NZ Warriors 2025 Round 26 Review: Self-Inflicted Wounds Sink Warriors Against Eels

After their Round 25 win over the Titans, the Warriors returned home for the final time in the 2025 regular season to host the Eels, who scored a massive 30-10 upset over the Roosters in Round 25.

The Eels took charge early with sharp counterattacking plays. However, the Warriors nearly stole victory with a late surge, but a bunker call left the sellout crowd shattered as they went down 26-22.

What Went Down

Parramatta struck first in the 3rd minute when Josh Addo-Carr gathered a loose ball in the in-goal and ran 105 metres to score. Zac Lomax converted for a 6-0 lead. The Eels extended their advantage in the 15th minute through Jack Williams after another kick defusal, with Lomax again adding the extras to make it 12-0. The Warriors responded in the 19th minute, as Chanel Harris-Tavita created space for Adam Pompey to score in the corner. Tanah Boyd was unable to convert, leaving the margin at 12-4. Both teams were guilty of errors late in the half, and Parramatta went into the break ahead.

The Eels resumed control early in the second half. A successful captain’s challenge gave them a penalty in the 47th minute, which Lomax converted for a 14-4 lead. Two quick tries from Isaiah Iongi followed, first in the 49th minute after finishing off a flick pass from Kelma Tuilagi, then again in the 63rd minute when he backed up a Junior Paulo offload. Lomax converted both, pushing the score out to 26-4.

The Warriors began their comeback in the 55th minute when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finished off his own movement in the corner, with Boyd converting to reduce the deficit. In the 60th minute, Leka Halasima climbed above Sean Russell to score, and just 10 minutes later, in the 70th, he powered over for his second. Boyd added both conversions, bringing the score to 26-22.

The Warriors thought they had taken the lead in the 74th minute when Adam Pompey crossed again after Demitric Vaimauga tapped back a kick, but the bunker ruled Vaimauga had knocked it on. Parramatta held on through the final stages to secure the win 26-22, leaving the Warriors' top-four finish now out of their own hands.

My Thoughts

Well, that match was a real rollercoaster. I went into the stadium confident the Warriors could get the job done, but I couldn’t shake a bit of doubt after watching how well the Eels played against the Roosters the week before. A quick catch-up and drink with Will and Brad from This Warriors Life helped ease the nerves, but it didn’t last long. Just minutes into the game, Josh Addo-Carr flew down the sideline right past my seat to score, and I had a sinking feeling we were in for a tough night.

The Warriors looked clunky and slow, with little spark in attack. In defence, they were just hanging on. 

By halftime, the game felt almost gone, but to their credit, the Warriors came out with more fire in the second half and clawed their way back. They got within a try, only to concede a soft one to the Eels. Then they hit back again, setting up the biggest talking point of the night.

Demitric Vaimauga leapt for a bomb, the ball spilled, and Adam Pompey scooped it up to score what looked like the match-winner. The crowd went wild—until the bunker stepped in. From my seat, it looked like a clear try. Watching the replay at home later, you could just see the ball brush Vaimauga’s fingertips forward, though to me the footage wasn’t conclusive enough to overturn the on-field call.

Moments like that sting, especially since the Eels seemed to get away with a few knock-ons that weren’t called. But truthfully, the Warriors just weren’t good enough on the night. That’s been the story too often in the back half of the 2025 season, and it might cost them a top-four finish. There’s still a chance if they win this week and both the Broncos and Sharks lose, but since Luke Metcalf’s injury, the Warriors have been running on fumes.

That said, I didn’t even have them in my top eight at the start of the season, so the fact they’re in the finals at all is an achievement. It just doesn’t feel great right now. Still, finals footy is a different beast; anything can happen if they find their spark. Fingers crossed they can go on a run.

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

Match Positives

The Warriors showed plenty of fight in the second half, coming back from a 12-4 halftime deficit and nearly stealing the win in the final ten minutes. If they had played with the same intensity in the first half, they could easily have taken the result. It’s a reminder that for finals football, they need to stay focused and committed for the full 80 minutes, or they won’t last long.

Playing in a tense, pressure-filled match gave the Warriors valuable finals experience ahead of September, although I may be overreaching a little. It showed them what finals football will be like, but also highlighted areas for improvement, especially in decision-making, which will require attention this week. Matches like this give the team a clear idea of what works and what still needs fixing before the big games.

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

Match Negatives

Once again, errors continue to plague the Warriors, making 11 in this match. These mistakes handed the Eels extra possession and momentum, disrupted the Warriors’ rhythm, and played a big part in why they couldn’t pull ahead. Showing respect for the ball will be crucial in finals football, as the Warriors cannot afford to give 10 or more free sets to any opposition if they want to compete at that level.

The Warriors too often relied on individual moments rather than cohesive team play, with too many attacking opportunities built around Tuivasa-Sheck or Halasima. While having gamebreakers can be the difference between winning and losing, if the team can’t create chances elsewhere, they end up painting themselves into a corner, making their attack predictable and limiting their ability to consistently break through the Eels’ defence.

The Warriors’ lack of speed was exposed early in the match, with the first two Eels tries coming from counterattacks the length of the field. Speed has been a concern of mine since preseason, but hopefully the signings of Haizyn Mellars and the likes of Sio Kali can add some much-needed pace to first grade in 2026. Until then, getting back quickly in defence and preparing for counterattacks better will remain a key area the team needs to improve.

Warrior of the Match

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

There were a few options this week, but RTS gets the nod for the third week in a row, scoring another try, running for 299 metres, making two line breaks and eight tackle breaks. He has been the Warriors’ biggest attacking weapon over the past month, constantly breaking tackles, making metres, and finding the try-line. He’s been the one sparking their attack when others have struggled. If a few more of the backs can lift closer to his level, the Warriors could quickly turn things around and be a real threat heading into the finals.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve goes to Wayde Egan.

Defensively, he worked hard, leading the Warriors with 38 tackles and only three misses, but his influence with the ball was limited. He came up with two errors, failed to register a single run, and never really stamped his mark on the attack. After he left the field with an injury, the Warriors actually seemed to find more spark, with Te Maire Martin adding speed and variety around the ruck that helped ignite the comeback attempt. Egan has shown in the past that he can be a vital playmaker, but the Warriors need more from him, especially with the finals approaching.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 27, the Warriors make their way back across the ditch for the final time in the regular season to face the Sea Eagles, who defeated the Dragons 40-24 in Round 26.

For the team I'd pick, I'm unsure of Wayde Egan's condition, so I don't know if he is free to play or not. If he is out, I'm bringing Sam Healey in; that would be my only change, as it is too late in the season to make any more shuffling.

Manly has been up and down for much of the season, but over the past two weeks, they’ve started to build some momentum. Their finals hopes are slim, but a win here, along with a bit of luck from other results, could keep them alive. On top of that, it’s Daly Cherry-Evans final home game for Manly, so I expect them to throw everything at it to send him out on a high.

For the Warriors to win, they need to cut down their errors and hold onto the ball better than they did against Parramatta. Winning the battle through the middle will be vital, as the Sea Eagles’ forwards can dominate if given a chance. In attack, they can’t rely only on Tuivasa-Sheck and Halasima; more players need to step up and share the load. Just as important will be shutting down Manly’s speedsters like Jason Saab, who can punish any lapse in defence. If the Warriors stay disciplined and play for the full 80 minutes, they’ll give themselves a strong chance of coming away with the win. 

While I hope I’m wrong, I just don’t think the Warriors will have enough to overcome a desperate Manly side, who will be fired up to win for DCE. So, unfortunately, I’m backing the Sea Eagles to take it by 10 points.

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

Is the Warriors’ form a warning sign for the finals, or just a minor setback?

Which aspect of the Warriors' game needs the biggest improvement?

Where do you think the Warriors will end up on the Ladder?

What is your score prediction against the Sea Eagles?