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RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors v St George-Illawarra Dragons - what you need to know
Wayde Egan and Damien Cook will go head to head in Warriors v Dragons. Photo: Photosport/RNZ NZ Warriors v St George-Illawarra Dragons 8pm Friday, 15 August Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Somewhat surprisingly, the Warriors have just a 34.2 percent (13/38) winning record against the Dragons and just 6-6 at Mt Smart. Only Melbourne Storm (30.1 percent) and Manlly Sea Eagles (32.6 percent) have proved more difficult to knock off. They have won three of the last five, but lost three straight before that during Covid-19. The Dragons' biggest win was 54-0 at Wollongong in 2000, when winger Nathan Blacklock had three tries and centre Mark Gasnier two. Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had four tries, as his team steamrolled the Dragons 48-18 at Wollongong in 2023 for their biggest win. They needed a late field goal from Luke Metcalf and some dogged defence to secure their 15-14 in the last encounter at Wollongong in May. The Warriors are reeling from three straight losses and five in their last seven outings. Faced with what seemed like a gentle run into the playoffs, they were unable to handle bottom-of-the-table Gold Coast Titans, lost on the last play against the Dolphins and had no answer to Canterbury Bulldogs last week. Their depth has been eroded by injury, which has robbed them of co-captain Mitch Barnett and star halfback Metcalf (both knees) for the season, plagued their midfield to the point that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is filling in there, and will see them without utility Te Maire Martin and second-rower Kurt Capewell this week. They have slipped out of the top four, sitting fifth, but just two points ahead of Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks, and four points ahead of the eight-placed Dolphins and ninth-placed Sydney Roosters. The Dragons seemed to be drifting to post-season oblivion, but have come right in recent weeks, toppling league leaders Canberra Raiders and then accounting for playoff-bound Sharks. "They've been in just about every contest," Warriors coach Andrew Webster observed. "They've been the giantkillers of the competition - they're probably the best team that aren't in the eight at knocking off top-four teams." They are still only a long shot to make the top eight, but they are quite capable of playing spoilers to out-of-form opponents. Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick, 20. Ed Kosi, 21. Tom Ale, 22. Kayliss Fatialofa, 25. Bunty Afoa With Te Maire Martin under concussion protocols, Webster has turned back to halfback Tanah Boyd , who was a late drop against the Bulldogs. Second-rower Kurt Capewell is also sideline with a head knock, so teen sensation Leka Halasima is promoted from the bench, with rookie Eddie Ieremia-Toeava in line for his second game of first-grade footy. Hooker Wayde Egan returns from a shoulder niggle, but Webster has retained back-up Sam Healey on a bench that has no obvious back cover. Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Tyrell Sloan, 3. Hayden Buchanan, 4. Mat Feagai, 5. Corey Allan, 6. Lyhkan King-Tongia, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Emre Guler, 9. Damien Cook, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Luciano Leilua, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jack de Belin Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Michael Molo, 16. Hame Sele, 17. Loko Pasifiki Tonga Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 19. Lachlan Ilias, 20. Jacob Halangahu, 21. Nathan Lawson, 22. Christian Tuipulotu Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has Hastings-born centre Mat Feagai back from injury, just in time to replace Moses Suli in the midfield. Michael Molo also returns to the interchange, along with Auckland-born youngster Loko Pasifiki Tonga. Being the coach's son is never easy and halfback Kyle Flanagan is certainly finding that out. Many pundits have circled him as an Achilles heel in the Dragons line-up, but dad keeps putting him out there and that's paid recent dividends. He may be the last player named to this squad, but the Dragons love Auckland-born, Tonga winger Christian Tuipulotu - they just can't seem to keep him on the field. He's scored 29 tries in 51 NRL appearances, but seven in just six this season, plagued by recurring hamstring strains. He played reserve grade last week and seems on the verge of another attempted comeback. Who knows what to expect from the Warriors at this point? They need to find some form quickly, but the Dragons are on a run. A win would sure be handy right now, but would you put money on it? Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NRL match preview: Warriors host Panthers in first Auckland clash since 2019
NRL round 16 preview: Warriors vs Panthers returns to Go Media Stadium For the first time since 2019, the Penrith Panthers will play at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, where they will face the One New Zealand Warriors in Round 16 of the NRL. The Panthers secured a narrow 19-18 golden point win during their last visit to the venue, courtesy of then-halfback James Maloney. Several players who featured in that 2019 fixture have since retired, moved clubs, or transferred overseas. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains the only current Warrior from that match. James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan were then with Penrith, while Isaiah Papali'i, now with the Panthers, played in the Warriors' back row. Also read: New Zealand coroner warns against dangerous Rugby-inspired 'Runit Championship' following player death The Warriors enter this match third on the ladder, having won seven of their last eight games. Penrith, after a poor 1-5 start, have climbed to ninth with three wins and a draw in their last five matches. The match is a sellout, contrasting the 12,952 attendance in 2019. Live Events Complete team lists: Warriors and Panthers finalize squads for key matchup Warriors starting line-up Backs: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Moala Graham-Taufa Also read: Dylan Walker released by One New Zealand Warriors, joins Australia's Parramatta Eels 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf Forwards: 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Samuel Healey 22. Edward Kosi Ins: Edward Kosi, Moala Graham-Taufa, Wayde Egan Outs: Kurt Capewell, Taine Tuaupiki Panthers Starting Line-Up Backs: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider Forwards: 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Matthew Eisenhuth Interchange: 14. Trent Toelau 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Luke Garner Reserves: 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Jack Cole Ins: Daine Laurie, Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Matthew Eisenhuth, Paul Alamoti, Trent Toelau Outs: Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Nathan Cleary Stat Highlights and Match Officials 1. The Warriors aim for consecutive wins over Penrith for the first time since 2012. 2. The Panthers have won eight of their last nine meetings against the Warriors. 3. The Warriors are 4-1 at home this season. 4. Brian To'o has scored seven tries in his last six matches against the Warriors. 5. Te Maire Martin will mark his 100th NRL appearance. Match Officials: 1. Referee: Todd Smith 2. Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe NRL match preview : Warriors host Panthers in first Auckland clash since 2019 The Penrith Panthers return to Go Media Stadium to face the One New Zealand Warriors for the first time in Auckland since 2019. The Warriors aim to secure a top-three spot, while the Panthers continue their late-season recovery. Full team line-ups, player changes, and match official details below 3. Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
RNZ News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: The man behind NZ Warriors' 'next man up' philosophy
Warriors hooker Sam Healey is the latest to stake his claim on more first-grade minutes. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Only a few hours out from kickoff, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan succumbs to a niggly hip injury and his understudy is thrust into the starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks. This is where David Tangata-Toa earns his salary. Halfway through a season when the Auckland club hovers near the top of the NRL table, igniting hopes that this may finally be that elusive championship year, the secret to its success lies far beyond its star-studded premier team. "One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year ," coach Andrew Webster said last month, as he surveyed a roster depleted by injuries. "It's going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We're certainly finding that out." With Egan gone, newcomer Sam Healey received the call-up from reserve grade and a chance to show his junior club, where dad Mitch played more than 200 games in the 1990s, just what it let slip through its fingers. In 47 minutes, he ran for 71 metres - all but four from dummy half - and made 27 tackles, as the Warriors produced their most complete performance so far for a 40-10 win over Cronulla . Healey's seamless inclusion epitomised the 'next man up' mentality that has served the programme so well and, as 'transition coach', Tangata-Toa has been one of the drivers of that philosophy. Earlier in the day, he guided his reserve side to victory over Newtown Jets, avenging their only defeat so far this season and maintaining their five-point advantage atop the NSW Cup competition. "We all want to be successful and, at the end of the day, coaches get judged on results," Tangata-Toa said. "Where I get my satisfaction from is seeing guys debuting, and then going up and doing a really good job. "On the weekend, Sam Healey was such a great story, playing against his old club, where he couldn't quite get an opportunity and relocated to New Zealand - he jumps in and does a really good job. "I've only coached Sam this year and have played hardly any role in that, but just to see a kid step up like that… it's great to see these kids realise their dreams and, if you can be around that, it's pretty cool." In his second NRL game, Healey was not the only one of Tangata-Toa's proteges on display against the Sharks. With co-captain Mitch Barnett sidelined by ruptured knee ligaments for the rest of the season, forward Tanner Stowers-Smith also made his second appearance off the bench, after debuting against the Dolphins last month. He'll likely build on that opportunity, as the campaign progresses. Through 14 rounds, others like Taine Tuaupiki, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Te Maire Martin have played for both premiers and reserves, where they wait in the wings for their next chance to step into the spotlight. Whenever they are promoted, their replacements in reserve grade are often drawn from the Jersey Flegg (U21) programme. Tangata-Toa's role is threefold - he's hired to win games and prepare his players to perform at first grade when required, while helping develop the 'next' next wave of teenagers for the future, but not necessarily in that order. David Tangata-Toa is at the forefront of the Warriors' 'next man up' mentality. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Reserve grade I see as a development team," he said. "My role is to develop these players and get them ready for first grade, when they're called upon by Webby. "Obviously, if you can win some games along the way, that's development as well, because you have to teach the young kids how to win, so when they do get to first grade, there's that expectation of winning games. "The development side of it is super important around that 'next man up' mentality, so when they're called upon, they can do a job in the top grade." Tangata-Toa held similar development roles at Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, but was summoned to Auckland, when Webster became head coach at the Warriors. The pair had crossed paths at Hull Kingston Rovers 15 years earlier, when Webster was an assistant and academy coach, and Tangata-Toa was ending his playing career. "Webby was actually my coach at Hull KR, but he was a year younger than me," he said. "We became friends there, and always coached against each other and kept in touch. "There was a position open up here so he rang me, as I was coming off contract at the Bulldogs, to see if I would relocate. We nutted it out and moved the family over here - it's been a good move." The Warriors reserves have reached the NSW Cup semis over the previous two years, but have been depleted when injuries to the top side pull players from the next level down. Last season, only Barnett and Jackson Ford played through the first 14 rounds. Halfway through this year's schedule, the Warriors have had eight players turn out in every one of their 13 first-grade games - centre Adam Pompey, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, second-rower Kurt Capewell, and forwards Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. That continuity has helped both teams maintain standards and build combinations, without dipping too deeply into the depth chart. "We've been really lucky this year," Tangata-Toa said. "Compared to last year, first-grade haven't had a whole lot of injuries, so we've been pretty lucky in reserve grade to keep the majority of our squad together. "There are a few changes every week, but last year, we were changing up to six players a week through injury and performance." During its three-year Covid-enforced exile across the Tasman, the club had to abandon its supplementary teams - including the NRLW side - as it focused on core business without the benefit of revenue from home games. Since returning home, the Warriors have fielded teams in the major New South Wales competitions, taking back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup (U17) at their first two attempts. "This is only the second year we've had all the junior pathway teams in the NSW competitions," Tangata-Toa said. "NSW Cup [reserves] have been in for three years now and the club's done a really good job around that. The first year back, they made the semis, last year they made the semis and this year, halfway through the season, they're sitting on top. "The club invests quite heavily in trying to keep those Kiwi kids at home, so we're starting to see some rewards around that." With former first-grade coach Andrew McFadden guiding the club's pathways, homegrown players can now see a route from school and club footy into NRL, without having to leave New Zealand. "The transition, you're starting to see it in the reserve grade competition," Tangata-Toa said. Tanner Stowers-Smith will have more opportunities in first grade, with the season-ending injury to Mitch Barnett. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Only four years ago, the age of the reserve competition, you'd see a lot of 26-27-year-olds still playing and they would make up the majority of reserve grade teams, whereas now, you're probably only seeing one or two of those players in the competition, and the rest are 20-21-year-olds." The Warriors reserves are still well served by veterans with considerable first-grade experience. Half Tanah Boyd, 24, crossed the ditch this year from Gold Coast Titans, where he logged 68 NRL games, while centre/winger Morgan Harper, 26, has made 64 appearances at Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. Both are still awaiting their Warriors debuts. Since arriving in 2022. hooker Freddy Lussick, 24, has played 40 games for the club, but has tumbled down the pecking order to the point where he sometimes has to wear the unfamiliar No.10 jersey to start in reserve grade this season. Front-rower Afoa, 28, is the club's longest-serving player, after making his NRL debut in 2016, and has since amassed 145 games, including seven this season. He's become a fan favourite for returning kickoffs from the back fence and is still more than capable of stepping into top grade when required. Afoa probably has several years left in his playing career, but his most important role now may be as mentor to the young forwards trying to supplant him. That creates a delicate balancing act for Tangata-Toa, who must keep these journeymen motivated, while younger prospects are promoted around them. "It's potentially a tricky one, but it probably comes down to the individual and their attitude around it," he said. "As a coach, you've got to keep an eye out for that, but I've been really impressed with the guys. "There's a real connection, not just with the NRL and reserve grade, but the club in general, and that comes from Webby up top. "There's never been once this year where I've had to question a bloke's attitude, because they were a bit filthy they weren't getting called upon - they were just really happy for their teammates. "That's a rap on Webby as a head coach, that he's able to create this environment where everyone's in it for the right reasons." Bunty Afoa is the Warriors' longest-serving player and an example to the new generation. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The reserves train alongside - and often against - the premiers each week, measuring themselves against those they are trying to replace. When one limps to the sideline, another instantly fills their spot. "It's good to see these young boys coming through and getting the opportunity," lock Erin Clark said. "You never know when it comes and, when it does come, they're definitely ready, so that's good for us as a club. "From the lower grades up, we all train the same system, so we definitely know the man that steps up is ready." Last time the Warriors made the NRL Grand Final in 2011, club affiliate Auckland Vulcans also reached the NSW Cup final, while their U20 side won the National Youth Competition in extra time. They seemed on the verge of a dynasty then, but while the juniors won again in 2014 - Afoa was part of that team - the reserves and premiers have never returned to the finals since. Harold Matthews success may be an omen that reign may not be far off. The Warriors have suffered a variety of body blows this season - they've lost Addin Fonua-Blake, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker across the Tasman, captain Tohu Harris and superstar Shaun Johnson to retirement, and now skipper Barnett to injury - but so far, they've found a way to keep moving forward. Much of that comes down to the job Tangata-Toa has done to prepare their replacements to answer the call. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: What we learnt as NZ Warriors overwhelmed Cronulla Sharks
Chanel Harris-Tavita and Sam Healey celebrate a try against the Sharks. Photo: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAP Despite their 9-3 record through the opening half of the NRL season, NZ Warriors had not exactly dominated opponents. Resilience had become their trademark, with many of their successes built on dramatic late-game feats or gritty defence to hold charging opponents at bay. Their points differential had been in the negative through most of the campaign and sat at just plus-5 entering their contest against Cronulla Sharks. They had lost co-captain Mitch Barnett for the season , veteran second-rower Kurt Capewell was covering at centre and they lost star hooker Wayde Egan to a hip complaint before kickoff. At Shark Park, the Warriors finally took their game to another level that must now have the competition on warning, outscoring their opponents 28-0 after halftime. Here are a few takeaways from their breakout 40-10 victory . Already reeling from the lose of Barnett for the season, the Warriors also had to deal with Egan's late withdrawal. While Barnett is a big loss, Egan is arguably a bigger one - and especially against the Sharks. After 13 rounds, he led the competition in dummy half runs and tackles, heading off Cronulla counterpart Blayke Brailey in both categories. His grip on the Warriors No.9 jersey is absolutely ironclad. Replacement Sam Healey was unproven, after logging 14 minutes off the bench in his NRL debut against North Queensland Cowboys last month. Jackson Ford reverted back to his favoured interchange role. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport The other change saw Marata Niukore shifted from second row to prop, with Jackson Ford - initially handed Barnett's No.10 jersey - slipping back to an interchange role he has made his own this season and Jacob Laban promoted into the starting second row. This was an entirely predictable change, probably inevitable. Healey's elevation into the gameday squad completed his journey to the top flight, after leaving the Sharks to search for a first-grade opportunity. Dad Mitch played 222 games for Cronulla from 1989-2000, so gaining his first start at Shark Park would have been an emotional moment for Sam. He played 47 minutes, running eight times for 71 metres and making 27 tackles, without looking out of place. Brailey went the distance for the Sharks, making a game-high 53 tackles in his 150th NRL outing. The other one that got away from the 'Shire' was Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf, who inherited the No.7 jersey from Shaun Johnson at the start of the season and has made every post a winner since, leading the Dally M standings when they went behind closed doors last week. He had seven appearances for Cronulla, but found his career path blocked by the arrival of Nico Hynes from Melbourne Storm, and has instead found a home at Mt Smart. Metcalf outplayed his much-vaunted rival, kicking 6/8 off the tee, making a linebreak and providing two try assists, while likely putting some ground on Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, one of his closest Dally M rivals. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated head-to-head match-up of the night saw former Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake take on the man that replaced him at the club - James Fisher-Harris. Fonua-Blake was back-to-back Dally M Prop of the Year during his last two years in Auckland and is compiling a similar case this season, leading the league in metres after contact. Inspirational Kiwis skipper Fisher-Harris spent a few weeks sidelined by a pec injury and then copped a suspension in his first game back, but with Barnett out of the picture, his team will now depend on him in the trenches going forward. They battled each other to a standstill - Fonua-Blake had more running metres and they both made 34 tackles - but Fisher-Harris scored his first try in a Warriors uniform to start the second-half avalanche of points. A feature of the Warriors season has been the emergence of the next generation of young forwards, led by teenager Leka Halasima. After grabbing tries in three consecutive games earlier in the season, he has now scored in back-to-back games against South Sydney and Cronulla to continue his meteoric rise. Laban let no-one down in his starting role and now provides another option for coach Andrew Webster, with Capewell currently deployed in midfield. The revelation was Demitric Vaimauga , who started the campaign slowly, but has started to show his ability in recent weeks. His 40-minute shift produced 11 runs for 106 metres, 21 tackles and a try, but the highlight may have been his short pass for Fisher-Harris' try after halftime. Demitric Vaimauga scores a try against the Sharks. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Halasima, 19, and Laban, 21, are signed through 2029, while Vaimauga, 21, is committed through 2028, so they have plenty of time left with the Warriors. Healey, 22, showed he is worth long-term investment, while Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21, also recorded his second game at his level off the bench. "The pleasing thing is the effort of our young guys, off the back of really strong leadership this year," Webster said. "We spoke about trying to be Barney , but be better at what they're doing, and I thought they stood up. "This place has changed and you see young kids feeling comfortable in their skin, feeling safe to be themselves, and then go out on the field and express themselves." This will be how the Warriors cover the absence of Barnett this season. "I didn't know when it was going to come, but at halftime, I said to the boys, 'We love being in these tight games, these kind of battles', so I was rapt they got the rewards late." Warriors coach Andrew Webster The Warriors are now 7/7 this season, when they lead at halftime and continue to lead the competition in set completion on 83 percent, after converting 92 percent (36/39) against the Sharks. The Warriors take their second bye of the season, which guarantees two points on the table. The week off is timely for Egan, who is obviously a bit nicked up and will enjoy some extra rest, as will others in the squad that have probably been carrying niggles into games over the past couple of months. In two weeks, they'll host four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers, just three days after Origin II in Perth. That's a long trip for players hoping to back up for their club. The Panthers have struggled this season and uncharacteristically sit near the bottom of the table. No-one is fooled by that and they are surely not far from a run at the playoffs. That said, the Warriors lost to Melbourne Storm off their first bye of the season, so they will need to turn that around. Since March 21, they will have played just once at Mt Smart in 12 rounds, but now face five games in the next eight there, as well as a third bye. They are now entering a very favourable phase of their schedule. Don't look now, Warriors fans, this may yet be your year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors young gun Demitric Vaimauga ready to shine in Barnett's absence
Demitric Vaimauga is signed with the Warriors through 2028. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport About half-an-hour after losing co-captain and kingpin Mitch Barnett for the season, NZ Warriors fans got a glimpse of how their team might fill that void this year and into the future. Barnett hobbled off with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after 20 minutes against South Sydney Rabbitohs, and - although nobody knew it then - his 2025 NRL campaign was over . Soon after halftime, hooker Wayde Egan ran from dummy half inside Souths territory and found young second-rower Demitric Vaimauga on the 30-metre line. He fended off one tackler and rolled away from another, before offloading back to Egan from his knees. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad sliced towards the posts and passed back to Egan - his third touch of the ball in the same movement - before teenager Leka Halasima propped off his right foot and found a yawning path to the tryline. The NRL proclaimed the sequence 'Try of the Week' and it was certainly reminiscent of the entertaining Warriors of yesteryear, when Stacey Jones and Ali Lauiti'iti were in full flight. His contribution only lasted a couple of seconds and gained about five metres, but this cameo by Vaimauga suggested he had far more to offer his team in their moment of need. "I think they gave Leka the try," he deflected. "I don't really like to look into it, but it is good to see us on the Instagram page, I guess." A common thread through the Warriors 9-3 start to their season has been 'next man up'. Another has been harnessing a fresh wave of talented young forwards to provide the nucleus of the roster moving forward. While Halasima, 19, has captured the headlines and - along with Jacob Laban - earned a contract extension through the 2029 , Vaimauga, 21, has quietly come off the bench for every game this season and is starting to pick up momentum. In 29 minutes against Souths, he ran nine times for 83 metres, offloaded three times and made 17 tackles - good for 43 fantasy points, if you're that way inclined. Last month against St George Illawarra Dragons, he was even better, logging 39 minutes, running nine times for 108 metres and making 29 tackles. That's 45 fantasy points and, at this point in the season, he may be worth a quick pick-up while his price is still right. Coach Andrew Webster has been at pains to stress no one player can make up for Barnett's loss and it will take a collective effort . Still, the skipper's absence leaves a gaping hole in the rotation and Vaimauga seems best placed to take advantage of the opportunity, as Halasima did when NZ Kiwis captain James Fisher-Harris went down earlier in the season. "I feel like I'm going well, but there's a lot more to come," he reflected. "I've just scratched the surface. "I'm still adapting to game speed, still a bit raw and new to it. I'm trying to build my minutes and my engine for NRL. "I feel like my understanding of the game is there and my physicality, but adapting to the game speed... "I'm just happy to be on the field. The coach has put trust in some of the young boys and I'm glad to be one of them, so I want to put my best foot forward whenever I can." Vaimauga played the first seven games of his Warriors career as Demitric Sifakula, but adopted his mother's surname during this past off-season, when he re-signed through 2028, so he has at least three more seasons alongside Halasima and Laban. "It's good to have a crop of boys that I grew up playing with and to be on the big stage with them," he said. "It's a lot for our up-and-comers, especially at grassroots footy as well… giving them someone to look up to." This is the perfect time for the young guns to learn from hardened veterans like Barnett, Egan, Fisher-Harris and Origin veteran Kurt Capewell. "I think their footy brains… to be so young, but mature in footy sense," lock Erin Clark enthused. "I'm pretty blown away - when I was that age, I had no idea. "With Leka, you see his footwork and strength, but we see out on the field how smart he is and Demitric as well. Good to see them doing well, and Demi and Leka played good games on the weekend, "They're going in the right direction, and hopefully, they'll just get better and better as games go on." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
