Latest news with #LekaHalasima
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Raiders: NRL live updates from round 12 clash
All the action live as the Warriors host the Raiders in their round 12 NRL clash in Auckland. 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, 10. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 12. Marata Niukore, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell (c), 13. Erin Clark. Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, Reserve: 21. Tanah Boyd. 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 (c), 11. Simi Sasagi, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Morgan Smithies. Interchange: 14 Owen Pattie, 15. Noah Martin, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Ata Mariota. Reserve: 18. Jed Stuart Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.' Halasima, 19, produced a stunning performance in the Warriors' 26-24 win over the Wests Tigers last month, scoring a solo 70m try which ultimately proved to be the game winner. Laban, 21, scored his first NRL try in last week's 16-12 win over the Dolphins. Both players have been named to face the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. Andrew McFadden, Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, said it was a 'significant moment'. 'It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game. 'Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.' Last month, the Warriors re-signed fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad until the end of the 2027 NRL season, while also signing Morgan Gannon from Leeds Rhinos and five-eighth Jye Linnane from the Newcastle Knights, on three year deals. Meanwhile the Warriors have confirmed centre Moala Graham-Taufa will leave at the end of the season. The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Raiders: Why the Warriors already look headed for the NRL playoffs
The way they defied a late Brisbane comeback for a golden point win, the way they hung on – against considerable odds – versus the Cowboys and the way they turned the tide in Wollongong, when the Dragons had all the momentum. Then banking their first away win over the Dolphins, on a hot afternoon in Brisbane. These results have been achieved despite personnel challenges, constant reshuffles and with a number of young players. Most impressively, it's been done despite a draining schedule, with trips to Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again. That takes petrol, and in the past has been a deal-breaker, but this team is different. 'I don't know if we've won more games than this in a row, maybe at the end of 2023,' said Webster, when asked about how the current run compares with other memorable streaks during his tenure. 'There's a real different connection about the group. I'm finding them more enjoyable just because the players are leading it so well. I'm so happy with the way they're chasing training, we're enjoying each day of work and we're really grounded.' The biggest unknown is the ceiling of this squad. While they are currently second on the ladder that doesn't mean they are the second-best team in the competition. But the potential is there and the trajectory is upward. The halves are still a new pairing – but have come on in leaps and bounds since round one – and rookie forwards such as Leka Halasima, Demetric Vaimauga and Jacob Laban have shown they belong at this level. Around them, everyone is contributing, from standouts such as Wayde Egan and Erin Clark to underrated tyros like Adam Pompey, Marata Niukore and Kurt Capewell. For all that, Sunday's match with Canberra at Go Media Stadium (6pm) will be one of the biggest challenges of the season. The Raiders, who missed the playoffs last season on points differential, have been a revelation this year since their demolition job on the Warriors in Las Vegas, notably in clutch wins over the Storm (away) and Sharks. They have a big mobile pack, a dynamite off-loading game and are generally clinical in the red zone, which means the Warriors can't afford to offer the opportunities they have in recent weeks. The biggest factor to overcome will be the absence of Mitch Barnett (State of Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspended), who are their most effective and experienced props, as well as being co-captains. 'They are going really well, the Raiders, they've had a great season,' said Webster. 'We know we are going to have to bring our best.'
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors secure young forwards Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban through 2029
Leka Halasima has played every minute of his past three outings for the Warriors. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Raiders Kickoff 6pm Sunday, 25 May Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors have secured two key components of their second-row production line for the future, with youngsters Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban extending their stays at Mt Smart through the 2029 NRL season. The deals make them the longest-contracted players on coach Andrew Webster's roster. Halasima, 19, has been a revelation during the team's 8-2 start to the current campaign, debuting in 2024, carving out a bench role to start this season and ultimately earning promotion to the starting line-up. The powerhouse scored tries in three consecutive games against Wests Tigers, Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos, and has played the full 80 minutes in his past three outings against North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Dolphins. Laban, 21, also debuted last season and was named Warriors Rookie of the Year, but was sidelined by injury to start 2025. He returned to action against the Broncos last month and scored his first NRL try against the Dolphins last Saturday. "Two local juniors that we're really proud of," Webster said. "Everyone's proud of their development, everyone's had a lot to do with it. "They've given themselves every opportunity to show what their talent it and when you've got guys working hard like that, you get to see how brilliant they are. "Rapt for the boys, rapt for the club and I think our fans will be unbelievably excited by that. Jacob Laban celebrates his first NRL try against the Dolphins. Photo: DAVE HUNT "We just want them to keep being grounded and keep working hard. They're going to be a huge part of the club's success going forward." The pair join Demitric Vaimauga, 21, who is signed through 2028, while a fourth young forward - Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21 - stepped up to first grade against the Dolphins and is named to return this week against Canberra Raiders. "He looked like he had been there for a long time," Webster recalled. "He's a guy that's worked really hard. "I find his fundamentals so reliable and then he adds a punch. In his first game of NRL, when it got hard, his motors stood up too - that's the first thing that often goes. "He's one for the future and we love the fact he's a Christchurch boy too. A lot of people are critical that we don't develop the game down there, but we've got more than 17 guys in our system that are from the South Island. "It's great for him to debut for the club." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals
Leka Halasima's 70m solo try against Wests Tigers was lauded by some fans as 'the greatest first try in the history of the NRL' . Photo / Photosport. The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.'
RNZ News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: What we learned from NZ Warriors dominance of Newcastle Knights
Jackson Ford scores a try during his 50th game for the Warriors. Photo: Analysis: Leading from start to finish, NZ Warriors produced perhaps their most complete performance of the NRL season so far, dispatching Newcastle Knights 26-12 at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium. Their fifth win of the campaign briefly catapulted the Warriors into second on the competition ladder and broke an 11-year Anzac Day drought , since they last won on the Gallipoli commemoration. Here are some of the main points to come out of the result: During the week, coach Andrew Webster hinted he hadn't settled on his game-day squad yet and, sure enough, sprung a change before kick-off, moving Marata Niukore into the front row, Leka Halasima into the second row and dropping Jackson Ford back to the bench. The move was primarily designed to unleash teenage sensation Halasima on the Knights early , after his outstanding starting performance against Brisbane last week. "That would be such a learning curve for a guy like Leka in his sixth or seventh NRL game," Webster said. "Marata's played a lot of front row at Parramatta, so we knew he'd do a good job there." Ford was just getting used to coming off the bench and wouldn't have been too stressed about resuming that role - if it did it didn't show in his game. While Halasima's three-game tryscoring streak was broken, he probably did more with considerably less time on the field. He logged 39 minutes, running 11 times for 122 metres, including 32 post contact, and made 23 tackles. Leka Halasima was promoted into the starting line-up before kick-off. Photo: In 69 minutes against the Broncos, he ran 11 times for 92 metres, 29 post contact, and made 23 tackles. During the week, Jackson Ford talked about the change in his role this season, from primarily playing on the edge to moving into the middle and coming off the bench. With the departures of Tohu Harris and Dylan Walker - and now the injury to James Fisher-Harris - Ford has had to become flexible in his preparation from one week to the next. Initially named to start at prop, he was shuffled back to the bench before kick-off, but produced a dream two-try performance for his milestone. "Lucky he's a modest guy," Webster reflected. "If I was him, I'd be bragging about two tries from the front row. "He got one in the corner too. I know why he'd be there - he'd be chasing like an absolute lunatic, because that's what he does. "I don't think he was out of position. I just think he was literally hunting them down, like he always does. "He'd be thinking, 'I'm going to put this guy in the in-goal' and the next thing, he's got an opportunity to score a try." The Warriors haven't been known for their explosive starts this season and this looked like becoming another slow getaway, when Niukore was put on report and sin-binned for a high tackle just two minutes into the game. Luckily, counterpart Leo Thompson was pinged for the same offence a few minutes later and the contest became 12 versus 12. During the seven minutes with reduced line-ups, the Warriors stamped their authority on the game, scoring a try through Adam Pompey, with another disallowed. "I thought we dealt with that period really well," Webster said. "It was really fortunate to see the guy falling, but got up straight away - they're cracking down on those moments big time. "You could see we were on and embracing the fact we only had 12 men." After his pre-game switch, Niukore had a stop-start night, spending 10 minutes in the bin and then departing later for a head check, which he passed. With this tackling record, he's likely to miss next week's Magic Round game against Souths. Halfback Luke Metcalf again provided perhaps the defining moment of the game, when he poached a pass from counterpart Jack Cogger near his own goal-line and sprinted the length of the field, before he was finally chased down. Newcastle got back to make a couple of tackles on their line, but could not react quickly enough to stop hooker Wayde Egan crossing from dummy half. The Knights had just scored opening points through winger James Schiller and, at 16-6, another try would have given them some momentum towards a comeback. Instead, the Warriors pulled clear again and would add the icing on the cake inside the final 10 minutes. Metcalf struggled with cramp over the final 25 minutes, often dropping to the backfield, as he tried to stay on the field. When Pompey scored the final try, Taine Tuaupiki assumed goalkicking duties and Metcalf eventually left the field in the dying moments, with the win assured. "Nothing serious," Webster confirmed. "These players are like racehorses, some of them, tightly tuned. "Last minutes in the game, I just wanted to get him off, in case cramp turned into something else, as they started running and doing things differently - just a precaution." The Warriors have often been criticised for their last-tackle options in recent years, but built their success against the Knights on contesting high kicks near the Newcastle goal-line. Pompey was particularly adept at this, terrorising opposite Schiller all night. He scored the first try of the night, when centre Ali Leiataua contested a high kick from Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kurt Capewell executed a dive-pass for his winger hugging the sideline. Then Pompey chased another CHT kick and offloaded to Leiataua, who then found Ford inside him. The third try came from another CHT kick and Pompey chase that resulted in another set of six and Ford's second beside the posts. Adam Pompey and James Schiller contest a high kick. Photo: The Warriors kickers peppered the right side of the Knights defence from close range, but directed most of their long kicks between fullback Kalyn Ponga and winger Greg Marzhew, with the advancing defensive line limiting their running space. "I thought they were great in the air," Webster said. "We competed really well on last plays and we practice a lot of that stuff, where we stand and how we do it." Both teams had two tries disallowed and on all occasions, there were only millimetres in it. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had an early try ruled out, after Halasima ran interference in the defensive line, preventing Bradman Best from getting across in cover. With a one-man advantage, Tuaupiki took a long pass from Metcalf and dived over in the corner, but replays showed he dragged a toe into touch, before grounding. Marzhew had a try scrubbed in identical circumstances, while Schiller had a nightmare on the other wing, dropping a couple of passes with the line open in front of him. He seemed to have scored, when Pompey spilled a high kick into the goal area, but replays showed centre Dane Gagai had a fingertip on the ball in the aerial contest. Schiller eventually scored a try, when Gagai burned his defenders and delivered inside to his winger. Teams almost always praise the support they receive from their home crowds, but when their crowd is 1000km away from home, that support is even more appreciated. Seemingly deprived of their own NRL expansion team for the foreseeable future, 17,000 patrons turned out for their adopted side. "Mate, it's awesome here," co-captain Mitch Barnett said. "I was lucky enough to play down here last year with the Kangaroos - I was with the away team and they cheered me. Full house at Apollo Projects Stadium for the Warriors. Photo: "It was one of the best moments of my career. I love this crowd and, with the Warriors tonight, they were twice as loud - it was awesome." That's why the Warriors have committed to playing home games in Christchurch for the next three years, although by next season, they'll have the brand new One NZ Stadium - coincidentally branded for the team's main sponsor - as their venue. That's a bit of a shame, since Apollo Projects Stadium was originally Rugby League Park, but was redeveloped and co-opted by other codes after the 2011 earthquakes. The Warriors take another "home" game elsewhere, when they face South Sydney Rabbitohs at Brisbane, as part of the NRL Magic Round. Souths sit midtable with four wins and four losses, falling to Melbourne Storm 24-16 this week. They've had more than their share of injury concerns, losing captain Cam Murray for the season before it even began and now veteran half Cody Walker for at least a month. Supercoach Wayne Bennett has moved enigmatic star Latrell Mitchell around the park, trying to find ways to give him the ball, so that will be something to watch when he names his team to take on the Warriors.
