NRL live updates: Warriors enjoy halftime lead over Tigers
Photo:
Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors are looking to bounce back, after a disappointing loss to Brisbane Broncos, but the bye week has seen them retain their spot in the top four. The under-pressure Wests Tigers had a much-needed win over Sydney Roosters last weekend. Kickoff is at 4pm NZT.
Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Warriors:
1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene‑Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers‑Smith
Tigers:
1. Sunia Turuva, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Adam Doueihi, 4. Starford To'a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Tony Sukkar, 13. Alex Twal
Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope, 15. Alex Seyfarth, 16. Sione Fainu, 17. Jack Bird
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Mana of Black Sox will go on': NZ men's softball climbs back to podium at World Cup
Black Sox pitcher Liam Potts in action during the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Final against Venezuela. Photo: WBSC The mana of the Black Sox carries on, as the team returns home with a silver medal and a restored place on the world stage. The New Zealand side finished runners-up to Venezuela in a 3-0 final in Prince Albert, Canada - a major comeback from their eighth-place finish in 2022. Although it wasn't the final result they would have wanted, the boys' performance over the campaign was a massive improvement from their last international outing. And the key to the team's success this year? Whānau . Black Sox team captain Cole Evans celebrates with head coach Thomas Makea after powering a ball over centre-field fence. Photo: WBSC A name well-known in global softball circles, Head coach Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Marama, Ngāti Makea ki Rarotonga), said the team's growth over the past two years had been huge. "To go from eight to number two in the world in two years, that's awesome. "I believed in what we had when I took over the job a couple years ago now. So, I believe we had the talent," he said. "We had the talent, we had the players, we just had to grow them." Part of that growth had come from the strong sense of whānau within the team. This year's squad included four sets of brothers: Ben and Thomas Enoka , Cole and Rhys Evans, Reilly Makea and Dante Makea-Matakatea, and Otago natives Cameron and Ben Watts. That legacy of whakapapa also extended to the coaching staff. Former Black Sox and World Champion Bevan Matene (Te Ātiawa) toured with the team as a kaitiaki (leader). He said despite the final loss, he was extremely proud of the team's achievements. "Kaore i haere ki te tihi o te maunga teitei, te tuarua, te hiriwa kaore te koura. We didn't make it to the top of the mountain, we got silver rather than gold. "He tino pai rawa atu te tīma o te Tōkena Pango i tēnei rā. But we played really well today." The New Zealand Black Sox 2004 World Title team - including Head Coach Thomas Makea and delegation leader Bevan Matene. Photo: Kevin Clarke Photography / Supplied: Softball New Zealand Matene paid tribute to Makea for his mahi and the captain Cole Evans. "He tino pouri, he mamae taku manawa mō te tīma, apōpō ka whiti mai te rā. I'm feeling quite sad, my heart aches for the team, but tomorrow the sun will rise again. "Te mana o te Tōkena Pango ka haere ki te tihi o te maunga teitei. The mana of the Black Sox will go on and we'll reach the top one day." Alongside Matene was legendary Black Sox pitcher "Chubb" Tangaroa, who returned as the team's pitching coach. Tangaroa (Ngāti Kahungunu) helped pave the way for New Zealand pitchers on the international stage in the 1980s and 90s. He earned Hall of Fame honours in both Aotearoa and the world game. As a player, he was known for his sharp rise ball and helped lead the Black Sox to gold in 1996 and silver in 1988 and 1992. With leadership and experience like this at the helm, the players had a wealth of mātauranga (knowledge) at their fingertips. The New Zealand Black Sox came second at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup after taking the loss 3-0 against Venezuela in the Gold Medal match. Photo: WBSC Makea said the Black Sox truly felt the aroha from the supporters on the sideline and back home in Aotearoa. "We really felt the love, felt the mana coming through. And I'm not gonna apologise for us not getting there, getting the job done today because I've seen massive growth in this team." He said the journey to the podium had been awesome. "[It's been an] awesome couple of weeks with these guys and they've made steps for the future of the programme." Cole Evans said the Black Sox put on a stellar performance all week, playing some quality ball against quality teams. "The team really grew in confidence and I thought we [had] a real chance today," the captain said. "Just came up a bit short." Evans said by moving up the world ranking ladder, their campaign performance put them back "where the programme belongs". "There's a great programme back home, some quality young kids coming through, and obviously some guys that have been around a long time are really quality, so, future looks pretty bright."
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Tanah Boyd's patience finally pays off with NZ Warriors NRL call-up
Tanah Boyd converted five of his team's six tries against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ NZ Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd admits wondering if he would ever get the chance to pull on the club jersey in NRL first-grade. After six seasons at Gold Coast Titans, Boyd took a chance to cross the Tasman this year in search of his next opportunity, but has had to wait in the wings for that chance to arrive. Coach Andrew Webster finally tapped him on the shoulder against Wests Tigers on Sunday, after the Warriors lost star half Luke Metcalf for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee before last week's bye. "There were definitely times when I wasn't sure whether it was going to come, but I had to stay positive, make sure I was playing good footy and when my chance came, I had to take it with both hands," Boyd said. "It was terrible what happened to Lukey and you don't wish it on anyone, but I knew I had to step in and do my job. That next man up mentality is something we pride ourselves on as a club." Boyd, 24, took his assignment in stride, guiding the Warriors around the park and teasing the Tigers with his kicking game, as the Auckland club put its premiership campaign back on track, after consecutive losses, with a 34-14 win at Go Media Stadium. Tanah Boyd puts up another bomb against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ His seven bombs were the most by a Warriors player this season and his only try assist came from a high kick to the Tigers goal-line, contested by second-rower Leka Halasima, with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita eventually pouncing on the loose ball to score. "It was a good start, I was happy," he said. "I had a pretty simple role - I just wanted to defend well, kick well. and lead the boys around, and I thought I did that pretty well. "I had a good week-and-a-half to build combinations and was pretty confident. Nothing changes in Cup and the transition was pretty easy. "There are obviously things we want to fix up, but we'll clean those up to be better. You're never going to be perfect, but we'll keep striving for that." While Metcalf was making a fine fist of his starting role with the Warriors, leading the Dally M Medal standings midway through the season, Boyd was filling a similar role for the club's reserves, who are dominating the NSW Cup competition on the back of a 12-game winning streak. "We're privileged to know what Tanah Boyd has done for us, without even playing a NRL game yet," Webster said. "We're really big on our reserve grade challenging our first grade at training and he's done that every single week with a smile on his face. "He would have liked to play, but Luke was doing such a good job and he's just waited patiently for his opportunity. He's a team-first guy and he doesn't miss a beat, because we could see how good he was at training all the time." An often-overlooked key to good team chemistry is keeping a positive outlook when things aren't rolling your way. Many in Boyd's position would have let their disappointment fester and infect those around them. "He's been frustrated inside, but he hasn't shown it externally, not once," Webster said. "It's a real testament to his character that the team aren't seeing him kicking stones, and they're seeing him working hard and making the rest of the club better. "He's a big reason the [reserves] have won 12 in a row and played a big part when he got his opportunity tonight. I just really proud of his character more than anything else." Despite missing four games on first-grade duties, Boyd ranks among the NSW Cup's top five in scoring (fourth), goals (second), line engagements (fourth), try assists (second), kick metres (fourth) and kicks (fourth). He will now slide down those standings, as he settles in his new fulltime duties on the big stage. Tanah Boyd sizes up his options against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "I literally just said to him, 'Be yourself, do what you've been doing'," Webster said. "He didn't have to come in and be Luke - he had to play the way he wanted to play and the team would adjust to him. "He wasn't coming out there, throwing plays we hadn't been using, but he does it a little bit different - his way. I was really happy for his hard work, he's done an amazing job." Another indication of Boyd's positive outlook was his decision to take his player option of a second year at Mt Smart, before he had even made his first-grade debut. "I've loved every moment of it," he said. "The coaching staff and Webby have been so good, and I've learned so much. "My game has gone to the next level under the coaching staff and I'm loving the boys as well. "I just see the growth in the club, and I feel like I've grown as a player and a person, and my family are loving it as well." His NRL return has come in time for him to face his old Titans crew - currently bottom of the table - twice during the run to the playoffs. "I've spoke to a few of the boys and it will be good to go up against them," he said. "It will be weird, but exciting." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Black Sox: Kiwis grab silver in Softball World Cup final
The New Zealand men's softball team found redemption at the 2025 WBSC World Cup Finals, which took place in Prince Albert, Canada. Photo / WBSC This year's final was also Aotearoa, NZ's 10th appearance in a World Championship final, finishing runners-up in four competitions (1988, 1992, 2009, and 2015). In 1976, they shared the gold medal with Canada and USA, as the play-offs couldn't be completed because of poor weather. Head coach Thomas Makea (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Marama, Ngāti Makea ki Rarotonga), who took over in 2023, said the team set out to rebuild after a challenging few years. He said their haerenga (journey) to the final was fuelled by the team's connection and a sense of whanaungatanga. The Black Sox reached the final after an 8-3 victory over Japan in the Super Round, where they needed a five-run win to qualify on Team Quality Balance. The only side in the competition to beat NZ was Venezuela, who earlier defeated the Black Sox 7-2 in group play. The New Zealand Black Sox at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2025. Photo / WBSC Game replay The Black Sox opened the gold medal match with a chilling haka, laying down a wero (challenge) to Venezuela in a rematch of the 2013 World Cup final. They threatened early, putting runners on base in the first inning but couldn't convert runs. Lead-off hitter Ben Enoka picked a walk, and Cole Evans pushed him to third with a line drive, but the side couldn't capitalise. Young Canterbury pitcher Liam Potts, 21, started strong on the mound for NZ, retiring the first three Venezuelan batters, including a strikeout to close the first. Black Sox pitcher Liam Potts pitched the side to its second win of the WBSC World Cup, holding the world's number one ranked side, Argentina, to only one run. Photo / WBSC The scoreboard remained scoreless until the bottom of the third, when Pedro Flores broke the deadlock, smashing a solo homer over centrefield to put Venezuela on the board. Despite solid contact and disciplined at-bats, the Black Sox couldn't find a breakthrough through the next two innings, with both sides allowing no runs to concede. Venezuela's starting pitcher Maiker Pimentel battled through an ankle injury, but had to leave the game in the top of the fifth after re-aggravating it. Luis Miguel Colombo Perez came on but didn't last long, leaving the mound after Rhys Evans drew a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ben Enoka was then hit by a pitch, putting two on with two outs. But despite the opportunity, Jerome Raemaki struck out on a drop ball by new pitcher Eudomar Toyo, leaving the two runners stranded on base. Pita Rona took over on the mound for the Black Sox in the bottom of the fifth, replacing Potts after a solid start. He walked his first batter, putting runners on first and second with no outs. But the Black Sox defence stepped up to the plate, Rhys Evans fielded a grounder and made the force out at third, followed by a diving catch in foul territory by Te Kirika Cooper-Nicola in left field to end the inning and keep Venezuela from extending their lead. In the top of the sixth, top batters, Cole Evans and Reilly Makea both struck out swinging on drop balls from Toyo, who continued to cause problems for the Black Sox. Black Sox first-basemen and power-hitter Seth Gibson clutched two impressive home-runs against Japan to help secure their spot in the final. Photo / WBSC But Thomas Enoka broke the silence with a sharp line drive up the middle, followed by Seth Gibson who kept his hot bat alive with a stand-up double that pushed Enoka to third. With two on and two out, Venezuela made a tactical move, bringing injured starter Maiker Pimentel back on to the mound – disrupting NZ's momentum. This worked for the South-Americans, as second baseman Tane Mumu popped up for the third out retiring the inning and leaving NZ scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth with a runner on one after picking a walk, Venezuelans Jesus Kleiver Barreto Rodriguez hit a two-run shot – his third home run of the tournament – bringing the score to 3-0. Venezuela's starting pitcher Maiker Pimentel battled through an ankle injury, pitching his team to a 3-0 victory over New Zealand. Photo / WBSC In the final inning, the Black Sox were unable to close the gap. Te Wera Bishop connected with a hard line drive, but Venezuela's third baseman leapt high to make a crucial catch, robbing what could've been a double. Hohepa Monk, pinch-hitting for Rhys Evans, struck out swinging, and Ben Enoka, the veteran lead-off, went down on a final swing and a miss. Venezuela sealed a 3-0 win, denying NZ their eighth world title. In the bronze medal match, team USA had the upper hand over Japan, taking the win 10-1. – RNZ
