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RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors prop Jackson Ford shelves kicking game in breakout season
Jackson Ford scores one of his two tries against Newcastle Knights. Photo: Warriors v Panthers Kickoff: 5pm Sunday 21 June Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors supersub Jackson Ford has promised to put his fledgling kicking game away, as he turns his attention back to the core skills of his new role for the NRL high-flyers. During a campaign that has seen a myriad of changes throughout the Warriors pack, Ford's unerring contribution off the bench has proved a godsend, but every now and then, he's capable of something that shocks even coaches and teammates. Three weeks ago, with his team trailling 12-4 against South Sydney Rabbitohs and time running out in the first half, he dribbled a delicate kick to the tryline that eluded scrambling defenders and his own impeded chase, but sat up for Warriors centre Rocco Berry to score. That audacious act had eyes rolling in the clubhouse. "Don't kick it, Jacko, don't kick it… oh, great kick, Jacko," coach Andrew Webster re-enacted afterwards. "He's carrying on a bit," winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak chuckled. "I thought he was going to kick it to me, but he backed himself and we got a result from it, so good on him." Lock Erin Clark revealed: "He went out with the kickers and catchers [at training] today - it's gone to his head." Ford seems to have heard the whispers and is happy to leave the kicking to those more polished around him. "I think that's one and done for me," he admitted. "Might have worked out all right, but I think I'll put that in the back pocket." Truth be told, the Warriors don't need any extra-curricular exploits from Ford - they've received great value from him already, as he embraces not only a change of position from edge to middle, but also a delayed entry into the contest on the interchange. "We've got so much flexibility with Jacko," Webster said. "He's started plenty of times at back row before, so he knows that role. "He can come off the bench and do a really good job. He plays big minutes and has a big motor, so there's so much flexibility in that." Webster has used that ability as a 'bait and switch' this season, sometimes naming Ford to start in the front row, but dropping him back to bench before kickoff. He was initially handed Mitch Barnett's No 10 jersey against Cronulla Sharks for their last outing, after the co-captain suffered a season-ending injury against Souths, but sure enough, that selection didn't stick. "Some of it has just been through circumstance," Webster admitted. "[Hooker] Sam Healey coming in to start last week and Kurt Capewell moving into the centres just complicates things, then you've got to move things late. "There's a method to the madness, but we know Jacko can do both and he's been outstanding all year." Many players can't adjust egos to a bench role, considering it some kind of demotion, but Ford seems to cherish the job, knowing he will still get starters' minutes with his high workrate. When star front-rowers Barnett (State of Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspension) were out against Canberra Raiders last month, Ford had the distinction of leading his team in both running metres (209) and tackles (43) - a feat matched by only three players this season. Rocco Berry scores a try from Jackson Ford's kick against the Rabbitohs. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport His achievement came in just 55 minutes, while the others - Terrell May twice for Wests Tigers, Patrick Carrigan for Brisbane Broncos and Keaon Koloamatangi for South Sydney - needed more. Ford had no idea. "I don't look much into stats, I just put best foot forward for the team and hopefully stats will come off that," he said. "I don't mind if it's starting or coming off the bench, I'm just trying to do the best for the team. "If it's coming off the bench, I just try to bring energy, coming on, and taking that first carry or first tackle. Whatever role it is, I'm happy to take it. "It's always good to come on, after the starters have laid that platform for you and there are a few tired bodies in the middle there. Hopefully, you can take advantage of a bit of fatigue in their legs." If there's one thing he's tried to improve in his game, it's self-belief. "Mentally, if I make an error, I've had a hard time brushing it," he said. "I've just been trying to work on that." In that context, a daring grubber kick here or there is a welcome sign of self-expression - especially if it pays dividends - but are there any other tricks left up his sleeve? "Maybe the long ball to the winger," Ford grinned. "I'll tell Dallin to be ready." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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
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. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Knights: Live updates from the NRL round eight clash
All the action as the Warriors visit the Newcastle Knights in Christchurch. The Warriors have welcomed back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Rocco Berry to face the Newcastle Knights in their Anzac Day clash in Christchurch on Friday. Fullback Nicol-Klokstad, 29, was sidelined for last weekend's victory over the Brisbane Broncos, after failing a head injury assessment in defeat to the Melbourne Storm earlier this month. His return sees Taine Tuaupiki shift from fullback back to the wing, where he has played the majority of the 2025 season in the absence of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Meanwhile, Berry returns to the Warriors' first-grade side, after missing the win over the Broncos through suspension. The 23-year-old made his first appearance of the year against the Storm in Melbourne, but a high tackle on opposite Jack Howarth saw him ruled out of the win over Brisbane. Berry's comeback means newly-minted NRL centurion Adam Pompey shifts from centre to the wing, and takes the spot of Ed Kosi - who scored in the victory against the Broncos. That also means Kurt Capewell moves from centre back into the second row, and sees teen sensation back to the interchange bench in the No 14 jersey. Halasima's place on the bench comes alongside Demetric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban and Bunty Afoa, while halves Te Maire Martin and Tanah Boyd are named among the extended reserves. Friday's encounter will also be a special one for forward Jackson Ford, who'll bring up his 50th appearance for the Warriors after arriving in Auckland at the start of the 2023 NRL season. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Taine Tuaupiki, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. Jackson Ford, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark Interchange (from): 14. Leka Halasima, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Te Maire Martin, 20. Tanah Boyd, 23. Ed Kosi
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Knights: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Rocco Berry return for Anzac Day clash
The Warriors have welcomed back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Rocco Berry to face the Newcastle Knights in their Anzac Day clash in Christchurch on Friday. Fullback Nicol-Klokstad, 29, was sidelined for last weekend's victory over the Brisbane Broncos, after failing a head injury assessment in defeat to the Melbourne Storm earlier this month. His return sees Taine Tuaupiki shift from fullback back to the wing, where he has played the majority of the 2025 season in the absence of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Meanwhile, Berry returns to the Warriors' first-grade side, after missing the win over the Broncos through suspension. The 23-year-old made his first appearance of the year against the Storm in Melbourne, but a high tackle on opposite Jack Howarth saw him ruled out of the win over Brisbane.
