WHEN the Warriors lost Kurt Capewell in the warm-up at GO Media Stadium on Friday night, coach Andrew Webster had more options than rugby league coaches elsewhere in the world – or himself a year ago.
The NRL this year mandated that while the number of interchanges who could be used during a match would remain the same, the players from which teams can choose would be six rather than four.
Webster explained after a crushing 40-6 win how much planning had gone into utilising the new six-man bench – and how he executed those choices.
“We have something organised for every situation,” the coach said after the Aucklanders’ second win from as many starts.
“Capey went down in the warm-up with a calf. Straight away we knew that Leka (Halsima) was going to start.
“Straight away we knew if we got an outside back or a half injury, we knew what we were going to do which would activate Taine (Tauapiki).
“Therefore Charnze (Nicoll-Klokstad) would move to the halves or if it was a centre or a winger, Charnze would move there.
“We had the plan sorted and everything ready and then it obviously doubled up. Chanel (Harris-Tavita) went down, it activated Taine.
“Then (Harris-Tavita) went down and we put Wayde Egan at half.
“The boys were so calm, so clear. Before the game I said ‘Capey’s out, Leka’s in’ and everyone game him a cheer.”
The coach was particularly proud of the effort of Halasima, a 20-year-old Tongan international.
Webster said: “We were just talking in the sheds about how proud we are of Leka. He got a minute’s notice, he knuckled down, scored two tries.
“But his tackling, his defence, his effort areas … they were honestly the best part about his game. He did it for 80 minutes.
“We were excited for Leka.”
In his 150th appearance, captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck booted a 77th minute conversion.
“I was in shock at the time but all the boys were egging me on,” Tuivasa-Sheck said. “I was surprised it went over.”