NRL: Warriors settle halves puzzle as Metcalf heads to the Dragons

The Warriors head into Sunday’s Magic Round clash against the Brisbane Broncos without halfback Luke Metcalf despite the playmaker being fit and available for selection.

His omission follows a week of contract uncertainty, now resolved after the 27-year-old halfback signed a three-year contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons in Sydney.

Metcalf was granted permission to explore his options from 2027 onwards, which brought forward what was originally expected to be a longer stay in Auckland.

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said the call to leave Metcalf out of this weekend’s match was made with the player’s long-term future in mind.

Metcalf’s initial deal with the Warriors would see him stay through to the end of 2028.

Webster also said he has had “heaps of conversations with Luke”.

“It’s dumb for business… to play people, and put them in harm's way and they haven’t got their future sorted,” Webster told journalists. “And the moment he does that, we’re having him involved for selection.”

Luke Metcalf of the Warriors during a training session on Thursday. Photo/Blake Armstrong/Photosport

“The club has a very clear track record of not standing in players' way when these sort of situations arise,” he said, adding Metcalf “has been really good the last couple of days”.

Warriors CEO Cameron George, said in a club statement “we look forward to Luke continuing to be a valuable part of our squad for the rest of 2026.”

While Metcalf sets to exit the picture, the Wahs do get a timely lift with several key reinforcements for their trip to Brisbane.

Co-captain Mitchell Barnett during a media conference. Photo/Blake Armstrong/Photosport

Co-captain Mitchell Barnett will pack down in the front row alongside fellow skipper James Fisher-Harris for the first time this season. State of Origin contender Jackson Ford will come off the bench.

Barnett, who has battled through multiple injuries already this year, said he is “just trying to play Rugby League at the moment, and put my best foot forward for the Warriors.”

The Warriors have also welcomed back three more players from injury.

After suffering a concussion in the Anzac clash against the Dolphins, 23-year-old Ali Leiataua returns in the centres alongside Adam Pompey, replacing an injured Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Hooker Wayde Egan also returns to the starting side, while forward Tanner Stowers-Smith is back on the bench after a hamstring injury.

The Warriors know the size of the task waiting in Brisbane, with Suncorp Stadium a tough hunting ground in recent years. They have not beaten the Broncos there since 2018, with one draw and three defeats in their last four visits.

Barnett said the side is well aware of the challenge ahead in Brisbane.

For more information on the 2026 NRL Premiership click here.

Kick-off: Sunday, 6.05pm (NZT)

Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark. Interchange: Sam Healey, Jackson Ford, Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Te Maire Martin.

Broncos: Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Jesse Arthars, Gehamat Shibasaki, Selwyn Cobbo, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Preston Riki, Cory Paix, Xavier Willison, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Va’a Semu, Aublix Tawha, Hayze Perham, Josh Rogers.