• Suncorp surge

• Competition-leading net errors

• Dallin’s streaky behaviour

• Dally M lottery

• Warriors’ oldest Origin players

The Warriors’ sizzling 42-12 Magic Round beatdown of the Broncos — soured somewhat by Tanah Boyd’s knee injury — saw Andrew Webster’s side consolidate outright second spot on the NRL ladder.

The Warriors are 8-2 for the third time in their history, matching the feat of their 2002 and 2025 predecessors. Last year’s team lost their 11th game, while the 2002 vintage went all the way to an 11-2 record before suffering a third loss.

Equalling their best halftime scoreline this season of 22-0 (which they also managed against the Titans), the Warriors went on with the job to achieve an equal-season-high tally of points, having also scored 42 against the Roosters in Round 1.

Yet again the Warriors dominated possession (55 percent) and the completion rate battle (87 percent to the Broncos’ 81 percent), consequently racking up 1,768 run metres to 1,348. They also had 501 post-contact metres to 386, while an eye-watering 13-5 penalty count kept the Broncos consistently under the pump.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (216) and Erin Clark (198) were the metre-eating studs, while Jackson Ford (33) pipped Mitch Barnett (32) in the tackle-count stakes.

Home, sweet home away from home

The Warriors’ first win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium since 2018 was especially sweet, coming by the exact same scoreline they were towelled up by at the same ground in the 2023 preliminary final.

The victory was their third-biggest against the Broncos, after belting them 56-18 in 2013 and 48-16 in 2010 — both in Brisbane. The Warriors’ overall record against the Broncos at Suncorp now stands at 5-1-10.

It was also the Warriors’ third straight Magic Round win, improving their record at the NRL extravaganza to 4-3.

The Warriors have won four of their last six at Suncorp Stadium against all opponents — handy, given they face the Dolphins there in Round 17 and the Broncos again in Round 24.

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Warriors coach Andrew Webster hinted that Te Maire Martin could retain the halfback role for Saturday’s road trip to take on St George Illawarra following Tanah Boyd’s serious knee injury, with Luke Metcalf’s availability up in the air after a tumultuous couple of weeks.

Martin entered the Magic Round fray after just seven minutes with the in-form Boyd suffering a suspected ACL injury. The 30-year-old — who had played just one NSW Cup game since breaking his leg playing for Māori All Stars in February — was magnificent, laying on two tries, scoring another and defending the house down in a 42-12 thrashing of the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

“We know that Te Maire’s going to come on and do his role … he did a terrific job today, and that’s a celebration to our whole system, to our assistant coaches preparing him, and to ‘T’ himself,” Webster praised post-match.

The cruel irony of Boyd’s injury, in the wake of the dramatic events that saw Metcalf sensationally quit the club on Tuesday to take up a three-year deal with the Dragons from 2027, is almost unbelievable.

Metcalf himself tore his ACL just metres away from the same patch of grass in late-June last season, cutting short a breakout individual campaign, derailing the Warriors’ title hopes and essentially setting in motion the recent sequence of contractual events.

Metcalf has played just twice — at five-eighth in the Warriors’ only two losses this year — but now shapes as the player most likely to step into the No.7 breach for the rest of 2026 for an out-and-out premiership contender.

If that isn’t enough black comedy for you, the Warriors’ next game in five games’ time is against the club Metcalf has just signed for — but Webster said there’s plenty to unpack before settling on the line-up before 6pm (NZT) Tuesday.

“I don’t know if he’s available for selection next week, but he’s available for the rest of the year,” Webster explained. “We just have to tidy up his contract.

“He hasn’t trained, he hasn’t done one rep of footy because of the bye — and because of his contract negotiations — for the last two weeks. We need to get him back doing reps, because we don’t want to throw him back in and he gets injured.

“He’ll be eligible for selection as soon as he’s fit … he’s running, he’s fit, but he hasn’t done any football drills at all.

“It’s bad for footy to have people out there training in harm’s way when they’re going through so much [emotional] stuff, you don’t want to have them out there doing football drills and in front of collisions.

“If he wasn’t important to us, we’d ask him to leave now. We don’t want him to [leave], we want him to stay.

“We want him this year, prior to [Boyd’s injury]. He knows that and he wants to stay, he wants to be part of this for the rest of the year.

“He becomes important. But we’ve got Te Maire Martin, Luke Hanson, Jett Cleary. We’ve got a host of players who can do a really good job.”

A bunch of Warriors clambered for the Magic Round high score in the Kingz Container Crew player ratings after a 42-12 beatdown of the Broncos.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Did everything asked of him, producing a busy attacking performance in the first half and coming up with some excellent positional play throughout. Finished with 15 runs for 126 metres and kicked five-from-six following Boyd’s exit. Turning some of those myriad half-breaks into line-breaks would cement that spot, which still feels a bit tenuous with CNK lurking. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Had an absolute day out, scoring the first (aerial finish) and last (long-range intercept) tries in trademark fashion, and racking up a game-high 216 metres on the back of a host of full-throttle hit-ups. Now has 12 tries in 10 games this season. 8

3 ALI LEIATAUA: Back after an HIA absence and enjoyed arguably his best all-round display of 2026. Scored an opportunist try, had a line-break assist, notched 103 metres from 10 hearty runs and folded several Broncos among his 14 tackles. 8

4 ADAM POMPEY: Escaped the eye for the most part but upped his involvement to finish with an impressive 147 metres on 17 carries, which should be a benchmark rather than an outlier for Pompey. 7

5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: Although the sin-bin decision was obscene — and came after one of a couple of very good jams — it was AKP’s unhappiest day in a Warriors jersey so far. Caught in-field a couple of times, including the lead-up to the Broncos’ second try, and shelled a regulation pass when a late try was beckoning for what was credited as his fifth error. Ran courageously for 86 on 11 carries. 5

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Didn’t exactly take control after Boyd left the field, but didn’t exactly need to. Ultimately did the bulk of the general play kicking and was unlucky not to end up with a try assist after putting up a pinpoint bomb and forcing the Broncos into error with his chase. Only a couple of runs and wasn’t required to do a lot of defence. 6.5

7 TANAH BOYD: Just shattering. N/A

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: A powerhouse 57-minute shift from the skipper, racking up 156 metres from a game-high 21 runs along with 28 tackles. Continues to look far more comfortable and confident as this team’s leader than in 2025. 8

9 WAYDE EGAN: Reportedly in the frame for a NSW debut and produced a superb Origin audition by hoodwinking the Broncos twice — firstly to sneak through for a first-half try, then to carve a hole in the defence in the second half to set up TMM’s try. Control around the rucks was otherwise excellent and made 23 tackles. 8.5

10 MITCHELL BARNETT: Brought back into the starting line-up and piled up some impressive numbers in 45 minutes — 15 runs for 131 metres and 32 tackles. Looked a tad off the pace but overall a solid effort in what was his fifth appearance and first run-on outing in 2026. 7

11 LEKA HALASIMA: Dialled in from the outset after a couple of scratchy outings and chewed through 122 metres on 13 runs with a game-high six tackle-breaks, along with 21 tackles. Looked hungry, which is what you want to see from Leka. 7.5

12 KURT CAPEWELL: The veteran pounced on a grubber for the Warriors’ fourth try and was always on hand for the clean-up and grunt work in an 80-minute effort. Ten runs for 60 metres and 27 tackles. 7.5

13 ERIN CLARK: Arguably the Warriors’ best over the past few weeks and there was none better across the NRL in Magic Round. A powerhouse try was the highlight of a 20-run, 198-metre display, but his ability to constantly have the Broncos back-pedalling (including a game-high 74 post-contact metres and four tackle-breaks) was perhaps his most telling contribution. Made 27 tackles in a ferocious 62 minutes as Clark starts setting a course for back-to-back Dally M Team of the Year nods. 9

20 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Stepped into the halfback breach in just his second game at any level since breaking his leg in the All Stars game — and did so with silky, dynamic aplomb. Brilliant try assists with the pass for DWZ and the grubber for Capewell, backed up to score a back-breaking try, made 84 metres from eight runs and reminded everyone what a good defender he amongst a 28-tackle showing. A timely statement that Andrew Webster has multiple options to fill a huge playmaking gap that has suddenly opened up. 8

15 JACKSON FORD: Cooled his heels on the bench to start the game for the first time this season, but came on after 18 minutes and played out the match. Not as eye-catching as some of his Dally M points-grabbing displays, but strong nonetheless with 14 runs for 122 metres and a team-high 33 tackles. Unluckily denied a try by the Bunker. 7.5

16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Made his presence felt in 32 minutes of game-time, getting through 104 metres on 11 runs and chalking up 17 tackles. Made one handling error and had the ball stripped by Walsh. 6.5

14 SAM HEALEY: Took his 25-minute opportunity at the back-end of the game, making a dazzling line-break and another strong run, as well as reeling off 22 tackles. 6.5

The Warriors bullied and finessed their way to a 42-12 win over a helpless, ill-disciplined Brisbane Broncos outfit to be crowned the kings of Magic Round.

But in the continuation of a story arc that would make a Shortland Street writer blush, a scarcely believable injury setback with the scoreboard still reading nil-all ensured that Luke Metcalf will continue to dominate Warriors-related headlines for at least another week.

The Warriors’ brilliant, bruising victory was achieved after newly-anointed long-term No.7 Tanah Boyd suffered a suspected ACL injury after just seven minutes in gut-wrenching scenes.

Te Maire Martin stepped into the breach and had a blinder, laying on two tries and scoring another, while the Warriors outmatched the depleted defending premiers right across the park

The visitors — who must have felt very much at home in the Broncos’ city thanks to a colossal Warriors contingent at Suncorp Stadium — battered their opponents into submission with tough, clinical, high-percentage footy.

The Warriors enjoyed 55 percent possession, completed at 87 percent (to the Broncos’ 80 percent) and won the penalty count 13-5. Six Warriors forwards racked up triple-figure run-metre tallies; only two members of the Broncos’ engine-room did the same.

Leading 22-0 at halftime, they only very briefly looked capable of being run down as the Broncos found some holes early in the second half.

The Warriors regrouped from the crushing Boyd blow to get on the scoreboard first.

Making a mountain of possession at the Broncos’ end count, a brilliant floating pass from halfback fill-in Martin gave Dallin Watene-Zelezniak the opportunity to dive in for a trademark acrobatic finish.

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WARRIORS V BRONCOS - 6.05PM (NZT)/4.05PM (AEST) SUNDAY, MAY 17 @ SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE

The Storylines

One of the biggest regular-season matches in the Warriors’ history has been partially overshadowed by the sensational developments around a player who isn’t even in the team at present.

The Luke Metcalf situation ensured the Warriors spent their bye period in the thick of the NRL news cycles — and how unsettling it all proves to be for the in-form side remains to be seen.

Focusing on the positives, the Warriors are humming: second on the ladder with a 7-2 record and riding a four-match winning streak.

The 5-5 Broncos are 11th, grappling with similar inconsistency that marked their 2025 campaign before they clicked into gear and surged to premiership glory.

Initially dealing with a heavy injury toll magnificently to win five of six games, they lost 38-24 to the Roosters after trailing 30-0 at halftime and were swamped 32-4 at Manly last weekend.

The pressure is on the Broncos in the marquee match of Magic Round — but Reece Walsh and co. should revel in the underdog tag with a veritable army of Warriors fans bearing down on Suncorp Stadium.

Meanwhile, State of Origin selection adds another element to this blockbuster showdown.

Warriors quartet Mitch Barnett, Jackson Ford, Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell are reportedly set to be selected, while a huge game could push Tanah Boyd and Alofiana Khan-Pereira into the frame. The Broncos have Walsh, Pat Carrigan, Gehamat Shibasaki and Ezra Mam in the Queensland mix.

Ins and Outs

Ali Leiataua returns from concussion with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (shoulder) ruled out, while Mitch Barnett returns in the front-row. Jackson Ford moves back to the bench and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava drops to the reserves. Te Maire Martin replaces Metcalf on the six-man bench.

Adam Reynolds is a massive inclusion for Brisbane, pushing Ben Hunt to the interchange. Philip Coates will debut on the wing with fellow rookie Antonio Verhoeven (shoulder) injured. JackGosiewski (head knock) will miss this game, so Xavier Willison goes to prop and Jaiyden Hunt gets a second-row start.

The History

Overall record: Played 51 – Brisbane won 28, Warriors won 22, draws 1; Brisbane scored 1,078 points, Warriors scored 996 points.

Biggest wins: Brisbane – 44-6 at QEII Stadium, 1995; Warriors – 56-18 at Suncorp Stadium, 2013.

Longest winning streaks: Brisbane – 9 matches (1995-2000); Warriors – 4 matches (2002-03).

Finals: Played 2 – Brisbane won 2.

Most appearances: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 25; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 24; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 23; Alex Glenn (Brisbane) – 22; Sam Thaiday (Brisbane) – 21; Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane) – 17; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Josh McGuire (Brisbane) – 17; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 17.

Most tries: Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane and Warriors) – 9; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 9; Francis Meli (Warriors) – 7; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 7; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 6; Wendell Sailor (Brisbane) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.

Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 99; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 88; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 82; James Maloney (Warriors) – 56; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 55; Adam Reynolds (Brisbane) – 44; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 43.

The Stats

• The teams have split their last eight matches, winning four each — but the Broncos are unbeaten in the last four at Suncorp Stadium. The Warriors’ last win in Brisbane was back in 2018.

• None of the clubs’ last 18 regular-season matches have produced more than 50 points.

• The Broncos are just 2-3 at Suncorp Stadium this season.

• The Warriors are 3-1 in Australia in 2026 and 11-5 across the ditch since the start of last season.

• Reece Walsh has five try assists in his three games against the Warriors.

• Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored in each of his last five games against the Broncos, including two doubles.

• Leka Halasima has scored in both of his matches against the Broncos.

• Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored in all five of his career appearances against the Broncos, including two doubles.

5 Key Match-ups

Taine Tuaupiki vs Reece Walsh: Tuaupiki was excellent in his sole individual match-up with Walsh to date — last season’s golden point win in Auckland — and has capitalised on his recent opportunity in the No.1 to be one of the high-flying Warriors’ best. But Walsh remains the game’s most dangerous, effervescent talent and can singlehandedly take this game away from the visitors.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira vs Phillip Coates: With a great record against Brisbane and coming off three straight doubles, AKP will be looking to expose the Broncos debutant. The brother of Xavier Coates, 19-year-old Phillip is another big, athletic freak…but this is a tricky one-on-one assignment against the quicksilver Khan Pereira.

Tanah Boyd vs Adam Reynolds: Penning a three-year extension is a huge vote of confidence for breakout halfback star Boyd, but the Metcalf noise can’t have been easy to navigate and this shapes as the biggest game of his career to date. The Broncos look far better when injury-prone veteran Reynolds is on deck and he has been a frequent thorn in the Warriors’ side. Similar styles with an equally vital role to play for their team on Sunday.

James Fisher-Harris vs Xavier Willison: In an injury- and suspension-hit pack, Willison has been outstanding at prop, lock or second-row. The young giant is back up front this weekend with Haas, Jensen and Gosiewski out — and he’ll lock horns with his Kiwis captain, Fisher-Harris. JFH has been one of the NRL’s standout front-rowers and will look to set the tone early with his run-on partnership with Barnett restored.

Erin Clark vs Pat Carrigan: Two of the best No.13s in the business are set for a titanic battle. Clark’s form has hit another gear recently, mixing typical industry on both side of the ball with line-breaks and try assists. After sitting out a two-match suspension, Queensland staple Carrigan made 91 tackles across the Broncos’ losses to the Roosters and Sea Eagles but will want to add more punch in the attacking department to combat the Warriors’ marauding pack.

Last time they met

The Warriors’ 26-12 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in Round 17 last year could have been viewed with rose-coloured lenses courtesy of a gallant rearguard second-half performance after getting steamrolled in the opening 40 minutes, but the most crucial upshot may come in the form of serious injuries to a pair of spine stars.

The Broncos comprehensively outmuscled a rattled and disjointed Warriors outfit to lead 18-0 at the break, with a try right on halftime an apparent backbreaker.

But the visitors dug in and regrouped – in the face of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (41st minute) and Luke Metcalf (67th minute) to trim the deficit to 20-12 with plenty of time on the clock…and subsequent opportunities that slipped agonisingly out of reach. Gehamat Shibasaki’s second try with five minutes left put the result to bed.

Despite the impressive regroup with a rejigged and depleted line-up, the Warriors’ first back-to-back losses in 2025 heading into their last bye left them in a critical spot with a new halfback and fullback required, on top of NRL-quality centre and wing stocks already being threadbare.

Why the Wahs Will Win: The Warriors boast a stable line-up in tremendous form across the board and a seemingly clear advantage in the engine-room and interchange departments, while there’s some inexperience out wide that could leave the Broncos vulnerable. A massive Wahs contingent in the crowd doesn’t hurt, either.

Why the Wahs Will Lose: The bye, on top of an inevitably distracting news week, leading into such an enormous occasion could upset the momentum the Warriors have built up. Walsh leads a cohort of big-game players eager to assert the Broncos’ status as the surrogate Magic Round hosts.

The Punt: Head to Head — Warriors $1.70, Broncos $2.15; Line — Warriors -2.5; Total Points Line — Over/Under 51.5 Points

Best Anytime Tyrscorer Options — Alofiana Khan-Pereira ($1.57), Reece Walsh ($1.85), Leka Halasima ($2.35), Jesse Arthars ($2.80), Chanel Harris-Tavita ($3.70), Jordan Riki ($5.25)

The Verdict: The Warriors only need to stick to the blueprint that has been so successful throughout 2026, rumble the Broncos through the middle, build pressure and cut down the time Walsh, Reynolds and Mam have with the ball. This feels like more than two competition points up for grabs — and it’s there for the taking. Warriors by 6

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Despite gearing up for a massive Magic Round blockbuster against the Broncos, Warriors coach Andrew Webster spent most of Thursday’s media session fielding questions about the Luke Metcalf-related co…

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The Warriors’ rivalry with the Broncos kicked off via an epic contest in their 1995 premiership debut. Competition between the two clubs has consequently held a special place in the Auckland-based club’s narrative ever since, and has produced many thrillers, brutal encounters and memorable blowouts.

Overall record: Played 51 – Brisbane won 28, Warriors won 22, draws 1; Brisbane scored 1,078 points, Warriors scored 996 points.
Biggest wins: Brisbane – 44-6 at QEII Stadium, 1995; Warriors – 56-18 at Suncorp Stadium, 2013.
Longest winning streaks: Brisbane – 9 matches (1995-2000); Warriors – 4 matches (2002-03).
Finals: Played 2 – Brisbane won 2.
Most appearances: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 25; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 24; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 23; Alex Glenn (Brisbane) – 22; Sam Thaiday (Brisbane) – 21;  Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane) – 17; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Josh McGuire (Brisbane) – 17; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 17.
Most tries: Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane and Warriors) – 9; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 9; Francis Meli (Warriors) – 7; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 7; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 6; Wendell Sailor (Brisbane) – 6; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) – 6.
Most points: Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 99; Michael De Vere (Brisbane) – 88; Corey Parker (Brisbane) – 82; James Maloney (Warriors) – 56; Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) – 55; Adam Reynolds (Brisbane) – 44; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 43.

1995-2000 – Broncos unbeatable after maiden classic

Round 1, 1995 – Warriors come up just short in thrilling premiership entrance
The Auckland Warriors’ feverishly-anticipated premiership debut met all expectations, but the match-winning class of Allan Langer was the key factor in Brisbane’s pulsating 25-22 win in front of 29,220 rabid fans at Ericsson Stadium. International three-quarters Willie Carne and Chris Johns propelled the visitors to a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes, before veteran fullback Phil Blake netted the Warriors’ first-ever try five minutes later – a cracking touchdown featuring brilliant work from Manoa Thompson and Whetu Taewa. Subsequent tries to Sean Hoppe, Tony Tatupu and Tea Ropati had the Auckland crowd in raptures, their team leading the heavyweight Broncos 22-10, 10 minutes into the second half. Two quick-fire individual tries by Langer, who had a point to prove after being deposed from the Test team by Ricky Stuart on the ’94 Kangaroo Tour, evened the scoreboard, however, and Julian O’Neill edged the Broncos to victory with a penalty and a field goal – but not before withstanding a furious Warriors attacking foray in the dying seconds.

The Warriors voyaged to Brisbane for the first time in the last round of their debut season, needing a victory to snare a finals berth. But their hopes were dashed by a red-hot Broncos side, pummelled 44-6 as Steve Renouf ran in four tries. The match attracted the Broncos’ biggest home crowd of the season at QEII Stadium – 54,645.

The clubs were drawn to play each other in the opening round of 1996 as the Super League-ARL battle waged on. All rebel clubs forfeited their Round 1 matches – with the exception of the Warriors, who were prepared to send a team of players from the domestic Lion Red Cup competition in the Super League-aligned stars’ stead. The Broncos stood by their decision to forfeit, and Auckland picked up the easiest two premiership points imaginable. The Warriors again headed into the final round with a slim chance of a top-eight spot if they could topple the Broncos, but they were subjected to a 38-6 hiding at home.

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Plus it’s a massive Team List Tuesday ahead of the Warriors’ Magic Round showdown with the Broncos, and we’ve another No Ugly Salty giveaway and a Tanah-esque TWL PlaceMakers Warriors legend profile.

Brought to you by the Warriors-mad legends at Kingz Container Crew ❤️👑

With the support of PlaceMakers - know how, can do 🔨

Head to nrlmags.com to grab your Magic Round copy of Big League magazine, or pick it up at newsagents and Suncorp Stadium this week.

While the Warriors have enjoyed the presence of some world-class playmakers over the years, forming a long-term halves combination has proved a perennial bugbear.

The incomparable Stacey Jones rarely had a playmaking partner for more than a season or two. After initial partner James Maloney left, Shaun Johnson searched in vain for a suitable right-hand man in the halves.

The coming together in 2017 of Johnson and Kieran Foran, champion halves, good mates and teammates for New Zealand in 13 Tests, was ultimately a big tease. The duo played together just 13 times (for five wins and eight losses) as both battled injuries – a largely overlooked factor in the Warriors’ dismal season.

The reliable Blake Green’s arrival seemed the perfect fit for the flighty Johnson – and the results indicated the Warriors had finally found the perfect duo to steer the team around the park. Johnson’s shock exit at the end of 2018 put the Warriors back to square one, with coach Stephen Kearney pairing Green up with Adam Keighran, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima with mixed results.

The club pinned its hopes on Harris-Tavita and Nikorima in 2020-21, before Shaun Johnson returned for a three-season farewell and lined up with CHT, Daejarn Asi, Te Maire Martin and Luke Metcalf, with varying levels of success.

Metcalf and Harris-Tavita steered the Warriors into a new era in 2025, while the former’s injury woes opened the door for Tanah Boyd and CHT to spearhead the club’s continued rise in 2026.

So who are the most prolific and successful halves combinations in the club’s 31-season history? We’ve calculated the win percentage of every halfback/five-eighth pairing (minimum 10 games) the Warriors have trotted out and ranked the best.

The results are almost certain to surprise you:

MOST SUCCESSFUL WARRIORS HALVES PAIRINGS BY WIN PERCENTAGE (MIN 10 GAMES)

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Gene Ngamu – 51 games (1995-99): 21 wins, 30 losses (41.1% win)

Surprisingly, no players have lined up together in the halves more often than foundation duo Jones and Ngamu, winning three of four games when teaming up during that ’95 campaign.

Equally unexpectedly, the next most successful year together was the forgettable 1997 Super League season; they steered the ship for six of the Warriors’ seven wins, while the team went 1-4 without them. The inconsistent Ngamu was punted midway through 1999.

Jones and Ngamu won eight of 10 Tests as the Kiwis’ halves pairing, but only carved out enough first grade victories together to land 13th on this list.

Honourable mention: Shaun Johnson and James Maloney – 38 games (2011-12): 17 wins, 21 losses (44.7% win)

The partnership most Warriors fans pine for – no doubt magnified by James Maloney’s Midas touch stints at Sydney Roosters and Cronulla. Maloney, in just his second season of NRL footy, and rookie wunderkind Johnson steered the Warriors to the 2011 grand final.

But with Maloney angling for a return to Sydney for family reasons and Johnson suffering the second-year blues, the combination had a sad end during 2012. The Warriors lost their last eight games, with Johnson dropped for the final-round encounter against Canberra and Maloney relegated to the bench in his last appearance for the club.

Despite playing only a season and a half together, just two other Warriors halves combinations have featured in more first-grade games.

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Motu Tony – 21 games (2001-03): 9 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses (45.2% win)

A historic combination, this one. Captain Jones and versatile youngster Tony were the Warriors’ halves in their first-ever finals game in 2001 and the club’s maiden grand final appearance in ’02.

The emergence of gun teenagers Lance Hohaia and Thomas Leuluai ensured the Jones-Tony pairing was only an intermittent one, however.

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Lance Hohaia – 38 games (2002-09): 21 wins, 22 losses (48.8% win)

This duo had a charmed start together, notching an 11-2 win-loss ratio as Hohaia emerged as one of the standout rookies of 2002 and the Warriors clinched the minor premiership.

Hohaia ultimately came off the bench in the grand final, though, while his combination with Jones failed to produce similar success in subsequent seasons. The diminutive utility arguably produced his best football at fullback and hooker during a decade with the Warriors.

10. Grant Rovelli and Jerome Ropati – 18 games (2006-08): 9 wins, 9 losses (50% win)

A bit of a bolter here, with Ropati far better known as a centre.

After moving Nathan Fien to hooker, rookie NRL coach Ivan Cleary teamed Kiwi Test star Ropati up with unheralded North Queensland half Rovelli for the first time in Round 10 of 2006 and they played 16 straight games, carving out a handy 9-7 record together.

The Warriors missed the finals due to a salary cap breach that cost them four competition points.

9. Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima – 21 games (2019-20): 10 wins, 1 draw, 10 losses (50% win)

Kodi Nikorima arrived from Brisbane during 2019 and sparked a mid-season Warriors resurgence alongside veteran half Blake Green. The pair engineered five wins and a draw from their first nine games together but the partnership was interrupted by an injury to Nikorima later in the season.

After ousting Chanel Harris-Tavita following the NRL’s post-COVID restart in 2020, Nikorima and Green combined for four wins in nine games before the latter departed for Newcastle.

8. Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend – 34 games (2014-15): 18 wins, 16 losses (52.9% win)

Unable to forge a regular first-grade spot at Cronulla, Townsend enjoyed a breakout season with the Warriors in 2014. Townsend, boasting the slickest white guy hairdo since Gene Ngamu, and Johnson combined for nine wins and seven losses that year as the Warriors went heartbreakingly close to a Top 8 finish. They won half of their 18 games together in 2015 before Johnson suffered a season-ending broken ankle.

Townsend returned to the Sharks in 2016 predominantly due to a family illness. Ironically, he effectively swapped places with Jeff Robson, who had kept Townsend in reserve grade early in his career and linked with the Warriors for an ill-fated stint. Robson left Auckland before the halfway mark of the 2016 season while Townsend wore the No.7 in the Sharks’ grand final triumph.

The pair reunited at Cronulla in 2019 and steered the club to seventh and a week one finals exit, with Johnson struggling with injuries and form while Townsend won the Sharks’ Player of the Year gong.

7. Stacey Jones and John Simon – 25 games (1999-2000): 14 wins, 1 draw, 10 losses (58% win)

The talismanic Jones and journeyman Simon enjoyed a strong success rate during a rough era for the club. Cut by Parramatta midway through 1999, former Test and Origin halfback Simon lobbed at the Auckland Warriors and was made captain in just his second game for the club.

Simon and Jones won seven of their 12 games together in ’99 and combined for seven wins and a draw in 13 games in 2000 after Jones returned from a broken arm – despite Mark Graham’s outfit finishing 11th (of 17) and 13th (of 14) respectively in those seasons.

Without Jones and Simon teaming up in the halves, the Warriors had an abhorrent 4-1-20 record in 1999-2000.

6. Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt – 30 games (2007-08): 17 wins, 1 draw, 12 losses (58.3% win)

Probably the least-heralded Warriors halves combo to play more than a handful of games together, Roveilli and Witt are the third-most successful pairing in the club’s history.

Witt joined the Warriors in 2007 after stints with Parramatta and Manly. With Rovelli, the ace goalkicker helped guide the Warriors to their first finals appearance in four years – and the club’s last top-four finish until 2023 – with 13 wins and a draw in their 20 regular-season games together.

Ivan Cleary mixed it up in 2008, with Nathan Fien occupying a starting jersey for much of the season; Witt and Rovelli battled it out for the other halves spot as the Warriors stormed to a preliminary final appearance.

Their unlikely success provides an age-old reminder that no matter how good your halves are, they can’t fire without dominant forwards – as Witt and Rovelli had in 2007 with Price, Wiki, Luck and company. Johnson and a revolving cast of five-eighths were hampered  by an ailing pack.

5. Brett Seymour and James Maloney – 20 games (2010-11): 12 wins, 8 losses (60% win)

Top marks if you predicted this halves pairing to boast a top-five winning percentage in Warriors history.

Wayward former Brisbane and Cronulla half Brett Seymour joined the Warriors in 2010, playing just 22 games. But he teamed up with Maloney in 20 of them and the duo struck up a nice combination, steering the side to a fifth-placed finish in 2010.

They helmed a five-match winning streak together during the first half of 2011, but Seymour suffered a fractured eye socket in Round 11 then a broken thumb in his comeback match.

Seymour’s misfortune allowed rookie sensation Shaun Johnson to cement the No.7 jersey and spearhead the Warriors’ drive to the grand final with Maloney, while Seymour joined Super League club Hull FC at the end of the year.

4. Shaun Johnson and Blake Green – 16 games (2018): 10 wins, 6 losses (62.5% win)

Blake Green arrived in 2018 after successful stints at Wigan, Melbourne and Manly, and immediately clicked with Johnson. The steady playmaker was the ideal foil for the mercurial talents of Johnson.

The duo won seven of their first eight games playing together and ultimately piloted the Warriors to their first finals series in seven years. After Johnson’s bombshell exit from the club at the end of the year, Green struggled somewhat in the role of senior half over the next season and a half when paired with rookies Adam Keighran and Chanel Harris-Tavita, and mid-2019 arrival Kodi Nikorima.

Green’s mid-2020 exit paved the way for the long-awaited CHT-Kodi pairing…which ultimately garnered only five wins from 14 games.

3. Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita – 15 games (2025): 10 wins, 5 losses (66.7%)

Luke Metcalf was anointed as Shaun Johnson’s long-term successor at halfback – despite never having started an NRL match in the No.7 – with Chanel Harris-Tavita ousting the likes of Te Maire Martin and recruit Tanah Boyd to partner him.

The duo’s combination developed impressively as they guided the Warriors to an unlikely 10-5 start to the season (becoming the club’s first halves pairing to play 15 straight games together since 2016 in the process), before Metcalf was cut down by an ACL injury.

When Metcalf returns from the casualty ward in 2026, he is expected to resume a playmaking partnership with CHT in a crowded halves contingent.

2. Shaun Johnson and Luke Metcalf – 19 games (2023-24): 13 wins, 6 losses (68.4% win)

After injury sidelined Te Maire Martin for an extended period early in the resurgent Warriors’ 2023 campaign, Aussie recruit Metcalf returned from injury and rode shotgun with an untouchable Johnson, who steered the team to a top-four finish. The pair won 10 of their 12 games together that season before Metcalf again broke down and missed the playoffs.

In 2024 – with both players beset by injuries – they teamed up for a 3-4 record. Metcalf did not start an NRL game for the Warriors without SJ until 2025. Johnson and Martin finished with a 5-1-9 record together, getting just one win from eight games as a pairing in 2024.

1. Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita – 14 games (2025-26): 10 wins, 4 losses (71.4% win)

Gold Coast recruit Boyd was pitched into the No.7 hotseat following man-of-the-moment Luke Metcalf’s season-ending injury with nine matches of the regular season left.

Boyd and Harris-Tavita won four of their first five games as a partnership, but the Warriors finished the year on a three-game losing streak — culminating in qualifying final loss that doubled as both players’ post-season debut.

After teaming up for a pair of wins in opening fortnight of 2026, CHT was sidelined by a head knock. Boyd won his sole game alongside debutant Luke Hanson before Metcalf’s two-game return in the No.6 garnered two losses and a subsequent hamstring injury.

Boyd and Harris-Tavita have been on fire in leading the Warriors to four straight wins and the club to a 7-2 record and second on the NRL ladder heading into their first bye.

While the Warriors have enjoyed the presence of some world-class playmakers over the years, forming a long-term halves combination has proved a perennial bugbear.

The incomparable Stacey Jones rarely had a playmaking partner for more than a season or two. After initial partner James Maloney left, Shaun Johnson searched in vain for a suitable right-hand man in the halves.

The coming together in 2017 of Johnson and Kieran Foran, champion halves, good mates and teammates for New Zealand in 13 Tests, was ultimately a big tease. The duo played together just 13 times (for five wins and eight losses) as both battled injuries – a largely overlooked factor in the Warriors’ dismal season.

The reliable Blake Green’s arrival seemed the perfect fit for the flighty Johnson – and the results indicated the Warriors had finally found the perfect duo to steer the team around the park. Johnson’s shock exit at the end of 2018 put the Warriors back to square one, with coach Stephen Kearney pairing Green up with Adam Keighran, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima with mixed results.

The club pinned its hopes on Harris-Tavita and Nikorima in 2020-21, before Shaun Johnson returned for a three-season farewell and lined up with CHT, Daejarn Asi, Te Maire Martin and Luke Metcalf, with varying levels of success.

Metcalf and Harris-Tavita steered the Warriors into a new era in 2025, while the former’s injury woes opened the door for Tanah Boyd and CHT to spearhead the club’s continued rise in 2026.

So who are the most prolific and successful halves combinations in the club’s 31-season history? We’ve calculated the win percentage of every halfback/five-eighth pairing (minimum 10 games) the Warriors have trotted out and ranked the best.

The results are almost certain to surprise you:

MOST SUCCESSFUL WARRIORS HALVES PAIRINGS BY WIN PERCENTAGE (MIN 10 GAMES)

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Gene Ngamu – 51 games (1995-99): 21 wins, 30 losses (41.1% win)

Surprisingly, no players have lined up together in the halves more often than foundation duo Jones and Ngamu, winning three of four games when teaming up during that ’95 campaign.

Equally unexpectedly, the next most successful year together was the forgettable 1997 Super League season; they steered the ship for six of the Warriors’ seven wins, while the team went 1-4 without them. The inconsistent Ngamu was punted midway through 1999.

Jones and Ngamu won eight of 10 Tests as the Kiwis’ halves pairing, but only carved out enough first grade victories together to land 13th on this list.

Honourable mention: Shaun Johnson and James Maloney – 38 games (2011-12): 17 wins, 21 losses (44.7% win)

The partnership most Warriors fans pine for – no doubt magnified by James Maloney’s Midas touch stints at Sydney Roosters and Cronulla. Maloney, in just his second season of NRL footy, and rookie wunderkind Johnson steered the Warriors to the 2011 grand final.

But with Maloney angling for a return to Sydney for family reasons and Johnson suffering the second-year blues, the combination had a sad end during 2012. The Warriors lost their last eight games, with Johnson dropped for the final-round encounter against Canberra and Maloney relegated to the bench in his last appearance for the club.

Despite playing only a season and a half together, just two other Warriors halves combinations have featured in more first-grade games.

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Motu Tony – 21 games (2001-03): 9 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses (45.2% win)

A historic combination, this one. Captain Jones and versatile youngster Tony were the Warriors’ halves in their first-ever finals game in 2001 and the club’s maiden grand final appearance in ’02.

The emergence of gun teenagers Lance Hohaia and Thomas Leuluai ensured the Jones-Tony pairing was only an intermittent one, however.

Honourable mention: Stacey Jones and Lance Hohaia – 38 games (2002-09): 21 wins, 22 losses (48.8% win)

This duo had a charmed start together, notching an 11-2 win-loss ratio as Hohaia emerged as one of the standout rookies of 2002 and the Warriors clinched the minor premiership.

Hohaia ultimately came off the bench in the grand final, though, while his combination with Jones failed to produce similar success in subsequent seasons. The diminutive utility arguably produced his best football at fullback and hooker during a decade with the Warriors.

10. Grant Rovelli and Jerome Ropati – 18 games (2006-08): 9 wins, 9 losses (50% win)

A bit of a bolter here, with Ropati far better known as a centre.

After moving Nathan Fien to hooker, rookie NRL coach Ivan Cleary teamed Kiwi Test star Ropati up with unheralded North Queensland half Rovelli for the first time in Round 10 of 2006 and they played 16 straight games, carving out a handy 9-7 record together.

The Warriors missed the finals due to a salary cap breach that cost them four competition points.

9. Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima – 21 games (2019-20): 10 wins, 1 draw, 10 losses (50% win)

Kodi Nikorima arrived from Brisbane during 2019 and sparked a mid-season Warriors resurgence alongside veteran half Blake Green. The pair engineered five wins and a draw from their first nine games together but the partnership was interrupted by an injury to Nikorima later in the season.

After ousting Chanel Harris-Tavita following the NRL’s post-COVID restart in 2020, Nikorima and Green combined for four wins in nine games before the latter departed for Newcastle.

8. Shaun Johnson and Chad Townsend – 34 games (2014-15): 18 wins, 16 losses (52.9% win)

Unable to forge a regular first-grade spot at Cronulla, Townsend enjoyed a breakout season with the Warriors in 2014. Townsend, boasting the slickest white guy hairdo since Gene Ngamu, and Johnson combined for nine wins and seven losses that year as the Warriors went heartbreakingly close to a Top 8 finish. They won half of their 18 games together in 2015 before Johnson suffered a season-ending broken ankle.

Townsend returned to the Sharks in 2016 predominantly due to a family illness. Ironically, he effectively swapped places with Jeff Robson, who had kept Townsend in reserve grade early in his career and linked with the Warriors for an ill-fated stint. Robson left Auckland before the halfway mark of the 2016 season while Townsend wore the No.7 in the Sharks’ grand final triumph.

The pair reunited at Cronulla in 2019 and steered the club to seventh and a week one finals exit, with Johnson struggling with injuries and form while Townsend won the Sharks’ Player of the Year gong.

7. Stacey Jones and John Simon – 25 games (1999-2000): 14 wins, 1 draw, 10 losses (58% win)

The talismanic Jones and journeyman Simon enjoyed a strong success rate during a rough era for the club. Cut by Parramatta midway through 1999, former Test and Origin halfback Simon lobbed at the Auckland Warriors and was made captain in just his second game for the club.

Simon and Jones won seven of their 12 games together in ’99 and combined for seven wins and a draw in 13 games in 2000 after Jones returned from a broken arm – despite Mark Graham’s outfit finishing 11th (of 17) and 13th (of 14) respectively in those seasons.

Without Jones and Simon teaming up in the halves, the Warriors had an abhorrent 4-1-20 record in 1999-2000.

6. Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt – 30 games (2007-08): 17 wins, 1 draw, 12 losses (58.3% win)

Probably the least-heralded Warriors halves combo to play more than a handful of games together, Roveilli and Witt are the third-most successful pairing in the club’s history.

Witt joined the Warriors in 2007 after stints with Parramatta and Manly. With Rovelli, the ace goalkicker helped guide the Warriors to their first finals appearance in four years – and the club’s last top-four finish until 2023 – with 13 wins and a draw in their 20 regular-season games together.

Ivan Cleary mixed it up in 2008, with Nathan Fien occupying a starting jersey for much of the season; Witt and Rovelli battled it out for the other halves spot as the Warriors stormed to a preliminary final appearance.

Their unlikely success provides an age-old reminder that no matter how good your halves are, they can’t fire without dominant forwards – as Witt and Rovelli had in 2007 with Price, Wiki, Luck and company. Johnson and a revolving cast of five-eighths were hampered  by an ailing pack.

5. Brett Seymour and James Maloney – 20 games (2010-11): 12 wins, 8 losses (60% win)

Top marks if you predicted this halves pairing to boast a top-five winning percentage in Warriors history.

Wayward former Brisbane and Cronulla half Brett Seymour joined the Warriors in 2010, playing just 22 games. But he teamed up with Maloney in 20 of them and the duo struck up a nice combination, steering the side to a fifth-placed finish in 2010.

They helmed a five-match winning streak together during the first half of 2011, but Seymour suffered a fractured eye socket in Round 11 then a broken thumb in his comeback match.

Seymour’s misfortune allowed rookie sensation Shaun Johnson to cement the No.7 jersey and spearhead the Warriors’ drive to the grand final with Maloney, while Seymour joined Super League club Hull FC at the end of the year.

4. Shaun Johnson and Blake Green – 16 games (2018): 10 wins, 6 losses (62.5% win)

Blake Green arrived in 2018 after successful stints at Wigan, Melbourne and Manly, and immediately clicked with Johnson. The steady playmaker was the ideal foil for the mercurial talents of Johnson.

The duo won seven of their first eight games playing together and ultimately piloted the Warriors to their first finals series in seven years. After Johnson’s bombshell exit from the club at the end of the year, Green struggled somewhat in the role of senior half over the next season and a half when paired with rookies Adam Keighran and Chanel Harris-Tavita, and mid-2019 arrival Kodi Nikorima.

Green’s mid-2020 exit paved the way for the long-awaited CHT-Kodi pairing…which ultimately garnered only five wins from 14 games.

3. Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita – 15 games (2025): 10 wins, 5 losses (66.7%)

Luke Metcalf was anointed as Shaun Johnson’s long-term successor at halfback – despite never having started an NRL match in the No.7 – with Chanel Harris-Tavita ousting the likes of Te Maire Martin and recruit Tanah Boyd to partner him.

The duo’s combination developed impressively as they guided the Warriors to an unlikely 10-5 start to the season (becoming the club’s first halves pairing to play 15 straight games together since 2016 in the process), before Metcalf was cut down by an ACL injury.

When Metcalf returns from the casualty ward in 2026, he is expected to resume a playmaking partnership with CHT in a crowded halves contingent.

2. Shaun Johnson and Luke Metcalf – 19 games (2023-24): 13 wins, 6 losses (68.4% win)

After injury sidelined Te Maire Martin for an extended period early in the resurgent Warriors’ 2023 campaign, Aussie recruit Metcalf returned from injury and rode shotgun with an untouchable Johnson, who steered the team to a top-four finish. The pair won 10 of their 12 games together that season before Metcalf again broke down and missed the playoffs.

In 2024 – with both players beset by injuries – they teamed up for a 3-4 record. Metcalf did not start an NRL game for the Warriors without SJ until 2025. Johnson and Martin finished with a 5-1-9 record together, getting just one win from eight games as a pairing in 2024.

1. Tanah Boyd and Chanel Harris-Tavita – 14 games (2025-26): 10 wins, 4 losses (71.4% win)

Gold Coast recruit Boyd was pitched into the No.7 hotseat following man-of-the-moment Luke Metcalf’s season-ending injury with nine matches of the regular season left.

Boyd and Harris-Tavita won four of their first five games as a partnership, but the Warriors finished the year on a three-game losing streak — culminating in qualifying final loss that doubled as both players’ post-season debut.

After teaming up for a pair of wins in opening fortnight of 2026, CHT was sidelined by a head knock. Boyd won his sole game alongside debutant Luke Hanson before Metcalf’s two-game return in the No.6 garnered two losses and a subsequent hamstring injury.

Boyd and Harris-Tavita have been on fire in leading the Warriors to four straight wins and the club to a 7-2 record and second on the NRL ladder heading into their first bye.

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This Warriors Life

New Zealand Warriors related news, previews, reviews, history and opinion. TWL Podcast featuring Will, Brad and Fonzie.

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• Keeping pace with the best of yesteryear

• Finishing strong: Five clean sheets in final 20 minutes

• Dally M follies

• Lofi heights — AKP smashes quickest to 20 doubles record

• Searching for a Magic Round hat-trick

The Warriors have navigated a tricky trio of games as warm favourites to head into the bye on a four-match winning streaks — completing the run with a fast-finishing 36-14 victory over Parramatta.

It was just the Warriors’ second win in eight games against the Eels, but their second straight between the clubs at CommBank Stadium.

The result was partly built on several of the Warriors’ key 2026 tenets. Achieving a better completion rate (86 percent to the Eels’ 70 percent) led to a 52 percent possession advantage.

That contributed to the visitors’ overall physical dominance, racking up 1,812 run metres to 1,498, while the Warriors’ average set distance was 41.19 to the Eels’ 36.55. Line-breaks (8-4) and tackle-breaks (38-27) finished in the Warriors’ favour.

The Warriors — the second-least-penalised team in the NRL — won the penalty count 8-3, though they gave away eight set restarts to Parramatta’s six.

Andrew Webster’s 7-2 outfit are keeping even pace with their 2002, 2018 and 2025 predecessors for the club’s best record after nine games. The Warriors remain in second place, meaning that the 2026 season accounts for six of the 22 weeks in their history that they have finished a round in the top two.

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This Warriors Life

New Zealand Warriors related news, previews, reviews, history and opinion. TWL Podcast featuring Will, Brad and Fonzie.

Brought to you by the Warriors-mad legends at Kingz Container Crew 👑 - head to kingzcontainercrew.com for all your container packing and unpacking solutions, or hit the Work With Us tab to get a spot in the KCC squad.

With the support of PlaceMakers, New Zealand’s experts in trade since 1981. Know how. Can do. 🔨

This is a Frank podcast

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There were high-polling stars across the park in the Kingz Container Crew player ratings after the Warriors’ fast-finishing 36-14 win over Parramatta.

1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: It now seems a possibility that Tuaupiki could lock down the fullback spot — even if Charnze can’t be retrenched elsewhere in the line-up — after the past two weeks. The break and try assist for Dallin was one of his classiest moments at NRL level to date, while he had 16 runs for 141 metres, was safe at the back and produced some more cover-defence highlights. 7.5

2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Strong finish to score in the first half, butchered what could have been a crucial one in the second and redeemed himself with a long intercept run to set the Warriors on course for a late sealer. Ran strongly (14 runs for 176 metres) and was good on defence in a difficult match-up with Josh Addo-Carr. 7

3 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK: Another barnstorming ball-running performance, making a game-high 201 metres on 16 carries with six tackle-breaks. Bombed a try after a wonderful bust by not looking for unmarked support (and very nearly was gifted a bizarre four-pointer but for a little fumble), but sliced through to finish the scoring late. Real strong defensively, too. 8

4 ADAM POMPEY: Probably did enough to cement his spot for the time being, despite failing to take a bomb that led to Volkman’s second-half try. Some very strong carries among 105 metres on 12 runs and was solid defensively. 6.5

5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: A third straight double for the Warriors (and five-from-five in career games against the Eels) has surely locked down a first-grade spot for Lofi, especially with Rog shining in the centres. Sizzling sideline finish for his first, well-taken intercept for his second and made several dangerous runs from the back-field to finish with 168 metres from 11 carries with five tackle-breaks. Clearly not the best defensive winger in the comp but made some good decisions and came up with some handy kick defusals. 8

6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Had the running game going early, while that pass for AKP’s first-half try was a work of art. Laid on RTS’s try late, kicked astutely and produced some stinging stops among his 28 tackles. Can’t be shifted from that spot — he’s too good and too important to the vibe and essence of this team. 8

7 TANAH BOYD: After a shabby early defensive effort, Boyd laid on a try for Halasima, had a big hand in DWZ’s and a minor one in RTS’s. Otherwise steered the team around well, had a few strong darts and made 16 tackles, along with landing six-from-eight. 7.5

8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Another mighty captain’s knock with 15 runs for 139 metres and 32 tackles (most of them bruising). Great turn and pass in the lead-up to AKP’s try and looks super-comfortable in his leadership role this year. 8

9 WAYDE EGAN: Reeled out of an early tackle and eventually left the field for good with a head knock at the half-hour mark. A couple of dummy-half runs, 18 tackles and classy service before that setback. 5.5

10 JACKSON FORD: FINALLY got a rest for the first time since Round 5…for the last eight minutes. By that stage he’d made a massive 18 runs for 178 metres, a game-high 50 tackles and stormed over for an absolutely critical try via good hole run. Herculean. Chalk up some more Dally M votes and start sizing up a NSW jumper! 8.5

11 LEKA HALASIMA: Bad defensive miss early but made up for it with a sizzling line to score the Warriors’ opener. Bit quiet overall, though, making only four runs and coming up with three handling errors. Made 23 tackles. 5.5

12 KURT CAPEWELL: A statline of 29 tackles with seven minutes is familiar and may look underwhelming, but the veteran produced some punishing stops and great clean-up efforts. Nine strong runs for 103 metres in a good night out. 7.5

13 ERIN CLARK: The reigning Dally M Lock of the Year has gone up a gear in recent weeks and was arguably best afield tonight. Big numbers in 51 minutes — 16 runs for 171 metres, 27 tackles — and his impact on scoring plays was enormous. His strong runs and quick play-the-balls preceded Leka’s and DWZ’s tries, he had a deft try assist for Ford’s, and had a nice hand in AKP’s first and RTS’s. 8.5

14 SAM HEALEY: Got his most minutes of the season with Egan exiting in the first half and used them impressively. Made a line-break among five probing runs for 62 metres, made 25 tackles and gave decent — if not Egan-level — dummy-half service. Two ruck infringements were a minor disappointment. 6

16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Left Eels strewn with his Paleaaesina-channelling kick returns on more than one occasion, helping him to 92 metres on eight runs with four tackle-breaks in 33 minutes. Also made 14 tackles without a miss. Keeps showing signs of eventually becoming one of the NRL’s top enforcers. 7

18 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: A very busy maiden NRL appearance for 2026 from the promising EIT, making 11 runs for 96 metres and 20 tackles (zero misses) in 36 minutes in the middle. Gave away two penalties. 6.5

17 JACOB LABAN: Relegated to a fairly minor role, playing the last 23 minutes on Leka’s edge. Just the two runs and made 14 tackles, while the handling error against his name came from an ill-advised Boyd pass. 5

The Warriors head into their first bye with a 7-2 record and likely sitting second on the NRL ladder after streaking away late to beat Parramatta 36-14 on Saturday night.

The Eels scored the first try of both halves and looked capable of pulling off an upset, but the competition’s worst defensive outfit offered up enough opportunities — and the Warriors were poised and polished enough to take them — to eventually get the job done relatively convincingly.

The Warriors lost Wayde Egan to a head knock half an hour in, but Sam Healey did a solid job deputising, while the other three-quarters of the spine each had shining highlights.

The physical mismatch was the big difference, however, with the Warriors running for 335 more metres, translating to twice as many line-breaks (eight to four) and six tries to three.

The Warriors gave away an uncharacteristically high seven set restarts — helping keep the Eels, who recovered from 16-6 down to trail just 18-14, in business — but their superior discipline with the ball and strike was ultimately telling.

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WARRIORS V EELS – 7.30PM (NZT)/5.30PM (AEST) SATURDAY, MAY 2 @ COMMBANK STADIUM, SYDNEY

The Storylines

The second-placed Warriors are on the march and searching for four straight, aiming to overcome yet another recent rivalry bugbear in the form of an away clash with the underperforming Parramatta Eels.

After a monumental win over Melbourne, the Warriors have only played well in spurts to subdue Queensland outfits Gold Coast and the Dolphins — but a first-half blitz in the former and a gritty defensive stand in the latter produced more positives than negatives.

Adam Pompey and Tanner Stowers-Smith get their chance to re-establish themselves in the line-up with Ali Leiataua and Mitch Barnett unavailable, while the big line-up talking point centres around whether Luke Metcalf — named in the No.19 — will see any action at CommBank Stadium.

The injury-ravaged Eels have had some great wins over Brisbane and Canterbury…and some horrendous losses, leaking 50-plus against the Storm and Titans.

But nothing can be taken for granted in the NRL — and the Warriors can’t afford to take their foot off the gas with their first bye of the year only 80 minutes away.

Ins and Outs

Concussed Warriors duo Ali Leiataua and Mitch Barnett have been replaced by Adam Pompey, who is back from suspension and played NSW Cup last week, and Tanner Stowers-Smith, who was out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring issue.

Luke Metcalf has been named on the six-man bench, while Te Maire Martin is in the reserves — the first time his name has appeared in a team list since breaking his leg in the All Stars game.

The Eels have named an unchanged line-up, with Jonah Pezet, Isaiah Iongi, Apa Twidle and Sam Tuivati still a few weeks away from leaving the casualty ward, and Bailey Simonsson, J’Maine Hopgood and Matt Doorey out for the season.

The History

Overall record: Played 46 – Parramatta won 27, Warriors won 19; Parramatta scored 1,013 points, Warriors scored 992 points.

Biggest wins: Warriors – 48-0 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2014; Parramatta – 56-12 at Parramatta Stadium, 2001 (final).

Longest winning streaks: Parramatta – 6 matches (1998-2001); Warriors – 3 matches (twice – 2008-09 and 2014-15).

Finals: Played 2 – Parramatta won 2.

Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 22; Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta) – 21; Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 20; Nathan Cayless (Parramatta) – 18; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 17; Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta) – 16.

Most tries: Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 12; Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 11; Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta) – 11; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 6; Semi Radradra (Parramatta) – 6; Daniel Wagon (Parramatta) – 6.

Most points: Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 142; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 79; Michael Witt (Parramatta and Warriors) – 58; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 48; Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta) – 46; Clint Gutherson (Parramatta) – 46; James Maloney (Warriors) – 42.

The Stats

• The Eels have won six of their last seven against the Warriors.

• The Warriors have a 1-3 record at CommBank Stadium but defeated the Eels in their most recent visit there in 2023.

• The Eels have won only nine of their last 22 at CommBank Stadium — and only one of their last four.

• The away team has scored at least 17 points in the past 14 Eels-Warriors encounters.

• Alofiana Khan-Pereira scored a double in each of his four games for Gold Coast against Parramatta.

• Josh Addo-Carr has scored in each of his last seven games against the Warriors for Melbourne, Canterbury and Parramatta.

• Parramatta is ranked last in the NRL defensively (34.88 points per game), while the Warriors are third (19.50 ppg).

• The Warriors have scored the fourth-most points per game in the competition (30.25); the Eels sit 12th in that category (22.50).

5 Key Match-ups

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak vs Josh Addo-Carr: ‘The Foxx’ has an ominous record against the Warriors, but DWZ’s opposing wingers have just one try between them in 2026. In great tryscoring form himself at present with seven in his past four games, Dallin’s late-game meltdown against the Dolphins was a harrowing reminder a shocker is never far away.

Tanah Boyd vs Mitchell Moses: A regular thorn in the Warriors’ side, Moses has won nine of his last 10 against us…but his authority running the Eels this year has been hit and miss. Boyd continues to do what is required and just needs to keep playing his own game.

James Fisher-Harris vs Junior Paulo: JFH has been a beast this year, averaging 141 metres and 30 tackles a game. Paulo is putting a shade under 100 metres a game in 2026 — he has meet the Warriors pack head on if the Eels are to be any chance.

Erin Clark vs Jack De Belin: Workhorse Clark put himself on the highlight reels a couple of times in Wellington by busting the line — a worrying sign for a shaky Eels defence. Veteran De Belin hasn’t exactly delivered the expected output since joining Parramatta.

Demitric Vaimauga vs Dylan Walker: Different styles, different roles — but the middle forward interchange players will be striving to offer similar impact and game-breaking qualities for their sides. Ex-Warrior Walker’s ball-playing offers the Eels a much-needed point of difference.

Last time they met

The Warriors’ crucial 26-22 loss to Parramatta at Mount Smart Stadium in Round 26 last year was overshadowed by a wildly controversial Bunker call that denied the hosts a remarkable comeback victory, but coach Andrew Webster hit the nail on the head post-match when he said his team should never have been in that position in the first place.

To again paraphrase Webster, the Warriors beat themselves. Concentration lapses at regular intervals saw the plucky, out-of-contention Eels push out to 20-4 and 26-16 leads.

The visitors had only 46 percent and trailed in virtually every significant statistical category, but superior ball control and an ability to ice rare opportunities proved the difference.

Adam Pompey and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had blinders amid a sloppy team performance.

Why the Wahs Will Win: The Warriors’ attack inside the 20 has been very polished in 2026 and they should have little trouble piling on points against an Eels side that has offered little goal-line resilience in 2026.

Why the Wahs Will Lose: It’s a banana skin game for a Warriors team that has drifted out of their last two games for periods, conceding a bunch of tries in quick succession. The Eels are a streaky side that can get on a roll if things go their way.

The Punt: Head to Head — Warriors $1.42, Eels $2.85; Line — Warriors -7.5; Total Points Line — Over/Under 53.5 Points

Best Anytime Tyrscorer Options — Alofiana Khan-Pereira ($1.48), Leka Halasima ($2.05), Will Penisini ($2.50), Chanel Harris-Tavita ($3.70), Mitch Moses ($4.40), Erin Clark ($4.80)

The Verdict: The Warriors have a well-timed bye in their sights and will be determined to head into the break on a positive note with their top-two standing intact. The Eels have struggled against anyone resembling a consistent footy side this season. Warriors by 16

The Warriors’ rivalry with the Parramatta Eels has encompassed many twists and turns, including a pair of week one finals encounters, an incredible number of shared players, and even three coaches who have been in charge of both clubs.

Overall record: Played 46 – Parramatta won 27, Warriors won 19; Parramatta scored 1,013 points, Warriors scored 992 points.
Biggest wins: Warriors – 48-0 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2014; Parramatta – 56-12 at Parramatta Stadium, 2001 (final).
Longest winning streaks: Parramatta – 6 matches (1998-2001); Warriors – 3 matches (twice – 2008-09 and 2014-15).
Finals: Played 2 – Parramatta won 2.
Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 22; Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta) – 21; Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 20; Nathan Cayless (Parramatta) – 18; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 17; Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta) – 16.
Most tries: Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 12; Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 11; Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta) – 11; Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 6; Semi Radradra (Parramatta) – 6; Daniel Wagon (Parramatta) – 6.
Most points: Luke Burt (Parramatta) – 142; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 79; Michael Witt (Parramatta and Warriors) – 58; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 48; Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta) – 46; Clint Gutherson (Parramatta) – 46; James Maloney (Warriors) – 42.

1995-96 – Auckland Warriors enjoy early success

Inaugural Auckland Warriors coach John Monie’s role was his first in the Australian premiership since his decorated 1984-89 stint at Parramatta that included the Eels’ last premiership in ’86, enjoying massive success at Wigan in the interceding years.

But Monie’s first assignment against his former club – a 40-4 victory over the struggling Eels at Parramatta Stadium – was more significant for two other pockets of history. It was the Warriors’ maiden away win in their third trip across the Tasman, while future club legend Stacey Jones made his first grade debut off the bench, scoring a try and kicking a goal.

Jones became a permanent starter in the halves a few weeks later before going on to unseat long-serving Test captain Gary Freeman as New Zealand’s No.7 at the end-of-year World Cup.

Freeman came to Mt Smart in 1996 as big-spending Parramatta’s captain but it was a forgettable day for the Kiwi great, sent off for dissent – with ‘Hit the Road, Jack’ blasting out over the PA as he trudged off the field – in a 28-4 loss to the Warriors. Former All Black John Kirwan bagged a double in the big win.

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