NZ Warriors 2026 Finals Week 1 Review: Warriors' Attack Comes Up Short Against Dolphins

After a stressful win over the Sea Eagles in Round 27, the Warriors remained at home to host the Dolphins in the first week of finals.

The Warriors looked in control after building a 16-8 lead early in the second half, but the Dolphins fought their way back and took an 18-16 lead with 14 minutes remaining. The Warriors couldn't find a response, scoring just one try as the Dolphins ran away with a 26-16 win.

What Went Down

The Warriors started the stronger side, with Taine Tuaupiki opening the scoring with a penalty goal in the 8th minute. The Dolphins hit back just four minutes later through Jamayne Isaako, who levelled things up at 2-2. The Warriors regained the lead in the 15th minute when Tuaupiki finished off a break of his own, before adding the extras to make it 8-2. Another Tuaupiki penalty in the 20th minute stretched the lead to 10-2, but the Dolphins hit back five minutes later when Selwyn Cobbo crossed out wide after some good work from Herbie Farnworth. Isaako's conversion made it 10-8.

The game then got a bit heated. Adam Pompey was sin-binned in the 28th minute, before Kurt Capewell and Cobbo were both sent to the sin bin five minutes later after a heated melee.

Despite the disruption, the Warriors kept finding points through the boot. Tuaupiki kicked another penalty in the 40th minute to give the Warriors a 12-8 lead at halftime.

The ill-discipline continued after the break, with Tuaupiki converting penalties in the 50th and 52nd minutes to push the Warriors out to a 16-8 lead. For a while, it looked like the Warriors might be able to grind their way to the win. But the Dolphins started to find their rhythm as the half went on. Farnworth broke through to score in the 60th minute, and Isaako's conversion brought the visitors back to within two points at 16-14. Then came the turning point. A slick backline move in the 66th minute put Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over, giving the Dolphins the lead for the first time at 18-16.

The Warriors couldn't respond, and the Dolphins put the game beyond doubt in the 74th minute. A strip on Chanel Harris-Tavita after a Alofiana Khan-Pereira mistimed catch off a kick by Jack Bostock, who forced his way over after a lengthy bunker review confirmed the grounding. Isaako added the extras to seal a 26-16 win for the Dolphins.

My Thoughts

Well, that wasn't how I expected the Warriors' finals campaign to start.

I came into this match feeling confident in the team, but I was also very nervous. The Dolphins are a dangerous attacking side and can rip teams to shreds if you give them the chance. After the season the Warriors have had and the position they put themselves in, there was a real feeling that this could finally be the year they made a serious run deep into September. Instead, they now find themselves having to fight their way through the finals after letting an opportunity slip.

What makes this one hurt is that I don't think the Warriors were completely outplayed. There were periods when they looked like the better side and had the game they wanted, but something just seemed missing. They never really looked like the team we've watched for most of 2026, and when the game started to swing, they couldn't find that response we've become so used to seeing from them.

I think that's probably what disappointed me most. This team has spent the entire season building a reputation for being hard to beat, finding different ways to win and handling whatever gets thrown at them. We've seen them come from behind, defend leads, win tight games and put teams away when they get on top. But when they needed that bit of composure and belief in the final stages, it just wasn't there.

At the same time, I'm not going to suddenly write this team off because of one bad finals performance. This has still been an outstanding regular season from the Warriors, and they earned their place in the top two. They've given themselves another chance, and now it's about what they do with it.

The Knights are a completely different challenge, but the Warriors have already beaten them this season. I also think there is something to be said for the fact that this team has now experienced the disappointment of a finals loss. Nobody in that dressing room can pretend they don't know what the pressure feels like anymore. Hopefully they take that feeling into the next game and use it rather than letting it hang over them.

Finals footy is about responding, and now we get to see what this Warriors team is really made of. I'm still confident they can make a run at this. Maybe that's the optimist in me, but I don't think one poor night should erase everything they've done over the past six months. They have earned another opportunity; they just need to make the most of it.

But make no mistake, the margin for error is gone now. Lose this one and the season is over. Win it, and suddenly we're talking about a preliminary final and another chance to keep this incredible season alive. That's what makes next week so exciting, and a little nerve-racking at the same time.

The regular season gave us plenty of reasons to believe this Warriors side could do something special. Now they have to show they can handle the other side of finals footy too. The first chance didn't go their way, but they've got one more shot.

Let's see what they can do with it.

One thing I do want to mention before moving on is the atmosphere. Getting tickets for this game was frustrating, and I know plenty of members missed out. Watching from the top of the South Stand was a new experience for me, but the crowd were absolutely up for this one all night. You could feel how much everyone wanted this team to make a run in September. The Warriors are going to need that and even more this week when they move to Eden Park, because this season is now on the line.

 

There wasn't much to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The forward effort was solid, and once again it was the platform that gave the Warriors a chance to win. In fact, the work of this forward pack is a big reason the Warriors have made it to the finals in the first place, so it was good to see them continue to do their job when the pressure was on. The Warriors ran for 1,598 metres and made 561 post-contact metres, both better than the Dolphins, who finished with 1,561 metres and 506 post-contact metres. James Fisher-Harris led the way with 168 metres, followed by Mitch Barnett with 136 and Erin Clark with 105, while the team continued to make good ground and keep the Dolphins honest through the middle defensively. They gave the Warriors a solid platform to build from and, for large parts of the game, the forwards were winning their battle. Unfortunately, the Warriors just couldn't turn that hard work into enough attacking pressure or tries when it mattered most.

The Warriors did a good job of handling the Dolphins' attack for long periods, which is no easy task considering how dangerous they can be with the ball in hand. Keeping them to just eight points in the first half was a really positive part of the performance, and the Warriors did a good job limiting their attacking opportunities for large chunks of the game. That was even more impressive when they found themselves down a man, with the defensive line having to work harder and cover more ground. For all the talk about how the game got away from the Warriors in the second half, their defence did a pretty good job for much of the night and gave the team every chance to get the result.

As disappointing as the loss was, the Warriors do still have a second chance in these finals. Obviously, having the week off and fast-tracking their way into a preliminary final would have been the preferred option, but finishing in the top two means this loss hasn't ended their season, and they can go again in another home match. Instead, they now have to take the longer road to a grand final, which isn't ideal, but it does give them another life. Hopefully, this loss serves as the wake-up call they need to refocus, fix what went wrong, and make sure they don't waste their second chance. They are still in the hunt, and that's the important thing.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The attack never really showed up in this game. Even when the Warriors were leading 16-8, they weren't exactly carving the Dolphins up and creating a heap of genuine try-scoring opportunities. The 83% completion rate looks good on paper, but they put too much emphasis on completing sets rather than asking questions of the Dolphins' defence. The game plan wasn't really working, yet the Warriors didn't do enough to change it up. They continued kicking to the Dolphins' back three without enough pressure from the chase, which regularly left the Warriors starting their defensive sets on the back foot. Once the Dolphins started to build momentum, the Warriors needed to find something different and put them under real pressure, but they kept using much the same approach. You can't expect to win a finals game by simply completing your sets and hoping something eventually opens up, and scoring just one try was a pretty clear indication that the attack wasn't good enough. They need to fix this quickly if they don't want to go out in straight sets in this finals series.

The Warriors also struggled to contain the Dolphins when they kept the ball alive and, more importantly, when they put up attacking kicks. The Dolphins created extra opportunities through second-phase play when the Warriors really needed to shut the game down, and those little moments started to build pressure. The attacking kicks were particularly damaging in the final 15 minutes, with almost every one putting the Warriors under pressure and allowing the Dolphins to keep the Warriors starting their own sets deep in their own half. The Warriors needed to handle those situations better and take some of that pressure away, but the Dolphins kept finding ways to turn their kicks into attacking opportunities. In a tight finals game, those little moments can be the difference, and in the end they helped the Dolphins put the game beyond doubt.

The Warriors led 16-8 early in the second half and put themselves in a position to control the game, but they couldn't close it out. With 10 minutes to go, they weren't protecting a lead they had built themselves. They were chasing the game after allowing the Dolphins to turn the momentum around. They had enough possession, field position and opportunities throughout the night to win this game, but when it came down to the big moments, they couldn't find a way to wrestle control back. This is the sort of game where a team with genuine finals aspirations needs to find a way to get the job done, and the Warriors simply couldn't do it. It's a tough lesson, but hopefully one they learn from quickly because they won't get many more chances like this in the finals.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Taine Tuaupiki.

Tuaupiki stood above the rest of his team in this match, and considering he scored all 16 of their points, you could argue he couldn't have done much more for the cause. He finished with a team-high 227 metres, along with two line breaks and nine tackle breaks, while constantly trying to involve himself in attack. He was also good under pressure at the back, making some nice defusals and coming up clutch with some last-line defensive plays. His kicking kept the scoreboard ticking over and gave the Warriors their 16-8 lead, and while the team ultimately couldn't hold on, Tuaupiki certainly wasn't the reason they came up short.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to Improve goes to pretty much everyone else.

Apart from a select handful, with Taine Tuaupiki, James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett probably the obvious standouts, the rest of the team simply didn't deliver at the level we've come to expect from them this season. There were too many little things that added up, from some silly errors from Wayde Egan to the brain snaps that saw Kurt Capewell and Adam Pompey spend time in the sin bin. Both centres also had moments where they seemed to forget their wingers were outside them and opted to go it alone, while Alofiana Khan-Pereira was repeatedly caught out of position defending kicks into his corner. Then there were the halves, who couldn't make enough use of the momentum and field position the forwards were giving them, with some pretty pedestrian last-tackle options when the Warriors needed to be asking more questions. Individually, a few players did their jobs, but as a team the performance was well below the standard we've come to expect, and it needs to change quickly if they are going to make a serious run through these finals.

Finals Week 2 Thoughts and Prediction

In the Second week of finals, the Warriors remain at home, moving to Eden Park to host the Knights, who defeated the Rabbitohs 20-10 this week.

As for the team I'd pick, Leka Halasima going down in the warm-up wasn't ideal, but if he's fit to return, he comes straight back in for Adam Pompey. With Jackson Ford looking likely to miss the rest of the season, Eddie Ieremia-Toeva also gets his spot back in the team. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is expected to return for the finals, and this could be his final chance to get back into the side, so I'd bring him in as well. I'd either replace Alofiana Khan-Pereira or Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, as neither really impressed me this week. If Halasima isn't fit to return, then DWZ comes in, and CNK moves into the centres.

The Newcastle Knights showed in their 20-10 win over South Sydney that they are going to be a tough side to deal with. They are a physical team through the middle, have plenty of attacking strike out wide and are more than happy to play an up-tempo style when they get some momentum. They have plenty of speed and attacking talent across the park, with players capable of creating something from nothing, while their forwards can lay a good platform for that attack. Defensively, they also showed plenty of commitment against the Rabbitohs and did a good job of limiting their opportunities for long periods. They aren't unbeatable, though, and their willingness to play an expansive style can sometimes lead them to force things or give teams opportunities. The Warriors have already beaten them this season, so there is certainly a familiarity between the two sides heading into this one.

For the Warriors to get the win here, this game has to be about getting back to the basics and playing the footy that got them into the top two in the first place. They need to win the battle through the middle, build pressure and give their halves better opportunities to attack off the back of that work. The biggest thing, though, is they simply have to be more dangerous with the ball. Against the Dolphins, they completed well enough but didn't ask enough questions, and they can't afford to do the same again. They also need to be smarter with their kicking game and make sure they aren't handing the Knights easy field position. Defensively, they need to stay connected and be ready for the Knights' attacking threats out wide, because any missed tackles or poor reads could be punished. Their record at Eden Park isn't exactly great either, but if the Warriors fans turn up in big numbers and get behind the team, that home support could give them the boost they need to get across the line. Most importantly, they need to show more composure when they get into a winning position and find a way to close it out. I think the Warriors will bounce back from last week's disappointment and get their season back on track, winning by 8.

So, that was a frustrating Finals Week 1, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Would you make any changes to the 17?

Do you think playing at Eden Park will make it harder for the Warriors?

Can you still see the Warriors going all the way this season?

What is your score prediction against the Knights?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 27 Review: Warriors Survive Manly Scare in One-Point Win

After a tense win over the Knights in Round 26, the Warriors remained at home to take on the Sea Eagles, who were coming off their second strong win in a row, beating the Dragons 44-10.

The Warriors looked in control at 24-12 early in the second half, only for Manly to fight their way back and take a 30-24 lead with 15 minutes remaining. A frantic finish followed, with Taine Tuaupiki completing his hat-trick before Chanel Harris-Tavita slotted the 77th-minute field goal to seal a dramatic 31-30 win.

What Went Down

Manly struck first in the fourth minute when Reuben Garrick finished off a slick edge move started by Tom Trbojevic to give the Sea Eagles an early 6-0 lead. The Warriors hit back in the 11th minute through Adam Pompey, who found himself on the end of an Eddie Ieremia-Toeava offload to level the scores. Manly responded just five minutes later, with Lehi Hopoate crossing in the 16th minute after Jason Saab picked off an intercept to create the chance.

From there, the Warriors began to take control, with Taine Tuaupiki starting to cause all sorts of problems for the Sea Eagles. The fullback crossed twice in the space of five minutes, scoring in the 20th and 25th minutes to put the Warriors in front. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad then extended the lead in the 30th minute, finishing off a gorgeous cutout pass from Te Maire Martin as the Warriors went into halftime with a 20-12 lead.

The second half was where the game really opened up.

Nicoll-Klokstad grabbed his second try of the night in the 45th minute after chasing down a floating kick from Te Maire Martin, stretching the Warriors' lead to 12 points.

Manly refused to fold, though, and hit back quickly. Josh Feledy crossed in the 48th minute before Hopoate grabbed his second three minutes later to bring the Sea Eagles level at 24-24, with Jamal Fogarty converting both tries. The Sea Eagles then hit the front for the first time since the opening stages when Garrick scored his second in the 64th minute. It was a fitting way for Garrick to finish his final game for the club, with another Trbojevic line break setting up the simple finish.

Just when Manly looked like they were going to complete the upset, Tuaupiki stepped up again.

The fullback completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute, bulldozing his way through several defenders to score under the posts and bring the scores level at 30-30.

What followed was a frantic finish, with both sides having tries ruled out following multiple Bunker reviews. Manly thought they had snatched the lead through Hopoate, only for a Trbojevic obstruction to rule the try out. The Warriors then had a chance of their own when Chanel Harris-Tavita crossed, but an earlier knock-on saw the try chalked off.

Tanner Stowers-Smith then looked to have barrelled over for what could have been the match-winning try, only for the bunker to rule that he had made a triple movement. With the scores locked and time running out, the Warriors finally got the break they needed. A Manly error gave the Warriors possession, with a Captain's Challenge confirming they had the ball.

That allowed Harris-Tavita to step up in the 77th minute, and he made no mistake from 15 metres out, calmly slotting the field goal to put the Warriors ahead 31-30.

Manly's short kick-off attempt failed to go the required distance, and the Warriors were able to close out the remaining seconds to secure a thrilling one-point victory. It was far from comfortable, but the Warriors found a way to get the job done when it mattered most.

My Thoughts

Well, that was one hell of a way to finish the regular season for the Warriors. They looked in firm control at the halfway mark, only for Manly to swing momentum and almost steal it, but thankfully the Warriors held their nerve and got the job done. It wasn't enough to secure the club's second-ever Minor Premiership, but the consolation prize of two home finals more than makes up for that disappointment.

It certainly wasn't the performance I was expecting going into this game. Manly had nothing to lose after falling out of finals contention, and they played like a team with plenty of freedom, but the Warriors should have been able to handle them better than they did. There were too many times when Manly found space and got the Warriors scrambling, and that is something that will need plenty of attention over the next couple of weeks.

At the same time, I don't want to be too negative about a team that has just won its sixth game in a row and finished the regular season with one of the best records in the competition. This Warriors side has spent most of the year finding ways to win, and while this one was far more difficult than it needed to be, they still managed to get the job done when the game was on the line.

Andrew Webster rested Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell and limited the minutes of James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark, and you could notice the difference. Sam Healey did plenty of good things, but the attack didn't look quite as smooth without Egan controlling things around the ruck. There were periods where the Warriors had good field position but couldn't quite turn it into the sort of sustained pressure we've become used to seeing from them. That's less a criticism of Healey than a reminder of how important Egan has become to the way this team plays. However, the confidence the younger players should get from this performance could prove vital in a few weeks; they found themselves in trouble and without those leaders out there, they had to dig deep and get it done themselves. That's exactly the sort of experience that could prove useful in the finals, because things aren't always going to go according to plan once the pressure really starts building.

That was really my key takeaway from this match as I made the long walk from the stadium to my car: the Warriors have now had a taste of the sort of pressure they are going to face in the finals. They were in a game that was there to be lost; the momentum had completely shifted, and they still found a way to get themselves back into it and win. You obviously don't want to make a habit of putting yourself in those situations, but having experienced it now could be valuable when the games actually start to matter.

There is still plenty to clean up. The defensive performance was nowhere near good enough, particularly on the edges, and the Warriors will need to be much more consistent with the ball if they want to control games against finals opposition. But that's what the next couple of weeks are for. They have already done the hard work over the regular season by putting themselves in this position.

Now the regular season is done, and the real stuff is about to begin. The Warriors have earned the right to go into the finals with plenty of confidence, but this game was also a reminder that nothing is going to come easy from here. They have shown throughout 2026 that they can handle adversity, win in different ways, and have plenty of attacking weapons. If they can tighten up the areas that let them down against Manly, there's no reason they can't be a serious threat in the Finals.

For now, though, I'll take the win. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't comfortable, and it certainly wasn't the way I expected the regular season to finish, but six straight wins and a trip into the finals with the Warriors sitting where they are is a pretty damn good place to be. Now it's time to see what they can do with it.

 

There was plenty to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

This might sound like an obvious one, but in a game that swung back and forth all night, the Warriors kept finding answers whenever Manly landed a blow. They led 24-12 early in the second half, only for Manly to fight their way back and take a 30-24 lead, but the Warriors didn't let the game get away from them and managed to level the scores again. They kept competing right until the end and eventually found the two points they needed. It wasn't their best performance, but in finals football, staying in the fight and finding a way to win when things look rough can be vital to going all the way.

This flows on from the first point, but rather than simply finding a way to win, the Warriors showed good decision-making when the game was there to be won. With the scores locked at 30-30, they didn't panic or force something; instead, they took advantage of a Manly mistake, used their Captain's Challenge successfully, and created the opportunity for the field goal. Chanel Harris-Tavita still had to step up and nail the kick, but the way the Warriors handled those final few minutes was impressive given how much pressure they were under. Those are the sorts of moments they will need to handle if they want to make a deep finals run.

As frustrating as the performance was at times, this could prove a valuable reality check for the Warriors. They won't get away with conceding 30 points and allowing a 12-point lead to disappear against a finals side, so there are plenty of things for them to take away from this game. It also gave some of the younger forwards the chance to be in the thick of a pressure situation, with Andrew Webster giving James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett and Erin Clark more time on the bench than they would normally get. That meant the younger forwards had to take on more responsibility and help the team through a difficult period, which could prove valuable come finals time. The good thing is the Warriors still found a way to win, so they can learn those lessons without having to deal with the consequences of dropping the two points. I'd much rather the Warriors get this reality check now than have it happen in a finals game when the margin for error is much smaller.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The defence was far too easy to break down, and that's my biggest concern. Conceding 30 points at home against a team outside the top eight isn't good enough, particularly with the finals just around the corner. The edges were massively exposed throughout the game, with Manly finding far too many holes and creating too many opportunities out wide. The defensive line didn't look anywhere near as organised as it has in some of their better performances this season, and that's a massive red flag heading into the finals, where so many teams can spread the ball wide and cause havoc. If the Warriors defend like this against those sides, they could find themselves in serious trouble.

They couldn't capitalise on their periods of dominance, and that was another frustrating part of the performance. There were stages where the Warriors had control of the game and looked capable of running away with it, but they didn't make enough of the opportunities they created. The 24-12 lead should have given them the platform to build scoreboard pressure and take control of the game, but Manly stayed within striking distance. The attack also looked a little clunky without Wayde Egan, particularly when the Warriors had good field position and chances to build pressure. They need to be more ruthless with those opportunities, because finals football won't always give them a second chance.

The performance wasn't at the standard you'd expect from a minor premiership contender, and this is probably the bigger-picture negative for me. The Warriors are putting together a fantastic season and have set a very high standard for themselves, but they didn't show the same level of consistency and control we've seen from them throughout much of 2026. There were too many periods where the game seemed to drift away from them, and they never really looked completely comfortable once Manly got back into the contest. It doesn't change how good this Warriors side has been this season, but with the finals approaching, they need to make sure performances like this are the exception, not the rule. They've worked hard to get to this point, and now they need to maintain those standards as the pressure increases.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Taine Tuaupiki.

After getting the late call-up to return to the starting lineup, Tuaupiki put in a mammoth display.

He led the team with 170 running metres, scored a brilliant hat-trick, made three line breaks and broke eight tackles, constantly giving Manly's defence problems whenever he got his hands on the ball. His third try was particularly important, coming when the Warriors needed someone to step up and get them back level at 30-30. It wasn't a perfect performance, though, with his goal-kicking letting him down at times and a few defensive misreads that will need to be worked on, but those issues shouldn't take away from what was a huge attacking performance. With the Warriors missing some experienced players, Tuaupiki really stepped up and showed he can be a genuine weapon heading into the finals.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to Improve goes to Jacob Laban.

This may be a bit harsh, but I thought Laban was probably a little below the standard I've come to expect from him, although he was by no means bad. He still put in plenty of work, leading the Warriors with 22 tackles while running for 114 metres, making a line break, a line-break assist and a try assist. The problem was that he also led the team with five missed tackles and made two errors, which made his overall performance a little more inconsistent than we've become used to seeing from him. He also seemed to be slipping over more than a few times throughout the game, so maybe it's time for some new boots. There was still plenty of effort and some important contributions, but given the standard Laban has set this season, I thought this was a little below par.

Finals Week 1 Thoughts and Prediction

In the first week of finals, the Warriors remain at home to host the Dolphins, who finished the regular season with a 24-20 win over the Titans.

As for the team I’d pick, Leka Halasima, Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell all return to their spots. Andrew Webster has hinted that Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is ready for this match, so he comes onto the wing. At the same time, I’d move Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back to fullback ahead of Tuaupiki, simply to strengthen the defensive structure. Jackson Ford is also meant to be close to returning, but I honestly can’t decide who he replaces. For now, I’m going with Demitric Vaimauga, mainly because I’ve seen more from Tanner Stowers-Smith over the past few weeks. It’s a brutal decision, and one I’m very happy I don’t actually have to make. Jett Cleary and Tuaupiki take up the fifth and sixth spots on my bench, giving the Warriors some cover across the spine and outside backs.

The Dolphins are heading into their first-ever finals appearance with plenty of momentum, having won seven games in a row after suffering a brutal 66-0 loss to the Sharks in Round 19. They are one of the most explosive attacking teams in the competition, with the ability to turn half a chance into points, but they still have some question marks defensively. That 66-0 loss showed how badly things can unravel when their defence isn't functioning, and they've had other games where they've given opponents opportunities they shouldn't have. The seven-game winning streak shows they've found a way to overcome those issues, though, and they'll head into their first finals series full of confidence; for the Warriors, that makes them a very dangerous opponent.

For the Warriors to get the win here, it all starts with the forward pack taking control of the game. The Dolphins have plenty of explosive attacking players, so the Warriors need to win the battle through the middle, build a strong platform and give their halves and backs the space to attack. Defensively, communication will be just as important, particularly on the edges after the issues we saw against Manly. The Warriors can't afford to give the Dolphins easy opportunities out wide, so everyone needs to trust the players inside them and stay connected. If they can control the middle, limit the Dolphins' attacking opportunities and play to their strengths with the ball, I think they have enough experience and quality to get the job done, so I'm going with a Warriors win by four.

So, that was a stressful Round 27, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Are you concerned about that edge defence?

What changes would you make for Finals Week 1?

Do you have a Warrior to improve?

What is your score prediction against the Dolphins?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 26 Review: Warriors Overcome Nightmare Start to Move Top of the Ladder

After another impressive win over the Rabbitohs in Round 25, the Warriors returned home to take on the Knights, who were looking to bounce back after a disappointing 44-24 loss to the Sea Eagles.

The Warriors overcame a fast start from Newcastle, trailing 14-0 before turning things around to take a 22-20 lead into halftime. They extended their advantage to 34-20 early in the second half, but the Knights fought their way back to within two before the Warriors steadied late to secure a 46-32 victory.

What Went Down

The match got off to a flying start, with Newcastle coming out firing.

Fletcher Hunt opened the scoring in the 4th minute, finishing on the right edge before Francis Manuleleua crossed five minutes later after a sharp move through the middle. Sandon Smith converted the second try to give the Knights an early 10-0 lead.

The Warriors were given a huge opportunity in the 12th minute when Jacob Saifiti was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Luke Laulilii. Newcastle were suddenly down to 12 men, and the Warriors soon made the extra man count.

Before they could hit back, though, Jermaine McEwen crossed in the 14th minute to stretch the Knights' lead to 14-0. From there, the Warriors finally found their rhythm.

Jacob Laban powered over in the 18th minute before Wayde Egan crashed through the Newcastle defence four minutes later. Erin Clark then barged over from close range in the 26th minute to put the Warriors in front for the first time.

Newcastle suffered another blow when Francis Manuleleua left the field with a dislocated elbow, and Demitric Vaimauga crossed in the 35th minute to extend the Warriors' lead to 22-16 after Taine Tuaupiki's conversion. The Knights refused to go away, though. Fletcher Hunt grabbed his second try in the 39th minute after Newcastle earned repeat sets near the Warriors' line. Sandon Smith missed the conversion, meaning the Warriors went into the sheds with a narrow 22-20 lead.

The second half began with the Warriors taking control again.

Ali Leiataua scored in the 42nd minute after Jacob Laban won a high ball and produced a brilliant offload to keep the attack alive.

Adam Pompey then finished off a slick move in the 51st minute, taking a flick pass from Leiataua to extend the Warriors' lead to 34-20.

Just when it looked like the Warriors were starting to pull away, Newcastle hit back through Greg Marzhew in the 54th minute. It was one of the more bizarre moments of the match, with Marzhew's kick ahead rebounding off Taine Tuaupiki's head before the Knights winger regathered and scored.

Marzhew crossed again just three minutes later, bringing Newcastle right back into the contest at 34-32. What had looked like a comfortable Warriors lead had suddenly become a genuine arm wrestle.

The Warriors needed a response and got one in the 62nd minute when Alofiana Khan-Pereira crossed after Leka Halasima's intercept shifted the momentum back in the Warriors' favour. Tuaupiki converted from the sideline to make it 40-32.

With rain beginning to fall and Newcastle still pushing hard, the Warriors had to dig deep in the closing stages. They finally put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute when Jacob Laban broke through multiple tackles to score his second try of the night under the posts. Tuaupiki added the extras to make it 46-32.

It wasn't always pretty, and Newcastle certainly made the Warriors work for it, but they showed plenty of composure to withstand the Knights' fightback and finish the job. The win lifts the Warriors to first place on the live ladder, adding another important victory to what has been an impressive season so far. However, there is still plenty of work to do, particularly after allowing the Knights back into the contest despite having a one-man advantage for most of the match.

My Thoughts

Well, that was a strange and nerve-racking game. The Warriors found themselves 14-0 down inside the opening 14 minutes, and it looked like Newcastle had all the momentum. Then Jacob Saifiti was sent off, and the game completely changed.

From there, the Warriors slowly worked their way back into the contest, took control and looked like they were going to run away with it. Of course, Newcastle had other ideas and made things interesting again, but thankfully the Warriors found a way to steady themselves and finish the job.

It wasn't the best showing we have seen from the Warriors this year, but I would take a less-than-stellar win over a disappointing loss any day of the week; the key is that they learn from this and keep building.

One thing I continue to love about this Warriors team is the variety in attack. We saw tries scored through the middle, out wide, from kicks, broken play and some really good individual skill. Eight tries from seven different players showed just how many different ways this team can hurt you, and that variety is going to be incredibly important once the finals arrive.

The forward pack remains one of this team's biggest strengths. They set the platform once again, with six players cracking my triple-digit target, and gave the Warriors plenty of momentum through the middle. That allowed the backs and halves to play with more freedom and put Newcastle under plenty of pressure.

Even when the Knights started to find some momentum, the forwards kept taking the ball forward and helped the Warriors regain control. It's becoming a bit of a theme with this team — when the game gets tough, the pack keeps turning up.

There are obviously still things that need to improve. The start was poor, the edge defence was shaky at times, and allowing a 12-man Newcastle side to get back to within two points isn't something the team will be happy with.

But I'd much rather see those issues now, while the Warriors are still finding ways to win and missing a few big names who will return, than have them exposed for the first time in a finals game. They know what they need to work on, and there's still time to clean things up.

The biggest thing for me, though, is the position this team has put itself in. The Warriors are currently sitting in first place, and this win has pretty much secured a top-two finish, a position I never imagined at the start of the season.

That top two spot is a massive advantage heading into the finals. It gives the Warriors a second chance if they lose their opening finals match and, just as importantly, allows them to play two home finals, which could be the key to getting to the big dance.

There is still one regular-season game to go, so the Warriors need to stay focused on the job in front of them. But after everything this team has dealt with this season, to be sitting at the top of the ladder with a top-two finish all but secured is a fantastic position to be in. Now it's about making the most of it.

The Warriors have shown they can win in different ways, deal with adversity and find solutions when things don't go to plan. If they can clean up the defensive lapses, start games with the same intensity they show later on, and keep building on the attacking football we've seen, they'll head into the finals with plenty of confidence. The minor premiership is still there to be won, and the Warriors have put themselves in the perfect position to go after it. They've earned this opportunity. Now they need to take it with both hands.

There was plenty to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors couldn't have asked for a worse start, with Newcastle racing to a 14-0 lead inside 14 minutes and looking dangerous in attack. The game changed dramatically when Jacob Saifiti was sent off in the 12th minute, leaving the Knights with 12 men for the remaining 67 minutes.

Who knows what would have happened if Newcastle had stayed at 13 players, especially given how well they started. The opening 14 minutes should certainly ring some alarm bells, but the Warriors deserve plenty of credit for making the most of the opportunity they were given. They settled down, scored four tries between the 18th and 35th minutes and completely turned the game around to take a 22-20 lead into halftime. The slow start is something they will need to address, but the composure they showed to fight their way back and regain control will be a nice confidence booster heading into the finals.

After building a 34-20 lead, the Warriors suddenly found themselves under pressure when Greg Marzhew scored twice in just three minutes to bring Newcastle back to 34-32. After doing so well to turn the game around earlier, it would have been easy for the Warriors to lose their composure and let the Knights take control again. Instead, they steadied themselves when it mattered. Alofiana Khan-Pereira's try in the 62nd minute restored some breathing room before Jacob Laban's second try in the 76th minute finally put the result beyond doubt. The Warriors won't be happy with allowing the Knights back into the contest, but their ability to remain composed and regain control when the pressure was on is another positive they can take into the finals.

Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson handled the pressure of a huge game remarkably well. Cleary was making his NRL debut, while Hanson was only playing his third NRL game, yet both looked composed and showed plenty of promise in the halves. Cleary was particularly impressive, setting up three tries on debut, while Hanson provided a steady hand alongside him. Credit also needs to go to Andrew Webster and his coaching staff. This was yet another brand-new halves pairing in first grade, but the changes didn't make the Warriors look any weaker. Webster's game plan gave the young halves the structure and confidence to do their jobs, and the Warriors once again found a way to secure another vital win. With both players set to move on at the end of the season, it was great to see them step up when the Warriors needed them. For Cleary in particular, making his NRL debut in such an important game and playing a key role in the win is something he'll certainly remember.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The start was nowhere near good enough. The Warriors conceded tries in the 4th, 9th and 14th minutes to find themselves 14-0 down, and while Jacob Saifiti's send-off changed the game, the Warriors were already on the back foot before Newcastle were reduced to 12 men. You simply can't give a team that kind of start, particularly against a side you're expected to beat. The response was excellent and showed plenty of composure, but the Warriors made life much harder for themselves than they needed to. Against a full-strength side in the finals, a start like that could put them in a hole they might not be able to climb out of.

The defensive lapses continue to creep into the Warriors' game. Newcastle scored 32 points and made 11 line breaks, with the two Greg Marzhew tries in particular highlighting some of the issues in the Warriors' defensive line. What was even more concerning was how easily the Knights found inroads down both edges, despite playing with just 12 men for most of the game. Once Newcastle started throwing the ball around, the Warriors struggled to shut the door and allowed the Knights to find gaps far too easily. At times, the defensive line looked disconnected, and while the Warriors eventually regained control, those lapses are a real concern heading into the finals. Against a top-four side with a full complement of players, they could be punished much more severely.

This is probably my biggest concern from the game. Newcastle played with just 12 men for the vast majority of the match, yet the Warriors still allowed the Knights to score six tries and get back to within two points at 34-32. The Warriors eventually won by 14 points, but the final score doesn't completely tell the story. With a one-man advantage for so long, they should have been able to control the game much more comfortably and put Newcastle away earlier. It is great that the Warriors found a way to win, but against a full-strength side in the finals, they can't afford to let an opposition team hang around like that, especially after being given such a significant advantage.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Jacob Laban.

Laban was once again a constant threat and played a huge role in the Warriors' win. He finished with a double, a try assist and two line breaks, while running for 102 metres and producing three offloads. Defensively, he was just as impressive, making 26 tackles with only one miss. He was a constant danger whenever a kick came his way and looked capable of making something happen every time he got his hands on the ball. He did make three errors, which is something he'll want to clean up this week, but overall it was another strong performance from Laban. He continues to grow in confidence and looks like a player who can be a real handful for opposition teams heading into the finals. It's been a great season from him so far, and performances like this show just how important he's becoming to this Warriors side.

Warrior to Improve

I don't have a Warrior to call out for this week. While there were some concerns around the edge defence, I'm not convinced it was simply an Adam Pompey and Alofiana Khan-Pereira issue. With another brand-new halves pairing, the changes may have disrupted the flow and communication of the defensive line. Beyond that, everyone who took the field played their role and contributed to the win, making it hard to single anyone out for an off night.

Round 27 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 27, the Warriors remain at home to host the Sea Eagles, who defeated the Dragons 44-10 this Round.

As for the team I'd pick, if Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin are fit, then I am bringing them back in; if they need another week, then I'm sticking with Cleary and Hanson. I would also bring Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back onto the wing in my only other change.

The Sea Eagles have started to find some form late in the season after a difficult few months. They snapped a six-game losing streak with an impressive 44-24 win over Newcastle in Round 25 before backing it up with another big performance against the Dragons in Round 26, running out 44-10 winners. With their finals hopes already gone, Manly are now playing for pride and looking to finish the season on a positive note. They'll come into this game with plenty of confidence after putting 88 points on the board across their last two matches, and the Warriors certainly can't afford to take them lightly. With nothing to lose, the Sea Eagles have shown they can be dangerous, and the Warriors will need to be switched on from the opening whistle.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they will need to start much better than they did against Newcastle. Manly have found plenty of attacking form in recent weeks, so the Warriors need to control the middle, limit the Sea Eagles' second-phase play and, most importantly, tighten up their edge defence. As always, the Warriors will need their forwards to dictate the tempo of the contest and give the attack plenty of opportunities to build pressure. With the finals just around the corner, this is a chance for the Warriors to put together a more complete performance and show they can maintain their intensity for the full 80 minutes. If they can do that and take their opportunities in attack, I think they have too much class for Manly, winning by 18.

So, that was a tense Round 26, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you have a Warrior to improve?

What did you think of Jett's debut?

Does that start worry you for finals?

What is your score prediction against the Sea Eagles?