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Rest or chase glory?: Webster’s next big Warriors decision
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 31st, 2026 11:53 am
Jett Cleary | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The NZ Warriors may be sitting atop the NRL ladder, but former player and Sport Nation commentator Blayke Ayshford believes their attention lays on the bigger picture.
Sunday’s win over the Newcastle Knights secured a top-two finish and guaranteed Andrew Webster’s side two home finals.
And while a second minor premiership would be a major achievement for the club, Ayshford believes the Warriors’ priority is reaching and potentially winning the grand final instead.
“It's a great accomplishment to be number one at the end of all the regular season, it is,” he told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy on Monday.
“So you get $100,000, you get the J. J. Giltinan Shield, you get your name on there, but personally, I think the Warriors are looking at the bigger picture here.
Jacob Laban celebrates a try with his teammates | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
“I don't think that's on the forefront of their mind. I think the first weekend in October is the one they're after,” Ayshford explained.
Despite being one of the NRL’s most injury-hit teams and using seven different halves combinations throughout the 2026 season to date, the Warriors have remained in the hunt.
Webster now faces another difficult call over whether to rest key players in a bid to minimise injuries before the finals or stick with last week’s squad and risk inexperience letting the minor premiership slip through their fingers.
“There’s something to be said about trying to keep the momentum going and not giving these players a rest while they're still rolling so it's going to be an interesting wait to see what Webby does.
“I think either way, you can't go wrong. If you’re Andrew Webster, if you give the players a rest, that's well-deserved, if you keep them on, they keep that momentum rolling.”
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However, he pointed out the Warriors’ approach could be influenced by what happened last season, when resting players cost them a win in their final regular season game, also against Manly Sea Eagles.
“Now, I know last year they rested some players and it didn't really work out.”
The Warriors were forced to reshuffle their halves again shortly before Sunday’s clash after Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin were ruled out 24 hours before kick-off, opening the door for NSW Cup pairing Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson.
Cleary, 21, who made a last-minute NRL debut in the Warriors No. 7 jersey, handled the pressure impressively, according to Ayshford.
Jett Cleary makes his mark for the Warriors! | Sport Nation
“They were against a horrendous wind at the start of the game. So kicking into that, putting the ball where he needed to in certain moments, I thought his kicking game was outstanding.
“There were a lot of things that you need to improve on, but I can't be critical of someone's first game with all that pressure on him.”
Ayshford also believes it wouldn’t be a bad idea to rest Harris-Tavita and Martin “that probably need the rest for what looks like could be a big and telling final series.
“If he gives Te Maire and Chanel another week, I see nothing wrong with leaving Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson out there. I thought they did a great job last night to earn another recall."
Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
With Dallin Watene-Zelezniak still sidelined by a broken collarbone and replacement Luke Lualilii also unavailable after suffering a concussion in a high tackle from Jacob Saifiti, Ayshford believes the Warriors also have enough depth to cover the latest blow on their right edge.
“You've got three or four boys I think in New South Wales Cup that are there and probably ready.”
Listen to the full interview below:
