Latest news with #DallinWateneZelezniak
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Understrength Warriors overrun Sharks with second-half try fest
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak celebrates a try against Cronulla. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport The Warriors are looking to continue their good form in 2025. Kick-off is at 7:30pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Sharks : 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Mawene Hiroti 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Siosifa Talakai Reserves: 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru 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. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 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
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors v Cronulla Sharks - everything you need to know
Warriors half Luke Metcalf was one that got away from Cronulla. Photo: LIAM SWIGGS Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Cronulla Sharks lead the all-time head-to-head rivalry against NZ Warriors 29-21, and that advantage balloons out to 17-8 at home and 14-7 at Sharks Stadium. The teams have faced each other home and away over the past six seasons, with the Sharks holding a 7-5 edge over that period. The Warriors actually won the last meeting between the two at the Shire 30-28, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring three tries - including the winner in the final minute - in Shaun Johnson's farewell appearance at the end of last season. They trailed 22-4 at halftime, but piled on four consecutive tries in the second half to make up the deficit. The Warriors' biggest win over the Sharks came in 2023, when Watene-Zelezniak had a try double in a 44-12 victory at Go Media Stadium. Their biggest defeat came in 2020, when Johnson scored a try and kicked 7/8 from the tee for Cronulla in their 46-10 win. After seeing their five-game winning streak ended by Canberra Raiders, the Warriors bounced back with another nervous victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs last week. Leading 30-12 after 54 minutes, they took their foot off the throat and conceded back-to-back tries, as Souths drew within six points. Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored the second of his pair to put his team clear again, but a try to Latrell Mitchell ensured the final few minutes were tense - as always. They are now 9-3 to start the season, sitting third on the NRL table, with the Sharks (7-5) four points behind in fifth. Cronulla are coming off a bye in Round 13 and were strangely outplayed 42-16 by an Origin-depleted Sydney Roosters outfit the previous week. The Sharks were at full strength, while the Roosters had five players on state duty. Before that they rode a three-game winning streak, and their record this season includes success against playoff contenders Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles. The Warriors (82 percent) and Sharks (81) sit one and two in the competition for set completion, while Sharks half Nico Hynes has provided the most linebreak assists (16). Wayde Egan now leads the NRL in tackles and dummy half runs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan leads the league in dummy half runs (73) and most tackles (538), with Sharks opposite Blayke Brailey his closest rival in both categories. 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 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 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: 23 Taine Tuaupiki, 20 Sam Healey After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again , with co-captain Mitch Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and centre Rocco Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge. Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench. Teenage sensation Leka Halasima and tireless front-rower Jackson Ford have been moved into the starting pack. Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 21 Jayden Berrell Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele are also named. In return, Cronulla get to watch their 'one that got away' - Dally M-leading Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf . On a side note, the game will be officiated by Peter Gough, the referee who allowed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's knockon against the Dolphins three weeks ago. Brace yourself for a clash of the titans between Addin Fonua-Blake and the man who replaced him at the Warriors - now sole captain James Fisher-Harris. Fonua-Blake is having another Dally M-type season, as he leads the competition in post-contact metres (976) by more than 100 metres. Former Warrior Addin Fonua-Blake is having another great season for the Sharks. Photo: Photosport Statistically, Fisher-Harris' campaign has been set back by a month on the sidelines injured, but he will be challenged to match his rival in the long-term absence of tag-team partner Barnett. Centre Kayal Iro is descended from rugby league royalty, son of Kiwis great Kevin 'The Beast' Iro and nephew of Warriors stalwart Tony Iro. Born in England, while his dad played out the final years of his career at St Helens, Kayal is another who slipped through the Warriors net, playing a season with their U20s, and has gone on to form a formidable Sharks centre pairing with Jesse Ramien. Iro has scored a try in each of his last eight games. "Mitch would have helped stop that, but it didn't matter who's in front of Addin, he's a good player, so everyone's got to bring their best this week and it's a great challenge for the whole squad." Warriors coach Andrew Webster on Barnett's absence against Fonua-Blake "These are the challenges you look forward to going up against each week. They've got an alpha in every team and you've got to match their energy every week." Former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake, now with the Sharks Sorry Warriors fans, this feels like an ambush waiting to happen.
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors face tough selection calls with full-strength squad against South Sydney
Mitch Barnett is the last piece in the Warriors line-up against South Sydney. Photo: DAVE HUNT/AAP Warriors v Rabbitohs Kickoff 4pm Sunday, 1 June Accor Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport For the first time this season, NZ Warriors may have a full squad to choose from against South Sydney Rabbitohs, which means some familiar faces are relegated back to reserve grade this weekend. After shuffling his line-ups to cover a host of injuries among backs and forwards, coach Andrew Webster has had to make some painful decisions around those who have filled in and helped the club to a solid 8-3 start to their 2025 campaign, good for third on the NRL table. "I get an injury report every Monday and you should see how many niggles these boys carry, so it's not clean, but they're available for selection," Webster explained. The return of wingers Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (wrist) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) saw Taine Tuaupiki drop from the gameday squad two weeks ago. The absence of front-rower James Fisher-Harris (pec) opened up a spot for teenage sensation Leka Halasima in the starting pack, but he has been named back on the bench against Souths. After deploying veteran second-rower Kurt Capewell in the midfield, Webster now has the luxury of three front-line centres, with Capewell shifted to his preferred role and Rocco Berry (hamstring) supplanting Ali Leiataua, who started the season-opener, but returned from a four-week ankle sprain last week. If co-captain Mitch Barnett can back up after the State of Origin opener on Wednesday, Webster will have the luxury of a full-strength starting line-up, something that eluded him all of last season. Taine Tuaupiki in action for the Warriors against the Cowboys. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport "The morning after, we'll see how he pulls up or it could be a day later after that, but we'll give him every chance," Webster said of Barnett. "If he pulls up well, he'll play, but if he doesn't, we won't play him." Another to drop off the radar is prop Bunty Afoa, who covered for Barnett in the starting line-up last week, but couldn't make the 22-man squad this time around, while forward Jacob Laban is also on the outside looking in. Winger Ed Kosi is back from a shoulder injury suffered against North Queensland at 'Magic Round', hooker Sam Healey and second-rower Tanner Stowers-Smith have debuted for the club this season, while utility Tanah Boyd - a 69-game veteran for Gold Coast Titans - is still awaiting his first opportunity in a new jersey. "It's difficult for them and it's difficult for me, because they're probably frustrated they're not playing, but it's great for our club that we have that depth," Webster said. "They're quality players and if we do have to call on them at any stage, or if they force their way into the team, that's exciting. "It's difficult that someone's got to miss out, but it's great for the club that we've got that depth." Webster and his players have preached a 'next man up' mentality through the early rounds, and that philosophy has served them well until now, but this day was always likely to arrive. Kurt Capewell lays down the law to the Warriors. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport The call between Leiataua and Berry would have been particularly close, after the latter missed the first three weeks with a shoulder injury , strained a hamstring before his scheduled return against Wests Tigers, copped a suspension when he finally took the field against Melbourne Storm and then tweaked a hammy again against the Cowboys. Last week, as the Warriors lost to Canberra Raiders , Webster lamented his team's inability to contain the opposition back five. Leiataua, 22, missed a crucial tackle on opposite Sebastian Kris that led to the Raiders' first try. "I was just really excited for Ali to go back and get some footy in [reserve grade]," Webster said. "For a young player, he's done a terrific job for where he's at in his career. "I don't think he'd even be 20 games into his career yet and he's done a fantastic job. I just want him to go back and work on a few things, and when he comes back into NRL, I think everyone will be really excited. "Rocco Berry gets his opportunity to come back into the team and it's an opportunity to get Kurt hopefully consistently back to the back row. "Tough calls are good for your club, because it means everyone's available and people are in good form. Tough decision, but a good headache to have." The other key selection this week restores Halasima to the interchange spot where he began the season, before erupting with three tries in three consecutive games to herald his arrival on the scene. In six starting appearances, the 19-year-old second-rower has averaged 69 minutes, including three complete 80-minute performances. He may yet start against the Rabbitohs, if Barnett can't recover in time. Leka Halasima and Ali Leiataua celebrate a try against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "The thing for Leka is, to be playing 80 minutes at his age and how many games he's played in his career is unbelievable, especially with the fatigue in the game," Webster said. "He's done a terrific job, but with these young players, you have to bring them on at the right speed. Having Kurt and Marata [Niukore] back in the back row give Leka that opportunity that, when he comes on, he can really explode, instead of trying to be a workhorse. "He'll get that as his game progresses, he'll be able to nail 80 minutes." 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 Mitch Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Leka Halasima, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jackson Ford Reserves: 18 Jacob Laban, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Tanner Stowers-Smith
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
What we can learn from Warriors' weekend loss
Luke Metcalf reflects on the Warriors loss to Canberra Raiders. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport Analysis - After five straight wins - some of them fortuitous - NZ Warriors have finally seen their streak snapped by a physical Canberra Raiders that pushed the rules to the limit and beyond. The 16-10 outcome saw the Raiders complete a clean sweep of regular season victories over their rivals, after outplaying them in the season-opener in Las Vegas. They say winning can mask all kinds of flaws and, given the nature of their previous successes, the Warriors were probably due a setback, which may provide a chance for them to reset and find the next level of performance that has eluded them over the past month. Here's what we learned from the defeat to the Raiders at Go Media Stadium. While acting captain Kurt Capewell was initially named at centre, the presence of specialist midfielder Ali Leiataua on the extended bench signalled he would likely enter the starting line-up before kickoff. So it proved. The move enabled Capewell to shift to his preferred second-row role, Marata Niukore to the front row and Jackson Ford back to the interchange, where he has been a standout this season. Leiataua's return also allowed coach Andrew Webster to field his likely first-choice backline for the first time this season, after winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's broken wrist in the pre-season kept him on the sidelines through the first nine rounds and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's hamstring ruled him out for eight rounds. Leiataua had missed three games with an ankle sprain, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a spell with concussion, and centre Rocco Berry managed just three games among a variety of injuries and suspension. Leiataua had a quiet game, running eight times for 65 metres and making 17 tackles, but missing three. Before his injury, he had consolidated his hold on a centre spot, while Adam Pompey has again proved the team's ironman - the only back to take the field in every game so far, playing every minute, as he did in 2023. Berry is not far from a return either, so the competition for those spots will ramp up soon, notwithstanding more injuries. This result probably swung on two periods when the teams were each reduced to 12 men by referee Adam Gee. The Warriors led 8-0, when Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh was sent from the field for a professional foul, leaving his team short-handed. The home side were unable to take advantage of that numerical advantage and actually conceded a try to hooker Tom Starling, when Leiataua missed one of his tackles on opposite Sebastian Kris. Afterwards, Webster rued not taking the kick for goal from Horsburgh's penalty, because a couple of plays later, Tuivasa-Sheck conceded a turnover that killed the attacking chance. "We could have been 10-0 up, but we just handled that period poor in the first half," he said. "We made that error straight away and then didn't have any ball, so they handled it way better than us." In the 59th minute, after the Warriors had conceded three set restarts in quick succession, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was the unlucky one penalised on his own goal-line and sent to the sinbin. roger Tuivasa-Sheck scores a try for the Warriors against Canberra. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ During his absence, Raiders half Jamal Fogarty slotted the resulting penalty to level the scores and then scored the gamewinning try, which he converted. In short, Canberra handled both powerplay situations far better than the Warriors and that was the difference between the two teams. Leading 8-6 with halftime approaching, the Warriors made one of those basic mistakes that gives coaches the absolute willies. Foresaking his fascination with short dropouts, halfback Luke Metcalf prepared to take a long kick from his goal-line, but Gee whistled Pompey and his hard-to-miss, fluorescent yellow boots for straying ahead of the kicker. You don't see that call very often, certainly not as often as it happens, and Pompey actually caught himself and stepped back in line, but to no avail. Fogarty slotted the kick at goal and the teams entered the break level, but the Raiders with momentum. For the second time this season, Raiders captain - and Kiwi front-rower - Joseph Tapine will likely face suspension for reckless tackles against the Warriors. After Vegas, he sat out the next two games and was twice placed on report in the return match, once for a crusher tackle and another for a shoulder charge. Horsburgh was also on report even before his sinbinning. Seconds after Tapine's second offence, Starling was dispatched to the sinbin for a late and high attack on Chanel Harris-Tavita, as he put up a kick. He had to jump up to hit CHT in the head, so there really wasn't much mitigation involved. Afterwards, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart went on the frontfoot to defend the headhunting tactics of his players, lamenting how administrators were penalising them for upholding the physicality NRL marketed their game on. "We keep getting told that this game's about entertainment," he said. "We can't discipline aggression, because broadcasters promote aggression. "We've got to be really careful, we don't want to scrutinise aggressive actions in a game that is moulded on pure aggression and passion. "I'm not at all promoting foul play, I'm dead against foul play… we get a lot of accidental high shots with the speed and intensity of our game. Match review committees can't just willy-nilly bashing players for aggression, because we need it in our game." Stuart explained to media that his players were skilled at pulling out of crusher tackles. "We practice releasing the head," he insisted, a suggestion his players targeted the head in the first place. The Raiders will likely face Sydney Roosters next week without Tapine, and perhaps Horsburgh and Starling too. Canberra have often struggled on this side of the Tasman. They hadn't won in New Zealand since 2019, although during the intervening six years, Covid limited their ability to visit, so that losing record involved just one fixture at Mt Smart and another at Christchurch. Stuart has watched his team fall to some contentious defeats over recent years and often come out swinging at match officials afterwards. You get the feeling even this victory has left a sour taste in his mouth. The result elevates the Raiders to second on the NRL table, two points behind Canterbury Bulldogs and ahead of the Warriors on points differential. Players rarely top both the running metres and tackle stats - they're generally not built to excel at both. Interchange forward Jackson Ford became the first Warriors player to achieve something that only three others have done this season - Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi, Broncos prop Patrick Carrigan and Wests prop Terrell May twice. Jackson Ford led the Warriors in both tackles and metres run against Canberra. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Ford has excelled coming off the bench and, during his 55 minutes against Canberra, he made 43 tackles and ran for 209 metres. No-one has led both categories playing less minutes. His 73 fantasy points sure came in handy this week, with seven teams on bye and a host of stars away on Origin call-up. Speaking of Koloamatangi, the Warriors travel back across the ditch next Sunday to face Souths, who sit just four points behind them on the table in sixth. They have been rocked by injuries this season, but are starting to get the best out of superstar and captain Latrell Mitchell at fullback, under the wily guidance of supercoach Wayne Bennett. Souths will have Mitchell and Campbell Graham back from Origin duty, while the Warriors will have co-captains Mitch Barnett back from Origin and James Fisher-Harris back from suspension. By the time the Warriors return to Go Media Stadium to face Penrith Panthers on 21 June, they will have played just once on their homeground in nine weeks. The Warriors are now 8-3 for the season, but this result drops them back into a negative points differential at minus-one. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Dolphins v Warriors
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the Warriors makes a run during the NRL Round 23 match between the Redcliffe Dolphins and New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, August 11, 2024. Photo: AAP / The Warriors are flying high in second place on the NRL ladder and will being feeling confident of another win against the 12th placed Dolphins. Kick-off is at 5pm NZT. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Kurt Donoghoe, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12. Tom Gilbert, 13. Ray Stone Interchange: 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Mark Nicholls, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Connelly Lemuelu Reserves: 18. Sean O'Sullivan, 19. Oryn Keeley, 20. Max Feagai, 21. Kenneath Bromwich, 22. Junior Tupou Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Taine Tuaupiki, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Samuel Healey Reserves: 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21. Tanah Boyd, 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
