Latest news with #ChanelHarrisTavita
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Rabbitohs v Warriors
The Warriors are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Raiders last weekend, while the Rabbitohs will be wanting to navigate the tough Origin period without any damage. A win here keeps the Warriors in the top four and sets them up for a very handy position as we approach the halfway mark of this NRL season. Kick-off is at 4pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Isaiah Tass, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, 6. Jayden Sullivan, 7. Jamie Humphreys, 8. Jai Arrow, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Keaon Koloamatangi, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Lachlan Hubner Interchange: 14. Jye Gray, 15. Sean Keppie, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Tevita Tatola Reserves: 18. Liam Le Blanc, 19. Fletcher Myers, 20. Shaquai Mitchell, 21. Lewis Dodd Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 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. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tohu Harris Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Leka Halasima, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Jackson Ford Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban, 19. Samuel Healey, 20. Tanah Boyd, 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Warriors distance themselves from 'run it straight'
RUNIT Auckland. Trusts Stadium. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport The rugby league community is ensuring they distance themselves from the controversial new collision trend known as 'run it straight.' Calls are growing louder to ban the game in the wake of a teenager's death in Palmerston North. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died after suffering a catastrophic head injury while playing a version of the game. Though several copycat leagues have appeared, the pre-eminent and most popular is the RunIt Championship League. Current Warriors halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita has appeared in promotions for RunIt, advertised as a 'special guest' for the first night of trials in Auckland. When RNZ contacted the club for comment, a spokesman insisted the Warriors had nothing to do with the organisation. Coach Andrew Webster said he is not across the new collision craze. "I'm not a social media man so I don't know too much about it." Asked whether it could affect perceptions of the NRL, Webster said he didn't want to make an uneducated statement. "I honestly don't know enough about it, any contact sport should be done in a safe environment, but I'm focused on our game." Former Warrior and current club mentor Manu Vatuvei spoke at the second night of trials. "I know a lot of people hate it, and a lot of people love it. I'm one of those people who love it," he said at the time. Other notable athletes to have previously endorsed RunIt include current UFC light heavyweights Carlos Ulberg and Navajo Stirling. Former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke, the Pasifika engagement manager for NZ Rugby told Checkpoint Satterthwaite's death was a tragedy. Regulations that focus on health and safety need to be put in place, Clarke said. His message to young people is: "Don't do it, there's too much risk involved, we've seen now the extreme of it and the high risk that it brings - head trauma and other things that it brings as well." Saveatama Eroni Clarke. Photo: Supplied "I think about my own children and I think about Caleb and I'm thinking about his brothers and I'm thinking well certainly if there is a contact sport that I want them to play it's rugby." Young people who want to play a contact sport should join rugby, where there is good coaching and safety is in mind, he said. His message to high profile players is: "We can't be seen to support something like this."
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors vs Canberra Raiders - everything you need to know
The Warriors are chasing their sixth straight win this season. Photo: RNZ NZ Warriors will return to Go Media Stadium for the first time in a month, as they resume their rivalry with Canberra Raiders. The home side have filled the role of "road warriors", with fixtures in Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again - all valuable wins. With five straight victories under their belt, the Warriors hope to consolidate their current second standing on the NRL table. No other NRL team has faced the Warriors more than Canberra - the Melbourne Storm have also fronted up 53 times, but this encounter will give the Raiders that distinction outright. The Auckland-based side have beaten their rivals from the Aussie capital 25 times, with only North Queensland (27) and Newcastle (26) offering more success. They have enjoyed a 17-11 record in home games and 13-8 at Mt Smart. In fact, the Raiders have not won in New Zealand since 2019, when they prevailed 46-12, despite a try double from Chanel Harris-Tavita. Canberra won the much-hyped season-opener 30-8 at Las Vegas, when a length-of-the-field, intercept try to Xavier Savage turned the contest in their favour. They also won their previous meeting 20-18 at GIO Stadium, but the Warriors own the previous three encounters. Before the Warriors were established in 1995, Canberra and Manly Sea Eagles were probably Kiwis' most-followed NRL teams. The "Green Machine" previously featured NZ league legends Brent Todd, Quentin Pongia and John Lomax during a golden era that also included current coach Ricky Stuart, NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga. The Warriors have now won five consecutive games, but incredibly, they have been outscored 60-33 in the second halves of those contests. Most of those victories have been nailbiters, as they search for their first complete performance. Last week, they needed a blown referee call to escape the Dolphins 16-12. They actually have a chance to draw level with Canterbury Bulldogs atop the NRL table, but are well behind on points differential - they would need to win by 70 points to go ahead. Ali Leiataua returns from a sprained ankle against the Raiders. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport Conversely, if they lose, they would slip to fourth on the standings, as the Raiders and Storm (bye) draw level with far superior differentials. The Warriors lead the league in set completion (83 percent) and short dropouts (12), while Kurt Capewell has missed more tackles (56) than anyone else. Canberra have been one of the form teams of the competition, with their own five game win streak snapped by a defeat to the tabletopping Bulldogs two weeks ago. That was followed by another win over Gold Coast Titans last week. They lead the league in tackle breaks with 425, well clear of the next-best Brisbane Broncos (378), and also dummy half runs (125). Halfback Jamal Fogarty is tied with Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa for most attacking kicks (88). NZ Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 12. Marata Niukore, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga Reserves: 21. Tanah Boyd, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Coach Andrew Webster has made a late, but predictable change, bring centre Ali Leiataua off the extended bench and into the starting line-up. Leiataua sprained an ankle in training before the "Magic Round" win over North Queensland Cowboys, but will reclaim his spot alongside winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on one edge. His inclusion causes a reshuffle, with Kurt Capewell returning to the second row, Marata Niukore shifting to the front row and Jackson Ford to the interchange. Both co-captains Mitch Barnett (Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspension) are unavailable , but Bunty Afoa is back from a knee injury and Capewell assumes the leadership role . Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali'i 17. Ata Mariota Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Chevy Stewart Coach Ricky Stuart loses the services of NSW forward Hudson Young, so Simi Sasagi has his first start of the season, after coming of the bench previously. Second-rower Noah Martin is named for a first-grade debut from the interchange. Winger Xavier Savage had a try double at Las Vegas, including the interception that prevented a Warriors touchdown and resulted in one at the other end - a potential 12-point swing. He's in redhot form, after a hattrick against the Titans last week, and the Warriors won't want to give him any space at Mt Smart. Joseph Tapine celebrates a try for the Kiwis against Tonga. Photo: Photosport Raiders captain Joseph Tapine is well known to Kiwi fans and has established himself as one of the very best front-rowers in the competition - he was named Dally M Prop of the Year in 2022 and 2024. Tapine was sighted for a shoulder charge against the Warriors in the season-opener and suspended two games. He returned to bring up his 200th NRL appearance in Canberra's round nine win over the Storm. Tough to know which Raiders team will turn up - the one that rallied from 14-0 down to beat Melbourne or the one that let a 20-point halftime lead slide against the Bulldogs. The Warriors weren't talking much about their Vegas capitulation this week, but they will have learnt some lessons from that performance, perhaps enough to even the ledger against the "Green Machine" this season. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Mitch Barnett's journey from 'bad boy' to inspirational NZ Warriors captain
Mitch Barnett greets Warriors fans at Suncorp Stadium. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport Warriors v Dragons Kickoff: 7.30pm Saturday, 10 May WIN Stadium, Wollongong Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett is literally counting the days - and press conferences - until running mate James Fisher-Harris returns from injury. Since the NZ Kiwis skipper left their game against Melbourne Storm early with a pec (chest) strain, Barnett has had to carry the captaincy responsibilities alone, inspiring his team to three straight wins, as they carved out a spot in the NRL's top three. "I'd prefer if [Fisher-Harris] was there, but it's not new to me," he said. "I enjoy it a lot more with him around, that's for sure." Barnett has warmed to the task and performed it admirably, but he can see his cohort slowly returning to fitness on the side of the training field - and he's keeping score. One of the duties that doesn't come naturally to Barnett is facing the media after every game and often midweek. He can't wait to share that particular chore with Fisher-Harris again. "I've tallied them all up, mate, and he's ready to go." To his credit, Barnett has proven himself far more talkative than his partner, who exudes mana from every fibre of his being, or predecessor Tohu Harris, who was a deep thinker that used words sparingly. "He's a bit more vocal than Tohu, but like Tohu, he leads with his actions," five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita said. "As much as he talks at training or during games, he's always doing the little things right that not many people want to do and that's why he has the respect of the whole team. Mitch Barnett willed his team to tense victory over North Queensland Cowboys. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport "Fish has been a big loss for us in the leadership, but I think Barney has really progressed as a leader. It's similar to last year, when we lost a few players and went through a period when we were down on troops, but Barney really stepped up through that tough time. "It's the same now and it's good that we're getting results off the back of it." Barnett remains a man of deeds, but concedes he's had to adjust. As the Warriors grimly hung onto their tenuous winning margin over the closing moments against North Queensland Cowboys last weekend, he could be seen throwing himself at wave after wave of opposition attack, willing his team-mates to follow. Barnett finished with a game-high 46 tackles. "I've always wanted to lead that way and I feel like that's when I play my best, going with my actions," he reflected. "Now I've had to add some detail in conversations, and talk in behind tries and that sort of thing. I feel like I've come a long way, but I've always wanted to be an actions-first guy." When Barnett first signed with the Warriors in April 2022, he was serving a six-game ban for an ugly, off-the-ball forearm hit on Penrith counterpart Chris Smith. In the midst of their worst-ever season and already struggling with discipline, bringing another "bad boy" to the club didn't seem like a great idea. At the time, current Warriors coach Andrew Webster was still a Panthers assistant and he saw something different in the Newcastle Knights renegade. "When I got the job, I started watching him closely," Webster recalled. "I just couldn't believe his work ethic and how hard he tried, and I thought he was going to make a big impact. "When I rang him and spoke to him on the phone, I couldn't believe how much he cared about the team and how much impact he had, and I thought that was leadership straight away." Barnett, 31, admits he probably wasn't ready for captaincy, when he arrived at Mt Smart. Mitch Barnett addresses media at NRL season-opener in Las Vegas. Photo: Alex Whitehead/ "I came over here, not wanting to be a leader, but just to work on myself, to grow as a player on and off the field as well. "When Tohu was out for a period last year, I thought it was time to step up in my career and did that. I thought it suited me a little bit, but I've still got to work on it a lot. "I fell into it, wasn't looking for it and I'm glad I did." Stepping into the captaincy and leading by example, Barnett caught the attention of others across the Tasman, earning a well-deserved State of Origin call-up for New South Wales and, ultimately, the Kangaroos. "I had sort of given up on Origin last year, and just wanted to play good footy, represent the Warriors well and win for them," he said. "It just fell into place, because I was playing good footy, so I'm going with a similar mindset. "If you're playing good footy, they'll pick you up. For us to win games, I need to play good footy and so does the rest of the team. "If my name gets called out, I'll be going hell for leather for them [NSW]. I loved that opportunity last year, loved being in camp… it was awesome, but right at the moment, I'm focused on the Dragons this weekend." Webster hinted Fisher-Harris was close to selection this week, but missed the final squad cut. That means at least one more post-game press conference for his captaincy buddy - and another added to the ledger for Fisher-Harris' seemingly imminent return.
