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RNZ News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: Wounded Penrith Panthers still dangerous proposition for NZ Warriors
Penrith celebrate their fourth NRL crown last season. Photo: Photosport Warriors v Panthers Kickoff: 5pm Sunday 21 June Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors fans should not be fooled by the prospect of a depleted and seemingly out-of-form Penrith Panthers side arriving at Go Media Stadium on Saturday. The four-time defending NRL champions have not played in Auckland since 2019 - before their premiership run began - but have so far struggled in their bid for a fifth straight crown, currently languishing one point outside the playoff picture in ninth with five wins, seven losses and a rare draw. A five-game losing streak set them on their heels early and, as recently as four weeks ago, they sat bottom of the table, but back-to-back wins and a bye week have considerably boosted their hopes. "Obviously, it's not where they want it to be, that's pretty clear," Warriors coach Andrew Webster observed. "They normally have more wins on the board, but you can see they're building to something. "They know when to put the foot down and compete at a high level when it matters. I think you'll definitely see them challenge in this competition. "They're a strong club that are very proud and they'll find a way to get back to where they want to be." Coach Ivan Cleary has ruled out his five State of Origin stars for this fixture, lamenting a shortage of flights available to bring son Nathan, captain Isaah Yeo, fullback Dylan Edwards, winger Brian To'o and second-rower Liam Martin from Perth to Auckland with time to sufficiently recover. "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't," Cleary said. "I don't think it's fair that we can't play... we should be able to make that decision. Through flights, we just can't get them there." The Origin window has often been a difficult period for Penrith, but if the Warriors needed a reminder to never underestimate their rivals, it came in July 2017, when they travelled to the foot of the Blue Mountains to face a seemingly impotent line-up without its star-studded halves combination of Nathan Cleary and James Maloney. Instead, the visitors were shredded 36-4 by rookie Jarome Luai, who scored a try double and kicking 6/8 off the tee, for a personal haul of 20 points in just his second first-grade appearance. These days, Luai is also an Origin veteran, but has taken his talents to Wests Tigers. Only Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains of that Warriors side, but ironically, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan of the current squad turned out for Penrith that night. That encounter also somehow fell between the gaps in Webster's career, somewhere between his first stint at Mt Smart and his move to the Panthers, as Ivan Cleary's assistant. "That's a long time ago, I wasn't at either club - I was at the Tigers probably," he recalled. "I was living in Penrith and probably went to the game." Ivan Cleary (right) won't have son Nathan to steer the ship on Saturday. Photo: AAP/ Webster and Cleary have forged a strong relationship over the years, from the time they first hooked up at Wests, then a two-year period together at Penrith. Webster helped the Panthers to the first two titles of their dynasty, before returning across the Tasman to the Warriors with Cleary's recommendation for the top job. This will be their fourth head-to-head meeting, with Cleary ahead 2-1, but the Warriors took the most recent victory at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane last year, when their own revamped line-up shocked the titleholders with a late converted try to fullback Taine Tuaupiki. Webster admitted the significance of meeting his old club and mentor probably wasn't as strong as it once was. "Early on, the first couple of times you do it, you look into it a bit," he said. "Still got some fond memories and some people there I've got a lot of respect for, particularly Ivan, but that's kind of dwindled now. "They're the ex team, and you've got to go out and win. There are two points up for grabs and we're motivated to get better at what we want to do. "I'm just glad that the fans get the champions at our stadium." Ivan Cleary. Photo: Photosport Both teams are coming off a bye week and both have lost coming off their previous byes this season. The Warriors barely fired a shot in the first 40 minutes of a 42-14 defeat to Melbourne Storm in April, while the Panthers dropped a real headscratcher 25-6 against Newcastle Knights three weeks ago. Sitting third on the table, the Warriors produced probably their best performance of the season to vanquish Cronulla Sharks 40-10 two weeks ago, but lost an opportunity to build on any momentum from that outing. "We've got a chance to build on it now," Webster insisted. "It only seems like the other day we played, not like a month ago or six weeks ago. "We've still got an opportunity to build on what we did." The Warriors focused on themselves to start the week, but likely turned their attention towards their opponents nearer to gametime. "Their defence is very aggressive," Webster said. "Their line speed, they go after you, so you've got to make sure you earn your way out of trouble - we've got to have a hard edge about us there. "You have to make sure you have your own backyard in order, earning plenty of momentum with the ball and defending well. "If you start watching everyone and wondering what to do, you start losing focus on yourselves." Meanwhile, Webster has resisted the temptation to name Cleary's youngest son, Jett - born in Auckland during his dad's tenure with the Warriors and now back playing for the club's U21 side - for a surprise NRL debut against his father's team. 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
- 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
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Raiders snap Warriors winning streak with victory at Go Media Stadium
The Warriors' Marata Niukore, in action against the Canberra Raiders in Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership Rugby League Competition, at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on Sunday night. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The Warriors winning streak has come to an end with a 16-10 loss to the Raiders in Auckland. The Warriors and the Raiders were locked at 8-8 at half-time, before Canberra pulled away in the second half to win by six points at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Read what happened, with RNZ's blog: NZ 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. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 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 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
The Guardian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Melbourne Victory break Auckland hearts to snatch spot in A-League Men grand final
Melbourne Victory have denied Auckland a shot at an A-League Men fairytale after turning around a one-goal deficit with a 2-0 win in the second leg of their semi-final on Saturday. Victory enforcers Zinedine Machach and Bruno Fornaroli were the villains as the Black Knights lost for just the second time at Go Media Stadium, this season, and fell behind 2-1 on aggregate to end the premiers' hopes of clinching a historic double in their inaugural season. It took a goalline clearance from Victory defender Josh Rawlins deep into the seven minutes of added time, as well as an earlier contentious call to rule out a Logan Rogerson header that would have levelled the tie, for the visitors to book a place in the decider against the winner of the Melbourne City or Western United semi-final. Machach opened the scoring with a speculative shot from long range that was heading well wide of the far post before a desperate lunge from Black Knights defender Nando Pijnaker directed the ball the opposite way. Auckland shotstopper Alex Paulsen was wrong footed and left stranded as the wicked deflection dribbled into the bottom corner of his goal to level the tie in the 55th minute. With the wind in their sails, Victory pressed to claim the advantage and soon found an aggregate lead through combative frontman Fornaroli. The 37-year-old drew on his vast experience and guile to creep out of an offside position and into vacant space between Black Knights defenders with enough time to swivel and fire into the bottom left of the net in the 60th minute. Auckland thought they had levelled the tie at two-all on aggregate when first-tie goalscorer Logan Rogerson headed home from the edge of the goalline in the 69th minute. But while Guillermo May had pounced on the ball just before it rolled out for a goal kick and his cross sailed over Victory keeper Jack Duncan to Rogerson at the back post, the linesman was quick to raise a flag and replays were not clear enough to show that it had not drifted out while in the air. Duncan almost gave the Black Knights a crucial goal in the 97th minute when fumbling a high ball that allowed Pijnaker a shot from close range. But with Rawlins perfectly placed to keep the ball out of the net, the hosts were left to rue missed opportunities late in the first leg while licking their wounds after a memorable first season. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The win was Melbourne's first over Auckland after failing to score in their three earlier clashes and leaves coach Arthur Diles's side within touching distance of breaking a seven-year championship drought despite losing coach Patrick Kisnorbo midway through the season. City loom as Victory's most likely opponents in a Melbourne derby grand final after a 3-0 away win over Western United before the second leg of their semi-final is played at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Heartbreak! Auckland FC knocked out by Melbourne Victory
Zinédine Machach of Melbourne Victory takes a shot at goal to score against Auckland FC, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The minor premiers' stunning season has ended with an upset semi-final defeat for Auckland FC to the Melbourne Victory in front of a record crowd at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium. Auckland FC have had an extraordinary debut season, and held a precious 1-0 lead into the second leg of their A-League semi-final going into Saturday night's game against. The crowd were on the edge of their seat throughout the game, as a draw or a win at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium would have sent Auckland through to the final, for what would be a historic home grand final. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Auckland FC : Alex Paulsen, Hiroki Sakai, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Louis Verstraete, Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Max Mata, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Michael Woud, Liam Gillion, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Jake Brimmer, Dan Hall, Neyder Moreno, Logan Rogerson, Luis Felipe Gallegos Melbourne Victory: Mitch Langerak, Adama Traore, Lachlan Jackson, Brendan Hamill, Ryan Teague, Daniel Arzani, Zinedine Machach, Nikolaos Vergos, Bruno Fornaroli, Jordi Valadon, Joshua Inserra, Nishan Velupillay, Fabian Monge, Jing Reec, Roderick Miranda, Joshua Rawlins, Alexander Badolato, Jack Duncan, Luka Kolic, Kasey Bos
