after being used off the bench to cover an injury to Watene-Zelezniak and head knock to Luke Laulilii.
“Obviously we are waiting on Dallin's return, so if Dallin doesn't return in time, who do we pick on the wing? I thought Adam’s done a great job the last two weeks when he's come off the bench and played.”
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