NZ Warriors 2025 Round 10 Review: Warriors dig deep to seal nail-biting win over Dragons

After their Magic Round victory, the Warriors journeyed to WIN Stadium in Wollongong to face the Dragons, who went down 34-28 to the West Tigers at Magic Round.

Just like in Magic Round, the Warriors started strong and built a solid lead in the first half, going up 14-4. The Dragons fought back in the second half, but the Warriors held firm. A single field goal from Luke Metcalf was their only point after halftime, and it turned out to be the game-winner, securing a narrow 15-14 victory.

What Went Down

The Dragons kicked off the early pressure in this Warriors vs Dragons clash, but a run of penalties and set restarts handed momentum to the Warriors. Luke Metcalf made the most of this opportunity, spotting a gap in the Dragons' defence to stroll through and score the opening try in the 7th minute. A penalty goal shortly after in the 11th minute pushed the Warriors’ lead to 8-0.

The Warriors didn’t let up. With the Dragons’ defence still static, the Warriors set up another try when a cross-field kick was tapped back in the 15th minute. Taine Tuaupiki finished the play, giving the Warriors a 12-0 lead. Even though the conversion attempt was missed, another penalty goal at the 30-minute mark extended the Warriors’ advantage to 14-0.

The Dragons finally responded just before halftime. After some slick passing from Valentine Holmes, Clint Gutherson found space and scored in the 38th minute, cutting the lead to 14-4. Though the conversion was missed.

In the second half, the momentum shifted entirely. The Dragons gained ground quickly and reduced the Warriors’ lead to four points when Jack de Belin set up Dylan Egan for a try at the 48-minute mark. The Dragons were back in the game with the score now at 14-10. It didn’t take long for the Dragons to level things up, as Corey Allan pounced on a King-Toiga kick and crossed for a try in the 51st minute. The conversion was missed, but the score was now locked at 14-14.

The next 20 minutes were tense, with neither team able to land a knockout blow. But with just 10 minutes remaining, Luke Metcalf stepped up to deliver a surprise field goal, putting the Warriors in front 15-14. The Dragons had one last shot to reclaim the lead but missed their field goal attempt. As the clock ticked down, two late errors from the Dragons sealed the Warriors' hard-fought win, their fourth in a row.

My Thoughts

Well, that was another stressful watch.

First, I'm sorry for not posting a review last week for Magic Round. Life sometimes gets in the way.

If you’ve been following my blog or watching my show for a while, you’ll know I despise the Dragons. So any clash against them has me on edge, especially at WIN Stadium, where the Warriors have only won 3 out of 15 matches since 1995. Despite feeling confident the Warriors could keep their winning streak alive, I couldn’t shake the nerves.

And honestly, it felt like déjà vu from Magic Round. The Warriors started strong, built a decent lead, then let the momentum slip. The second half was mostly spent defending against a Dragons side that suddenly found life. But credit where it's due, the boys held firm and got the win.

With that result, the Warriors now sit outright 2nd on the NRL ladder, and if you'd told me this in the preseason, I wouldn’t have believed you.

It wasn’t a polished performance, but there were plenty of positives. The forward pack got through a mountain of work. Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita’s partnership continues to grow. And the young players in the squad are gaining critical NRL experience after being called upon to step up.

Andrew Webster admitted post-match that the team still isn’t at its best. There’s plenty to work on. But if you’re winning games without playing your best footy, that’s a great position to be in, as long as the improvement keeps coming.

The biggest difference from last year? This team rallies together. There’s a clear sense of belief, with each player backing the next. That unity shows up in tough moments, and it’s helping them grind out wins.

We still haven’t seen the Warriors at full strength, but with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris nearing returns, this team is poised to lock down a top-four spot.

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

Match Positives

The Warriors showed tenacity with their defence in the final stages, holding off a late push from the Dragons with strong, organised defence in the 20 minutes. Under pressure, they stayed focused and stuck to their structure, making key tackles and working together to stop several attacking sets. Despite only a slight lead, they remained calm and didn’t panic. If they can continue to handle pressure situations like this, it could cement them as a premiership threat.

The Warriors' forward pack set the tone through the middle with a powerful, no-nonsense performance. Mitch Barnett’s work rate and Erin Clark’s explosive runs led the charge, keeping the opposition on the back foot from the opening whistle.

Barnett, Clark, Leka Halasima, and Demitric Vaimauga cracked my triple-digit target, driving momentum and controlling territory. Their dominance up front created quick play-the-balls and strong ruck speed, making life easier for the halves and backs to create and capitalise.

It was a gritty, unified effort that highlighted just how crucial the pack is to the Warriors’ overall game plan.

Another tight tussle for the Warriors, though nerve-wracking for fans, is proving to be invaluable experience for the team in high-pressure situations. While we might be on the edge of our seats, watching with bated breath, these hard-fought battles are precisely what the Warriors need as they push toward a deep finals run. Each close encounter tests their composure, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure, skills that will be crucial when the stakes are even higher. While not always pretty, these moments shape a squad capable of thriving in the heat of playoff intensity.

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

Match Negatives

The Warriors struggled to convert possession into points, and the attack looked less threatening than it did at Magic Round. The forwards were doing the work up front, but there were phases where the halves and backs couldn't click. Changes in the lineup may explain the issue, but they will need to improve in that department, as scoring fewer tries than your opponent and still getting the win is rare. They have enough scoring threats; they just need to use them.

A few defensive lapses allowed the Dragons to take control, and as good as the Warriors' defence was at scrambling, they kept putting themselves in tough spots. Some missed communications on the edges created holes, and the Dragons targeted them constantly. This goes back to the changes in the lineup, perhaps breaking the cohesion, and needs to be worked on. Stay vocal, trust the man on either side of you in the defensive line, and close those holes.

The Warriors came out flat after halftime, allowing the Dragons to gain momentum and score a quick try, almost turning the tide in favour of the home team. They were able to drag them back into the grind, but against a better side, a slow start like that could end up costing them a match. It's easier said than done, but they need to hit the ground running and keep control of the tempo. 

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Mitch Barnett.

I have overlooked him most of this season for the simple fact that I expect him to consistently deliver, so I felt like he needed to finally get some recognition. Ran for 186 metres and made 47 tackles with only 3 misses. Has really found his groove as Captain of this side, and while his co-captain has been sidelined, he has taken up the load. Has to be in contention for an origin again this year, and it's thoroughly deserved.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

It was a tough return to the NRL for the prolific try scorer. He was visibly rusty but busy with the ball in hand, running for 130 metres. However, his hands and defence let him down. He made 5 errors and constantly pressured his teammates by rushing in from the wing too often. I'm fully confident he will improve this week now that the cobwebs have been blown away, and if the team can shift the ball his way, the tries will come.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 11, the Warriors remain on Australian soil to face the Dolphins, who defeated the Eels 20-16 in Round 10.

As for the team I'd select, Jackson Ford looks set to miss the match due to his failed HIA, but James Fisher-Harris may be ready to go, so if he gets the Dr's tick of approval, I am bringing him in. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also looks set to return, so I will bring him back. However, I'm stuck on where to put him. I don't like him as a centre, but with Kurt Capewell being used there due to injuries and Taine Tuaupiki having a decent campaign, I am tempted to put RTS in centre this week. Everyone else, I would keep.

The Dolphins have been a tricky team to predict this season. They started poorly, strung some wins together, including an impressive win over the Storm, before flicking between wins and losses. They were not convincing against the Eels but have a good side. Isaiya Katoa is continuing to develop into a star half, and with threats like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth, the edge defence will get a workout. 

The Warriors need to focus on a few key areas to beat the Dolphins. First, they must strengthen their defence to prevent the Dolphins’ quick playmakers from exploiting gaps and breaking through the line. Dominating the middle with strong forward runs and a precise kicking game will be essential for controlling field position. The Warriors should utilise their skill out wide in attack to stretch the Dolphins' defence. Discipline is also critical; avoiding penalties and turnovers will prevent the Dolphins from gaining momentum. I'm confident the Warriors can get the job done, so I am backing them to win by 10 points.

So, that was a stressful Round 10, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you think the Warriors are a finals contender?

Who was your man of the match?

How would you fix the Warriors' attack?

What is your score prediction against the Dolphins?