While sidelined Luke Metcalf has added to a lengthy list of players on the early-season injury list, One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster is spoilt for choice to replace him as the club embraces a ‘next man up’ mentality.
Metcalf, who broke his tibia against Newcastle last Sunday, isn’t expected to return until late in the season.
Following his electric form in the opening rounds including two tries and an assist, it’s another cruel blow adding to his run of injuries in the past few seasons,
Teammate Jazz Tevaga has had his own struggles with injury in recent years and, while he feels for the young playmaker as he faces another stint on the sidelines, he knows the team must keep moving forward.
“After him coming back and doing a big preseason after his last injury, I know it can be very disheartening for him,” said the Samoan international.
“But when someone pulls out, it’s a ‘next man up’ sort of mentality and gives Te Maire (Martin) an opportunity and we’re confident he can get the job done.”
A grand finalist with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2017, Martin is part of one of the strongest playmaking groups in the NRL Metcalf, halfback Shaun Johnson, Samoan international Chanel Harris-Tavita, who filled in at standoff for most of the game against Newcastle.
The quartet of halves are the envy of most teams in the NRL and Webster is confident whoever steps into the side will be up to the task.
“If you’re picked in the team and you’re not staying ready then you’re going to get left behind, and I haven’t seen any complacency from anyone around that,” he said.
“That’s the exciting part, when you’ve got depth like that you want to be able to utilise it.”
The One New Zealand Warriors’ depth has also been test this week through the unavailability of experienced forwards Kurt Capewell and Dylan Walker.
