'Not a good sign': foot injury puts Ponga in doubt for Origin as Knights fall to Raiders
Kalyn Ponga may have lost his chance to feature in the State of Origin decider after picking up a foot injury in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday night.
The Knights skipper left the field in the 60th minute at McDonald Jones Stadium and did not return as Newcastle suffered their 10th loss in 16 games this season.
The 27-year-old, who has played fullback for the Maroons in the first two Origin games, limped out of a tackle from Raiders forward Morgan Smithies before succumbing to the pain a couple of minutes later.
"He'll need to go and get scans. All I know at the moment is it's a foot injury [and] it's not the one he done in '23," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said, seemingly referencing Ponga's lengthy Lisfranc injury which actually occurred in the 2024 season.
"He's tough. He doesn't come off for just about anything.
"You've got to drag him off the field with a tow-truck normally, so that's probably not a good sign."
Queensland will select their squad after this weekend's NRL games for Origin III at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9.
Ponga was no certainty to be picked after Broncos fullback Reece Walsh returned from injury with a bang in recent weeks.
Newcastle had fallen 22-6 behind immediately after Ponga got injured, but scored two late tries to reduce the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
It wasn't to be, however, with Canberra claiming their 13th win in 16 outings to move to the top of the NRL points table.
The visitors had produced a near flawless first half, completing 19 of 19 sets. They led 16-0 at the break after three tries in the space of 12 minutes.
Newcastle made at least three unforced errors whilst in attacking range in the first 40 minutes, blowing any chance of putting the Raiders under sustained pressure.
Their mistakes didn't help their cause after the break, one knock-on directly leading to the Raiders' fourth try.
Knights back James Schiller crossed for a double with five minutes left to play, but Newcastle couldn't bridge the gap in the dying stages.
"There was a tonne of effort in the second half, I just thought our start to the game, particularly in good ball, let us down a little bit," O'Brien said.
"We created enough opportunities, just didn't ice them.
"The second half we went after the game, it freed up a little bit which is the key to this team, and to Canberra's credit, they took their moments.
"They took theirs, and we bungled ours in the first half."
The loss leaves the Knights in 13th position - four points adrift the top eight - with eight games left to play.
They have a bye next week before hosting Melbourne in round 19.
After a competitive start to the game, former Knight Simi Sasagi struck first for the Raiders, beating Ponga to an Ethan Stange kick to score on the left edge.
The 15th-minute try came after Raiders back Matt Timoko made a 40-metre break to put the Raiders in striking distance.
A 40/20 kick from Jamal Fogarty gave the visitors easy field position around the 23rd minute, and a few plays later fullback Kaeo Weekes darted over after taking a Zac Hosking offload from close range.
Leading 10-0, Canberra crossed again four minutes later when Strange dived over in the corner, the Raiders making it look all too easy with an overlap on a short left edge.
After their ninth scoreless first half this season, Newcastle finally broke through for a try 10 minutes into the second stanza when winger James Schiller found space on the left flank.
Eight minutes later, Knights half Jackson Hastings knocked-on near halfway and Strange scooped up the ball and raced away before passing to winger Jed Stuart who crossed untouched.
It helped extend Canberra's lead to 22-6 with 20 minutes left to play, and at the same time Ponga hobbled off the field.
That forced Dane Gagai back to fullback, but the Knights managed to reduce the deficit five minutes later when rookie forward Jermaine McEwen barged over from dummy-half for his first career try.
Schiller's 75th-minute try gave the Knights fans among the 17,527 in attendance some hope, but it wasn't to be.
Kalyn Ponga may have lost his chance to feature in the State of Origin decider after picking up a foot injury in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday night.
The Knights skipper left the field in the 60th minute at McDonald Jones Stadium and did not return as Newcastle suffered their 10th loss in 16 games this season.
The 27-year-old, who has played fullback for the Maroons in the first two Origin games, limped out of a tackle from Raiders forward Morgan Smithies before succumbing to the pain a couple of minutes later.
"He'll need to go and get scans. All I know at the moment is it's a foot injury [and] it's not the one he done in '23," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said, seemingly referencing Ponga's lengthy Lisfranc injury which actually occurred in the 2024 season.
"He's tough. He doesn't come off for just about anything.
"You've got to drag him off the field with a tow-truck normally, so that's probably not a good sign."
Queensland will select their squad after this weekend's NRL games for Origin III at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9.
Ponga was no certainty to be picked after Broncos fullback Reece Walsh returned from injury with a bang in recent weeks.
Newcastle had fallen 22-6 behind immediately after Ponga got injured, but scored two late tries to reduce the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
It wasn't to be, however, with Canberra claiming their 13th win in 16 outings to move to the top of the NRL points table.
The visitors had produced a near flawless first half, completing 19 of 19 sets. They led 16-0 at the break after three tries in the space of 12 minutes.
Newcastle made at least three unforced errors whilst in attacking range in the first 40 minutes, blowing any chance of putting the Raiders under sustained pressure.
Their mistakes didn't help their cause after the break, one knock-on directly leading to the Raiders' fourth try.
Knights back James Schiller crossed for a double with five minutes left to play, but Newcastle couldn't bridge the gap in the dying stages.
"There was a tonne of effort in the second half, I just thought our start to the game, particularly in good ball, let us down a little bit," O'Brien said.
"We created enough opportunities, just didn't ice them.
"The second half we went after the game, it freed up a little bit which is the key to this team, and to Canberra's credit, they took their moments.
"They took theirs, and we bungled ours in the first half."
The loss leaves the Knights in 13th position - four points adrift the top eight - with eight games left to play.
They have a bye next week before hosting Melbourne in round 19.
After a competitive start to the game, former Knight Simi Sasagi struck first for the Raiders, beating Ponga to an Ethan Stange kick to score on the left edge.
The 15th-minute try came after Raiders back Matt Timoko made a 40-metre break to put the Raiders in striking distance.
A 40/20 kick from Jamal Fogarty gave the visitors easy field position around the 23rd minute, and a few plays later fullback Kaeo Weekes darted over after taking a Zac Hosking offload from close range.
Leading 10-0, Canberra crossed again four minutes later when Strange dived over in the corner, the Raiders making it look all too easy with an overlap on a short left edge.
After their ninth scoreless first half this season, Newcastle finally broke through for a try 10 minutes into the second stanza when winger James Schiller found space on the left flank.
Eight minutes later, Knights half Jackson Hastings knocked-on near halfway and Strange scooped up the ball and raced away before passing to winger Jed Stuart who crossed untouched.
It helped extend Canberra's lead to 22-6 with 20 minutes left to play, and at the same time Ponga hobbled off the field.
That forced Dane Gagai back to fullback, but the Knights managed to reduce the deficit five minutes later when rookie forward Jermaine McEwen barged over from dummy-half for his first career try.
Schiller's 75th-minute try gave the Knights fans among the 17,527 in attendance some hope, but it wasn't to be.
Kalyn Ponga may have lost his chance to feature in the State of Origin decider after picking up a foot injury in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday night.
The Knights skipper left the field in the 60th minute at McDonald Jones Stadium and did not return as Newcastle suffered their 10th loss in 16 games this season.
The 27-year-old, who has played fullback for the Maroons in the first two Origin games, limped out of a tackle from Raiders forward Morgan Smithies before succumbing to the pain a couple of minutes later.
"He'll need to go and get scans. All I know at the moment is it's a foot injury [and] it's not the one he done in '23," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said, seemingly referencing Ponga's lengthy Lisfranc injury which actually occurred in the 2024 season.
"He's tough. He doesn't come off for just about anything.
"You've got to drag him off the field with a tow-truck normally, so that's probably not a good sign."
Queensland will select their squad after this weekend's NRL games for Origin III at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9.
Ponga was no certainty to be picked after Broncos fullback Reece Walsh returned from injury with a bang in recent weeks.
Newcastle had fallen 22-6 behind immediately after Ponga got injured, but scored two late tries to reduce the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
It wasn't to be, however, with Canberra claiming their 13th win in 16 outings to move to the top of the NRL points table.
The visitors had produced a near flawless first half, completing 19 of 19 sets. They led 16-0 at the break after three tries in the space of 12 minutes.
Newcastle made at least three unforced errors whilst in attacking range in the first 40 minutes, blowing any chance of putting the Raiders under sustained pressure.
Their mistakes didn't help their cause after the break, one knock-on directly leading to the Raiders' fourth try.
Knights back James Schiller crossed for a double with five minutes left to play, but Newcastle couldn't bridge the gap in the dying stages.
"There was a tonne of effort in the second half, I just thought our start to the game, particularly in good ball, let us down a little bit," O'Brien said.
"We created enough opportunities, just didn't ice them.
"The second half we went after the game, it freed up a little bit which is the key to this team, and to Canberra's credit, they took their moments.
"They took theirs, and we bungled ours in the first half."
The loss leaves the Knights in 13th position - four points adrift the top eight - with eight games left to play.
They have a bye next week before hosting Melbourne in round 19.
After a competitive start to the game, former Knight Simi Sasagi struck first for the Raiders, beating Ponga to an Ethan Stange kick to score on the left edge.
The 15th-minute try came after Raiders back Matt Timoko made a 40-metre break to put the Raiders in striking distance.
A 40/20 kick from Jamal Fogarty gave the visitors easy field position around the 23rd minute, and a few plays later fullback Kaeo Weekes darted over after taking a Zac Hosking offload from close range.
Leading 10-0, Canberra crossed again four minutes later when Strange dived over in the corner, the Raiders making it look all too easy with an overlap on a short left edge.
After their ninth scoreless first half this season, Newcastle finally broke through for a try 10 minutes into the second stanza when winger James Schiller found space on the left flank.
Eight minutes later, Knights half Jackson Hastings knocked-on near halfway and Strange scooped up the ball and raced away before passing to winger Jed Stuart who crossed untouched.
It helped extend Canberra's lead to 22-6 with 20 minutes left to play, and at the same time Ponga hobbled off the field.
That forced Dane Gagai back to fullback, but the Knights managed to reduce the deficit five minutes later when rookie forward Jermaine McEwen barged over from dummy-half for his first career try.
Schiller's 75th-minute try gave the Knights fans among the 17,527 in attendance some hope, but it wasn't to be.
Kalyn Ponga may have lost his chance to feature in the State of Origin decider after picking up a foot injury in Newcastle's 22-18 loss to Canberra on Friday night.
The Knights skipper left the field in the 60th minute at McDonald Jones Stadium and did not return as Newcastle suffered their 10th loss in 16 games this season.
The 27-year-old, who has played fullback for the Maroons in the first two Origin games, limped out of a tackle from Raiders forward Morgan Smithies before succumbing to the pain a couple of minutes later.
"He'll need to go and get scans. All I know at the moment is it's a foot injury [and] it's not the one he done in '23," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said, seemingly referencing Ponga's lengthy Lisfranc injury which actually occurred in the 2024 season.
"He's tough. He doesn't come off for just about anything.
"You've got to drag him off the field with a tow-truck normally, so that's probably not a good sign."
Queensland will select their squad after this weekend's NRL games for Origin III at Sydney's Accor Stadium on July 9.
Ponga was no certainty to be picked after Broncos fullback Reece Walsh returned from injury with a bang in recent weeks.
Newcastle had fallen 22-6 behind immediately after Ponga got injured, but scored two late tries to reduce the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.
It wasn't to be, however, with Canberra claiming their 13th win in 16 outings to move to the top of the NRL points table.
The visitors had produced a near flawless first half, completing 19 of 19 sets. They led 16-0 at the break after three tries in the space of 12 minutes.
Newcastle made at least three unforced errors whilst in attacking range in the first 40 minutes, blowing any chance of putting the Raiders under sustained pressure.
Their mistakes didn't help their cause after the break, one knock-on directly leading to the Raiders' fourth try.
Knights back James Schiller crossed for a double with five minutes left to play, but Newcastle couldn't bridge the gap in the dying stages.
"There was a tonne of effort in the second half, I just thought our start to the game, particularly in good ball, let us down a little bit," O'Brien said.
"We created enough opportunities, just didn't ice them.
"The second half we went after the game, it freed up a little bit which is the key to this team, and to Canberra's credit, they took their moments.
"They took theirs, and we bungled ours in the first half."
The loss leaves the Knights in 13th position - four points adrift the top eight - with eight games left to play.
They have a bye next week before hosting Melbourne in round 19.
After a competitive start to the game, former Knight Simi Sasagi struck first for the Raiders, beating Ponga to an Ethan Stange kick to score on the left edge.
The 15th-minute try came after Raiders back Matt Timoko made a 40-metre break to put the Raiders in striking distance.
A 40/20 kick from Jamal Fogarty gave the visitors easy field position around the 23rd minute, and a few plays later fullback Kaeo Weekes darted over after taking a Zac Hosking offload from close range.
Leading 10-0, Canberra crossed again four minutes later when Strange dived over in the corner, the Raiders making it look all too easy with an overlap on a short left edge.
After their ninth scoreless first half this season, Newcastle finally broke through for a try 10 minutes into the second stanza when winger James Schiller found space on the left flank.
Eight minutes later, Knights half Jackson Hastings knocked-on near halfway and Strange scooped up the ball and raced away before passing to winger Jed Stuart who crossed untouched.
It helped extend Canberra's lead to 22-6 with 20 minutes left to play, and at the same time Ponga hobbled off the field.
That forced Dane Gagai back to fullback, but the Knights managed to reduce the deficit five minutes later when rookie forward Jermaine McEwen barged over from dummy-half for his first career try.
Schiller's 75th-minute try gave the Knights fans among the 17,527 in attendance some hope, but it wasn't to be.
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Hammer time as Dolphins soar back into NRL top eight
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet." Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet." Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has delivered a fullback masterclass with a four-try haul in the Dolphins' 50-28 defeat of South Sydney. The No.1 ran amok in his 100th NRL game as the Dolphins reached 50 points for the third time in four games and consigned the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight loss. Halfback Isaiya Katoa had four try assists, while Tabuai-Fidow's display was timely on the day incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of next Wednesday's State of Origin decider with a foot injury. Tabuai-Fidow played wing in the Maroons' series-levelling victory but, after 11 tries in nine Origin games on the flanks, has done all he can to show coach Billy Slater he's ready to wear the No.1. "I know he'd do a great job," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said of his man potentially wearing the Queensland No.1. "But that wouldn''t have been his motivation tonight; he's just such a genuine guy I think he wasn't really happy with himself last week (in a loss to Newcastle). "I could tell he wanted to make amends for that. Playing 100 games, coming off a loss, playing in front of his family - that's what he'd be concerned about." Victory pushed the Dolphins (8-8) into the top eight but came at a cost, with Kodi Nikorima limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. Cody Walker (hamstring) also failed to finish in his injury comeback, the playmaker's latest soft tissue complaint adding salt to the Rabbitohs' wounds. The Rabbitohs started brilliantly when Latrell Mitchell sliced through and somehow offloaded for Jack Wighton's try. It was all the Dolphins after that, Jeremy Marshall-King raiding from dummy-half to score, then Katoa exploding through the line and producing a no-look assist for Tabuai-Fidow. The pair combined again in similar fashion, with only a desperate Jamie Humphries tripping up the Dolphins fullback as he pinned his ears back for the line. Herbie Farnworth had more joy, though, finding open space before Katoa floated a pass perfectly for Nikorima to score. Katoa tantalised again with a pinpoint pass that dragged the Rabbitohs' defensive line out of shape, Farnworth's quick offload setting up Jake Averillo. Nikorima limped off but the Dolphins weren't done, Averillo trickling a kick back in-field that was scooped up by Tabuai-Fidow to create a 30-6 halftime lead. The No.1 completed his hat-trick when he picked up another loose ball spilled in a marking contest to seemingly kill the contest with 30 minutes still on the clock. But Walker stepped through to create a try for Tallis Duncan and stop the rot, and the visitors had their tails up when that pair combined again to give the back-rower a double before Walker felt for his leg. Tabuai-Fidow settled it once and for all, stripping Davvy Moale on his own 30-metre line, darting sideways into space, then cruising uninterrupted for a fourth try. Wighton and Moale still had time for four-pointers, while rookie Aublix Tawha was reported and earnt the ire of Mitchell after tackling him before he'd caught a high ball. The Dolphins had the final say, Kurt Donoghoe snatching a Humphries intercept as the Dolphins raised the bat again. "We just lost control of it, totally," Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said. "This season, the challenges have been on our doorstep everyday. "I'm not frustrated by it, not angry by it. "Just accept the reality of it and right now trying to build a team that believes in itself and we're not there yet."
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4 hours ago
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NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith." NRL Swiss army knife Te Maire Martin has helped to quell the despair after a pair of potentially serious injuries and some questionable calls in the New Zealand Warriors' Brisbane loss. The Warriors' (10-5) second-straight defeat, 26-12 on Saturday, came as Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad both limped off with knee injuries. They'll have scans on their return to Auckland and coach Andrew Webster conceded the star halfback and fullback could be out for the season. Nicoll-Klokstad's legs were pinned awkwardly as Gehamat Shibasaki scored the first of his two tries while Metcalf was hammered as he passed the ball by Brendan Piakura, who was later placed on report. "We're going to have to get back to New Zealand and find out," Webster said. "But certainly won't be playing in two weeks, I can tell you that much ... all possibilities on the table at the moment." Webster didn't bite when asked if he thought Metcalf was tackled illegally, but was more willing to comment on a pair of decisions that went against his men either side of halftime. Wayde Egan was called for off-side in the first half before Broncos star Reece Walsh earnt a penalty when he was obstructed while chasing a kick, despite being clearly offside. "I was right in front of that and he was miles offside, like miles offside," Webster said of Walsh. "Wayde Egan in the first half, I ask you to go and pause it when the play-the-ball is and you tell me how he's offside. "He's three metres onside. So it's like they just made that up. "They (the NRL) probably will give me crap that it's foul play or something. That's the first infringement. I don't know how they miss it. "I'm not a touch, I'm not a ref. I was down there and I could see it." The prospect of charging on without his influential pair hasn't dented Webster's hopes though, given the talent underneath them. "Going into Round 1, we've got four elite halfbacks," Webster said. "We have Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin, Chanel (Tavita-Harris), Luke Metcalf. So we've got a lot to choose from there. "But if Charnze is out, we've got Taine Tuaupiki, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck." Bench utility Martin impressed at hooker, fullback and halfback on Saturday night as the injuries mounted. "I don't think many clubs have a bloke who can do that," Webster said. "We've got lots of options. "That's why we've got heaps of faith."
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4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Walsh makes Origin case as Broncos pip wounded Warriors
An improved Reece Walsh has pushed his State of Origin case as Brisbane held on for a 26-12 win over an injury-hit New Zealand Warriors. The Broncos fullback laid on a try assist, his 11th of the season, on the cusp of halftime and also made a remarkable try-saving tackle against his former team at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The performance came in a third-straight win for his side (8-7) and hours after incumbent Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the Origin series decider with a foot injury. Walsh has battled knee soreness of his own in recent weeks but was unflinching in his final test before coach Billy Slater, who picked Walsh at fullback for all three games last season, names his Queensland side for the July 9 clash on Monday. "Reece is ready, it's whether or not they decide to go that way," Brisbane coach Michael Maguire, who led the Blues last year, said. "I actually think Reece's footy is getting better. "He was spoken about earlier in the season about where he was at when he first came into rounds one to five, but I think defensively Reece really grew through that period." A crowd of 43,434 piled in for the first of two games at the venue on Saturday, with the relocated Dolphins v South Sydney clash at night a separately-ticketed event. Seeking a record seventh-consecutive victory away from Mt Smart Stadium, Andrew Webster's Warriors (10-5) were off the pace but then rallied despite losing key troops in the second half. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) didn't return after the break while halfback Luke Metcalf (knee) also hobbled off after Brendan Piakura, who was placed on report, folded him as he passed. Both will have scans on their return to Auckland and fears are the injuries could be long-term ones. "Spoke to the doctors, they said it could be a number of things," coach Andrew Webster said. "Two weeks in a row we haven't executed ... but so much spirit. "That crowd out there, playing in moments like that, we're only going to get better. "I said to the boys, 'A lot of other clubs would love what you guys have got'." Adam Reynolds' pinpoint grubber kick found a rampaging Kotoni Staggs for the first try before Ezra Mam's long cut-out pass put Josiah Karapani over. Walsh set up Gehamat Shibasaki on the bell for an 18-0 halftime lead, the centre's body landing awkwardly on Nicoll-Klokstad's legs as he attempted to save the try. Walsh then beat four men only to be held up over the line to begin the second half. The Broncos fullback had earlier denied Chanel Harris-Tavita a try when he somehow got his body under the ball. Harris-Tavita then missed another chance when he knocked on attempting to ground a loose ball. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finally had the visitors' first try after 45 minutes as they attempted to drag themselves into the contest. Walsh got involved again, earning the ire of Warriors fans when he won a penalty for being taken out while chasing a Reynolds kick. Reynolds' two-pointer made it 20-6 and then Shibasaki fumbled what would have been the match-sealer with 15 minutes to play. Leka Halasima collected a bomb at the other end to give the Warriors life at 20-12. But wide-open Warriors winger Edward Kosi knocked on with the line in sight and the Broncos got out of jail, Shibasaki eventually scoring the match-sealer. An improved Reece Walsh has pushed his State of Origin case as Brisbane held on for a 26-12 win over an injury-hit New Zealand Warriors. The Broncos fullback laid on a try assist, his 11th of the season, on the cusp of halftime and also made a remarkable try-saving tackle against his former team at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The performance came in a third-straight win for his side (8-7) and hours after incumbent Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the Origin series decider with a foot injury. Walsh has battled knee soreness of his own in recent weeks but was unflinching in his final test before coach Billy Slater, who picked Walsh at fullback for all three games last season, names his Queensland side for the July 9 clash on Monday. "Reece is ready, it's whether or not they decide to go that way," Brisbane coach Michael Maguire, who led the Blues last year, said. "I actually think Reece's footy is getting better. "He was spoken about earlier in the season about where he was at when he first came into rounds one to five, but I think defensively Reece really grew through that period." A crowd of 43,434 piled in for the first of two games at the venue on Saturday, with the relocated Dolphins v South Sydney clash at night a separately-ticketed event. Seeking a record seventh-consecutive victory away from Mt Smart Stadium, Andrew Webster's Warriors (10-5) were off the pace but then rallied despite losing key troops in the second half. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) didn't return after the break while halfback Luke Metcalf (knee) also hobbled off after Brendan Piakura, who was placed on report, folded him as he passed. Both will have scans on their return to Auckland and fears are the injuries could be long-term ones. "Spoke to the doctors, they said it could be a number of things," coach Andrew Webster said. "Two weeks in a row we haven't executed ... but so much spirit. "That crowd out there, playing in moments like that, we're only going to get better. "I said to the boys, 'A lot of other clubs would love what you guys have got'." Adam Reynolds' pinpoint grubber kick found a rampaging Kotoni Staggs for the first try before Ezra Mam's long cut-out pass put Josiah Karapani over. Walsh set up Gehamat Shibasaki on the bell for an 18-0 halftime lead, the centre's body landing awkwardly on Nicoll-Klokstad's legs as he attempted to save the try. Walsh then beat four men only to be held up over the line to begin the second half. The Broncos fullback had earlier denied Chanel Harris-Tavita a try when he somehow got his body under the ball. Harris-Tavita then missed another chance when he knocked on attempting to ground a loose ball. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finally had the visitors' first try after 45 minutes as they attempted to drag themselves into the contest. Walsh got involved again, earning the ire of Warriors fans when he won a penalty for being taken out while chasing a Reynolds kick. Reynolds' two-pointer made it 20-6 and then Shibasaki fumbled what would have been the match-sealer with 15 minutes to play. Leka Halasima collected a bomb at the other end to give the Warriors life at 20-12. But wide-open Warriors winger Edward Kosi knocked on with the line in sight and the Broncos got out of jail, Shibasaki eventually scoring the match-sealer. An improved Reece Walsh has pushed his State of Origin case as Brisbane held on for a 26-12 win over an injury-hit New Zealand Warriors. The Broncos fullback laid on a try assist, his 11th of the season, on the cusp of halftime and also made a remarkable try-saving tackle against his former team at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The performance came in a third-straight win for his side (8-7) and hours after incumbent Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of the Origin series decider with a foot injury. Walsh has battled knee soreness of his own in recent weeks but was unflinching in his final test before coach Billy Slater, who picked Walsh at fullback for all three games last season, names his Queensland side for the July 9 clash on Monday. "Reece is ready, it's whether or not they decide to go that way," Brisbane coach Michael Maguire, who led the Blues last year, said. "I actually think Reece's footy is getting better. "He was spoken about earlier in the season about where he was at when he first came into rounds one to five, but I think defensively Reece really grew through that period." A crowd of 43,434 piled in for the first of two games at the venue on Saturday, with the relocated Dolphins v South Sydney clash at night a separately-ticketed event. Seeking a record seventh-consecutive victory away from Mt Smart Stadium, Andrew Webster's Warriors (10-5) were off the pace but then rallied despite losing key troops in the second half. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) didn't return after the break while halfback Luke Metcalf (knee) also hobbled off after Brendan Piakura, who was placed on report, folded him as he passed. Both will have scans on their return to Auckland and fears are the injuries could be long-term ones. "Spoke to the doctors, they said it could be a number of things," coach Andrew Webster said. "Two weeks in a row we haven't executed ... but so much spirit. "That crowd out there, playing in moments like that, we're only going to get better. "I said to the boys, 'A lot of other clubs would love what you guys have got'." Adam Reynolds' pinpoint grubber kick found a rampaging Kotoni Staggs for the first try before Ezra Mam's long cut-out pass put Josiah Karapani over. Walsh set up Gehamat Shibasaki on the bell for an 18-0 halftime lead, the centre's body landing awkwardly on Nicoll-Klokstad's legs as he attempted to save the try. Walsh then beat four men only to be held up over the line to begin the second half. The Broncos fullback had earlier denied Chanel Harris-Tavita a try when he somehow got his body under the ball. Harris-Tavita then missed another chance when he knocked on attempting to ground a loose ball. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finally had the visitors' first try after 45 minutes as they attempted to drag themselves into the contest. Walsh got involved again, earning the ire of Warriors fans when he won a penalty for being taken out while chasing a Reynolds kick. Reynolds' two-pointer made it 20-6 and then Shibasaki fumbled what would have been the match-sealer with 15 minutes to play. Leka Halasima collected a bomb at the other end to give the Warriors life at 20-12. But wide-open Warriors winger Edward Kosi knocked on with the line in sight and the Broncos got out of jail, Shibasaki eventually scoring the match-sealer.
