NRL: What we learned from NZ Warriors' nailbiting win over Brisbane Broncos

Sunday, 20 April 2025, 3:31 pm
Article: RNZ

Grant Chapman, Digital Sports Journalist

Analysis - The Warriors continue to grind out victories with a nailbiting 20-18 Golden Point win over Brisbane Broncos in the 50th encounter between the two teams, 30 years after they first met in the Warriors' NRL debut.

Missing a heap of veteran experience and playing in post-Cyclone Tam conditions, the home side seemed to be in command midway through the second half, but let their rivals back into the contest and ultimately had to snatch the win in dramatic fashion in extra time.

Here are some takeaways from the game:

Next man up

You'll often hear this expression used in sport, when a team's depth is tested.

With co-captain James Fisher-Harris (208), wings Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (216) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (212), fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (118) and forward Tom Ale (42) all injured, and centre Rocco Berry (44) suspended, the Warriors were missing 840 games of NRL experience, but managed to rearrange the deckchairs enough to cover the absences.

Taine Tuaupiki moved back to his natural position of fullback, allowing specialist Ed Kosi onto the wing. Teenager Leka Halasima, who had scored tries off the bench in the last two outings, had another in his starting role, while Jackson Ford finished as the team's top fantasy scorer with 66 minutes from the front row.

Kosi balanced a try scored with one conceded, when he failed to defuse a dangerous kick to the goal area. Capewell missed with an airkick seconds later, but had also dashed from halfway and assisted on a try to halfback Luke Metcalf.

"As I entered the facility this afternoon, our rehab group were training in the gym and I realised we had a few out," reflected coach Andrew Webster.

"I didn't really notice it during the week - they're all great leaders and great players, but I just had so much confidence in this group.

"When you have that attitude - that whoever wears the jersey can do the job - you have that belief and confidence. That's why I don't think it's such a big moment, because we just expect whoever does it to have confidence and we did tonight."

Metcalf miracle

Much has been said about Luke Metcalf's promotion into the Warriors No. 7 jersey previously occupied by club legend Shaun Johnson.

Initially, there were misgivings, but Metcalf has now proven himself over and over. Remember, three weeks ago, he kicked a late penalty to get his team home against Wests Tigers and he did it again against Brisbane.

This one was more difficult - from halfway in slippery and windy conditions - but it never looked like missing.

Ironically, his success came after a wayward performance that saw him miss three of four conversion attempts, including one off the uprights from a handy position, that left the door slightly ajar for the Broncos late comeback.

His missed penalty on halftime almost resulted in a try at the other end of the field, but Metcalf also scored a try himself, supporting Capewell's sideline dash and somehow scooping up a one-handed catch from his ankles.

Stat attack

The Warriors entered the game boasting a clean sheet against opponents over the closing 20 minutes this season.

In their previous five games, they had held their rivals scoreless after the 60-minute mark, outscoring them 42-0 in the process.

Well, the Broncos comeback ended that run, as they piled on two late converted tries for a 12-10 advantage down the stretch. The Warriors are now outscoring their opponents 52-12 in the final quarter, which is still dominant, but not definitive.

One stat where they still enjoy an edge on the entire competition is set completions. They had an 82 percent completion rate coming into this fixture and achieved that (38/45) in difficult conditions against the Broncos.

"The Warriors were a high-completion team, we knew that coming in," Brisbane coach Michael Maguire said.

"We had to match that. We didn't quite match that and just put pressure on ourselves."

The Broncos completed only 69 percent (30/43), which was well below their season rate of 78 percent.

Disallowed tries

Brisbane also had two tries disallowed.

There didn't seem much question about the first one, as second-rower Xavier Willison strolled across without a hand on him, the result of obstruction in the defensive line.

The second wasn't as clearcut.

On halftime, Metcalf attempted a penalty that sprayed across the face of the posts and into the hands of Broncos centre Katoni Staggs, who raced to the 40, before finding fullback Reece Walsh outside him.

Walsh made another 20 metres and sent winger Selwyn Cobbo away, but by then, the try had already been disallowed, with referee Chris Butler ruling Staggs' pass forward.

Captain Adam Reynolds admitted he thought the try was legitimate.

"Originally, I did," he said. "I asked the official what it was and he said it was a forward pass.

"You've got to respect their decisions. They're out there in the thick of it as well and we just have to move on, simple as that."

At first glance, the Broncos appeared to have been given a raw deal by Butler or his touchie, but replays suggested this was one of those passes that drifted forwards out of the hands, even if the passer stayed in front of the ball.

Unhappy returns

Defeat provided an unsavoury outcome for two Broncos who had turned their backs on Kiwi fans to take their talents back across the Tasman.

As a highly touted teenager, Walsh made his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2021, when they were stranded across the ditch by the Covid-19 pandemic, but asked for an early release when they came back to Mt Smart the following season.

He played three games there at the tailend of the season, but had not returned in Brisbane colours - he was missing, when they lost to the Warriors 32-16 last June.

Walsh was given a lukewarm reception during player introductions, and was smashed by Kurt Capewell and Marata Niukore when he took the opening kickoff.

He brought his team back on level terms, when he forced a loose ball over the Warriors goal-line for their third try.

Ultimately, Walsh's disastrous long kickoff for Golden Point cost Brisbane the game. His restart went too deep into the in-goal area, where Warriors captain Mitch Barnett caught the ball with his foot over the deadball line.

Metcalf slotted the penalty from halfway and Walsh was left kicking himself.

Afterwards, coach Michael Maguire revealed he had suffered a knee injury that saw him move to the wing, but battled on to finish the game. He may be in doubt for next week, with a short turnaround.

Maguire was another to feel disappointment at a place that had previously provided good memories.

As Kiwis coach, based 100 metres down the road at NZ Rugby League, he had guided the national team to a record win over Australia for the 2023 Pacific Championship crown, but left town last year to take up the NSW Origin job and then jumped back to clubland, where he previously won an NRL premiership with South Sydney in 2014.

"Fortunately, I've had a bit of practice, being in this space for some incredible Kiwis times," he recalled before the game. "I'm always very grateful for what I was able to share with them, but today is about making sure we get our game sorted."

Broncos rollercoaster

The visitors continued their rollercoaster season, with this result dropping them to fourth on the ladder and in all likelihood even lower by the end of the weekend.

After making the final two seasons ago, they failed to reach the playoffs last year.

But they have some very big pieces to their puzzle, with exciting half Ezra Mam still to return from suspension. When that happens, Origin and Kangaroos veteran Ben Hunt will shift to hooker.

They now have a quick turnaround to face the unbeaten tabletoppers, Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.

Warriors injuries

Thankfully, the Auckland side seem to have escaped this encounter with no addition to their injury toll.

Hooker Wayde Egan took a heavy hit at once stage and earned his first rest of the season, returning to close the game out. Lock Erin Clark went down in the final stages, but seemingly with only cramp.

If everyone can stay healthy - a big if in this game - the "next man up" mentality now presents some difficult selection decisions for Webster.

Halasima easily did enough to justify a fulltime spot in the starting line-up, which may leave Capewell coming off the bench when Berry returns from suspension.

Ford showed his value as a starter, but realistically won't displace co-captains Fisher-Harris or Barnett in a full-strength front row, while Tuaupiki cut up the Broncos defence with his footwork from fullback.

Berry and Nicoll-Klokstad are due back next week, with Ale also nearing a return to action, while Watene-Zelezniak, Fisher-Harris and Tuivasa-Sheck are all looking at Round 10-11.

Next game up

The Warriors travel to Christchurch for a home game against Newcastle Knights on Anzac Day Friday.

Newcastle are struggling near the foot of the table, but still have to play Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.

Their arrival will likely fuel the rumours suggesting superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga - reportedly the highest-paid player in the competition - is on the Warriors' recruitment radar.

© Scoop Media

RNZ

New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.

Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.

Contact RNZ

• Website - www.radionz.co.nz
• Twitter - @rnz_news
• Facebook
• Link - Contact RNZ