NZ Warriors 2026 Round 15 Review: Warriors Fall Short Again in Low-Scoring Grind

Fresh off their second bye of the year, the Warriors returned to Go Media Stadium for the first time in seven weeks to face the Sharks, who defeated the Dragons 34-12 in Round 14.

In a tight, low-scoring contest at Go Media Stadium, the Warriors were edged 10-8 by the Sharks in a game defined by defence, field position and late drama. After a slow start and trailing 8-0, the Warriors fought their way back into the contest and levelled the scores in a tense second half, with both sides locked in an arm-wrestle for momentum. Ultimately, a long-range Braydon Trindall field goal proved the difference, with Adam Pompey’s late penalty attempt drifting wide as the Sharks held on for a 10-8 victory.

What Went Down

The Sharks controlled the early stages and enjoyed most of the momentum, but despite opening the scoring through a penalty goal in the 20th minute after the Warriors failed to force a dropout before the shot clock expired, their attack lacked direction.

Cronulla extended their lead in the 24th minute after capitalising on a costly Warriors error. A loose offload from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak handed the Sharks possession in good field position, and they made the hosts pay when Jesse Ramien crossed for the opening try. Braydon Trindall added the extras to give the visitors an 8-0 advantage.

The momentum began to shift towards the Warriors, with Te Maire Martin producing a moment of individual brilliance in the 28th minute. Taking on the line himself, Martin sliced through to score, and Adam Pompey's conversion reduced the deficit to 8-6 at halftime.

The second half developed into a tense arm-wrestle, with both sides defending strongly and limiting attacking opportunities. Just after the hour mark, Pompey levelled the scores at 8-8 with a penalty goal after the Sharks were penalised for a late hit on the kicker. 

The Sharks looked set to regain control when a Warriors error handed them possession. A charged-down Trindall kick earned Cronulla another set, and a high tackle penalty soon had them deep in attacking territory. Trindall appeared ready to attempt a field goal, but an unexpected shift to Tanah Boyd ended the opportunity.

Both sides then squandered chances to break the deadlock. Trindall had a field goal attempt charged down, while Sifa Talakai threw an unnecessary offload that ricocheted off a teammate and went dead, gifting the Warriors a seven-tackle set. The Warriors threatened soon after, but the desperate Sharks' defence kept them out.

Will Kennedy then produced one of the plays of the match, diving to deny a Te Maire Martin field goal attempt. Moments later, with the Sharks' attack seemingly going nowhere, Trindall stepped up and nailed a 45-metre field goal to give Cronulla a 10-8 lead. 

The Warriors regained possession from the short kick-off and worked their way into attacking range. However, they were handed an even better opportunity when Sione Katoa gave away a penalty for hitting Chanel Harris-Tavita off the ball. Pompey had the chance to level the scores from the tee, but pushed the attempt wide, allowing the Sharks to hold on for a gritty 10-8 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, this one is going to sit in the frustrating category for the Warriors, because it was a game they were right in, but ultimately let slip in the smallest of margins. In a tight, low-scoring arm-wrestle, neither side really got on top for long periods, and it came down to execution in the key moments, and the Sharks were just a touch cleaner when it mattered most.

The Warriors had their chances to take control, but they just didn’t quite build enough pressure when they were on top. Defensively, they did enough to stay in the fight right through to the end, but in attack, they lacked that polish at crucial times, which meant they were often chasing the game rather than dictating it. In a match like this, those missed opportunities really stand out.

It wasn’t a lack of effort, though. Even when things weren’t flowing, they hung in there and gave themselves a real shot late, which says a lot about the competitiveness in this group. But against a Sharks side that’s more than happy to drag games into grinding contests, you can’t afford to be slightly off with your execution.

The context of the forward pack also has to be taken into account. Missing James Fisher-Harris, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell and Leka Halasima proved a step too far in a game like this. The young guys who came in worked hard and competed, but it just wasn’t at the same level of experience, control, or go-forward that the side usually relies on.

There’ll be some noise around a couple of calls, but that’s not really where this game was decided. The Warriors had enough opportunities to take control themselves, but too often their handling let them down, and they couldn’t build sustained pressure when it mattered.

As bitter as this defeat tastes, and you know the team will be hurting after losing both meetings against the Sharks this season, they just need to take the lessons they were dealt here, learn from them, and get back on track. At the end of the day, it’s another reminder of how fine the margins are in the NRL. The Warriors weren’t outplayed, but they were just out-executed at the key moments, and that was the difference.

There were a few things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

Despite spending long periods under pressure, especially in the first half, the Warriors’ defensive resilience kept them in the contest. The Sharks recorded 38 tackles inside the Warriors’ 20-metre zone and consistently built pressure through repeat sets and strong field position, but the Warriors still limited them to just one try in the entire match. With so much time spent defending their own line, that resistance was a major reason they stayed in the game right through to the final minutes. It’s the kind of defensive effort the Warriors will need to keep building on if they want to regularly compete in tight, high-pressure matches like this one.

At 8-0 down and struggling for momentum, the Warriors could have easily let the game slip away. Instead, they worked their way back into the contest, clawing it back to 8-8 and giving themselves a real chance of winning. The effort and resilience were clear, even if the execution wasn’t always sharp. And if they had been able to ice a couple more chances at key moments, it’s a game they probably would have walked away with. Still, there’s a bit of a confidence boost in the fact that against a similarly matched side, they were able to fight their way back into the contest even when things weren’t quite clicking.

There was also a great moment off the bench with the NRL debut of Makaia Tafua. While his game time was limited to just 16 minutes, he still showed plenty of promise in his short stint on the field. He finished with one carry for 8 metres, but it was his defensive work that stood out, making 12 tackles and missing just one. He looked composed out of dummy half, delivering quick and accurate service out of the ruck and handling the tempo of the game without looking out of place. In a tight, high-pressure contest, he showed he could hold his own at NRL level and gave a solid glimpse of what he could offer moving forward. With a real logjam forming in the hooker role alongside Wayde Egan and Sam Healey, Tafua’s performance suggests the club’s future in that position is in good hands and should keep Healey on his toes as competition for minutes heats up.

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

Match Negatives

Errors proved costly for the Warriors throughout the match, with 14 in total and a completion rate of just 79%, their second-lowest of the season. In a game as tight as this, those mistakes had a real impact on the flow of the contest, taking away attacking opportunities and relieving pressure on the Sharks at key moments. Every error either stopped the Warriors from building momentum or gave Cronulla easy field position when they were starting to feel the squeeze, and in a match decided by just two points, those moments proved decisive. Hopefully, this is just a blip, and they can refocus quickly and return to the low-error style of footy that has been a key part of their success this season.

With several key forwards missing through Origin and injury, the Warriors’ pack didn’t quite have its usual experience or control. While the effort was there, they struggled to consistently win the middle and build sustained pressure against a strong Sharks forward rotation. Only three forwards ran for over 100 metres: Tanner Stowers-Smith (137m), Erin Clark (124m), and Jackson Ford (108m), which highlights both the workload on a small group and the lack of overall dominance through the middle. In a tight, low-scoring game, that lack of control made it difficult for the Warriors to play on the front foot or build sustained pressure, as they couldn’t fully take over the ruck or generate momentum for long periods. With the pack unable to roll forward through the middle, they struggled to consistently get out of their own half, and the lack of a deep-kicking game made it even harder, leaving them stuck under pressure for extended periods. They need the big dogs back to restore that middle-field dominance and give the side the platform to play on the front foot again.

The attack never really looked comfortable, which is the biggest concern from this performance. Across the match, the Warriors looked clunky, lacked direction, and struggled to consistently create genuine attacking opportunities. Outside of Martin’s try, clear-cut chances were hard to come by, and too often their sets broke down before they could build pressure on the Sharks’ line. It was a clear example of how difficult things become when they aren’t winning the middle, as without that forward platform, there simply wasn’t enough strike or game-breaking ability elsewhere in the side to take control or generate points when they were stuck on the back foot, which showed in this grinding contest where the attack never quite found rhythm.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Wayde Egan.

Egan was solid through the middle in a tough night for the Warriors, finishing with 5 runs for 66 metres, 1 line break and 2 tackle breaks, while also getting through a strong defensive workload of 43 tackles with just 3 misses. He didn’t record any errors or penalties, which helped keep things steady in a tight contest, and having an experienced head in the middle was important given the circumstances. If there’s a small area for improvement, it’s around the leadership side of his game, particularly his communication with the officials, as at times he struggled to get his point across to referee Gerard Sutton. However, that’s something he should grow into as he becomes more comfortable in the captaincy role when James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett are out.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Adam Pompey.

Despite the loss, I actually struggled to pick a player on my Warriors to improve this week, which probably says a lot about the team's overall effort. In the end, I landed on Adam Pompey, although not solely because of the missed penalty goal that could have forced golden point. His overall numbers were reasonable, finishing with 11 runs for 89 metres, 16 tackles, 3 misses, one error, and one penalty conceded. He certainly wasn't terrible, but from where I was sitting in the Stands, he just seemed a step behind those around him for much of the night. That may be a harsh assessment, and I could be completely off the mark. Still, with the Warriors currently dealing with injuries in the outside backs, they need experienced players like Pompey to find another level and help fill the void left by those missing from the side.

Round 16 Thoughts and Predictions

In Round 16, the Warriors head down to Christchurch to host the Cowboys, who had a bye in Round 15, in the new One NZ Stadium. 

As for the team I’d pick, the Warriors have confirmed that James Fisher-Harris won’t return until Round 19, while Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s injury doesn’t appear serious enough to keep him sidelined any longer. There’s still no update on Leka Halasima, though.

I know Andrew Webster usually gives Origin players a rest, but the forward pack needs reinforcement. I’d bring Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell straight back into the side. Barnett would start at prop, and Capewell would replace Marata Niukore in the back row. Those changes would mean reshuffling the bench, with either Kayliss Fatialofa or Jason Salalilo making way and Tanner Stowers-Smith moving back to the bench.

The Cowboys have been one of the bigger surprises of the season for me. Before the year began, I had them pegged as a team likely to battle for the wooden spoon, but they have exceeded those expectations and now sit just outside the top eight with an 8-6 record.

That said, their form heading into this match raises some questions. They are coming off back-to-back losses, falling 26-12 to the Raiders before losing 40-14 to the Dolphins. At their best, the Cowboys have shown they can compete with quality opposition, but defensive lapses and handling errors have hurt them throughout the season. While they have their flaws, they are still a dangerous side that can cause problems if given the opportunity, so the Warriors cannot afford to take them lightly.

For the Warriors to get the win here, the focus has to be on discipline and execution. They’ll need to cut out the silly errors that have cost them this week, build momentum through the middle with their forward pack, and then shift the ball out wide to exploit the Cowboys’ vulnerable edge defence. After back-to-back narrow two-point defeats, and with this being their first game at the new stadium in Christchurch, this is the perfect opportunity for a statement performance. The Warriors need to reassert themselves in the premiership conversation, and I expect them to rise to the occasion. I’m backing them to get the job done comfortably, winning by 18 points.

So, that was a disheartening Round 15, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who stood out to you as the Warriors’ best player despite the defeat?

What did you think of Makia Tafua's debut?

Would you get the Origin players to back up this week?

What is your score prediction against the Cowboys?

NZ Warriors 2026 Mid-Season Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

With the Warriors enjoying their second bye of the season in Round 14, I have no match to review, so I thought it was the best time to write my mid-season review.

I came into the 2026 season cautiously optimistic. In my season preview, I predicted the Warriors would finish sixth, believing that if they could pick up a few wins early, stay relatively healthy, and build momentum before Luke Metcalf returned, they would give themselves every chance of playing finals footy. What I didn't expect was for them to completely blow those expectations out of the water.

Rather than simply surviving without Metcalf, the Warriors flourished. Tanah Boyd grabbed his opportunity with both hands, made the No. 7 jersey his own, and helped steer the team through a remarkable run of form. Fourteen rounds into the season, the Warriors sit second on the ladder with nine wins from twelve matches, 22 competition points, and an impressive +154 points differential. It's not just that they're winning games; they're consistently proving they belong among the NRL's genuine premiership contenders.

One of the biggest differences between this year's side and the team we saw in 2025 has been their ability to score points. Last season, the Warriors won 13 games, but only five of those victories came by 13 points or more, with many of their wins turning into tense, grind-it-out affairs. This year, they've become far more ruthless when opportunities present themselves. Seven of thier nine wins have been by 13 points or more, highlighting a team that is not only creating chances but consistently converting them into scoreboard pressure. That improved attacking efficiency has allowed the Warriors to take control of games, build healthy margins, and ultimately put themselves in control of thier own destiny.

Sticking with the format I’ve used over the past few seasons, I’ll break this review down into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Then I’ll wrap things up with a look ahead to the second half of the season, update my Player of the Year tally, and give my prediction for the Sharks clash in Round 15.

So, let's just get into it.

The Good

One of the biggest positives in the Warriors’ season so far has been their improved discipline and lower error rate. They currently lead the competition for the fewest errors (119) and sit top of the league with an 84% completion rate. That level of control has been key to building and sustaining momentum, especially in tight games where possession is crucial.

What really stands out is how that control is now translating on the field. In past seasons, high completion rates didn’t always lead to points, but this year there’s a much clearer link between completed sets and sustained pressure. The Warriors are turning possession into repeat sets, forcing mistakes, and consistently building scoreboard pressure. That discipline has also taken pressure off their defence, allowing them to defend from stronger, more controlled positions rather than constantly scrambling to recover from avoidable errors.

A key reason behind the Warriors’ success this season has been the strength of their forward pack. Their ability to consistently win the middle has set the platform for everything else, with the pack driving standards through effort, physicality, and high work rate. 

That effort has been led by Jackson Ford, who has run for 2,093 metres, including 872 post-contact metres, and made 514 tackles at 93.6% efficiency. James Fisher-Harris has been just as important, adding 1,728 running metres (670 post-contact) and 379 tackles at the same 93.6% efficiency, bringing strong leadership and real presence through the middle. Erin Clark has also been a standout, with 1,659 running metres (607 post-contact) and 328 tackles at an excellent 96.8% efficiency, underlining his consistency on both sides of the ball. Crucially, this dominance hasn’t just come from the established forwards. Younger players like Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban, and Tanner Stowers-Smith have all contributed by doing the tough work and maintaining momentum when the starters rotate off. Their involvement has ensured there’s no drop in intensity, keeping the team moving forward at all times.

Together, this group has formed the backbone of the side, allowing the Warriors to consistently compete and often win the physical battle up front, which has been the foundation of their season.

One of the biggest success stories of the Warriors’ 2026 season has been the emergence of Tanah Boyd, whose outstanding campaign was unfortunately cut short by an ACL injury. In just 10 appearances, Boyd scored three tries, kicked 40 goals, averaged 486 kicking metres and 64 running metres per game, while also producing 10 try assists and nine line break assists. Although his goal-kicking accuracy of 70.2% left room for improvement, his overall impact on the team's attack was impossible to ignore.

What makes Boyd’s rise even more impressive is where he stood at the end of last season. After activating his player option despite being told he would likely spend most of the year in reserve grade unless injuries opened a door, many questioned the decision. When that opportunity finally came, Boyd made the most of it. He quickly established himself as the side’s chief organiser, helped guide the Warriors to a strong start to the season, and earned a new contract along the way. Boyd may not have the flashy highlights or natural flair of some of the halves the Warriors have relied on in recent years, but what he brought was arguably more important: consistency, composure, and control. Week after week, he directed the team around the park, made smart decisions, and allowed those around him to play their roles. After years of searching for the right combination in the halves, the Warriors may have discovered that steady and dependable is exactly what they needed.

My game of the year so far was the Warriors’ most recent match, the heartbreaking 20-18 loss to the Panthers. It was everything you could want from a clash between the top two teams on the ladder. The intensity was there from the opening whistle, the physical battle never let up, and it had all the hallmarks of a finals match despite being played in June. While the Warriors fell just short, the performance only strengthened my belief that this side belongs among the NRL’s elite. They matched Penrith across the park and created enough opportunities to come away with the win.

What made the contest so memorable was the quality of football on display. Every set carried weight, every defensive stand felt crucial, and there was almost nothing separating the two teams. The Warriors showed they can go toe-to-toe with a side many still view as the benchmark of the competition.

Despite the disappointment of the result, there should be plenty of confidence taken from the performance. The effort, intensity, and execution were all there, and the lessons learned from this defeat could prove invaluable when these sides meet again later in the season, particularly if they cross paths in the finals.

The Bad

One area where the Warriors can still improve is reducing their reliance on forward dominance. When the pack is winning the middle and generating quick play-the-balls, the Warriors look like one of the most dangerous teams in the competition. But when opposition forward packs have been able to match them physically or slow their momentum, the attack has sometimes struggled to find another gear.

The losses to the Tigers and Sharks highlighted this clearly. In both games, the Warriors were unable to consistently win the middle battle, and as a result, their attack became more predictable and struggled to build pressure or points.

While a strong forward platform is the foundation of any successful side, developing more variation and attacking threats when that platform isn’t there could be the key to taking this team to another level in the second half of the season.

Goal kicking is one area that hasn’t cost the Warriors a match yet, but it is becoming an ongoing concern that could prove costly in tighter contests later in the season. Overall, their goal-kicking has been inconsistent, with the main kickers producing mixed results.

Tanah Boyd has landed 40 goals at a 70.2% success rate, which is below his usual standard, while Chanel Harris-Tavita has kicked 5 from 8 at 62.5%. At the NRL level, where margins are often razor-thin, those numbers leave plenty of room for improvement.

There have, however, been some encouraging alternatives. Taine Tuaupiki has impressed with 6 goals at 85.7%, while Adam Pompey has been flawless so far, converting all 3 of his attempts. Both have shown they can provide greater reliability when turning four points into six, and as the season progresses, the Warriors may need to lean more on their higher-percentage options to avoid leaving points on the field in key moments.

One area the Warriors still need to tidy up is their defence against second-phase play. Their structured system is generally strong when set, but it can be exposed when opposition teams extend sets through offloads, broken play, or late-arriving support runners. In those moments, the defensive line can lose its shape, forcing players into reactive decisions rather than controlled reads.

This has shown up at different points this season, where strong initial contact hasn’t always resulted in completed tackles, allowing opponents to build extra metres and momentum. That said, it is fair to note this is partly nitpicking, as their scramble defence often does a good job of cleaning up and limiting damage. Still, when it breaks down, it can quickly shift momentum and put the Warriors under sustained pressure. Tightening up around the ruck and finishing defensive sets more cleanly will be important, particularly against top sides who are most dangerous when given extra space and time.

The Warriors’ Round 4 32-14 loss to the Wests Tigers was one of their more disappointing performances of the season so far. They started strongly, racing to an early 10-0 lead, but once momentum shifted, they struggled to regain control. From there, the game gradually slipped away, with errors creeping in, defensive structure breaking down, and the Tigers building confidence as the contest opened up. What made it particularly frustrating was that the match felt like it was there for the taking early on. The Warriors had built pressure and looked in control, but couldn’t manage the game once things began to swing. Instead of slowing the tempo and re-establishing their structure, the game sped up around them, allowing the Tigers to play with freedom and find space. In hindsight, it served as an important early-season reminder of the standards required each week. While the Warriors had started the year strongly, this performance highlighted the danger of lapses in concentration and the importance of maintaining control for the full 80 minutes, regardless of the scoreboard.

And now all that's left is the ugly.

The Ugly

The injury to Tanah Boyd was one of the defining low points of the Warriors’ season and a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the NRL can be. After a career-best start and finally locking down the role of chief organiser, his momentum was cut short by an ACL injury that ended his campaign just as he was taking full control of the team’s attack. His form had also helped shape the club’s wider direction, influencing key roster decisions, most notably Luke Metcalf choosing to move on rather than compete for the halfback role Boyd had made his own. In many ways, Boyd wasn’t just performing well; he was actively reshaping the future of the Warriors’ spine. Seeing that progress halted so suddenly only adds to the frustration, especially given the club’s recent run of serious injuries. Just when stability in the halves looked like it had finally been found, the game once again delivered a reminder that both momentum and long-term planning can be taken away in an instant.

The season-ending ACL injury to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was another major setback for the Warriors, coming not long after the loss of Tanah Boyd for the year. In what was meant to be his final season in the famous jersey, RTS deserved a far better farewell than this.

A true club great, he leaves behind a legacy few can match, a Dally M Medal winner, a four-time Simon Mannering Medallist, and one of the most influential players in Warriors history. Beyond the accolades, his impact both on and off the field helped define an era of the club.

His final chapter had also started to take shape after his move into the centres, where he was finding his rhythm and building a strong partnership with Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the left edge. That combination was growing in confidence each week and adding a dangerous new attacking outlet at an important point in the season. Instead, injury has cut it short, ending his campaign prematurely and denying both him and fans the ending he deserved. It’s another reminder that in rugby league, while the stories are often romantic in hindsight, you rarely get to choose how they finish.

This is admittedly a bit of a selfish one, but I’ve really missed having the Warriors at Mount Smart recently. The team is just at the end of seven straight weeks without playing at their true home ground. Even allowing for “home” games in Wellington and Brisbane, plus two byes, it just feels like a very long wait between games in Auckland, and they had a similar situation last season, too. I completely understand why the club takes games on the road. It helps grow the game, reaches different fan bases, and events like Magic Round come with clear benefits. But as someone who enjoys getting to games whenever possible, it’s hard not to wish there had been a few more opportunities to watch the team at home.

The Season so far and what's next

Overall, the Warriors have exceeded my expectations this season to date. The Ladder is still tight, like it is most years, but the Warriors are sitting second place with 9 wins and 3 losses, but are only two points ahead of the third-place Roosters and four points ahead of the fourth-place Sea Eagles, so that spot is not guaranteed and the Warriors will have to keep their foot down and keep those wins coming. 

While there are still areas for improvement, particularly around defending second-phase play, goal-kicking consistency, and turning periods of dominance into points, the Warriors have built a strong platform through the first half of the season. Their forward pack has been among the best in the competition, while players such as Jackson Ford and Chanel Harris-Tavita are producing some of the finest football of their careers. Even with the season-ending injuries to Tanah Boyd and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the side has shown it has the depth, resilience, and belief needed to overcome adversity.

More importantly, the Warriors have proven they can match it with the NRL’s best. Their recent performance against Penrith reinforced that they belong in the premiership conversation. If they can continue building on their strengths while addressing the areas that need refining, there is every reason to believe this team can make a deep run into September.

Looking at the second half of the season, the Warriors have 12 matches remaining, along with one final bye. Sitting near the top of the ladder, they are in a strong position, but there is still plenty of work to do if they want to secure a top-two finish and put themselves in the best possible position for the finals. The Warriors have six home games left, although one of those will be played in Christchurch. The standout fixture is the Round 23 rematch against the Panthers, a game that could have a major impact on both the top-four race and the premiership picture. They also have six away games remaining, including a challenging trip to Suncorp Stadium in Round 24 for their second clash with the Broncos at that venue this season.

As of writing, their final 12 opponents are evenly split between six teams currently inside the top eight and six outside it. On paper, it looks like a balanced run home, but the NRL rarely offers easy games. Several lower-ranked teams have already shown they can upset quality opposition, and the Warriors experienced that firsthand against the Tigers earlier in the year.

If they can maintain the standards they have set through the first half of the season and continue building on their strong foundation, they will give themselves every chance of making a genuine push for the premiership.

Update on Brad's Player of the Year Standings

After every match, I award Dally M-style 3, 2, and 1 points to the Warriors' best performers, and with 14 rounds now in the books, the race for my Player of the Year award is beginning to take shape.

Sixteen different players have collected points so far this season, highlighting the contributions being made right across the squad. 

Jackson Ford currently leads the way on 13 points after a career-best campaign, while Taine Tuaupiki sits second on 9 points. Tanah Boyd, Erin Clark, and James Fisher-Harris are locked together on 8 points, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck close behind on 6 despite his season-ending injury. 

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sits on 5 points, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jacob Laban have collected 3 points each. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Alofiana Khan-Pereira are next on 2 points, with Leka Halasima, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Mitchell Barnett, and Te Maire Martin all picking up a point during the opening 14 rounds.

On the other side of the ledger, I also keep track of the players I select each week as needing to improve. Fortunately for the Warriors, that list has remained relatively short throughout the season. Just seven players have featured so far, with Leka Halasima and Ali Leiataua the only ones selected on multiple occasions, each receiving two selections.

The remaining players to make the list are Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marata Niukore, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, and Demitric Vaimauga, who have all been selected once. Perhaps the most telling statistic, however, is that on three occasions this season I haven't been able to nominate anyone at all, reflecting the consistently high standards the Warriors have maintained through the opening 14 rounds.

Next Round's Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 15, the Warriors return home to face the Sharks, who defeated the Dragons 34-12 in Round 14.

As for the team I would pick, Sam Healey has been ruled out with a thumb injury, and with no further update on Leka Halasima's hamstring issue, I'm assuming he won't be available either.

I would bring Kurt Capewell into the starting side in place of Halasima and promote Makaia Tafua to replace Healey. The only other change I'd make is bringing Mitchell Barnett back onto the bench in place of Marata Niukore.

I know Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is ready to return, but it's impossible to leave Taine Tuaupiki out of the side based on his recent form. The Warriors also need Adam Pompey's goalkicking, which means the only realistic spot for CNK would be Ali Leiataua's. Personally, I'd rather give Leiataua a chance to bounce back after a tough outing and let CNK get a game in NSW Cup to regain match fitness before returning to first grade.

The Sharks have been one of the hardest teams to figure out this season. At their best, they can trouble anyone, as the Warriors found out in Round 5 and the Sea Eagles did in Round 13. However, they have also let several winnable games slip away, which is why I've often labelled them flat-track bullies. When they get on top, their attack can be dangerous, but they haven't always handled pressure well when games become a grind.

For the Warriors, the formula is fairly simple. They need to win the battle through the middle, control possession, and build sustained pressure. If their pack can dominate the ruck and create quick play-the-balls, it will give their spine every chance to take control. The return to Auckland should also provide a boost, with this being the team's first home game in seven weeks. I don't expect it to be easy, but if the Warriors bring the same intensity they've shown for most of the season, I think they can gain some revenge for the earlier loss and get the job done by at least 12 points.

So that was my mid-season review, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who has been your player of the year to date?

Who is your player that needs to improve the most?

Where do you see the Warriors finishing on the ladder?

What are your best and worst games for the Season so far?

What is your score prediction against the Sharks?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 13 Review: Warriors Rue Missed Chance Against Panthers

Fresh off their win over the Dragons in Round 12, the Warriors remained in Australia for their fourth match in a row to face the Panthers, who had a Bye in Round 12.

In a tight contest at CommBank Stadium, the Warriors pushed Penrith all the way but fell just short in a 20-18 thriller. After trailing 16-6 at halftime, the Warriors fought back strongly in the second half to briefly hit the lead, before the game turned into a tense arm-wrestle full of momentum swings, desperate defence and missed chances, with Penrith striking late to seal the win.

What Went Down

Penrith made the early running and were rewarded in the sixth minute. A penalty and set restart gave the Panthers field position, and Casey McLean crossed on the left edge after Ali Leiataua rushed in off his wing. Paul Alamoti missed the conversion, but Penrith continued to control territory and possession.

The Warriors worked their way back into the contest and struck in the 17th minute when Jacob Laban leapt above McLean to claim a perfectly placed kick. Adam Pompey's conversion gave the visitors a 6-4 lead.

The Panthers responded before halftime. McLean grabbed his second try in the 31st minute after another well-weighted kick found his wing, with Alamoti converting to restore Penrith's advantage at 10-6. The Warriors then lost a captain's challenge, and Penrith capitalised almost immediately. Slick hands to the right created space for Alamoti to score in the corner, and he added the difficult conversion to send the Panthers into the sheds leading 16-6.

The Warriors emerged from halftime with far greater energy and intent. Chanel Harris-Tavita went close before Taine Tuaupiki finished off a sweeping attacking movement in the 54th minute. Pompey's conversion reduced the deficit to six points, and moments later the visitors struck again. Te Maire Martin's kick caused chaos when Alamoti slipped, allowing Alofiana Khan-Pereira to pounce on the loose ball and level the scores. Pompey's conversion put the Warriors in front 18-16 with 20 minutes remaining. From there, the match became a tense arm wrestle. Dylan Edwards produced a remarkable ankle tap on Laban to prevent a certain try, while Leiataua answered with a try-saving tackle on Edwards at the other end. Penrith continued to build pressure and eventually found a way through in the 70th minute, with Alamoti finishing a scrappy but effective shift to the right for his second try of the night. He missed the conversion, leaving the Panthers ahead by just two points.

The Warriors had opportunities to steal the game late. A potential try to Jackson Ford was ruled a double knock-on, and a high kick earned them a fresh set inside the final three minutes. However, Tuaupiki lost possession with 90 seconds remaining, allowing Penrith to see out the match and secure a hard-fought 20-18 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, this was always going to be a real measuring stick for the Warriors, and in many ways, it showed exactly where they sit against the NRL’s best. They didn’t get the win, but they also didn’t look out of place against Penrith, which feels like a step forward compared to previous meetings. It was a game shaped by momentum swings, fine margins, and moments where the Warriors were right in it but just couldn’t land the decisive blow.

They had me worried at half-time, but there was plenty of determination in the way they fought their way back into the contest. At one stage, they had real control and had Penrith on the ropes, which speaks to the belief and resilience building in this group. The frustration is that they had chances to push further ahead but weren’t quite clinical enough to put the game to bed. Both sides played the high-completion footy we’ve come to expect this season, with the Panthers finishing at 92% and the Warriors at 89%. That made it even tougher for the Warriors to capitalise on pressure, because Penrith simply didn’t hand over many errors.

There were moments where the Warriors could have really taken control, but they couldn’t quite execute in the red zone. A few questionable last-play options left plenty of what-ifs. The forward pack more than held its own through the middle and gave the backs a platform to create opportunities; they just needed to finish more of them. Against the top teams, those small margins are often the difference, and it showed here.

It’s also worth noting the context of both line-ups, which has come up a lot with the Pundits across the ditch. Penrith were without Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o, while the Warriors were missing their first-choice half in Tanah Boyd, along with Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. In that sense, the disruption probably evened itself out across both sides.

In the end, it’s frustrating because the Warriors were right there, but it's also another clear sign of progress. They’re no longer being overrun by Penrith; they’re matching them for long stretches and creating genuine chances to win. The next step is turning those moments into 80-minute performances and closing out games like this. 

Despite the loss, this should be a real confidence booster for the squad. They showed up and put in a huge effort in what felt like a finals-type matchup, and the lessons taken from this defeat should push them to another level when these two sides meet again in Round 23.

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

Match Positives

A lot of teams crumble against Penrith after conceding late tries before halftime, but the Warriors did the opposite here and completely flipped the momentum after the break. They came out with far more intent, lifted their physicality through the middle, and turned territory and pressure into points, scoring 12 unanswered to take an 18-16 lead. For a period, they didn’t just stay in the contest; they looked like the side in control and had Penrith scrambling to respond. However, there’s a lesson in what followed. They had a couple of chances to really ice the game and build scoreboard pressure, but weren’t quite clinical enough to put it away against a side like Penrith. Against the very best, those moments matter, and this game showed how quickly momentum can swing back when you don’t fully capitalise. Even so, the comeback itself highlighted real resilience and belief in this group.

A 89% completion rate against a Penrith side that thrives on forcing errors is no small achievement, and it really underpinned the Warriors’ ability to stay in this contest for as long as they did. They played with patience, built their sets properly, and avoided the sort of unforced errors that usually give Penrith easy field position and momentum. That discipline allowed them to apply pressure of their own and stick to a game plan that kept them right in the arm wrestle. Against a team like the Panthers, that level of control is exactly what you need to be competitive, even if it ultimately wasn’t quite enough to get the win.

Even without Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell backing up, the Warriors more than held their own physically through the middle against one of the toughest packs in the competition. They stayed in the contest with Penrith’s forwards rather than being overrun, which is no small feat in a game of this intensity. Erin Clark led the way with 164 metres, while Jackson Ford was immense again with 135 metres and 51 tackles, underlining just how much work was being done in the middle. Jacob Laban also continued his breakout season with another strong contribution. Overall, the forward pack refused to be intimidated and consistently gave the spine and edge players a platform to compete right until the final whistle, and that was great to see in what was this pack’s toughest assignment of the season to date.

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

Match Negatives

My biggest concern was the Warriors' issues converting pressure into points, as this was probably the defining difference in the match. They had long periods where they looked the better side, but didn’t always come away with anything on the scoreboard. Against Penrith, those wasted opportunities almost always come back to hurt you, and this game was no exception. The match ultimately swung on a handful of key moments, including the lost captain’s challenge that led to a Panthers try, the Jackson Ford no-try, a late error from Taine Tuaupiki, and a couple of other missed attacking chances when the game was there to be taken. At this level, the margin between winning and losing is razor-thin, and the Warriors found out just how costly those small lapses can be against elite opposition.

Flowing on from that first concern around converting pressure into points, their red-zone efficiency was another key issue, as the Warriors worked themselves into strong attacking positions multiple times but didn’t always come away with points or even force repeat sets. Against a side like Penrith, those moments inside the 20 become crucial, and any hesitation or lack of execution is usually punished. There were also a few moments where a grubber into the in-goal looked like the right option but wasn’t used, which was slightly perplexing given it’s one of Te Maire Martin’s strengths and could have added another layer to their attacking threat in those situations. Too often, the set would end with a handling error, a last-tackle option that didn’t quite land, or a lack of pressure applied back onto the Panthers. In a game decided by just two points, those missed opportunities in the red zone ultimately became the difference between winning and losing.

This is kind of the same thing I’ve already mentioned in my first two negatives, but it really comes back to being more ruthless against the NRL’s best. And while it sounds harsh, given how well they played, premiership contenders take those chances when they come. The Warriors showed they absolutely belong in the same conversation as Penrith, pushing them right to the brink in a high-quality contest. However, the difference at this level is turning those strong performances into wins rather than brave losses. Games like this are often decided by a handful of moments, and the best sides consistently find a way to take control of them when it matters most.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Taine Tuaupiki.

Tuaupiki was a real standout for the Warriors, finishing with 228 running metres and consistently providing spark every time he touched the ball. He was dangerous on kick returns, including a massive break that swung momentum the Warriors' way, broke the line once, and produced 10 tackle breaks that kept Penrith’s defence under constant pressure. His footwork and energy made him one of the most threatening players on the field, especially when the Warriors were building momentum. That said, there were a couple of moments late where he went himself instead of passing with support available, and a costly error in the dying stages when the Warriors were chasing a match-winning play. Even so, he is clearly growing into the fullback role and finding real confidence there, and on current form, he should be trusted to hold that spot for the rest of the campaign.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Ali Leiataua.

Leiataua had a mixed night for the Warriors, with some strong moments in possession but also plenty to work on. He made 8 tackle breaks, showing his strength and ability to challenge the defence, but only ran for 70 metres overall, which suggests he wasn’t able to consistently turn that into meaningful yardage. Discipline was also an issue, with two penalties conceded, including one that cost the Warriors a try in a key attacking position. Defensively, he looked at sea in the first half against Casey McLean, struggling with positioning and reads as Penrith targeted his edge. To his credit, there was improvement after halftime, which is a positive sign of his ability to respond in-game, but overall it was a tough outing that highlighted both his potential and the areas he still needs to tighten up.

Bye Round Thoughts

In Round 14, the Warriors get their second Bye of the season, adding another vital two points, keeping them entrenched in the top four. It is also a chance for the squad to rest up from niggling injuries and use the week off to refocus and prepare for the Sharks in Round 15, their first game at Mount Smart since Round 7.

With no game next week, I’ll be putting together a mid-season review. I’ll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2026 season so far, and also share my thoughts on the upcoming Round 14 match against the Sharks. It’ll be a good chance to reflect on what’s happened so far. Keep an eye out for it next Monday.

So, that was a heartbreaking Round 13, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who has been your Warrior of the season so far?

Did you have a player to improve?

Would you stick with Te Maire Martin at 7?

What grade would you give the Warriors' season so far?