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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL world erupts over Dragons obstruction drama as fans make point about Panthers
NRL fans have echoed the outrage from Dragons coach Shane Flanagan after a controversial obstruction incident in Friday night's 14-10 loss to the Warriors. In a moment that had more than a few similarities to the Panthers drama from the previous night, Adam Pompey was awarded a crucial second half try despite claims of obstruction from the Dragons that fell on deaf ears. Penrith's Nathan Cleary accused Harry Grant of 'playing' for the penalty that cost him a winning goal field goal on Thursday night, before the Storm captain snatched victory with a try in golden point. Many fans suggested Grant took a dive when he ran towards Penrith's Moses Leota, who was pinged for blocking the Storm skipper when he tried to put pressure on Cleary's kick. On Friday night, Dragons playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia was similarly accused of play-acting by fans after appealing for an obstruction penalty for contact with Marata Niukore. The Dragons five-eighth was knocked down in the defensive line and Pompey pounced to race through and score a contentious try to help level the scores. The Bunker took a long time to make a judgement on the incident, before awarding the try to the Warriors. And the Dragons frustrations were compounded when Pompey crossed for what turned out to be the match-winning try for the Warriors ten minutes later, prompting Dragons coach Shane Flanagan to hit out over the obstruction call in his post-match press conference and questioning the double standards of decisions from officials. Shane Flanagan and fans lash officials over obstruction drama "I know you haven't asked the question but I am going to give an answer," a clearly irritated Flanagan said after the match. "It was really tough for us that what was an obstruction last week is not an obstruction this week. "The boys asked out on the field numerous times and they just got shooed away, so that is frustrating. I started playing footy when I was four years old... I don't know the rules anymore, I dead set do not know the rules. "It is tough, but we are a tough club and this is a really connected unit. We will fight really hard for the next three weeks." Many fans also pointed to the Panthers incident the night before, and questioned why Grant was awarded a penalty on a blocker call, but Lyhkan King-Togia was denied an obstruction penalty in two seperate incident that had many similarities. Been a no try all year but given a try to hand the Warriors the game… I feel for Shane Flanagan. #nrlwarriorsdragons — Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) August 15, 2025 Last night milking was ok if the player shouldn't be there anyway. Tonight against the Dragons it's play on?It's not about the obstructed defender making the tackle, it's about his centre having to leave his man. NRL officiating is a mess#nrlwarriorsdragons — Alex Carter (@abbacarter) August 15, 2025 That has been called a no try 100 times this shoulder - made contact.I do not understandooooo #nrlwarriorsdragons — Jack Holdsworth (@jholdsworth93) August 15, 2025 How many more times is this club going to get screwed over by the nrl match officials and especially the bunker? These boys are busting their arses every week and the players are not allowed to decide who proud of the effort tonight #nrlwarriorsdragons #redv — Joe REDV YNWA (@dragons2194) August 15, 2025 So the guy in The Bunker (Klein) who ruled that as ok, was the on-field referee last night who ruled that Leota took out Grant.#NRL #NRLWarriorsDragons — Aaron Eugol (@a_eugol) August 15, 2025 Warriors reclaim top-four spot in drama-filled victory The win for the Warriors saw them leapfrog Penrith into fourth on the ladder and reignite their hopes of securing a crucial top-four finish for the finals series, with three games to play. But the Dragons' slim finals hopes are all but over, despite a gutsy display that saw them jump out to a 10-0 lead after losing three players to concussion in the first half. The Dragons had to activate 18th man Tyrell Sloan after back-rowers Hamish Stewart and Jack De Belin clashed heads and were ruled out of the contest. Both players were ruled as category-one concussions after clashing heads trying to bring down Warriors enforcer James Fisher-Harris, before the Dragons lost a third player when interchange forward Hame Sele failed an HIA following a 29th-minute head knock. The injury-hit Warriors could have slumped to as low as seventh by the end of the round but instead, they extinguished the Dragons' slim finals hopes. Warriors coach Andrew Webster admitted it wasn't a pretty win but was delighted his side secured a crucial two competition points. "Far from perfect. That's pretty clear," Webster said. "But an amazing amount of effort and scramble and working hard for each other and finding a way. When you're not playing the best football, I don't think your first win (after a losing streak) is going to be a 20-point victory. It's going to be a win. That's what we come up with tonight." with AAP
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
'Killing ourselves': What we learned from the Warriors' desperate win over Dragons
Warriors celebrate Adam Pompey's game-winning try against the Dragons in Auckland, on Friday. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Analysis - As they tried to pin their opponents on their goal-line in the dying moments, the New Zealand Warriors must have suffered flashbacks to a similar scenario two weeks ago. Back then, the Warriors held a two-point lead and only needed to contain the Dolphins, but let their opponents off the hook to score a soul-destroying last-gasp try for victory . While most have lamented the defensive breakdown in their redzone that allowed the decisive score, Warriors coach Andrew Webster pointed his finger at those shortcomings at the other end of the field. "We let them off their line twice to give them a shot at that and we didn't need to," he said. Fast forward a fortnight and the Warriors had St George-Illawarra Dragons exactly where they wanted them - four points down and deep in their own half with time running out. Dragons speedster Tyrell Sloan broke over halfway and alarm bells rang out, but he had to slow for support and the Warriors defenders scrambled as if their lives depended on it. As St George tried to send the ball to the right, winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck jumped out of the defensive line to force halfback Kyle Flanagan into error, the danger passed and the home side held on 14-10. "Two weeks ago, against the Dolphins, that moment went against us," Webster said. "Tonight it didn't." One win can make an amazing difference at the pointy end of a season . If they had suffered a fourth straight defeat, the Warriors would have teetered on the edge of post-season oblivion, but victory has propelled them back into the top four and a chance at a second playoff life. "I don't think you get out of a three-game losing streak by winning by 20-30 points," Webster reflected. "You're going to grind it and you're going to find a way, and it's not going to be perfect." Here's how they achieved it. Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris had a first half he'd probably rather forget. His blown play-the-ball allowed the Dragons out off their own half in the ninth minute, and his dangerous tackle seconds later gave them a penalty from which they opened the scoring. "We're killing ourselves, making it hard for ourselves all the time," Webster lamented, perhaps kicking his skipper under the media conference table. Fisher-Harris was by no means alone in that regard. Teen sensation Leka Halasima had two errors in little over a minute, halfback Tanah Boyd and front-rower Jackson Ford gave the Dragons repeat sets with ruck infringements, and centre Adam Pompey conceded a penalty in the build-up to their second try. Somewhat indirectly, though, Fisher-Harris was also responsible for a moment that may have set the Dragons on the course to defeat. In the 15th minute, Fisher-Harris charged over halfway and, in their combined attempts to stop him, St George team-mates Jack de Belin - celebrating his 250th NRL game - and Hamish Stewart clashed heads, and lay prone for several seconds. They were both guided to the sideline, where they both failed head injury assessments. Just as they were ruled out, they were joined by Hame Sele, who had actually replaced Stewart. Suddenly, St George were down three players and, while they were then allowed to activate Sloan as their designated concussion substitute, the winger/fullback was never likely to make up for the loss of three big forwards. As the game wore on, the Dragons noticeably wore out and even Sloan's fresh legs couldn't quite spark a revival, once they surrendered the lead. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has taken his share of flak in recent weeks for defensive lapses, but he tore at the Dragons' defence all night. Maybe the pre-game Indigenous Round ceremony had the effect of firing him up, maybe it was his brief second-half exchange with serial protagonist Luciano Leilua. Second-time dad Taine Tuaupiki performed on very little sleep on Friday, after babywatch. Photo: Brett Phibbs / He ran 18 times for 171 metres and, after scoring two tries against the Dolphins, he may be coming into form at the tail end of an injury-riddled campaign. One of his charges resulted in Sele's early exit. After a quiet game against Canterbury Bulldogs, Tuivasa-Sheck was back over 265 metres running and had a freakish assist on Chanel Harris-Tavita's try, as he was pushed into touch in the corner, but somehow got the pass back infield. "Roger's in great form and he's getting involved a lot," Webster said. "He's giving us plenty of energy and coming up with big plays when we need them." Fullback Taine Tuaupiki asked plenty of questions and had assists on both Pompey's tries - the second came when he ran shortside from dummy half and found his centre with little room to operate. Webster revealed an exhausted Tuaupiki was almost scratched, after a late night witnessing the birth of his second child - a son - overnight. "He won't get any sleep again, but he gets to go home and enjoy it with a smile on his face," Webster said. "I'm just really grateful to his wife for letting him leave. "Often it's the hero story of the man leaves and plays the game, but it's the boys' partners/wives/girlfriends that allow them to go and give themselves to the team - it's pretty special." Among the forwards, Ford led the tackle count with 53 and 157 running metres, while lock Erin Clark had 39 and 132 in another consistent display. Normally, scoring a try double would have Pompey at the forefront of leading performers, but he probably owed his team as much, after allowing counterpart Mat Feagai a double of his own in the first half. Hastings-born Feagai had the Warriors in fits early on and perhaps should have had a third try, but lost control of the ball, after breaking from his own half. Only despairing cover defence from Tuaupiki saved his team. Feagai slipped inside Pompey and through Tuaupiki for his first try and then outside Pompey for his second, so it was fitting those two Warriors should combine late in the game to pull the deficit back. Front-rower Jackson Ford led the Warriors tackling effort on Friday. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Incredibly, given their recent form, this win puts them back into the top four, leapfrogging four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers, who had a nine-game winning streak snapped by Melbourne Storm in controversial circumstances on Thursday. Penrith actually have a tough run home over the next three weeks, with tabletoppers Canberra Raiders next week and third-placed Bulldogs the following week, before finishing off against giantkillers St George. A clean run to the finish could see the Warriors home, but they are still only six points clear of the ninth-placed Dolphins, who face Brisbane Broncos (sixth) on Saturday. Sydney Roosters kept their hopes alive by toppling the Bulldogs on Friday night, so by the end of the weekend, the Warriors may still be just four points away, with three games left, from missing the playoffs. Without this win, that predicament could have been far worse. Normally, the bottom team on the table at this stage of the season would look decidedly tasty - but not if they are Gold Coast Titans and not if you're the Warriors. The last three times these teams have met, Titans were cellar-dwellers, but still won. Gold Coast have been the Warriors' bogey team in recent times, especially across the ditch, where they inflicted a 60-point embarrassment this time last year. The Warriors seem to have escaped against the Dragons without obvious injury, and should have second-rower Kurt Capewell and utility Te Maire Martin (both concussion) back next week. Centre Rocco Berry (shoulder) was also spotted in a non-contact vest at training recently, so maybe he's a chance too. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Shane Flanagan fumes as obstruction non-call robs theDragons
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was fuming at an obstruction non-call for Adam Pompey's first try that cost his side in their 14-10 loss to the Warriors in Round 24. Pompey's try in the 63rd minute drew Flanagan's ire, as Dragons five-eighth Lyhkan King-Togia appealed for an obstruction after being impeded by lead runner Marata Niukore in the lead-up. Flanagan was not asked about the crucial decision post-match, but chose to bring it up anyway. 'I know you haven't asked the question, but I am going to give an answer,' Flanagan said. 'It was really tough for us that what was an obstruction last week is not an obstruction this week. 'I started playing footy when I was four years old and I don't know the rules anymore. I deadset do not know the rules. 'So it is tough, but we are a tough club and this is a really connected unit and we will fight really hard for the next three weeks.' Flanagan was pressed if he thought it was a clear obstruction from Niukore. 'As I said last week it was an obstruction and this week it is not,' Flanagan said. 'The boys asked out on the field numerous times and they just got shooed away, so that is frustrating.' Despite the loss Flanagan was proud of his players after they lost three forwards Jack de Belin, Hamish Stewart and Hame Sele to category one concussions, which saw them reduced to two on the bench including 18th man Tyrell Sloan. 'I feel a lot of pride,' Flanagan said. 'I'm proud of the group. Their effort. Their attitude. Their commitment. 'It was one of the better performances I have seen for a long period of time. 'To lose three forwards so early in the game and then you lose three interchanges there as well, so we had just one forward just rotating around and we had to activate our 18th man. 'I can't talk highly enough of the group. How hard they tried. How committed they are and how connected they are to the jersey and fighting for each other, so really proud.' Flanagan revealed the three players were doing OK, but would miss a week at least. 'Jack is looking OK,' Flanagan said. 'He is up and about. His 250th game, so really disappointing that happened. 'Hame Sele is very similar. He is feeling OK and Hamish Stewart has got a pretty nasty cut to the back of his head form the de Belin incident. 'So they will all miss a week more than likely I would think.' Dragons skipper Damien Cook was proud of his troops after a game unlike any other he had experienced. 'No I don't think I have ever been a part of a game like that,' Cook said. 'We spoke about it at halftime this could be one of the greatest wins if we could steal it, but still the result is still a massive win for us as a team. 'Just the resilience and character that we showed today is a massive step in a good direction for us.'
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Warriors Break Anzac Day Drought With Big Win Over Knights
Try doubles to winger Adam Pompey and forward Jackson Ford have carried NZ Warriors to a 26-12 win over Newcastle Knights at Christchurch, securing their first Anzac Day victory since 2014. Celebrating his 50th game for the Auckland club, Ford was initially named to start in the front row, but slipped back to the interchange bench in a late line-up shuffle from coach Andrew Webster. The perceived demotion did not discourage him, as he scored back-to-back tries, after Pompey had the Warriors off to an ideal start. Referee Wyatt Raymond reduced the contest to 12 v 12, with early sin bins for Marata Niukore and Leo Thompson, while both sides also had two tries disallowed. Reaching halftime 16-0 ahead, all three of the Warriors' first-half tries came from kick challenges, with Pompey particularly terrorising opposite James Schiller into errors. Schiller narrowed the margin, when Knights centre Dane Gagai showed his pace and found his winger running support, but hopes of a comeback were short-lived. Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf intercepted a Knights pass near his own goal-line and dashed the length of the field, before he was run down by opposite Fletcher Sharpe, but the Newcastle defence was slow retreating and hooker Wayde Egan darted over to put the game beyond reach. The long run took the sting out of Metcalf, who spend the next 25 minutes cramping up, before eventually leaving the field in the dying moments. He threw a loose pass in the build-up to Pompey's second try and the winger had to backtrack for the ball, before charging through a tired defence to score. "We weren't clinical at all, we didn't play the way we wanted to, but we scrambled really well, hung in the fight and put some points on," said Warriors captain Mitch Barnett. "Just grateful to get the win." The result propels the Warriors into second on the NRL table - for now - with their fifth win of the season, but a fifth consecutive win sess the Knights mired near the foot of the ladder. Team lists Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Ali Leiataua, 5 Adam Pompey, 6 Chanel Harris- Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 Jackson Ford, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett (c), 11 Kurt Capewell, 12, Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Leka Halasima, 15 Bunty Afoa, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jacob Laban Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 James Schiller, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Fletcher Sharpe, 7 Tyson Gamble, 8 Tyson Frizell, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Leo Thompson, 11 Dylan Lucas, 12, Kai Pearce-Paul, 13 Mat Croker Interchange: 14 Jayden Brailey, 15 Tyrone Thompson, 16 Thomas Cant, 17 Brodie Jones
RNZ News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Warriors break Anzac Day drought with big win over Knights
Adam Pompey of the Warriors fends off James Schiller of the Knights to go in foe a try during the NRL Telstra Premiership, Warriors Vs Knights at the Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: John Davidson/ Photosport The Warriors have headed south to Christchurch as their positive start to 2025 continues, and bagged their fifth win of the season against a struggling Knights side that was already sitting way down in 14th. The Auckland club had not won on this day for more than a decade. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Ali Leiataua, 5 Adam Pompey, 6 Chanel Harris- Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 Jackson Ford, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett (c), 11 Kurt Capewell, 12, Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Leka Halasima, 15 Bunty Afoa, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jacob Laban Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 James Schiller, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Fletcher Sharpe, 7 Tyson Gamble, 8 Tyson Frizell, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Leo Thompson, 11 Dylan Lucas, 12, Kai Pearce-Paul, 13 Mat Croker Interchange: 14 Jayden Brailey, 15 Tyrone Thompson, 16 Thomas Cant, 17 Brodie Jones
