Warriors five-eighth Luke Metcalf has revealed his intentions to inherit the halfback position when Shaun Johnson eventually moves on.
The 24-year-old half was signed from the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and impressed in 2023’s pre-season until a hamstring injury sidelined him until Round 12, where he made his first appearance in the loss to Brisbane in Napier following strong performances in reserve grade.
Given another chance to start in Round 13 against the Dolphins at Mt Smart, Metcalf seized the opportunity and scored a try on the way to a 30-8 rout of the Wayne Bennett coached side.
Metcalf has a chance to cement himself alongside Shaun Johnson in the halves and told The Big League Podcast’s Nathan Limm he sees himself as a long-term halfback option for the club and he knows how fortunate he is that having someone like Johnson to learn from.
“I see myself as a number seven that’s the ultimate goal so it’s cool to have someone like Shauny to learn off, learn those sorts of things I’ve had some good number sevens at my previous clubs to learn off so in the future that’s 100 percent something I want to do.”
Johnson’s resurgent form has been one of the brightest points of what is already a markedly more optimistic season for the Warriors and Metcalf knows he has a role to play in helping his halves partner continue the rich vein he is in.
“He’s our seven, he’s our general so if I can just support play or just try to help him if he’s leading middles around I can talk to my edge and get them in shape for when he swings around to our side or just take a bit of pressure off him with a bit of kicking. If I just knuckle down on some of those things.”
After now having played two first grade matches for the Warriors, the Coffs Harbour-born Metcalf told Nathan Limm there is a step up between NSW Cup and the NRL.
“It’s always a step up when you go to NRL. Just physically and the speed of the game is a lot quicker that’s probably the main thing. You’re just blowing a bit more than in Cup.”
Warriors fans will be keen to hear how the young star’s hamstring is holding up after two games of first grade and Metcalf told Limm he’s keeping on top of it.
“If I get a bit slack then I think that’s where I can probably be a little bit at risk of doing something to it so I’ve just got to make sure every week just doing the stuff I’m doing for it.”
Having a noticeably improved performance in his second game for the Warriors isn’t getting into his head, saying he has more room to grow as a player.
Listen to all episodes of The Big League Podcast here, or wherever you get your podcasts.