NZ Warriors 2026 Round 8 Review: Not Pretty but Wellington Trip a Success

After beating the Titans in Round 7, the Warriors stayed in New Zealand and headed to Wellington to host the Dolphins, who came off a 23–22 Golden Point loss to the Panthers.

In front of a big, loud home crowd, the Warriors started fast but were soon overpowered as the Dolphins built momentum and took control for long stretches. Despite fighting back before halftime, the game turned into a scrappy grind, with the Warriors holding firm late to secure a gritty win.

What Went Down

The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a better start, striking in just the 3rd minute when Alofiana Khan-Pereira finished in the corner after sharp work from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

The Dolphins hit back in the 10th minute through Herbie Farnworth, who grubbered ahead, regathered, and scored. Jamayne Isaako added the extras to level things up. The Warriors looked to have responded soon after, but a lead-up obstruction against Leka Halasima ruled the try out.

That moment proved costly. The Dolphins took control with back-to-back tries to Isaako in the 17th and 19th minutes, jumping out to an 18–6 lead.

To their credit, the Warriors fought their way back through pressure. After forcing repeat sets, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed in the 25th minute, before Khan-Pereira grabbed his second in the 28th to close the gap.

There was more frustration before halftime. Leka Halasima was denied in the 36th minute after losing control over the line, and despite the Dolphins’ ill-discipline inviting pressure, the Warriors couldn’t capitalise. They went into the break trailing 18–14.

The second half was a completely different game. The flow disappeared, replaced by errors and broken sets from both sides. Things got tougher for the Warriors early, with Mitch Barnett ruled out after a Category 1 HIA following an accidental head clash.

The turning point came in the 61st minute when Taine Tuaupiki crossed to give the Warriors the lead. The drama didn’t stop there, with Tom Flegler sin-binned for an off-the-ball shot on Ali Leiataua in the aftermath.

From there, it turned into a test of nerve. The Dolphins pressed late and even had a two-point field goal attempt through Isaako, but it missed. The Warriors held firm to secure a gritty win in front of nearly 35,000 fans.

My Thoughts

Well, that was a grind. The start was exactly what you want: sharp, direct, and clinical, with the edges firing early and the attack looking dangerous. But just as quickly, it flipped. The Dolphins took control through the middle, momentum swung, and the Warriors found themselves on the back foot. At times, it honestly felt like I’d made the long drive down for nothing. Even getting back into the contest before halftime, it felt like a missed chance not to push on. The second half was scrappy, with errors and penalties killing any real flow. What stood out, though, was the defence. They spent long periods under pressure but held firm, going the entire half without conceding a point, something we haven’t always seen in games like this. That said, this is still a step forward. In years past, this was the kind of game they lost. This time, they found a way. It wasn’t pretty, but good teams win ugly, and the Warriors are starting to show they can do that, and it should help build their confidence for the remainder of the season, when sometimes you just need to grit your teeth and win by any means necessary. Now it’s about building on it, tightening the errors, maintaining control for longer, and turning gritty wins like this into complete 80-minute performances. It’s also their third straight win for the second time this season, with one more game before the bye, putting the Warriors in a strong position to really make their mark this year.

The atmosphere in Wellington deserves its own mention. The crowd was absolutely outstanding, and it genuinely felt like one of the best Warriors games I’ve attended away from Mount Smart. The noise, energy, and constant engagement from kickoff right through to the final whistle created a proper home-game feel, especially in those tense periods when the momentum swung. It’s becoming a real feature of any game the Warriors play, regardless of the location, and nights like this show just how strong and widespread Warriors support has become.

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

Match Positives

The edge combinations continue to be a real weapon for the Warriors, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck linking well with Chanel Harris-Tavita on the left, giving Alofiana Khan-Pereira the space to do what he does best. On the right edge, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak remains a constant threat, and back in strong try-scoring form, he adds another layer of finishing power. When the forwards do their job up front and lay a platform through the middle, it allows the Warriors to shift the ball wide with purpose, and they’re starting to punish teams that struggle to drift and scramble in defence. Both edges clicking at the same time makes them far harder to contain when they get momentum.

When the game tightened late, the Warriors showed real defensive resilience, holding firm through repeated sets on their own line without breaking. They stayed connected under pressure, scrambled when needed, and absorbed everything the Dolphins threw at them, going the entire second half without conceding a point. If they can carry that level of defensive resolve across the full 80 minutes rather than just in patches, this becomes a team that’s a legitimate scary proposition for anyone in the competition.

This is exactly the kind of game the Warriors have historically let slip, and even this season, they’ve been in similar positions in their two losses, letting momentum slip and failing to fight their way back. But this time, they found a way to win ugly, and that’s a genuine step forward. When the pressure ramped up in the final 10 minutes, they didn’t panic; instead, they managed field position, controlled the clock, and made smarter decisions with the ball when it mattered most. It wasn’t flashy, but it was composed, and good sides find a way to win those kinds of games, so it’s encouraging to see the Warriors starting to join that trend.

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

Match Negatives

Errors and discipline were a real concern for the Warriors. They finished with 11 errors, and while too many of those came at crucial times in attacking zones when pressure was building, it’s worth noting their error counts have been in single digits more often than not this season, so this could be more of an anomaly than a trend. That said, 7 penalties and a ruck infringement repeatedly handed the Dolphins easy exits and fresh sets, stopping the Warriors from ever fully taking control of the game. You could also argue that the timing of the ANZAC festivities may have played a part, as that period has historically disrupted the club. Still, regardless, it’s an area they’ll know needs tightening up quickly.

Edge defence still showed some vulnerability at times, with the Dolphins finding space out wide on a few occasions when the Warriors’ sliding defence was a step late. That said, there has been a clear improvement over the past few weeks, with better line connections and greater urgency in their movement across the field. They’re heading in the right direction, but there’s still a bit more to go before those lapses are fully eliminated. Against sharper attacking teams, those moments will need to be cleaned up quickly, with stronger communication and quicker decisions crucial to shutting down shifts before they become dangerous.

The Warriors lacked that killer instinct to put the game away. At several key moments, they had chances to break the match open but couldn’t land the final punch, which kept the Dolphins in the contest longer than they should’ve been. Even in broken-field situations, they didn’t fully capitalise, either taking the wrong option or with support not quite in the right place. Those are the moments that turn tight wins into dominant ones, and it’s an area they’ll want to sharpen moving forward.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Taine Tuaupiki.

I thought Tuaupiki was outstanding here, leading the side with 236 running metres and topping the team with 2 linebreaks in a performance full of energy and intent. He handled constant pressure from the Dolphins really well, finishing with just 1 error in a composed display despite how heavily involved he was at the back. He showed all the traits you want from a tough, instinctive fullback, brave in contact, full of effort, and always looking to inject himself when opportunities arose. There were a couple of moments where he chose to go himself in attack rather than pass, which didn’t always come off, but one of those instincts also led to the match-winning moment, so it’s hard to fault the intent. Overall, he looks to be growing into the role each week and really starting to make the fullback spot his own.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Leka Halasima.

Leka Halasima had a quieter and tougher outing this week, and it wasn’t the impact performance we’ve come to expect from him. He ran only 9 times for 67 metres and struggled to really get into the rhythm of the game, while also leading the side with 6 missed tackles, along with 3 penalties and 3 errors in a messy overall performance. Defensively, he was made to work hard and didn’t quite have his usual control or timing, and with the ball, he never really looked like his normal self. That said, it’s clearly an off night rather than a trend; he’s shown enough quality and consistency already this season to suggest he’ll bounce back quickly, and games like this are part of the learning curve for a young forward still developing at this level.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

Round 9 sees the Warriors head back to Australia to face the Eels, who went down 33-18 against the Sea Eagles in Round 8.

Regarding the team I’d pick, Andrew Webster confirmed in his post-match interview that Mitch Barnett and Ali Leiataua will both miss this match due to head knocks. With that in mind, the only changes I’d make are bringing Adam Pompey in to replace Leiataua and Marata Niukore coming in for Barnett.

The Eels haven’t quite hit their stride this season and have been bitten by the injury bug with multiple top-line players being unavailable, but they’re a side that’s always capable of putting points on the board when things click. They’ve got enough strike across the park to trouble teams, particularly when they generate quick ruck speed and get their spine playing direct. When they’re on, they can build pressure quickly and turn momentum into points, so lapses in discipline or defensive lapses can be punished. That said, consistency has been an issue, and they’ve shown defensive vulnerability at times, especially when forced to defend repeat sets or handle quick shifts to the edges, where there’s an opportunity to exploit them.

For the Warriors to get the win, it starts through the middle. Their forwards need to lay a strong platform, win the ruck, and generate quick play-the-balls to put the team on the front foot. When that happens, it gives the spine time and space to play, allowing them to shift the ball and really test the edges. Discipline will also be key, keeping errors and penalties low so they don't hand over easy field position. Defensively, they need to stay connected, handle the Eels’ attacking shape, and prevent their key playmakers from settling into their rhythm, especially when building pressure. In the past, this was the type of game that could’ve tripped the Warriors up, but after grinding out a tight win last week, they should come in focused and ready to make a statement. I’m backing them to get the job done and win well, Warriors by 18.

So, that was a tense Round 8, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Errors and penalties are they a concern or just a blip?

Is Tuaupiki now your No.1 fullback?

Who are you bringing in for Leiataua and Barnett?

What is your score prediction against the Eels?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 7 Review: A Game of Two Halves, But Points in the Bank

After an amazing victory over the Storm in Round 6, the Warriors returned to Go Media Stadium to host the Titans, who also impressed in Round 6 with a 52-10 blowout over the Eels.

The Warriors did the damage early, and a dominant first half built a commanding lead, but a second-half lapse invited the Titans back into the contest. What looked comfortable quickly turned tense, yet the Warriors steadied when it mattered to secure a 28–20 win.

What Went Down

The Warriors came out in control and made that early dominance count. Alofiana Khan-Pereira opened the scoring in the 5th minute, finishing a slick left-edge shift in the corner. The Titans struggled to settle and kept handing over possession, allowing the Warriors to build pressure.

That pressure told again in the 22nd minute, with Khan-Pereira grabbing his second, after another sharp attacking movement. Tanah Boyd nailed the sideline conversion to push the lead out to 10-0.

The Warriors continued to dictate terms through the middle, and in the 29th minute, Chanel Harris-Tavita crossed next to the posts after the ball was kept alive. Boyd converted for a 16-0 advantage.

The Titans had a brief window, forcing a dropout through Jayden Campbell and thinking they’d hit back through Kurtis Morrin, only for the bunker to overturn it. Instead, it was the Warriors who struck again, going the length and finishing through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the 34th minute to extend the lead.

Boyd then added a penalty goal in the 39th minute to cap off a dominant first half, sending the Warriors into the break with a commanding 22-0 lead.

The Titans came out of the sheds with far more intent and were rewarded in the 50th minute, with Jojo Fifita finishing strongly in the corner. Campbell couldn’t convert in the tough conditions, but momentum had started to shift.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly checked. From the ensuing set, the Titans made an error, and the Warriors capitalised almost immediately. In the 52nd minute, Erin Clark crashed over beside the posts after a short offload from James Fisher-Harris, with Boyd converting to make it 28-4.

From there, the Titans began to find success on the edges. Sialetili Faeamani crossed in the 68th minute after a lengthy bunker review confirmed the grounding, though the conversion was missed.

The pressure kept building, and in the 72nd minute, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui came up with a big aerial take before offloading to Arama Hau, who dummied his way over under the posts. Campbell converted to close the gap to 28-14.

The late surge continued in the 78th minute, with Kurtis Morrin scoring beside the posts off a short-side play. Campbell added the extras to bring it back to 28-20 with just minutes remaining.

But despite the momentum swinging hard against them, the Warriors held firm. They defended the final set and took the last tackle as the siren sounded, closing out a match they had effectively won with their dominant first-half performance.

My Thoughts

Well, that was a strange one. The first half was just about everything you could ask for. The attack had flow, the timing looked right, and the edges were lethal. Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak caused constant problems out wide, and it all came off the back of a forward pack that laid a strong, direct platform through the middle. It genuinely felt like they were building towards one of those statement performances.

Then, halftime hit, and it was like a different team came out. The tempo dropped, the polish disappeared, and suddenly everything looked harder than it needed to be. The Titans weren’t doing anything overly special, but they didn’t need to; the Warriors invited them back into the contest with loose carries, softer defensive contact, and a noticeable dip in urgency. Where last week’s performance was built on sustained intensity, this one drifted away from that standard pretty quickly.

What stands out most is how quickly momentum can swing in this competition. The Warriors didn’t just take their foot off the gas; they lost control of the game, and against better sides, that’s the sort of lapse that costs you two points, not just makes things uncomfortable late. There’s a difference between managing a game and letting it drift, and this felt a lot like the latter.

In saying that, good teams still find ways to win when they’re not at their best, and that’s exactly what they did here. The first-half effort gave them enough of a buffer, and they showed just enough composure late to close it out. It’s far from a performance to hang your hat on, but it’s a result you take every day of the week.

If anything, this feels like a timely reminder rather than a warning sign. The standards they hit against the Storm are clearly there, but they’re not automatic. If this side wants to stay near the top of the ladder, it’s going to come down to maintaining that level for the full 80 minutes, not just when everything’s clicking early.

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

Match Positives

The Warriors set the tone from the outset, turning early dominance into points on the board. Rather than letting that control go to waste, they executed well and took their chances, capitalising on the Titans’ slow start. That forced the Titans onto the back foot straight away, chasing the game instead of settling into it. It also allowed the Warriors to control the tempo early and build a platform that ultimately proved decisive. They seem to have found the secret to starting well after being slow starters for the first few rounds; now it’s about turning that mindset into a full 80-minute performance.

The Warriors’ edge attack looked dangerous throughout, with both sides of the field creating genuine opportunities. Their shape and ball movement stretched the Titans’ defence, allowing them to find space out wide and capitalise. When those chances came, the finishing was strong, turning half-opportunities into points. With genuine strike finishers on both wings who need very little room to score in the corners, the Warriors become a real threat whenever they enter the opposition's red zone. It added another dimension to their attack and made them difficult to contain, particularly in the first half when everything was clicking.

The forwards impressed again, laying a strong platform through the middle and consistently winning the yardage battle. Their work rate and go-forward allowed the Warriors to play on the front foot, particularly in the opening stages. That effort is reflected in the numbers, with five members of the pack hitting triple digits, Jackson Ford leading the way with a massive 239 metres, followed by Mitchell Barnett (165m), James Fisher-Harris (131m), Erin Clark (119m), and Leka Halasima (104m). It’s that kind of output from the middle that gives the backs space and time to do their job, and when this pack delivers like that, it makes winning that much easier.

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

Match Negatives

The second-half drop-off is the biggest concern to come out of this performance. After controlling the game early, the Warriors lost their grip after halftime and let the momentum swing. There was a clear drop in energy and urgency compared to the first half, with intensity slipping on both sides of the ball. What had been a dominant performance quickly turned into a nervy finish, and while they held on this time, good teams put those games away long before it gets to that point. It’s hard to tell whether they simply put the cue in the rack after such a one-sided first half or whether the Titans genuinely hit the ground running after the break, but either way, the shift in momentum was too significant to ignore.

The Warriors’ ill-discipline started to creep in at key moments, with small errors and six-agains giving the Titans extra opportunities and field position. Instead of easing pressure when they needed to settle, those moments only added to it, keeping the game alive longer than it should have been. While none of it was catastrophic on its own, the accumulation allowed the Titans back into the contest and contributed to the nervy finish. When things start to slip away like that, they need to refocus and keep doing the little things right to stop momentum shifting so quickly.

The Warriors struggled to deal with the Titans’ offloads and short passing game, with 19 offloads helping the visitors keep the ball alive. The Titans also mixed up their angles well, shifting the point of attack and forcing the Warriors into slow lateral defensive movements. Once that rhythm was established, it allowed the Titans to exploit the edges and use their pace more effectively, particularly in the second half, when momentum was already swinging. Defending second-phase football has been a weakness for the Warriors this season, and they’ll need to get better at wrapping up the ball carrier to stop teams from generating that extra momentum.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Jackson Ford.

Ford was outstanding once again, leading the side with a massive 239 running metres and backing it up with 49 tackles in another full 80-minute performance. He added real impact with 5 tackle breaks, while keeping his defensive work largely solid with just 3 missed tackles. Importantly, he stayed controlled throughout, finishing the match with no errors and only one ruck infringement. While there’s an argument for managing his minutes so he can consistently produce this level of output each week, he’s currently showing no signs of slowing down in what has been a genuine breakout season to date. Performances like this also ease some of my concerns around Mitchell Barnett’s departure at the end of the year, with Ford clearly making his mark in the middle and stepping into a bigger role with confidence.

Warrior to Improve

I don’t have a single Warrior to call out this week because none of the 17 that featured let the team down, or they simply didn’t play enough minutes to be judged fairly. They weren’t all perfect, and a few did fade a bit in the second half, but by that stage they had already done enough damage in the first to build a healthy buffer. Every player still gave it everything in their own way, and ultimately, that’s all you can really ask for in a performance like this.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

Round 8 sees the Warriors remain in New Zealand, heading down to Wellington to host the Dolphins, who went down 23-22 in Golden Point against the Panthers in Round 7.

Regarding the team I’d pick, just like I said last week (although Andrew Webster didn't listen), I would stick with the same squad. I know Adam Pompey will be back from suspension, but I'm liking the Chanel Harris-Tavita, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Alofiana Khan-Pereira combination on the left edge. The pack is pretty solid, too, so just leave it as is.

The Dolphins haven't really lived up to their potential yet this season, sitting at 2-4, but aside from their heavy loss to the Sea Eagles, they’ve been in the fight every week. What makes them dangerous, though, is their ability to create scoring opportunities from anywhere on the field. With strike weapons across the park, they can shift the ball, play with speed, and generate chances left, right and centre, meaning even the smallest lapse in defence can quickly turn into points. However, they have struggled to defend this season, so there is potential to punish their edges.

For the Warriors to get the win here, it starts through the middle. Their forwards need to lay a strong platform, win the ruck, and build momentum early to get the team on the front foot. If they can do that, it gives their spine the chance to shift the ball and create opportunities out wide, where they can really test the Dolphins on the edges. Defensively, it’s all about control and discipline, wrapping up the ball carrier, limiting second-phase play, and, most importantly, denying Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth any time or space. Give those two even a half chance, and they can turn a game in an instant. Playing in Wellington has been kind to the Warriors in recent years, and I’m not making the trip down there expecting a loss, so I’m backing the Warriors to get it done by 12.

So, that was a nerve-racking Round 7, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What did you think of Alofiana Khan-Pereira's performance?

Did you have a Warrior to improve?

Was the second-half drop-off a concern for you, or was the game already done?

What is your score prediction against the Dolphins?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 6 Review: Warriors Break Storm Streak in Statement Win

After a disappointing Round 5 loss to the Sharks, the Warriors stayed in Australia to take on a Storm side reeling from a 50–10 thrashing by the Panthers and riding a three-game losing streak.

The Warriors struck early, and unlike the past couple of weeks, they stayed in the contest. They built pressure, took control, and eventually ran away with a dominant 38–14 win, their biggest ever over the Storm, snapping a 17-game losing streak vs Melbourne and getting their season back on track.

What Went Down

Before kickoff, the Warriors announced a rejigged lineup with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the centres to join Ali Leiataua. This saw Leka Halsima move back to the second row, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira make his debut for the club.

An early penalty goal in the 3rd minute gave the Storm an early lead, but it didn't last long. The Warriors quickly targeted the right edge, and it paid off with back-to-back tries to Ali Leiataua in the 9th minute and Marata Niukore in the 14th, handing the Warriors a 12-2 lead. An error from Jackson Ford gave the Storm the chance they needed to get back into the contest, and they took it with both hands. Cooper Clarke, after being exposed defensively when Niukore scored, responded in style, powering his way over in the 16th minute for his first NRL try. The Storm didn't stop there with Jack Howarth scoring in the 23rd minute, finishing off a lively passage of second-phase footy to see the home side reclaim the lead following Meaney's conversion.

Ill-discipline then hurt the Storm, and the Warriors made them pay. A cut-out pass from Tanah Boyd took a fortunate bounce straight into the hands of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who crossed in the 30th minute, which saw the Warriors back in front before Boyd added a penalty goal in the 39th minute to give the Warriors an 18-14 lead as they went into the sheds at halftime.

The second half was all one-way traffic. The Warriors hit the Storm hard and fast with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck crossing in the 43rd minute, followed by Jackson Ford in the 47th minute and Watene-Zelezniak grabbing his second in the 51st minute, blowing the game wide open and leaving the Storm with no answers. Boyd added another penalty goal in the 58th minute to extend the lead even further.

From there, the Warriors tightened their grip, dominating even without the ball. A heavy shot from Chanel Harris-Tavita on Josh King, which sparked a late scuffle, but by then, the result was beyond doubt. However, the Warriors' attitude in defence did not relent, with the performance capped off by a desperate defensive effort from Tuivasa-Sheck, who denied future Warrior Will Warbrick near the line to seal the Warriors' biggest win over the Storm and finally ending the longest active losing streak against a club.

My Thoughts

What a bounce back. I came into this one hopeful but expecting the worst. The Storm looked vulnerable, but given the last 11 years between these sides, it felt safer tipping Melbourne. Thankfully, that call couldn’t have been more wrong. The Warriors delivered a statement performance to finally snap that losing streak, and did it in style.

They started fast with two early tries, but a Jackson Ford error let the Storm back into the contest and brought back some nerves. The difference this time, though, was how they responded. Instead of letting things unravel as in previous weeks, they reset, stuck to what had worked in those first three weeks, and gradually took control. From there, they squeezed the life out of Melbourne and made them look well off the pace.

The forward pack set the tone, returning to their bullying best. Jackson Ford and Demitric Vaimauga stood out, laying a strong platform that gave Tanah Boyd time to control the game. His combination with Chanel Harris-Tavita clicked nicely, with CHT showing why he’s such a good fit at six, not overplaying his hand, just doing his job and letting Boyd steer things around. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s move to the centres had its question marks, but he slotted in seamlessly, while the inclusion of Alofiana Khan-Pereira added a new dimension out wide. We didn’t see him fully open up, but the glimpses of his pace were enough to show what he can bring.

The standout for me, though, was the defence. It was physical, aggressive, and committed all night. Even after conceding back-to-back tries, the Warriors didn’t drop their intensity. Their line speed stayed high, they kept turning Melbourne back, and whenever the Storm looked threatening, the scramble defence shut it down. What really impressed was that even with the game in hand, they didn’t switch off; they kept landing big shots and held Melbourne scoreless in the second half. That kind of defensive effort comes down to attitude, and it was clear everyone was locked in. Hearing the Warriors fans take over AAMI Park just made it even better.

After two tough weeks, this was a much-needed reminder of what this team is capable of. When they’re in sync, they look like a genuinely dangerous side. Now it’s about turning that level of performance into the standard if they want to be taken seriously as contenders.

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

Match Positives

Defensive resilience and attitude were a major highlight. Holding the Storm to just two tries and keeping them scoreless in the second half is no small feat. When Melbourne pushed late, the Warriors’ goal-line defence stood strong, especially in the final 15 minutes when you could argue that the win was already in the bag. They scrambled well, made key tackles, and showed real desperation under pressure. It wasn’t just structure, it was effort and commitment, the kind you need to beat top sides.

Composure after conceding points was a big improvement. In recent weeks, back-to-back tries have rattled them, but this time they reset quickly and stayed in control of the game. Instead of panicking or forcing plays, they stuck to their structure and worked their way back into the contest. They didn’t let momentum swing too far, which shows real growth in their confidence and mental resilience.

The clunkiness from the past fortnight looked to be gone, with Chanel Harris-Tavita appearing to fit in much more naturally. The attack had better flow and cohesion, and his presence brought more control and balance to the side. It certainly helped that the forwards returned to being dominant, giving the halves time and space to operate. It all felt less forced and more connected, which is a really encouraging sign moving forward, but it does create a new headache around Luke Metcalf and what his role looks like in this team right now, as I would be sticking with the Boyd and CHT combo.

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

Match Negatives

The mid-game lapse in the first half is still a concern. After building a 12–2 lead, the Warriors allowed Melbourne to hit back with two quick tries in the space of seven minutes, swinging momentum back the other way. It’s a pattern we’ve seen before: when things start to slip, they can unravel quickly. Tied into that was discipline, which, while improved, still wasn’t perfect, with errors and small lapses inviting pressure and giving the Storm a way back into the contest. Thankfully, the team were able to reset, get back into their groove, and take control again, but against stronger or more clinical sides, those swings can be far more costly.

They did let a few opportunities slip, which is something that could’ve really blown the game wide open earlier. The most obvious moment was when Taine Tuaupiki chose not to send Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over in the corner for what looked like a simple hat-trick try. Instead of taking the clear option, the chance went begging, and it’s those small moments that can make a big difference. While it didn’t cost them on the day, against top sides, you need to be clinical and take those opportunities when they’re right in front of you.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

It’s been a shaky few weeks for RTS, so I’ll admit I had some concerns when he was named in the centres after the failed experiment in 2024. But he was outstanding here. He stayed heavily involved, running for 145 metres, grabbed a nice try, and held his own defensively, keeping his edge solid and coming up with a huge hit on Warbrick to stop what looked like a certain try.

He also showed a strong combination with Chanel Harris-Tavita, and while there’s still room to improve in getting his winger more involved, he looks like a solid centre option while Adam Pompey is suspended. It also allows the Warriors to bring in Alofiana Khan-Pereira and his pace out wide, which feels like a win-win. If RTS can stay in this kind of mindset and form, the Warriors will continue to find a lot of success with him in the side.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve was Marata Niukore.

It was hard to pick a player after such a strong team performance, but I’ve gone with Marata Niukore. He was moved into the starting side and made an immediate impact with a nice try, but as the game went on, he faded into the background while the rest of the pack lifted to another level. He finished with just 46 metres from 7 runs, which is fairly quiet given the platform the forwards had. Defensively, he was solid, making 16 tackles with only 2 misses, so it wasn’t a bad performance by any means. However, with a lot of experience missing from the pack, you probably expect a bit more impact from him, especially when some of the younger forwards ended up outshining him.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

Round 7 sees the Warriors return to New Zealand to host the Titans, who looked impressive in their 52-10 victory over the Eels in Round 6.

Regarding the team I’d pick, I know players are coming back from injury, and Andrew Webster will likely be tempted to bring them straight back in. But if it isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it. We’ve already seen that approach cause issues earlier this season, so I’d be keeping the same side that took the field in this match.

The Titans have been an interesting watch this season. Outside of a 50–10 loss to the Sharks in Round 1, they’ve stayed competitive in all their defeats. On their day, they’re one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the competition, but their defence remains their main issue. While it has improved this year, there are still clear weaknesses to target. On top of that, they’ve had a knack for troubling the Warriors regardless of ladder position, so this is never a match you can go into too confidently.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they need to bring the same defensive intensity we saw against the Storm and wrap up ball carriers to stop the likes of Keano Kini, Jayden Campbell and Phillip Sami from getting into open space against a scrambling defensive line. With the ball in hand, they just need to stick with what has been working this year, roll up the middle, build pressure and target the Titans' edges. I think the Warriors will come into this match with the right mindset and will walk away with a 16-point victory.

So, that was a fantastic Round 6, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Would you make any changes to the lineup?

What did you think of Alofiana Khan-Pereira's Warriors debut?

What would you do with Metcalf?

What is your score prediction against the Titans?