Tanah Boyd injury casts shadow over Warriors' fire in Magic Round

The Warriors’ emphatic 42-12 Magic Round win over the Brisbane Broncos has been overshadowed by a suspected ACL injury to halfback Tanah Boyd.

The 25-year-old was forced from the field inside the opening 10 minutes.

In front of a sea of Wahs fans, who turned Brisbane into a home crowd, the Warriors still delivered a statement performance against the 2025 premiers.

But the focus quickly shifted to Boyd’s early exit and what it means for the rest of the season.

Veteran Te Maire Martin stepped in and helped steady the side, guiding the Warriors through the disruption and finishing with a standout all-round performance that included a try, two try assists, 90 running metres from nine carries, a line break, and a line break assist in 74 minutes.

Boyd’s injury immediately raises questions over who will partner with Chanel Harris-Tavita moving forward.

Halfback Tanah Boyd of the Warriors leaving the field after a suspected ACL injury. Photo/Dave Hunt/Photosport

Martin, Luke Metcalf, and emerging youngster Luke Hanson are among the options available to head coach Andrew Webster.

Speaking post-match, Webster said the club’s thoughts were firmly with Boyd.

“We’re really behind him and feel for him right now, but fingers crossed, hopefully it’s good news. But it’s hard to get too excited when that happens… we’re not writing him off yet.”

Te Maire Martin of the Warriors scoring a try. Photo/NRL

Despite the setback, Webster praised the way his squad responded and the system around the players stepping up.

“He did a terrific job… and we know that Te Maire's going to come on and do his role… so that’s a real… celebration to our whole system, to our assistant coaches preparing him, and to T himself, and we’ve got really good depth in that position.”

Elsewhere in the Warriors’ dominant display, forward Jackson Ford continued his strong form, playing 60 minutes off the bench and leading the defensive effort with a game-high 33 tackles.

Ford, who has been mentioned in State of Origin conversations, was overlooked when New South Wales coach Laurie Daley named his Game One squad on Monday morning.

Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris believes Ford’s form deserves recognition.

“I think he’s earned everything, all the applause he’s getting… we like his work ethic, like that's who he is,” Fisher-Harris told reporters. “He’s just a good bloke, and there's nothing he won’t do for the team… he’s the selfless guy.”

The Warriors’ fifth straight win keeps their momentum rolling.

But attention now turns to their next clash against a struggling St George Illawarra Dragons outfit, who lost 28-6 to the Penrith Panthers in the final match of Magic Round.

The Warriors-Dragons will be played on Saturday, 23 May at Jubilee Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.30pm NZT.