The NZ Warriors achieved a dramatic 20-15 victory over the Newcastle Knights on March 15, 2025, showcasing their resilience as they fought back from a challenging first half. After conceding three tries, the Warriors turned the tide in the second half, culminating in a remarkable play by young star Leka Halasima that sealed the win in the dying seconds.

The match began with the Warriors struggling defensively, allowing the Knights to establish a 15-6 lead at halftime. However, the second half saw the Warriors regroup, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. A crucial moment occurred in the closing seconds when Boyd attempted a field goal, only for it to be charged down. Halasima capitalized on the loose ball, sprinting 40 metres to the try line, securing the victory for his team and marking a standout moment in his breakout season.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster praised the team’s fighting spirit, stating, “I liked the way we kept fighting… We just came up with a freakish play from a young guy that’s got heaps of talent.” This victory continues a trend for the Warriors, who have repeatedly managed to snatch wins from the brink of defeat throughout the season.

In his second game replacing Luke Metcalf, who is sidelined for the season due to a knee injury, Boyd had a mixed performance. He successfully converted all three tries and added a penalty, but struggled with his field-goal attempts late in the game. Webster noted, “He just wanted to keep having a crack at it… He’s just going to improve every week.”

One of the standout players of the match, Halasima has quickly become a key figure for the Warriors. His impressive performances have led to eight tries this season, tying him with Metcalf for the team lead. Co-captain Mitch Barnett described Halasima as a “freak,” highlighting the impact he has had on the team.

In addition to his offensive contributions, Halasima also made a vital trysaving tackle against Knights centre Fletcher Hunt during the first half, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile player. Webster commended Halasima’s defensive work, saying, “He’s his toughest critic around his defence and he works really hard at it.”

The match also featured some controversial decisions that impacted the Warriors’ scoring opportunities. Early in the game, a try by hooker Wayde Egan was disallowed due to a double movement, a call that Webster contested, arguing Egan’s elbow remained on the ground. Another contentious moment occurred when Knights winger Greg Marzhew was allowed to offload from the ground to Dane Gagai for a try, which Webster felt was questionable.

In terms of injuries, Kurt Capewell, who returned from Origin duty, suffered a knee injury just before halftime and finished the game on the bench. His status for the next match remains uncertain, while teammate Taine Tuaupiki left the field for a head check but later returned.

With this victory, the Warriors are now positioned with 12 wins from 17 games, placing them fourth on the NRL table. They trail the Canberra Raiders by four points and have a comfortable gap over the Brisbane Broncos. More notably, they are eight points ahead of the ninth-placed Dolphins, increasing their chances for a postseason berth.

Looking ahead, the Warriors will face the Gold Coast Titans next Saturday. The Titans, currently at the bottom of the table, pose a potential challenge for the Warriors, who must remain focused to avoid a repeat of their previous season’s losses against this rival. The match is critical as the Warriors continue to push toward securing their playoff position, a scenario that fans are eagerly anticipating, contrasting with previous seasons where hopes were often dashed.

This victory not only reinforces the Warriors’ current standing but also builds momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. The team will look to maintain their winning form and continue to enhance their playoff prospects.

Winger Payton Takimoana made history as the first NZ Warriors woman to score a hat-trick of tries, but her remarkable performance was not enough to secure victory against the formidable Newcastle Knights. The Warriors fell 36-20 in a match held on March 15, 2024, at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. This game marked the return of Warriors coach Ron Griffiths, who previously led the Knights to back-to-back NRLW championships during his three-year tenure.

Newcastle dominated the early stages, showcasing their strength with an early penalty and a line dropout from their first set. Despite the pressure, the Warriors managed to hold their ground. Five-eighth Patricia Maliepo created opportunities with clever kicks that trapped the Knights in their own territory, but the Warriors could not capitalize on these chances.

The Knights drew first blood when lock Tayla Romaniuk scored after bouncing off four defenders. They quickly doubled their lead as five-eighth Georgia Roche sliced through the Warriors’ defense, setting up captain Yasmin Clydsdale for a second try. The momentum continued to swing in Newcastle’s favor with debutant winger Tess Staines scoring her first try, celebrated enthusiastically by her teammates during their ‘Try July’ festivities.

The Warriors struggled to find rhythm. Despite a promising attack initiated by Maliepo, who carried the ball into touch near the goal-line, a mishandled pass from captain Apii Nicholls thwarted their progress. The game’s intensity increased as the Knights maintained their lead, with Jesse Southwell threading a kick through the Warriors’ defense that was finished by Tenika Willison.

The Warriors finally put points on the board before halftime after winning a midfield penalty. Maliepo’s quick thinking allowed Takimoana to score in the corner, bringing the score to 24-6 after Maliepo successfully converted from the sideline.

The second half began with the Warriors gaining a chance to reduce the deficit when halfback Emily Curtain was fouled late after kicking the ball. Takimoana capitalized on the ensuing penalty, scoring her second try. Her follow-up conversion, however, hit the crossbar and rebounded out.

Despite a resurgence in momentum, Newcastle quickly restored their dominance. Jules Kirkpatrick added another try near the posts, followed by Evah McKewen crossing the line with an assist from Southwell, leaving the Warriors battling for pride.

The Warriors mounted a final push, achieving a repeat set when Maliepo’s kick was knocked on near the try line. Nicholls found Takimoana again, allowing her to complete her hat-trick with a well-placed kick. Maliepo successfully converted once more from the sideline.

In the closing moments, Brake made her mark, scoring in the other corner despite questions about whether she maintained control of the ball during the grounding.

The NZ Warriors will look to regroup as they prepare for a home match against the Gold Coast Titans next Saturday, facing a quick turnaround in their NRLW campaign.

The Tactix and Pulse face off in a crucial playoff match tonight, with the winner set to challenge the top-ranked Mystics in the ANZ Premiership final. The game is scheduled to begin at 19:30 (local time) and promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for a spot in the championship.

The stakes are high in this sudden death showdown, where only one team will advance to compete for the title. The Tactix and Pulse have displayed remarkable skill throughout the season, making this matchup particularly anticipated by fans. Both teams have shown resilience and determination, but only one can secure a chance at glory against the Mystics, who have dominated the league.

Fans can follow the action live through RNZ’s dedicated blog, which will provide minute-by-minute updates and insights into the game. This playoff marks a significant moment for the Tactix and Pulse, as both teams look to make their mark in this year’s competition.

As the match approaches, the excitement continues to build, with supporters eagerly awaiting the outcome. The Tactix will need to bring their A-game to overcome the Pulse, who have been equally formidable in their journey to this point. The intensity of sudden death matches often leads to unpredictable and exhilarating gameplay, making tonight’s encounter one that should not be missed.

With the final spot in the championship at stake, the Tactix and Pulse are ready to give it their all in what promises to be an unforgettable battle.

The All Blacks celebrated a victorious series sweep over France, but the team now faces significant injury challenges. Following their hard-fought 29-19 win in Hamilton, head coach Scott Robertson revealed that starting tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax requires an x-ray on his thumb. Additionally, first-choice playmaker Beauden Barrett is expected to miss several weeks due to a fractured hand sustained during training.

Robertson confirmed the severity of Barrett’s injury, noting, “I can’t medically say how long he’ll be out for but it’ll be a few weeks to heal.” This fracture mirrors a similar injury Barrett suffered earlier this season while playing for the Blues. The All Blacks, who initially dealt with injuries at the start of the series, managed to push through and secure their victories against the French side.

Injury Implications for Upcoming Matches

As the All Blacks prepare for their next fixtures, the absence of key players like Barrett could have a profound impact on the team’s performance. Barrett’s experience and skill are critical to the All Blacks’ strategy, and his injury will require adjustments in the lineup. Lomax’s potential absence also raises concerns about the team’s forward pack depth.

The All Blacks’ training regimen will now focus on rehabilitation and ensuring that the remaining players recover fully. Robertson emphasized the resilience of the team, stating, “We had a couple of injuries early in the piece but the guys battled on.” The depth of the squad will be tested as they look to maintain their winning form without their star playmaker.

Looking Ahead

The All Blacks now turn their attention to upcoming international fixtures, where they will need to adapt swiftly to these setbacks. The coaching staff will evaluate the potential replacements and strategies to ensure that the momentum from their successful series against France does not wane.

In the highly competitive landscape of international rugby, maintaining team cohesion and performance becomes even more vital in the face of adversity. As the All Blacks navigate these injury challenges, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how the team responds in the coming weeks.