Warriors v Dragons: Te Maire Martin starts at halfback after Tanah Boyd ruled out with ACL injury

Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd has been ruled out for the rest of the NRL season after confirmation he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Boyd suffered the injury in the opening minutes of Sunday’s 42-12 win over the Brisbane Broncos at Magic Round.

The 25-year-old’s leg buckled while attempting to step an opposing player and he left the field in tears.

While there had been hope the injury was not serious, scans have now confirmed the worst and brought a premature end to Boyd’s season.

No date has been set for surgery, but he could return in time for the start of the 2027 campaign.

“Definitely not how I thought my season would finish,” Boyd said in a social media post. “But grateful for the year it’s been.

“I can’t wait to watch the boys finish the year off and continue to chase that trophy.

“A big thank you to everyone who has reached out, I appreciate everyone so much! Long journey ahead but ready for 2k27.”

It is a cruel blow for Boyd, with an announcement confirming he has re-signed with the club on a long-term deal expected in the coming days.

The halfback had been one of the Warriors’ standout performers to start the season, helping guide the side to an 8-2 record. He scored three tries and registered 10 try assists during that stretch.

In Boyd’s absence, Te Maire Martin will make a rare start at halfback for the Warriors in their upcoming clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

After Boyd went down against the Broncos, Martin came off the bench for his first NRL appearance of the season and made an immediate impact, setting up two tries and scoring another.

The veteran playmaker had only returned from a broken leg two weeks earlier through the Warriors’ reserve grade side.

Martin has played 43 games for the Warriors since arriving at Mt Smart in 2023 and made 17 appearances mostly as an interchange utility last season.

The 30-year-old will partner Chanel Harris-Tavita in the halves, while rookie Luke Hanson has been named on the extended bench as cover.

Earlier this month, Warriors coach Andrew Webster backed Boyd as the club’s long-term halfback, a move that prompted Luke Metcalf to request a release from his contract.

Metcalf has since signed with the Dragons from next season, but he will not line up against his future club this weekend – a decision Webster had already flagged after the playmaker missed training last week while negotiating with rival teams.

While the Warriors lose Boyd, they do welcome back five-eighth Jye Linnane, who made his comeback from two ACL injuries in the reserves side as they beat the Melbourne Storm.

Playing in the unfamiliar position of centre, Linnane showcased his blistering speed, scoring a brace in 50 minutes on the field.

Meanwhile, Jackson Ford returns to the starting side to face the Dragons, with Mitchell Barnett away on New South Wales State of Origin duty, while Jacob Laban replaces Queensland representative Kurt Capewell in the second row.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has a chance of returning from a shoulder injury after being named among the reserves.

No timeline has been set for the return of fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (neck), while winger Haizyn Mellars (hamstring) and centre Rocco Berry (shoulder) are expected to be available next week.

While the Warriors are second on the NRL ladder, the Dragons are stuck at the bottom and riding a 14-game losing streak that dates back to last season.

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Tanner Stower-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 18. Luke Hanson, 20. Marata Niukore, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Makaia Tafua, 23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (three to be omitted).

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