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NRL: Warriors suffer back-to-back defeats with loss to Brisbane Broncos

NRL: Warriors suffer back-to-back defeats with loss to Brisbane Broncos

RNZ News20 hours ago

James Fisher-Harris in action for Warriors against Broncos.
Photo:
Tertius Pickard/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors have slumped to consecutive defeats for the first time this NRL season, falling 26-12 to Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
While the result sees their grip on a top-four spot now in jeopardy, they also lost the services of arguably their two best players - half Luke Metcalf and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - as they fought back into the contest in the second half.
Nicoll-Klokstad did not return to the field after halftime with a knee injury, while Metcalf was helped off the park in the closing minutes, after he was nailed in a tackle by second-rower Brendan Piakura.
Brisbane were on top from the opening kickoff, when Warriors forward Marata Niukore dropped a pass in front of his own posts and the home side took advantage for centre Katoni Staggs to score.
Ill discipline continued to cost the Warriors, as they allowed their opponents across for two more tries and 18 unanswered points in the first half.
Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita seemed to have scored before the break, when he chased a kick and gathered the loose ball, but replays showed he never forced for the try.
They conceded a try on halftime to centre Gehamet Shibasaki, which proved a crippling blow, but emerged from the sheds with renewed vigour.
They finally broke their drought, when winger Roger Tuviasa-Sheck crossed in the corner, and had another, when second-rower Leka Halasima chased a kick, gathered uncontested and scored.
Down 20-12, with 15 minutes remaining, the Warriors still had a chance, but could not capitalise on their opportunities. Shibasaki crossed late for a second try, putting him atop the NRL tryscoring rankings, which finally sealed the win for Brisbane.
Despite the defeat, the Warriors are fourth, still four points clear of their nearest chasers on the table - Sydney Roosters.
They won't drop out of the top four this week or next, when they will bank two points from their bye, but with only two points covering the next five teams, they need to find form against Wests Tigers in two weeks or risk being swamped over the closing rounds.
See how it all unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Broncos:
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Jack Gosiewski
Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy, 19. Selwyn Cobbo, 20. Deine Mariner, 21. Jaiyden Hunt, 22. Ben Talty, 23. Kyle Pickering.
Warriors:
1. Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Marata Niukore, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima
Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers‑Smith, 19. Taine Boyd, 20. Samuel Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Taine Tuaupiki

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Liti And Patolo Named NZ Team Flag Bearers
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