Luke Metcalf’s management seeks meeting with Warriors over his future at halfback

Tanah Boyd (left) and Luke Metcalf have both started at halfback for the Warriors over the past two seasons. Photo / Photosport

A halves dilemma at the Warriors appears poised to become a problem, with Luke Metcalf’s management reportedly seeking a meeting with the club over its long-term plans.

A report from Sydney’s Daily Telegraph claims Metcalf wants clarity on his role at the Auckland club as he finds himself stuck behind Tanah Boyd at his preferred halfback position.

Since arriving at the Warriors in 2023, Metcalf has played 21 of his 36 matches at five-eighth, but made the switch to the No 7 jersey last season, where he was thriving before an ACL injury ended his campaign.

Boyd, 25, then assumed the halfback role and, while there were mixed results at the end of last season, he has turned a new leaf in 2026, becoming one of the club’s in-form playmakers, leading the Warriors to second on the NRL ladder.

Metcalf made his NRL return against the Tigers in round four at five-eighth, before picking up a hamstring injury against the Sharks the following week. Coincidentally, those appearances were in the Warriors’ only losses this season.

The 27-year-old was an unused substitute during the Warriors’ win over the Eels as the combination of Boyd and incumbent five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita led the Warriors to victory. The pair are unbeaten in six matches together. The Warriors’ other win saw Boyd link up with Luke Hanson in his NRL debut against the Newcastle Knights.

The report says there is no suggestion that Metcalf wants to quit his deal, but he apparently wants to play halfback, not five-eighth, long term.

Metcalf re-signed with the Warriors during the off-season until the end of the 2028 season, despite his long injury history. He has reached double-figure appearances just twice, in 2023 and 2025.

Adding to the unease are further reports that Boyd, who is off contract at the end of the season, is close to re-signing with the Warriors. Last season, he was approached by two Queensland clubs, but took up the player-option to stay at the Warriors, even though at the time he had played only for the reserves.

Harris-Tavita, who recently played his 100th match for the Warriors, is also off contract, and reports said he was in discussions to link up with former coach Todd Payten at the North Queensland Cowboys.

After the win over the Eels, Warriors coach Andrew Webster hinted he would be sticking with the combination of Boyd and Harris-Tavita, which is what likely sparked Metcalf’s management to ask for an explanation.

“I’m not making any changes to them,” Webster said. “They deserve to stay there, and they’ve done a good job.

“We’re just picking the team on form. Luke’s done nothing wrong. He’s a good player and, if the opportunity comes, he’ll take it. But right now this is the best thing for the team.“

In nine games, Boyd has three tries and 10 assists, while Harris-Tavita has three tries and five assists in six games.

The Warriors entered the season facing a huge halves dilemma, although it appeared at the time that Metcalf would be the least of their worries.

On the books, the Warriors have Metcalf, Harris-Tavita, Boyd, Te Maire Martin and Jye Linnane in their top 30, with Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson on development deals. Jack Thompson and former Tasman Mako Harry Inch are part of the Jersey Flegg (Under-21) side.

Harris-Tavita, Martin, Boyd and Hanson are all off contract on November 1 and, with Cleary getting a top-30 promotion in 2027, it is unlikely the Warriors can keep them all.

Webster has said they don’t want to lose Harris-Tavita.

The Herald has contacted Metcalf’s management group for further comment.

The Warriors have a bye this weekend and next play on May 17, when they face the Broncos in Brisbane as part of the NRL Magic Round.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald, covering breaking sports news.