Latest news with #NZWarriors
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
NRL: Wounded NZ Warriors re-arrrange line-up to face Cronulla Sharks
Rocco Berry was forced from the field against Souths with a hamstring twinge. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Injury-plagued NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry has joined co-captain Mitch Barnett on the sidelines for their away game against Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. 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 Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge that forced him from the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Berry has struggled to stay on the park for the Warriors after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury, withdrawing from his scheduled return against Wests Tigers with hamstring trouble, picking up a suspension in his eventual return against Melbourne Storm and then missing three more games with his dodgy hammy. He has managed just four appearances so far this campaign. 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 has moved into the starting pack, where he has lined up in six of his 12 appearances this season. Without Barnett, Jackson Ford has been promoted from the bench to start in the front row. Meanwhile, 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 also named. 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 Alex, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Ali Leiataua, 23 Taine Tuaupiki 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, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20 Hopeha Puru, 21 Jayden Berrell, 22 Niwhai Puru Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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
13-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris poised for return against Dolphins
James Fisher-Harris suffered a pec injury against Melbourne Storm. Photo: Warriors v Dolphins Kickoff 5pm Saturday, 17 May Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Co-captain James Fisher-Harris has been named in the NZ Warriors starting line-up to face the Dolphins in Brisbane on Saturday, while superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has a chance to return via the reserves. Front-rower Fisher-Harris is the only change to the team that ran out against St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend , replacing Bunty Afoa, who later left the field with a knee injury. The NZ Kiwis skipper suffered a pec (chest) strain against Melbourne Storm a month ago and coach Andrew Webster confirmed he would be given until kickoff to prove his fitness for a return. Tuivasa-Sheck tweaked his hamstring against Sydney Roosters eight weeks ago and was also named on the extended bench last week, but ultimately missed the gameday cut. "He was close last week, he's a lot closer this week," Webster said. Just where Tuivasa-Sheck would fit becomes the biggest question. For now, second-rower Kurt Capewell has been retained at centre, where the former All Blacks midfielder spent last season, before reverting back to the wing, but Webster wasn't prepared to elaborate on his intentions. Another option could see winger Taine Tuaupiki move to fullback , making way for Tuivasa-Sheck, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad slotting into centre, where he has played for the national team. Capewell could revert to his natural position, with Marata Niukore filling Jackson Ford's middle role. Ford is the other to miss selection this week, after failing a concussion check early in the second half against the Dragons. Meanwhile, Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has stuck with the same unit that beat Parramatta Eels last week, with Ray Stone and Tom Gilbert swapping jerseys in the pack. Former Warriors Kodi Nikorima will line up at five-eighth for the home side. 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 Sam Healey Reserves: 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23 Moala Graham-Taufa 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 Kenny Bromwich, 22 Junior Tupou Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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.
