July 17, 2026 • 8 mins
The Warriors are back in the winner’s circle and full of confidence as they search for back-to-back wins against the St George Illawarra Dragons this weekend in Auckland.
After battling a severe mid-season injury crisis, they have named their strongest possible side as they look to maintain their position inside the NRL’s top four.
This week, they face the Dragons, who are in last place, but will provide an intriguing challenge for the Warriors.
Former player and Sky Sport Commentator Monty Betham joined Piney to preview tonight's clash.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB tonight.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Of course, apart from the All Blacks playing against Ireland,
we've also got the very small matter of an NRL
match at go Media Stadium, Round twenty with the Warriors
up against the Dragons. This is from seven thirty tonight
coverage from seven on sky Sport too. Incidentally, former Warrior
and now Skysport analyst and commentator Monty Beatham's on the
phone with us. Monty, good to get your analysis of
(00:35):
this one. Since the Warriors last played the Dragons a
couple of months ago, the Warriors have had two wins,
three narrow defeats and a couple of buys in there,
so it's been a bit up and down. How do
you assess the Warrior's recent form.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Well, I think when you think about some of those
narrow losses and defeats, there are probably games of the
round two in games of the year when you think
about the Dolphins, but also the Penrith Panthers, but still
unable to get the job done. So no place like
home and obviously with the pack at the moment, all
angiety each there in the coming weeks and the Warriors
(01:09):
having the better run and playing at home against the
Dragons who have only had the two wins. Yes, the
last week was against the Tigers. They're in a pretty
good position to capitalize in March.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
On despite the fact that Dragons you know, are right
down the bottom and as you say, they had a
pretty pretty miserable sort of a season. How big a
challenge will they still present to the Warriors tonight.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Well, if you don't turn up tonight, you're going to
be in trouble. It's like that across the competition. You
saw on Thursday night when you had the Broncos at
lost eight in the row to beat the top of
the table Penrith Panthers, and we know they're always capable.
So it's simple. If you don't you finish your position,
if you don't turn up, if you think that you
deserve to win without doing all the hard stuff and
(01:51):
all the groundwork foundation wise, you're going to be in
a lot of trouble. So the game at home, I
know when it's a Sallo crowd tonight. Weve always talks
about repaying the faith of the fans, so they've got
to do that. But they've got to start well. They
can't think that this is a team that's just going
to lay down, because this time of year you always
have the people down to the bottom and were allowed
(02:12):
to get up and try and go after some scalps,
and no bigger scalps than the warriors who are sitting
second at the moment.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
When you are down in your luck like the dragons are.
If the Warriors can start well, and you know, get
out to a bit of a lee, let's say in
the first twenty minutes or so, Monty, you know, would
would the Dragons, in their heart of hearts thinks I
think to themselves like, Okay, well this miserable season of
ours are just going to continue.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Think so, I think you revert to type, and you're
revert to what you know. You don't rise to the casion.
You fall to the levels of your preparation and the
way you've been playing. And that's how the Dragons have been.
Don't get me wrong. Next to you. When they get
some inclusions of metca, drink water Sami Watson and call
them matungi, I think they're going to be a better side.
But at the moment they're very young. They don't know
(02:52):
quite how to win and win consistently because they don't
have the right leaders doing the one percent or going
after the game in those little moments. But that's not
saying that they can't do it, you know, and sometimes
when you can't. Well, Set to two comes back home
tonight and play against his old club as well. He'll
be wanting to play well. Also very good four Pack
as well, but with you know, tonight's a milestone for
(03:15):
Tomighty Mad and other players who're playing well. He's playing
the swiftieth match, so it's going to be one of
those games where the Warriors are almost back to full
strength or as close as they can be, so they
need to play well.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Just on Tomighty. I mean, at the start of the season,
he probably wondered what his role might be to play
in this team with you know, with Tanner Boy there
and Luke Metcalf obviously, but he's taken over since boards
injury at Magic Round and rarely run the cut. Well,
how do you assess the way he's playing.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
He's been outstanding. I think he's only plays seven games
this year when you think about it, of their available
seventeen for the Warriors, so he's still getting you know,
the runs on the board and still getting better at it.
Trying to work on his game. He realized his probably
kicking is not as best aspect of the game. So
China his run game has been very good of late. Defensively,
(04:00):
he's always been very sound, and that just their partnership
is forming. Mishonell Harris Tavina has been a pretty good
one when you think about the half back that he's
keeping out of the running right now. So you know,
Luke Metcal is probably going to play Cup tonight. He'll
get his minutes that way, and as a result, you know,
it's just more time for Commode, who celebrates a milestone
(04:21):
to be out there playing well behind a pack that
gets Mitch Barnett back and you have Cape well with
others playing well like this Warrior's pack has been outstanding.
That's what has been playing well. But also Wade Egan,
who has just been an exceptional form.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, it's been and it's been a bit of a
mix next man up as well, hasn't it. Monty. You know,
you think about the guys who have dropped out, the
injuries they've had. I mean, Jackson Ford was absolutely magnificent
until his injury. But yeah, Cape well, back Barnett back.
I think every team hopes they have a next man
up mentality, don't they. But the Warriors are really sort
of you know, walking that walk this year.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Oh Jacob Labor and you mentioned Nick men up mentality
and what he's been able to do is now I
made him at a players someone who's on the cusp
of bigger on as representatively at the back end of
the year when you know you' got a World Cup
coming up, and you know Tennis Dale Smith another guy
who's been exceptional, you know, just taking all his chances
over the years. He's been getting more and more with
injuries to some some key person now but for me
(05:18):
even more exciting and seeing their homegrown talent just becoming
eighty minute players or players that can contribute with or
without the ball. And we've been seeing more and more
of that. So love it. But you know, when you've
got more strike out then a lof you on the Camperer,
you've got Leka Hala Sima, who was you know, on
limited minutes last week, playing forty. He'll probably get a
(05:39):
little bit more tonight. That's where you get some of
the X factor because you look, you can go deep
in this competition, but to really be there at the
right end and to make a difference and to put
your hand up as our winner, you've got to have
some strike and with a lofty back a lecqua Jake
playing well on that other edge, being able to score
tries from his kicks up pie eerily, then you start
(06:02):
feeling better about it. With Mitch Barnett and also James
for share of co captains getting more game time together.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
You mentioned Luke Metcalfe is going to get minutes playing Cup.
What's your gut film, Onty, is he going to play
first grade again this year or not?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Look, it just takes one, one, one moment where it's
a minor injury or a serious injury to some keepers
now and then you've got to get the opportunity. You know,
if you're asking to Mighty mt and ten weeks ago,
are you going to play first grade this year? He
probably would have scratched his head and said no. I
remember in that game, you know, when he's getting ready
to come on, he thought he's just going to be
(06:36):
doing extras after the game. But all of a sudden,
Tan the board goes down and now Tomighty plays a
starring role and not just the bits of role, a
role where he becomes the guy with the keys who
leads his team around the park. So to know that
you've got someone as good as Luke Metcalfe, they're waiting
if something goes wrong, but getting the minute and cup
just it's really good because when we're talking about expected
(06:58):
before something that the side needs, he's been He's one
that we have seen last year when he's at his best,
what he could do. But in saying that, Tomight's been
doing a fantastic job with his numbers assist and also
his running ability and of course defensively, very very sound.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
All right, prediction time to finish comfortable, Warriors win or
do you think it could be a slightly tougher assignment
than some are expecting.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Look, I think it's going to be tough early and
could be for a very long period of time. But
I think we're this Warriors team I wanted to go tonight.
They've got to win thirteen plus and they've got to
win well. You know last week'st The Tiger site desperate.
They are down on completions, they are down on discipline,
but yet they've got great line breaks. I think was
twelve to two. So if you can get their same
(07:42):
line breaks in this game, you've got to finish them
off and you've got to capitalize, and I think this
Warriors site is going to do it against a sellout announcement.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Grow well, brilliant. Always love chatting rugby league with you, Monty.
Thanks for taking the time.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
As always, mate, Thanks Pini.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
No good on you, mate, Monty Betham there joining us
SO Warriors Tonight's seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB tonight.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Of course, apart from the All Blacks playing against Ireland,
we've also got the very small matter of an NRL
match at go Media Stadium, Round twenty with the Warriors
up against the Dragons. This is from seven thirty tonight
coverage from seven on sky Sport too. Incidentally, former Warrior
and now Skysport analyst and commentator Monty Beatham's on the
phone with us. Monty, good to get your analysis of
(00:35):
this one. Since the Warriors last played the Dragons a
couple of months ago, the Warriors have had two wins,
three narrow defeats and a couple of buys in there,
so it's been a bit up and down. How do
you assess the Warrior's recent form.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
Well, I think when you think about some of those
narrow losses and defeats, there are probably games of the
round two in games of the year when you think
about the Dolphins, but also the Penrith Panthers, but still
unable to get the job done. So no place like
home and obviously with the pack at the moment, all
angiety each there in the coming weeks and the Warriors
(01:09):
having the better run and playing at home against the
Dragons who have only had the two wins. Yes, the
last week was against the Tigers. They're in a pretty
good position to capitalize in March.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
On despite the fact that Dragons you know, are right
down the bottom and as you say, they had a
pretty pretty miserable sort of a season. How big a
challenge will they still present to the Warriors tonight.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Well, if you don't turn up tonight, you're going to
be in trouble. It's like that across the competition. You
saw on Thursday night when you had the Broncos at
lost eight in the row to beat the top of
the table Penrith Panthers, and we know they're always capable.
So it's simple. If you don't you finish your position,
if you don't turn up, if you think that you
deserve to win without doing all the hard stuff and
(01:51):
all the groundwork foundation wise, you're going to be in
a lot of trouble. So the game at home, I
know when it's a Sallo crowd tonight. Weve always talks
about repaying the faith of the fans, so they've got
to do that. But they've got to start well. They
can't think that this is a team that's just going
to lay down, because this time of year you always
have the people down to the bottom and were allowed
(02:12):
to get up and try and go after some scalps,
and no bigger scalps than the warriors who are sitting
second at the moment.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
When you are down in your luck like the dragons are.
If the Warriors can start well, and you know, get
out to a bit of a lee, let's say in
the first twenty minutes or so, Monty, you know, would
would the Dragons, in their heart of hearts thinks I
think to themselves like, Okay, well this miserable season of
ours are just going to continue.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Think so, I think you revert to type, and you're
revert to what you know. You don't rise to the casion.
You fall to the levels of your preparation and the
way you've been playing. And that's how the Dragons have been.
Don't get me wrong. Next to you. When they get
some inclusions of metca, drink water Sami Watson and call
them matungi, I think they're going to be a better side.
But at the moment they're very young. They don't know
(02:52):
quite how to win and win consistently because they don't
have the right leaders doing the one percent or going
after the game in those little moments. But that's not
saying that they can't do it, you know, and sometimes
when you can't. Well, Set to two comes back home
tonight and play against his old club as well. He'll
be wanting to play well. Also very good four Pack
as well, but with you know, tonight's a milestone for
(03:15):
Tomighty Mad and other players who're playing well. He's playing
the swiftieth match, so it's going to be one of
those games where the Warriors are almost back to full
strength or as close as they can be, so they
need to play well.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Just on Tomighty. I mean, at the start of the season,
he probably wondered what his role might be to play
in this team with you know, with Tanner Boy there
and Luke Metcalf obviously, but he's taken over since boards
injury at Magic Round and rarely run the cut. Well,
how do you assess the way he's playing.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
He's been outstanding. I think he's only plays seven games
this year when you think about it, of their available
seventeen for the Warriors, so he's still getting you know,
the runs on the board and still getting better at it.
Trying to work on his game. He realized his probably
kicking is not as best aspect of the game. So
China his run game has been very good of late. Defensively,
(04:00):
he's always been very sound, and that just their partnership
is forming. Mishonell Harris Tavina has been a pretty good
one when you think about the half back that he's
keeping out of the running right now. So you know,
Luke Metcal is probably going to play Cup tonight. He'll
get his minutes that way, and as a result, you know,
it's just more time for Commode, who celebrates a milestone
(04:21):
to be out there playing well behind a pack that
gets Mitch Barnett back and you have Cape well with
others playing well like this Warrior's pack has been outstanding.
That's what has been playing well. But also Wade Egan,
who has just been an exceptional form.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Yeah, it's been and it's been a bit of a
mix next man up as well, hasn't it. Monty. You know,
you think about the guys who have dropped out, the
injuries they've had. I mean, Jackson Ford was absolutely magnificent
until his injury. But yeah, Cape well, back Barnett back.
I think every team hopes they have a next man
up mentality, don't they. But the Warriors are really sort
of you know, walking that walk this year.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
Oh Jacob Labor and you mentioned Nick men up mentality
and what he's been able to do is now I
made him at a players someone who's on the cusp
of bigger on as representatively at the back end of
the year when you know you' got a World Cup
coming up, and you know Tennis Dale Smith another guy
who's been exceptional, you know, just taking all his chances
over the years. He's been getting more and more with
injuries to some some key person now but for me
(05:18):
even more exciting and seeing their homegrown talent just becoming
eighty minute players or players that can contribute with or
without the ball. And we've been seeing more and more
of that. So love it. But you know, when you've
got more strike out then a lof you on the Camperer,
you've got Leka Hala Sima, who was you know, on
limited minutes last week, playing forty. He'll probably get a
(05:39):
little bit more tonight. That's where you get some of
the X factor because you look, you can go deep
in this competition, but to really be there at the
right end and to make a difference and to put
your hand up as our winner, you've got to have
some strike and with a lofty back a lecqua Jake
playing well on that other edge, being able to score
tries from his kicks up pie eerily, then you start
(06:02):
feeling better about it. With Mitch Barnett and also James
for share of co captains getting more game time together.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
You mentioned Luke Metcalfe is going to get minutes playing Cup.
What's your gut film, Onty, is he going to play
first grade again this year or not?
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Look, it just takes one, one, one moment where it's
a minor injury or a serious injury to some keepers
now and then you've got to get the opportunity. You know,
if you're asking to Mighty mt and ten weeks ago,
are you going to play first grade this year? He
probably would have scratched his head and said no. I
remember in that game, you know, when he's getting ready
to come on, he thought he's just going to be
(06:36):
doing extras after the game. But all of a sudden,
Tan the board goes down and now Tomighty plays a
starring role and not just the bits of role, a
role where he becomes the guy with the keys who
leads his team around the park. So to know that
you've got someone as good as Luke Metcalfe, they're waiting
if something goes wrong, but getting the minute and cup
just it's really good because when we're talking about expected
(06:58):
before something that the side needs, he's been He's one
that we have seen last year when he's at his best,
what he could do. But in saying that, Tomight's been
doing a fantastic job with his numbers assist and also
his running ability and of course defensively, very very sound.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
All right, prediction time to finish comfortable, Warriors win or
do you think it could be a slightly tougher assignment
than some are expecting.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Look, I think it's going to be tough early and
could be for a very long period of time. But
I think we're this Warriors team I wanted to go tonight.
They've got to win thirteen plus and they've got to
win well. You know last week'st The Tiger site desperate.
They are down on completions, they are down on discipline,
but yet they've got great line breaks. I think was
twelve to two. So if you can get their same
(07:42):
line breaks in this game, you've got to finish them
off and you've got to capitalize, and I think this
Warriors site is going to do it against a sellout announcement.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Grow well, brilliant. Always love chatting rugby league with you, Monty.
Thanks for taking the time.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
As always, mate, Thanks Pini.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
No good on you, mate, Monty Betham there joining us
SO Warriors Tonight's seven thirty.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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