NRL live updates: NZ Warriors v Wests Tigers
Photo:
David Neilson/Photosport
NZ Warriors are looking to bounce back, after a disappointing loss to Brisbane Broncos, but the bye week has seen them retain their spot in the top four. The under-pressure Wests Tigers had a much-needed win over Sydney Roosters last weekend, kickoff is at 4pm NZT.
Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Warriors:
1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene‑Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers‑Smith
Tigers:
1. Sunia Turuva, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Adam Doueihi, 4. Starford To'a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Tony Sukkar, 13. Alex Twal
Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope, 15. Alex Seyfarth, 16. Sione Fainu, 17. Jack Bird
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Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The big thing is they were looking to fade outside his right shoulder a couple of times and he came up with some big tackles by himself. His focus was to defend well and he did that tonight." Many to choose from, including Boyd and Harris-Tavita. Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (271) and fullback Taine Tuaupiki (223) - deputising for injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - both exceeded 200 running metres for the game, while prop Terrell May could only manage 137 to lead the Tigers in this regard. Hooker Wayde Egan had 54 tackles, while prop Jackson Ford, promoted to the starting line-up, made 48. "A lot of people had their individual best games for a long time," Webster said. "They focused on their jobs and executed their roles, and that helped each other. "We were just talking about who played well and I think we listed just about every player - that's always a good feeling." If you put any stock in Fantasy NRL, the most points (67) went to teenage second-rower Leka Halasima, who also produced… With seven minutes remaining, the Tigers only trailled 22-14 and a try then would have made for another nervous finish for the Warriors. When Boyd kicked skywards towards the tryline, Halasima bore down on winger Corey Staines, pressuring him into error. The ball went loose behind the line, somehow Te Maire Martin resisted the temptation to reach out and Harris-Tavita was next to arrive for the try that finally put the result to bed. Moments later, Halasima put the cherry on the performance, shrugging off two tacklers on the left sideline to score in the corner - his seventh try of the season. Chanel Harris-Tavita scores a try against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The last one just showed how brilliant he is," Webster said. "The best part about Leka's game tonight was he was trying to be aggressive in his collision - he got one wrong unfortunately. "We know how flashy he can be in those big plays, but it's the work ethic and toughness that we want him to get better at, and I thought there were signs tonight he was chasing that." Centre Rocco Berry continued his cursed season of injury, leaving the game just before halftime with what seemed like a dislocated shoulder. Depending on severity, that could spell the end of his campaign, which has never really reached full flight, after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season. He missed the opening four rounds of the regular season and a hamstring strain delayed his return, then he copped a one-game suspension in his first game, tweaked the hammy two games later and only returned against Brisbane Broncos two weeks ago, before the bye. Berry has managed just five appearances this season, but didn't finish two of them. "Sometimes that's a season, sometimes you can rehab them," Webster said. "We'll just wait and see on that one." Only a couple of weeks after suffering concussion in reserve grade, Tuaupiki was on the receiving end of another big hit from opposition winger Jeral Skelton, but bounced back to his feet and responded with a long run down the right sideline to set up Halasima's try in the final minute. Victory at this juncture of the season was absolutely crucial, especially against a team that seemed a fairly safe two points in the offering. After their first back-to-back losses of the season against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors needed to nip their mini-slide in the bud, but against the context of a shaky record emerging from bye weeks. Both those obstacles were safely overcome and the result consolidates a spot in the top four for at least another couple of weeks. The Warriors ended the game six points clear of their nearest pursuers, but both Penrith and Brisbane cut into that buffer with subsequent wins over Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans. Both are now riding five-game winning streaks, so they have momentum on their sides. The Broncos also have another bye up their sleeves, while the Panthers have recovered, after a disastrous start to their pursuit of a fifth straight NRL crown. While the Warriors now have eight more games in their run home - hopefully - to the playoffs, six are against opponents currently outside the top eight. The two exceptions - against Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Sea Eagles - are both across the Tasman. Four of them are home games and winning those would be enough to see them into the post-season. They probably need a fifth win to remain in the top four. The Warriors travel to Newcastle, where they face a Knights team languishing in 13th place on the table and missing star fullback Kalyn Ponga indefinitely to a foot injury. They lost forward Dylan Lucas to a foot injury in this week's loss to Melbourne Storm and Fletcher Sharpe - one of their best performers this season - to a lacerated kidney. Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland was also charged with his third dangerous contact offence this season against the Storm, but will escape with a fine, if he takes the early guilty plea. For the Warriors, Berry seems likely to miss time with his latest shoulder complaint, but Webster will presumably have Kurt Capewell back from Origin recovery and centre Ali Leiataua available, after testing his dodgy knee in reserve grade this weekend. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
