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RNZ News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Dallin Watene-Zelzniak nervous about letting high-flying NZ Warriors down on injury return
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak showed no ill effects from his mended broken wrist. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Dallin Watene-Zelezniak insists he's not one to feel nerves before games, but this wasn't the case, as he returned to the NZ Warriors line-up for the first time this season last weekend. After breaking his wrist just a few minutes into the club's first pre-season trial in February, the flying winger was grounded for three months, riding every twist and turn of his team's dramatic campaign from the sidelines. Without him, they jumped out to a 6-2 record, matching their best-ever start through eight games and climbing into the NRL top three. Those butterflies were all about not being the one to let the side down. "I don't get nervous before games, but I think the nerves were coming from the team doing so well, and me not wanting to mess anything up and just playing role," Watene-Zelezniak recalled. "It's been quite good coming back into a team that's doing really well and all you have to focus on is your job. That was Webby's message to me - just do me and all will be well. "Not having an impact on the game when you're watching is quite annoying, but the boys have been playing well." Some rust was to be expected. His return in the one-point thriller against St George Illawarra Dragons came perhaps a little earlier than expected, but helped coach Andrew Webster fill a void that popped up, when Ed Kosi wrenched a shoulder the previous week. Back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki, who replaced Watene-Zelezniak in the starting line-up after his injury , simply shifted across to the other side of the park to accommodate his return to his favoured right side. "At the start of the game, I was feeling quite fit, quite good, because we had all the ball, but then we got into the arm wrestle and it started to feel like my first game back," he said. "I didn't really feel much on my wrist on the weekend, which is a good sign. "I wanted to play that game without thinking about it - there were a few times when I had the big boys on me, and I was able to plant out and take their weight, which was good. "First game back, so they're easing me back into training this week, but I'm not feeling too bad. I was thinking I quite missed the soreness, and then woke up the next morning and thought, 'Yeah, I don't miss this'." Watene-Zelezniak acknowledged timing was probably his biggest issue , but that will come the more he plays with those around him… bearing in mind, this was also the sixth different backline configuration the Warriors had fielded through nine games this season. They may have their seventh through 10 this week, if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from his hamstring strain against the Dolphins on Saturday. "I knew there would be things I was a bit unsure of, but to be able to win and have things to learn on is a blessing," Watene-Zelezniak agreed. "It was fundamental stuff. "I put myself in a few positions to turn the game around, a couple of interceptions that were there for me to take and seal the try. "Being there, I was in the lane and didn't think he was going to throw it, so it shocked me and I snatched at the ball. These are things I know I have to get better the more I play." As a team, the Dragons lead the league in linebreaks, with their left edge anchored by centre Valentine Holmes particularly potent. Winger Corey Allan scored one try against the Warriors, but Watene-Zelezniak considered his combination with makeshift centre Kurt Capewell held its own on defence. "They had shot after shot at us and they turned the ball over a few times because of Capes' reads. Definitely cool learnings we got from that game and going up against a side like that, especially on the left edge, was quite confidence boosting." Watene-Zelezniak's absence has put his tryscoring dominance at risk, after leading the club in each of the last three seasons with a total of 48. Instead, he's giving star halfback Luke Metcalf a seven-try headstart, if he wants to continue that run. "That's not the plan, as long as we're winning and Lukey's scoring those tries," Watene-Zelezniak insisted. "He's playing really well. "It's good for him, if teams are holding out on edges and leaving gaps. If teams ID that, I'm sure Luke will come up with the right options."
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Taine Tuaupiki retains NZ Warriors confidence despite growing pains on wing
At times, Taine Tuaupiki has cut defences to ribbons with his speed and footwork. Photo: NRL Photos/Photosport Warriors v Dragons Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 10 May WIN Stadium, Wollongong Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Taine Tuaupiki's ears are still ringing from a less-than-complimentary post-game review, when he hears some words that should give him heart. "He's been awesome," coach Andrew Webster insisted, with his charge listening from the back of the room. "Taine's always willing to learn and do what's best for the team, and I think his versatility has been unreal." In reality, Tuaupiki was somewhere short of awesome last weekend. As North Queensland Cowboys finished fast over the closing half hour of their 'Magic Round' encounter , the rookie winger seemed caught in the headlights at times, with his rightside defence victimised for two tries and another disallowed that would have levelled the scores, with a sideline conversion to come. One of the tries found him caught infield and out of his line by a floating pass that put opposite Murray Taulagi into the corner. Another was the direct result of Tuaupiki bobbling what should have been a vicious bounce into the arms of Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai, who gratefully snapped it up to score. Tuaupiki was also the culprit in the first half, when he missed a tackle on Nanai 40 metres out and centre Jaxson Purdue ran off his teammate for their opening try. This was not a vintage performance from a player who had never played on the wing at this level before this NRL season - but his coach still had his back. "That's pretty nice to hear from him," Tuaupiki offered. "We had a pretty honest chat this morning - obviously, I didn't go too well on the weekend, but I've still got the confidence I can do a job out there. "To hear that from him was cool." Previously serving exclusively as understudy to fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tuaupiki has never disappointed in the No.1 jersey, dazzling with his matchwinning turn against Penrith Panthers in last year's Magic Round. When veteran Dallin Watene-Zelezniak broke his wrist in the pre-season, Tuaupiki was moved to the wing and asked to master a slightly different skillset. "Playing anywhere in the 13 gives you an appreciation of how hard it is to play NRL," he admitted. "Being on the wing makes me appreciate how easy it is to play fullback. "Getting these games under my belt, I'm sure, will help me in the long run, whatever position I end up playing." At times, his shortish stature (1.78m/5ft10 in) has been exploited by opposing kickers in aerial exchanges with much taller rivals. Taine Tuaupiki's shortish stature has occasionally been exploited in aerial exchanges. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ At other times, his speed and footwork have cut defences to ribbons, but this was probably more pronounced with room to move at fullback, where he showed his true worth against Brisbane Broncos, when Nicoll-Klokstad sat out with concussion. "Whenever he does go back to his normal position one day, he will be so grateful for the experience and so will we," Webster continued, "It has broadened his horizons about the game of footy and he's handled it really well." Another lapse from Tuaupiki inadvertently produced the defining moment of the Cowboys game, when halfback Luke Metcalf dashed across in cover defence to drag Taulagi into touch and deny the levelling try. "I was the one that actually let the linebreak through," he confessed. "That was pretty disappointing for me. "I got caught offside by the ref, as I was about to make the tackle, and I shouldn't have pulled out, but I did and just let Drinkwater straight through. "Pretty lucky… I owe Met. He doesn't really drink beers, so I owe him a few coffees for that one." His summation of the review suggested he had plenty to rectify, but was fortunate to learn those valuable lessons in a winning effort. "It's pretty much standard coach chat," Tuaupiki said. "When you review the game, you know it's coming. "If you let in a try or two, that's what the conversation was about, mainly my defensive reads." On the other hand, there were a couple of highlights he could cling onto. He likely denied a try, when he popped up in the Cowboys attacking line to deflect a pass with the line beckoning. Taine Tuaupiki and captain Mitch Barnett celebrate Warriors win over Newcastle Knights. Photo: In truth, he was probably seeking a similar result, when Taulagi scored at the other end later. In the dying moments, he fielded a grubber kick on his goal-line and sprinted 40 metres upfield to earn some crucial breathing room. With Watene-Zelezniak named to return against St George Dragons this week and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck not too far behind, Tuaupiki's time in the starting line-up - certainly on the wing - may be drawing to an end for now. Nicoll-Klokstad has extended his tenure at Mt Smart at least another two years and his protégé - who also re-signed over the off-season - may soon find himself back in reserve grade, awaiting his next opportunity. There's no hint of bitterness from Tuaupiki at that prospect. "I don't know if you know, but he actually re-signed to be a centre," he teased the media. "Nah, jokes. "Although I am behind him position-wise, Charnze is someone you need at the club. I'm pretty sure everyone in the team would say the same thing and Webby would as well. "He's just one of those guys you need, whether he's playing fullback or any other position. We don't have too many like Charnze, so when you've got one, you can't really let him go." 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RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys: Everything you need to know
Warriors have won four of their last five meetings with the Cowboys. Photo: PHOTOSPORT NZ Warriors v Cowboys 7.30pm Saturday, 3 May Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Live blog updates on RNZ Sport One of the NRL's many showpiece events throughout the season, Magic Round gathers every team (except Manly Sea Eagles with the bye) in Brisbane for eight games at Suncorp Stadium. One round, one ground… Aussies love a rhyme! For the Warriors, this fixture counts as a home game, so one less for their Go Media Stadium base. This will be the sixth year for this promotion. Last year, an understrength Warriors line-up shocked defending premiers Penrith Panthers 22-20 in Brisbane, with Taine Tuaupiki scoring a late try, then kicking what proved to be the winning conversion. Their only other Magic Round win came in 2019, when headed St George Dragons 26-18, also at Suncorp. The Warriors enjoy winning records against only four teams currently contesting the NRL - North Queensland (26-22) are one of them. Their advantage is even more pronounced at home (18-7), although this will be their fourth meeting at a neutral venue, with the Warriors winning the previous three at Central Coast (twice) and Redcliffe during their Covid exile. They have won four of the last five meetings, with the exception coming during their horror 2022 campaign, when they succumbed 48-4 in Townsville. Last year, the Warriors prevailed 42-12 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with centre Rocco Berry and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scoring two tries each, and centre Adam Pompey kicking 7/8 from the tee. Perhaps the only stat running against the Warriors is the fact they've lost six of their last seven appearances at Suncorp Stadium - that Penrith upset was the exception. Winners of their last four games, North Queensland and Canberra Raiders are currently the hottest teams in the competition, with the Cowboys turning around an 0-3 start to sit two spots behind the Warriors in sixth on the table. After a bye in Round 7, they punished Gold Coast Titans 50-18 in Townsville last week, with winger Robert Derby scoring a try hattrick and Auckland-born second-rower Jeremiah Nanai bagging two. Meanwhile, the Warriors cruised home 26-12 over Newcastle Knights in Christchurch, as interchange forward Jackson Ford celebrated his 50th outing for the club with a try double, along with winger Pompey. Jackson Ford scored a try against Newcastle. Photo: After a disappointing display against Melbourne Storm three weeks ago, they have bounced back with a pair of wins and a win this weekend would see them equal their best-ever start to an NRL season after eight games, matching their 2018 effort, when they opened with five straight victories. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 5 Adam Pompey, 23 Ed Kosi, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 Marata Niukore, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Leka Halasima, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demitric Vaimagua, 17 Bunty Afoa Reserves: 18 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 20 Sam Healey When he named his side this week, Coach Andrew Webster stuck with the same reshuffled line-up that took the field against Newcastle Knights. In a late switcheroo, Jackson Ford was dropped to the bench, Marata Niukore moved to the front row and Leka Halasima was promoted to start in the second row. That's how they line up this week. The only change came on the interchange, where Jacob Laban is under concussion protocols, replaced by half Te Maire Martin. Unfortunately, Webster subsequently lost the services of centre Ali Leiataua to an ankle injury in training, so Pompey has moved back to centre, with Ed Kosi brought onto the wing. Cowboys: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Robert Derby, 3 Jaxon Purdue, 4 Viliami Vailea, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Tom Dearden, 7 Jake Clifford, 8 Jordan McLean, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 11 John Bateman, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Reuben Cotter Interchange: 14 Sam McIntyre, 15 Harrison Edwards, 16 Griffin Neame, 17 Coen Hess Reserves: 18 Zac Laybutt, 21 Kaiden Lahrs Former Warriors assistant Todd Payten has stuck with the same line-up that overran Gold Coast last week. After a slowish start to the season, Cowboys captain and halfback Tom Dearden is hitting top form, taking maximum Dally M Medal points against Gold Coast and now lurking just eight points behind Cronulla Sharks fullback and leader Will Kennedy on the standings. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, starting for Queensland in all three Origin games and debuting for Australia, named Player of the Match in their Pacific Championship final win over Tonga. Now in his fifth season with the Cowboys, rugged West Coast forward Griffin Neame has carved a niche for himself on their bench, bringing up 76 games in the process. Griffin Neame in action for the Kiwis. Photo: He made his NZ Kiwis debut during the triumphant 2023 Pacific Championship campaign and stands to become a consistent selection into the future. With momentum behind them, the Cowboys enter this contest as favourites, despite their lower ranking on the table. The Warriors are coming off their best performance of the season, but believe they are still well short of their potential - they may need to find that level, if they are to spring an upset. Cowboys in a thriller. 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