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RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs - what we learned from another heartstopper
Mitch Barnett may face a stint on the sidelines with a knee injury. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport After seeing their five-game winning streak ended last week by Canberra Raiders, NZ Warriors have started another, with their 36-30 win over South Sydney across the Tasman. After threatening to run away with victory at 30-12, once again, they let their opponents back into the contest, which became another heartstopper. The Warriors lost one of their best early, and had to survive a comeback inspired by one of the game's absolute freaks and another headed for the record books, but at the end of the weekend, they have consolidated their top-three spot on the NRL table. Here are some key takeaways from the game. Much has been said about the contribution of co-captain Mitch Barnett this season, especially while fellow skipper James Fisher-Harris was sidelined by injury. During his tenure at Mt Smart, Barnett has become an automatic NSW selection for State of Origin and an inspiration to those around him. His team missed him badly last week against Canberra Raiders, when Kiwis international prop Joseph Tapine bullied the Warriors pack and taunted former Raiders teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. For the first time in 2025, coach Andrew Webster had all his players available against the Rabbitohs, but that lasted just 20 minutes, before Barnett hobbled off with a reported knee injury. He fell badly while making a tackle, with his right knee buckling under him. Barnett tried to play on, but could not, which suggests he may be out for a while. Certainly, his body language wasn't great and scans will determine whether he can be fit for Origin II on 18 June. "There's different grades to each different injury and until you look under the hood, honestly you don't know," said Webster. "He's in good spirits. "We lost Fish for four weeks and he's one of the best front-rowers in the world, so we certainly know how to do next man up." In his absence, Fisher-Harris stepped up , logging 56 minutes and making a game-high 53 tackles, while Jackson Ford continued his outstanding form off the bench, running 15 times for 153 metres and making 37 tackles. Ford also showed his surprising skill, producing a kick that resulted in Rocco Berry's first-half try. If Barnett can't make it back for NSW, the selectors need only look across at Rabbitohs counterpart Keaon Koloamatangi as his replacement. Shifted to the middle this season, he again led his team with 218 running metres from 27 carries and made 39 tackles, while scoring a try. With the Warriors leading 4-0, halfback Luke Metcalf produced a play that must have had him - and Warriors fans - flashing back to the season-opening defeat to Canberra at Las Vegas. Luke Metcalf celebrates his try against Souths. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport On that occasion, they were hot on attack and looking left, when Metcalf had his pass picked off by winger Xavier Savage for a try down the other end - a potential 12-point turnaround. This time, the Warriors were shifting right, when Metcalf tried to float a pass over Alex Johnston to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who was probably already thinking about his gravity-defying dive at the corner. Unfortunately, the Souths winger plucked the ball from the air and dashed the length of the field for his team's opening try, converted by Latrell Mitchell from the sideline for the lead. Another 12-pointer. Leading Dally M Medal standings into this round , Metcalf compounded his error by missing a relatively simple conversion of Berry's try before halftime. To his credit, he turned his performance around in the second half, scoring his eighth try of the season, making two linebreaks and providing a try assist. Metcalf has the lowest conversion success rate of all the fulltime kickers in the competition at 65 percent, but many of them seem to be from the sidelines. After slicing his gimme in the first half, he nailed a couple from out wide in the second, showing the temperament you want from your kicker in the clutch. "I was just talking to him and I don't think he's that pumped with parts of his game, but that try he scored was at a great time," said Webster. "He finds a way to have a moment like that in every game. "We were defending our sets for big periods there, so everyone's doing their part. Luke's fast, he sees the moment and takes it, but I felt like it was a team try. "He's the guy finishing it off, but I felt like the whole team had a big part in that one." This wasn't his best outing of the campaign, but it was likely enough for Metcalf to add to his Dally M tally, with voting now behind closed doors until the end of the season. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad continues to show why extending his stay at Mt Smart was so important for the Warriors. His 342 running metres from 28 carries included 100 metres after contact and were the most by a Warriors player this season - beating his own mark of 316 against Sydney Roosters. In fact, he has been the leading runner for his team six times this campaign and they've won all six. He was concussed against Melbourne Storm and missed the next game against Brisbane Broncos, otherwise he'd be higher in the competition leaders. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scores a try against South Sydney. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport A quick tally puts him third in this category now with 2259 metres, behind Manly's Lehi Hopoate (2432) and Roosters veteran James Tedesco (2430). Look up the expression 'rocks and diamonds' in the dictionary, and you'll find Latrell Mitchell's picture next to it. When he's engaged, he's an absolute superstar - epitomised by his outrageous 55-metre field goal against Brisbane Broncos - but when he's not, he can be absolutely terrible. When he was pulled from the field late in the first half for a concussion test, his Rabbitohs were teetering. Mitchell took a head knock in the contest for a high ball that led to the Warriors' second try and, while he was off the field, counterpart Nicoll-Kolkstad scored their third to put the visitors ahead at the break. That momentum switch carried into the second half, but at 18 points down, Mitchell began to put his imprint on the contest, throwing a long pass for Johnston to score his second try. Moments later, he repeated that effort for Johnston's third. He had Nicoll-Klokstad in sixes and sevens, as his opposite slipped into touch trying to cover a long, probing kick, and eventually had his own try, taking a short pass and powering over from short range. He converted all five of his team's tries and tormented the Warriors back three with is towering kicks. Without injured veterans Cody Walker and Jack Wighton in the backline, Mitchell has had to be all things to everyone for these Rabbitohs, even playing the halves earlier in the season. The Warriors were lucky to see him at his mercurial best, yet survive to take the two competition points. There have been times over the past 12 months when Johnston probably wondered if his NRL career was over. Last season, he scored his 191st try, which was the most by any player at just one club, but suffered a season-ending Achilles tear soon afterwards. He returned to the field in the fourth round this season, but didn't reach halftime, before leaving with a rib injury. Against the Warriors, his hattrick propelled him to 200 tries - second only to former North Sydney and Manly legend Ken Irvine (212). "He's a pretty special player," Souths coach Wayne Bennett said. "He's not only a good athlete, but he's pretty smart with it." Each year, the Ken Irvine Medal is awarded to the NRL's top tryscorer and Johnston has won it three times (2020-22). Fingers crossed his body allows him to break Irvine's record soon. Both the Warriors and Rabbitohs came into this contest unbeaten when leading at halftime. The Warriors were 5/5 and Souths were 4/4, so leading at the break took on added significance. With the siren about to sound, Nicoll-Klokstad stumbled under a couple of tacklers and went again to level the scores, while Metcalf provided the extra points to put his side ahead. The achievement took on added importance, given the Warriors had been outscored after halftime of their five previous games to the value of 56-21. Against Souths, they not only outscored their opponents 22-18, they managed more second-half points than those previous five games combined. This result evens the historic head-to-head record between these two teams at 21-21 and the Warriors now improve to 17-31 against Bennett-coached teams over the past 30 years. "They like making it hard. We've practiced resilience all pre-season, we defended our line really well. They have a tight connection, they believe in each other and they don't want to let each other down." Warriors coach Andrew Webster "These guys never give up, so you never worry about the time, but we were beaten on the scoreboard and we did run out of time in the end." Souths coach Wayne Bennett The Warriors head back across the ditch next Saturday to face Cronulla Sharks, who lurk four points behind in fifth on the NRL table. So far, they have struggled to find consistency, beating the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Storm among the top eight, but losing a real headscratcher against Sydney Roosters last week, when they were at full strength and the Roosters were without a handful of Origin reps. They have a genuine star in Nico Hynes, gamebreakers throughout the backline and pack, but the player everyone will watch is former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake, who was released early to return to Sydney 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
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Raiders snap Warriors winning streak with victory at Go Media Stadium
The Warriors' Marata Niukore, in action against the Canberra Raiders in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership Rugby League Competition, at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on Sunday night. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Warriors winning streak has come to an end with a 16-10 loss to the Raiders in Auckland. The Warriors and the Raiders were locked at 8-8 at half-time, before Canberra pulled away in the second half to win by six points at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Read what happened, with RNZ's blog: NZ Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki 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
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Knights: Live updates from the NRL round eight clash
All the action as the Warriors visit the Newcastle Knights in Christchurch. The Warriors have welcomed back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Rocco Berry to face the Newcastle Knights in their Anzac Day clash in Christchurch on Friday. Fullback Nicol-Klokstad, 29, was sidelined for last weekend's victory over the Brisbane Broncos, after failing a head injury assessment in defeat to the Melbourne Storm earlier this month. His return sees Taine Tuaupiki shift from fullback back to the wing, where he has played the majority of the 2025 season in the absence of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Meanwhile, Berry returns to the Warriors' first-grade side, after missing the win over the Broncos through suspension. The 23-year-old made his first appearance of the year against the Storm in Melbourne, but a high tackle on opposite Jack Howarth saw him ruled out of the win over Brisbane. Berry's comeback means newly-minted NRL centurion Adam Pompey shifts from centre to the wing, and takes the spot of Ed Kosi - who scored in the victory against the Broncos. That also means Kurt Capewell moves from centre back into the second row, and sees teen sensation back to the interchange bench in the No 14 jersey. Halasima's place on the bench comes alongside Demetric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban and Bunty Afoa, while halves Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd are named among the extended reserves. Friday's encounter will also be a special one for forward Jackson Ford, who'll bring up his 50th appearance for the Warriors after arriving in Auckland at the start of the 2023 NRL season. 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, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange (from): 14. Leka Halasima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Te Maire Martin, 20. Tanah Boyd, 23. Ed Kosi
RNZ News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors v Newcastle Knights: Everything you need to know
Kurt Capewell will return to the second row, after his star turn in the centres. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Warriors v Knights Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 25 April Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Sport History After 51 previous meetings, these two rivals are split dead down the middle, with 25 wins each and a solitary draw. The Warriors enjoy a 17-10 advantage at home, but have never met the Knights at Christchurch. They have hosted Newcastle three times away from Mt Smart - at Tamworth, Gosford and Redcliffe during their Covid internment, and Wellington's Sky Stadium in 2023 - winning two and losing two. Significantly, the Warriors were playing the Knights in Newcastle on 14 March, 2020, when the NZ Government announced it was closing the borders, due to the oncoming pandemic. Newcastle have won six of the last 10 encounters, including their only meeting last season, when they prevailed 14-6 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Eight Warriors players return for this year's match-up - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Rocco Berry, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Bunty Afoa and Adam Pompey. In 2023, the Warriors defeat the Knights 40-10 in the NRL semi-finals at Go Media Stadium, before falling to Brisbane in the preliminary final. After a discouraging defeat to Melbourne Storm two weeks ago, the Warriors bounced back with a nailbiting Gold Point win over the Broncos last Saturday, with halfback Luke Metcalf kicking a penalty from halfway , when Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh sent the opening kickoff of extra time dead. The Auckland side currently sit fourth on the competition table, with four wins and two losses, but won't return to Mt Smart for another month, with consecutive 'home' games at Christchurch and Brisbane (Magic Round), before two games at Sydney and then another bye. Newcastle began their 2025 season strongly with two wins over Wests Tigers and the Dolphins, but their form has tailed off over the past month, with four straight losses and just 24 points scored. Their defeats have been by an average margin of 19 points. While the Warriors lead the competition with an 82 percent completion rate, Newcastle are worst in the category with just 70 percent. 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 Reserves: 18 Te Maire Martin, 20 Tanah Boyd, 21 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 22 Sam Healey, 23 Ed Kosi With the return of fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from concussion protocols and Rocco Berry from suspension , coach Andrew Webster has resorted to roughly a status quo line-up, with Taine Tuaupiki returning to the wing, Kurt Capewell back to the second row and Leka Halasima back to the bench. That said, Webster has hinted he may yet reshuffle his extended squad before kickoff, so stay tuned. With James Fisher-Harris out, Jackson Ford remains in the front row and brings up his 50th game for the club, while Jacob Laban has completed his comeback from injury and retains his spot in the interchange. 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 Reserves: 18 Kyle McCarthy, 19 Paul Bryan, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 Matthew Arthur Coach Adam O'Brien has named Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland, who left the field during the first half of last week's loss to Cronulla Sharks with an ankle injury. He may yet drop out, while second-rower Dylan Lucas returns from a hamstring injury. As the highest-paid player in the NRL, fullback Kalyn Ponga carries so much expectation on his shoulders, but has not delivered on that promise, leading the competition in handling errors so far this season. With Māori heritage and several childhood years spent in Palmerston North, Ponga has close ties to New Zealand and rumours suggest he may yet find his way into a Warriors jersey, although on current form, he might struggle edge out any of the club's three leading candidates for the No.1 jersey. He's dangerous and you'd think it's only a matter of time before he regains his mojo. The Warriors will see double, with Kiwi twins Leo and Tyrone Thompson , 24, both named in a potential matchday squad. Leo is already established in the NRL and made his NZ debut in 2023, while Tyrone is a former Māori All Blacks and Chiefs hooker, but switched codes this year to join his brother - briefly - at the Knights. He has taken the field from the bench in the past two games, logging 48 minutes total. They should make the most of their time together, with Leo already committed to Canterbury Bulldogs from next season. Warriors $1.32, Knights $3.45 Neither side have hit their straps yet this season, but the Warriors will have vociferous support from a packed-out Apollo Projects Stadium and are a lot closer to finding a complete performance than their opponents. Warriors by 13-plus. Sky Sport 2, 7pm Friday
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad rejects offshore options to re-sign with NZ Warriors
Warriors v Knights Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 25 April Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad admits the thought of himself in another club's jersey "freaked me out". Widely rumoured to be heading offshore at the end of this season , Nicoll-Klokstad has instead inked a two-year extension to his current contract, staying at Mt Smart at least until the end of the 2027 campaign. Last month, he celebrated his 50th game for the Auckland-based NRL club , taking a circuitous route, after debuting in 2017, but spending four years at Canberra Raiders, before returning to where it all began. The prospect of him leaving again, reportedly to the English Super League, didn't feel right to Warriors fans nor to Nicoll-Klokstad himself, as it turned out. "There were options," he admitted. "There were crossroads that we had to navigate our way through and that's just a part of the business side of rugby league unfortunately. "It was hard being at those crossroads and potentially seeing yourself in a different jersey didn't sit right. Thinking about it freaked me out a little bit, so I'm glad we were able to come to a conclusion and put all that stuff behind us." Nicoll-Klokstad spoke of the weight on his shoulders, as he came to work each day, trying not to let contract negotiations interfere with onfield business. "I knew I had to come in with a smile on my face, perform - which is the most important thing - and put my best foot forward." Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be at Mt Smart at least another two years. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ He also credited coach Andrew Webster for rekindling his career. "I love being at this club and I love being coached under Webby," he said. "I feel like I've played my best foot under Webby and I've enjoyed my footy, since returning to the Warriors. "I still see myself as a fullback and I'm excited for everything the club's got going forward. There's a real young crop of talent coming through and I'm excited to be there, when they get the opportunity to show what they can do. "I'm moving on to a bit of an old age now, it's an exciting part of my career and I'm glad to be here with the Warriors." Webster has shown incredible loyalty to Nicoll-Klokstad, who faces competition from former Dally M Medal winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and up-and-comer Taine Tuaupiki for the No.1 jersey. When Nicoll-Klokstad sat out against Brisbane Broncos last week with concussion, Tuaupiki moved off the wing and reminded everyone of his ability in his natural position, yet the incumbent is back to face Newcastle Knights on Friday. "He [Webster] always does and always has shown that faith," he said. "Ever since I signed with the club, he wasn't even at the club at the time, but he was calling me and wishing me luck on the World Cup tour, telling me how excited he was for me to be at the club while he's there and being my coach. "He's shown that faith throughout the whole journey, the whole three years and he's still showing it. He backs everything I do and that's something I need to do for myself - back my game, back what I can do as a fullback and what I bring to the squad. "With respect to those boys, I think they're really good fullbacks and for Webby to show that faith in me means a lot." Nicoll-Klokstad insisted he sought no assurances from Webster over the security of his jersey before re-signing. "The thing I find with Charnze is we're on the same page so much," Webster said. "What he finds important, I do as well, so it's a really good match. "He feels comfortable that he's having a really good impact on the place, which he is. "He's so comfortable in his own skin and I think his best footy is because he's on page with the club values."
