Warriors v Sea Eagles: Why Andrew Webster should be praised for not resting players ahead of NRL finals

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster. Photo / Photosport

Warriors coach Andrew Webster could have taken the easy option when deciding which 23 players he would name in his extended squad, and nobody would have begrudged him.

With the Warriors already guaranteed a top-two finish and a home qualifying final against either the Dolphins or Sydney Roosters, there was a perfectly reasonable argument for wrapping his best players in cotton wool before the finals, particularly considering the mass injury toll they’ve had to deal with this year.

Instead, Webster has named a near full-strength side to face the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday, bringing back halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin from injury, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from suspension, while opting to rest Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell.

And quite frankly, why wouldn’t he?

There is a minor premiership in touching distance, which would be just the Warriors’ second in their 32-year history when they finished top of the table back in 2002 after the Canterbury Bulldogs’ salary cap scandal.

Heading into the final round, it is a two-horse race between the Warriors and Penrith Panthers for the J.J. Giltinan Shield.

Both sides are locked on 40 competition points, with Webster’s side sitting on top by a single point in points differential, +309 to +308.

Essentially, the Warriors must beat the Sea Eagles by at least the same margin as the Panthers beat the Wests Tigers to claim the minor premiership.

While the Warriors do hold the advantage as things stand, the Panthers are still favourites to finish top. They play 23 hours after the Warriors’ match finishes, meaning they will know exactly what winning margin or points differential they need to overtake the Warriors.

The Panthers have named their strongest possible side against the Tigers, a team they beat 68-0 earlier this season.

For Webster, naming Harris-Tavita, Martin and Nicoll-Klokstad was a no-brainer. They have been on the sidelines and will benefit from getting some valuable reps before the finals.

Plus, they are playing to win, and victory in the qualifying final next weekend would see them earn a week off and a spot in the preliminary finals.

Regardless of whether the Warriors finish first or second, they are still playing for another piece of history that will be achieved with a win.

An 18th victory would set a new club record for regular-season wins, surpassing the mark established by that 2002 side.

The side of 24 years ago is often regarded as the Warriors’ best, but Webster’s men are making a strong case that they are even better.

Wins and trophies don’t capture the true nature of what has made this campaign so special.

With the exception of Round 5, the Warriors have sat inside the top four all season. In fact, they have spent more weeks in the top four than any other team over the past two seasons.

When you take into account the Warriors’ injury toll this year, which has been one of the worst in the NRL, it makes that achievement even more remarkable.

From losing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tanah Boyd to ACL injuries, to Jackson Ford – who was the in-form prop before going down – and even playing with their fifth-choice halfback in Jett Cleary and seventh halves pairing of the season against the Newcastle Knights, the Warriors have continually defied the odds whenever adversity has been thrown their way.

Against the Knights, the combined total of NRL games on the field for the Warriors was just 1441. On the sidelines, they had another 1169 games of experience either injured or suspended.

Webster’s motto all season has been about rewarding form and earning the jersey through effort.

So why not allow the players who have put the Warriors in this position to chase a genuine piece of history?

There is no guarantee the Warriors will win the minor premiership. But the opportunity is there to win it while creating history in the process.

Webster is simply living by the philosophy that has put them in this position.

When all is said and done at the end of the campaign, this team will be spoken about among the best Warriors teams ever seen.

And if this team is going to cement its place as the greatest in club history, it should have the chance to do so on its own terms – by taking the field, backing its preparation and chasing every piece of history within its reach.

As the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, so why should Webster and the Warriors do anything different now? They should be applauded.

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