NZ Warriors 2026 Round 24 Review: Warriors Run Riot, Metcalf Injury Casts a Shadow

After their statement win over the Panthers in Round 23, the Warriors found themselves back across the ditch at Suncorp Stadium to face a Broncos side reeling from an embarrassing 40-32 defeat to the Dolphins, where they squandered a 24-0 lead.

The Warriors put on a dominant display in Brisbane, running out 40-6 winners in a performance that showcased just how dangerous this side can be heading into the finals. The only real sour note was another hamstring injury to Luke Metcalf, which took some of the shine off an otherwise outstanding night.

What Went Down

The Warriors made the most of their early field position, with Wayde Egan producing a brilliant pass to put Jacob Laban over in the eighth minute for the opening points. Chanel Harris-Tavita then continued his strong night, slicing through the Broncos' defence to stretch the lead to 10-0. Things took a turn when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle that ended Reece Walsh's night and could have an impact on his World Cup hopes. But being a man down didn't slow the Warriors down. In fact, they simply kept piling on the points, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira intercepting a pass in the 18th minute before racing 100 metres to score. The joy was short-lived, however, as Luke Metcalf appeared to reinjure his hamstring while converting Khan-Pereira's try. Harris-Tavita stepped up to take over the kicking and playmaking duties, adding two late penalty goals to give the Warriors a commanding 20-0 lead at halftime.

The second half was more of the same, with Nicoll-Klokstad returning from the sin bin and immediately making an impact. In the 46th minute, he soared above the Broncos to collect a Harris-Tavita bomb and score. Six minutes later, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak produced a contender for try of the year, pulling off an incredible acrobatic finish to extend the lead. Ali Leiataua then got in on the action in the 55th minute, doing it all himself with a brilliant solo effort.

The Broncos finally got on the scoreboard in the 61st minute when Xavier Willison powered his way through the Warriors' defence, but it did little to change the flow of the match. The Warriors were also denied a try to Sam Healey after Jaiyden Hunt was ruled to have been obstructed, creating the space for Nicoll-Klokstad to illegally capitalise.

Leka Halasima put the finishing touches on a memorable night with a try in the 77th minute, capping off a dominant performance in front of 38,916 supporters.

My Thoughts

Well, that was another statement.

After the way the Warriors dismantled Brisbane, it is getting harder to dismiss this team as simply having a good season. There were plenty of expectations heading into this game, but they still had a job to do, and they couldn't have been much more convincing. A 40-6 win away from home against a side with plenty of attacking weapons is exactly the sort of result you want to see with the finals getting closer.

What I liked most was how quickly the Warriors took control. They won the early field-position battle, put Brisbane under pressure and kept the points coming. Even when things didn't go their way, they responded without letting the Broncos back into the contest. Brisbane may have had a season to forget, and the Warriors were expected to win, but we have seen this team in previous years make these sorts of games far harder than they needed to be. This time, they did exactly what a genuine premiership contender should do.

Another thing that continues to impress me is the team's ability to adapt. Chanel Harris-Tavita stepped up to take over the kicking duties, while Nicoll-Klokstad moved into the halves after Metcalf's injury. There was no panic and, importantly, no obvious drop-off in the way the Warriors played. That is a huge credit to the players, but also to Andrew Webster and his coaching staff for building a system that allows players to step into different roles without the entire game plan falling apart.

I also loved that the Warriors didn't take their foot off the pedal once the result was effectively beyond doubt. There was no sitting back and waiting for the clock to run down. They kept attacking, defended with intent and continued looking for more points. That mentality matters because this team shouldn't be thinking about securing a top-two finish anymore. They need to be thinking about what they can do once the finals arrive.

There are still things to clean up, and I'm probably nitpicking after a 40-6 win, but eight errors and 32 missed tackles are areas the Warriors will want to improve. Those numbers probably won't hurt you against a team like Brisbane, but the best sides in the competition will punish those lapses, particularly in a finals game where one mistake can completely change the momentum.

The biggest concern, of course, is Metcalf. It feels strange to be talking about a 40-6 win and still have an injury hanging over it, but another hamstring problem is the last thing the Warriors needed at this point of the season. Hopefully it isn't as serious as it first looked, but with Te Maire Martin still out for a few more weeks, losing another option in the halves is a significant blow.

Even with that concern, it is hard not to be excited about where this team is heading. The forwards are laying a huge platform and continue to make a case for being one of the best packs in the competition. The attack is finding different ways to score, the defence is holding up, and the depth continues to shine whenever players are asked to step into unfamiliar roles. There is a lot to like about this Warriors side right now.

The challenge now is making sure this becomes the standard rather than just another great performance. The Warriors have put themselves in a fantastic position heading into the final few rounds with a top two finish still on the cards, and they are starting to look like a team that genuinely believes they can go all the way. For me, this was more than just another two competition points. It was another reminder of just how good this Warriors side can be when everything clicks. They aren't just hoping to make the finals anymore. They are starting to look like a team that could do some serious damage once they get there.

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

Match Positives

The Warriors' forward pack once again laid the platform, running for 1,655 metres with 525 post-contact metres. Mitchell Barnett led the way with 160 metres, while Erin Clark (127m), James Fisher-Harris (117m), Jacob Laban (117m), Tanner Stowers-Smith (114m) and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (110m) all made valuable contributions. That go-forward allowed Harris-Tavita, Metcalf and, after his injury, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to play on the front foot and gave the outside backs plenty of room to work. It also helped create the variety we saw in attack, with the Warriors scoring through the middle, off an intercept, from a kick and through individual brilliance. Seven tries and 40 points strongly indicate how well the platform worked. If the Warriors are serious about going all the way this year, this is the level their forward pack needs to maintain every week. When the middle dominates like this, the rest of the team becomes a completely different proposition.

The defence was outstanding for large parts of the night, especially considering Brisbane had 52% possession but could only manage one try. The Warriors made 327 tackles and, despite missing 32, continually scrambled and worked hard for each other to keep the Broncos from turning possession into points. After conceding to Xavier Willison in the 61st minute, they shut Brisbane out for the rest of the game. There are still areas to tidy up, particularly the missed tackles, but the resilience and effort in defence was a big positive. If the Warriors can maintain that defensive intensity while cleaning up those missed tackles, they will be a very difficult team to crack come finals time.

The Warriors handled adversity brilliantly, and this might have been one of my favourite parts of the performance. Losing Luke Metcalf to another hamstring injury was a huge blow, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's sin bin left them with 12 men, yet neither situation managed to derail them. In fact, with 12 men, the Warriors not only kept the Broncos from taking advantage, but also managed to score themselves. Chanel Harris-Tavita also stepped up when needed, taking over the kicking duties and helping keep the scoreboard ticking over. It's another example of the depth and resilience this Warriors side has built, and that's going to be hugely important when the pressure ramps up in the finals.

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

Match Negatives

The attack was certainly effective for most of the night, but there were still points left out there. Seven tries is obviously a fantastic return, and at this point I’m probably nitpicking. Still, there were moments when the Warriors could have been more clinical and put the game completely beyond doubt earlier. The disallowed Sam Healey try is a good example, while 8 errors also showed there were still some opportunities being left on the table. Against Brisbane it didn't matter, but as we head towards the finals, the Warriors need to make sure they are taking every opportunity that comes their way because the better teams won't be as forgiving.

The goal-kicking situation remains a concern, with Metcalf's injury forcing Harris-Tavita to take over the kicking duties. To his credit, Chanel stepped up and handled the responsibility well, but it highlights how vulnerable the Warriors could be if they lose another established kicker at the wrong time. The Warriors finished with four conversions from seven tries, along with two penalty goals, so there are still points being left on the field. With finals football approaching, having a reliable goal kicker could prove crucial in those tight games where every point matters.

Luke Metcalf's injury is the massive cloud hanging over what was otherwise a fantastic win. This isn't technically a performance negative, but it's impossible to ignore, especially with Metcalf having another strong game before appearing to reinjure his hamstring while converting Khan-Pereira's try. The timing couldn't be worse with the finals just around the corner, and after everything Metcalf has been through this season, you can't help but feel for him. Hopefully the injury isn't as serious as it first looked, because losing him now would be a significant blow to the Warriors' chances of making a deep finals run, especially with Te Maire Martin still out for a few more weeks.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Mitchell Barnett.

It was another week where it was hard to single out an individual in such a dominant team performance, but Mitchell Barnett once again put in a seriously solid shift. He played 60 minutes, running for 160 metres with 67 of those coming post-contact, the most of any Warriors forward, while adding four tackle breaks and making 32 tackles with just one miss and no errors. With his exit from the club getting closer, you can see Barnett is determined to finish his time in New Zealand on a high, and he can never be accused of phoning it in. It will be tough seeing him in a Broncos jersey next year, but there are still plenty of games left for Barnett to be part of something special with the Warriors.

Warrior to Improve

I don't have a Warrior to call out for the third week in a row. Every player who took the field played their role, and those with limited minutes simply weren't on the park long enough to be judged fairly. From one to seventeen, everyone contributed in some way, making it impossible to single out a player who had an off night.

Round 25 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 25, the Warriors remain in Australia, heading to Sydney to face the Rabbitohs, who defeated the Bulldogs 22-6 this Round.

As for the team I'd pick, Luke Metcalf is out with that hamstring injury and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is looking at a 2-week ban for his hip-drop tackle (3 weeks if he fights it, which I don't see the club trying). So I would bring Taine Tuaupiki in for CNK; replacing Metcalf, I am struggling. As much of a story it would be to see Jett Cleary make his debut, the recent news of him requesting a release makes me less keen on picking him, so I would give Luke Hanson the nod at 6 and move Chanel Harris-Tavita to 7 until Te Maire Martin is back; everyone else stays the same.

The Rabbitohs' 2026 season probably hasn't gone the way they would have hoped, but they have managed to keep themselves in the finals hunt and currently sit seventh on the ladder. With the race for the top eight so tight, a couple of losses could quickly see them fall out of the playoff picture. Injuries to key players throughout the year haven't helped, disrupting combinations and at times leading to a lack of cohesion. Despite that, South Sydney have continued to find ways to get the job done and have shown they have enough attacking firepower to trouble any team when they get things right. With their finals hopes hanging in the balance, they will be desperate for wins over the remaining rounds, making this another game the Warriors simply can't afford to take lightly.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they need to bring the same intensity and physicality we saw against the Broncos, particularly through the middle. If the forwards can win the battle up front and give the halves plenty of time to work, the Warriors have enough attacking weapons to put plenty of points on the board. They also need to be smart with the ball and limit the errors, because South Sydney have enough strike across the park to make them pay for cheap possession. With the Rabbitohs desperate to keep their finals hopes alive, I’m expecting a competitive start, but if the Warriors can control the middle and maintain their defensive intensity, I think they will be too good. 

Warriors by 16.

So, that was an impressive Round 24, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who would you bring in for Metcalf?

Did the Warriors show enough to convince you they can go all the way this year?

Did you have a Warrior to improve?

What is your score prediction against the Rabbitohs?