Latest news with #LekaHalasima
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors put NRL season back on track with victory over Wests Tigers
Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima celebrate a try against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Analysis: On a weekend when all four NZ Warriors teams produced extraordinary winning performances, the first-grade team set aside some mid-season wobbles to consolidate their top-four position on the NRL table. On Saturday, the club's Jersey Flegg (U21) side rallied from 20 points down with 10 minutes remaining to prevail 44-42 over Wests Tigers. On Sunday, the reserves stretched their unbeaten NSW Cup streak to 12 games against West Magpies, before the wahine RELATED] secured their first-ever home NRLW victory] 14-0 over Parramatta Eels. In some ways, the premiers' achievement - the 34-14 triumph over the Tigers - was the least of the four, but important nevertheless, as they took another step towards clinching a playoff position. Here are some of the key talking points: With the loss of Luke Metcalf to injury for the season , much of the pre-game attention focused on replacement half Tanah Boyd , who was making his Warriors debut, but had logged 69 first-grade games for Gold Coast Titans in the previous six seasons. The transition seemed seamless and, if anything, Boyd may actually improve the Warriors' kicking potency, both from the tee and in general play. For all his strengths, Metcalf was arguably the least-accurate fulltime goalkicker in the competition, with a conversion success rate of 67 percent. By contrast, Boyd brought an 81 percent return from NSW Cup and immediately took over the duties from centre Adam Pompey and fullback Taine Tuaupiki, probably the other leading candidates for the role, slotting five of six attempts. Elsewhere, he immediately took over the kicking load from halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita to the tune of 14-4 and his seven bombs were the most by a Warriors player this season. That kicking split was eerily similar to the 18-5 ratio between Metcalf and CHT in consecutive wins over South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks - perhaps their best performance of the season. Taking that responsibility seemed to free up Harris-Tavita, who responded with a try double, a try assist, a linebreak and two linebreak assists. Fittingly, he scored his second try, when he chased a high kick from Boyd that went loose behind the goal-line. "He talks really well," coach Andrew Webster reflected. "I think everyone was clear on their roles and where they needed to be - that's his strength, and he kicks the ball really high and far. Tanah Boyd kicks skyward against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The big thing is they were looking to fade outside his right shoulder a couple of times and he came up with some big tackles by himself. His focus was to defend well and he did that tonight." Many to choose from, including Boyd and Harris-Tavita. Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (271) and fullback Taine Tuaupiki (223) - deputising for injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - both exceeded 200 running metres for the game, while prop Terrell May could only manage 137 to lead the Tigers in this regard. Hooker Wayde Egan had 54 tackles, while prop Jackson Ford, promoted to the starting line-up, made 48. "A lot of people had their individual best games for a long time," Webster said. "They focused on their jobs and executed their roles, and that helped each other. "We were just talking about who played well and I think we listed just about every player - that's always a good feeling." If you put any stock in Fantasy NRL, the most points (67) went to teenage second-rower Leka Halasima, who also produced… With seven minutes remaining, the Tigers only trailled 22-14 and a try then would have made for another nervous finish for the Warriors. When Boyd kicked skywards towards the tryline, Halasima bore down on winger Corey Staines, pressuring him into error. The ball went loose behind the line, somehow Te Maire Martin resisted the temptation to reach out and Harris-Tavita was next to arrive for the try that finally put the result to bed. Moments later, Halasima put the cherry on the performance, shrugging off two tacklers on the left sideline to score in the corner - his seventh try of the season. Chanel Harris-Tavita scores a try against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The last one just showed how brilliant he is," Webster said. "The best part about Leka's game tonight was he was trying to be aggressive in his collision - he got one wrong unfortunately. "We know how flashy he can be in those big plays, but it's the work ethic and toughness that we want him to get better at, and I thought there were signs tonight he was chasing that." Centre Rocco Berry continued his cursed season of injury, leaving the game just before halftime with what seemed like a dislocated shoulder. Depending on severity, that could spell the end of his campaign, which has never really reached full flight, after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season. He missed the opening four rounds of the regular season and a hamstring strain delayed his return, then he copped a one-game suspension in his first game, tweaked the hammy two games later and only returned against Brisbane Broncos two weeks ago, before the bye. Berry has managed just five appearances this season, but didn't finish two of them. "Sometimes that's a season, sometimes you can rehab them," Webster said. "We'll just wait and see on that one." Only a couple of weeks after suffering concussion in reserve grade, Tuaupiki was on the receiving end of another big hit from opposition winger Jeral Skelton, but bounced back to his feet and responded with a long run down the right sideline to set up Halasima's try in the final minute. Victory at this juncture of the season was absolutely crucial, especially against a team that seemed a fairly safe two points in the offering. After their first back-to-back losses of the season against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors needed to nip their mini-slide in the bud, but against the context of a shaky record emerging from bye weeks. Both those obstacles were safely overcome and the result consolidates a spot in the top four for at least another couple of weeks. The Warriors ended the game six points clear of their nearest pursuers, but both Penrith and Brisbane cut into that buffer with subsequent wins over Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans. Both are now riding five-game winning streaks, so they have momentum on their sides. The Broncos also have another bye up their sleeves, while the Panthers have recovered, after a disastrous start to their pursuit of a fifth straight NRL crown. While the Warriors now have eight more games in their run home - hopefully - to the playoffs, six are against opponents currently outside the top eight. The two exceptions - against Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Sea Eagles - are both across the Tasman. Four of them are home games and winning those would be enough to see them into the post-season. They probably need a fifth win to remain in the top four. The Warriors travel to Newcastle, where they face a Knights team languishing in 13th place on the table and missing star fullback Kalyn Ponga indefinitely to a foot injury. They lost forward Dylan Lucas to a foot injury in this week's loss to Melbourne Storm and Fletcher Sharpe - one of their best performers this season - to a lacerated kidney. Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland was also charged with his third dangerous contact offence this season against the Storm, but will escape with a fine, if he takes the early guilty plea. For the Warriors, Berry seems likely to miss time with his latest shoulder complaint, but Webster will presumably have Kurt Capewell back from Origin recovery and centre Ali Leiataua available, after testing his dodgy knee in reserve grade this weekend. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: NZ Warriors v Wests Tigers
Leka Halasima side steps on his way to scoring. Wests Tigers v One NZ Warriors. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport 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
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Tigers live updates: Warriors eye return to form
Live updates of the NRL clash between the Warriors and the Wests Tigers. Tanah Boyd will make his Warriors NRL debut after being named to start at halfback for today's NRL clash with the Wests Tigers in Auckland. After Luke Metcalf's season-ending ACL injury, coach Andrew Webster has been forced to make a change in the No 7 jersey and he's enlisted his faith in Boyd, who has led the club's reserve squad to the top of the table in the New South Wales Cup. The 24-year-old is in his first season at the club, having joined from the Gold Coast Titans where he made 69 appearances in five years. Boyd told the Herald earlier this month that he was ready to step up if called upon. Meanwhile, there are two changes in the outside backs with Taine Tuaupiki replacing the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is poised to make a shock return from an ankle injury. Nicoll-Klokstad is set to be sidelined until round 21 with an MCL injury, while Watene-Zelezniak was originally ruled out for four to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury three weeks ago against Penrith. In the forwards, Jackson Ford starts in the front row with Marata Niukore listed in the second row alongside Leka Halasima. Kurk Capewell also has a chance of playing after being named on the extended bench. Capewell is aiming to help Queensland win the State of Origin decider on Wednesday night. Victory is paramount for the Warriors if they are to finish inside the top four as they currently sit four points above the fifth-placed Broncos, who have a bye up their sleeve. The Warriors beat the Tigers 26-24 back in round four, highlighted by a stunning length of the field try to Leka Halasima. Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Kurt Capewell, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark. Interchange (from): 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20. Sam Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Ed Kosi, 23. Kurt Capewell.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy fans slam great of the game over the most cringeworthy sideline TV interview you'll ever see
NRL premiership winner and New Zealand international Daryl Halligan has combined with a Kiwi young gun to deliver one of the most confusing interviews the code has ever seen. Halligan was on-hand to interview players in the wake of the Warriors' 40-10 demolition of Cronulla on Saturday, and his line of questioning has been ridiculed by footy fans. Halligan, a New Zealand-born winger, transitioned from rugby union to rugby league in 1991, joining the North Sydney Bears before moving to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1994. Renowned for his exceptional goal-kicking skills, he amassed a then-record 2034 points in the NRL, including 855 goals at a 79.31 per cent success rate, and played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs' 1995 premiership victory. But his footy ability hasn't translated to a stellar media career, highlighted by the puzzling interview he did for Sky Sports on the weekend with Warriors young gun Leka Halasima. It started innocuously enough, with Halligan praising Halasima for his efforts in the forwards in the Warriors' win over Cronulla. 'Leka great effort tonight, yourself and Jacob [Laban] in the back row, 80 minutes for you, brilliant,' he said. But it quickly skidded downhill as the questions became longer and more confusing. "Try scoring freak continues. You're on a little bit of a string. I mean, leg speed, take the line on?" Halligan said to confusion of fans and Halasima alike. 'What the f***, Darryl?' one fan asked about that particular question. All the young Warrior could do was laugh and reply, 'Pardon?' 'The try streak's five now, hopefully more to come,' he added as his teammates teased him and slapped him on the head. 'Shark Park here, you don't often put 40 points on Cronulla,' Halligan followed it up with. By then Halasima's concentration had been well and truly broken and he started to deliver replies that have been likened to former NRL star Darius Boyd's infamous one-word-answers interview. In that instance, Boyd's terse, one-word responses during a 2009 press conference became emblematic of his strained relationship with the media. 'You're going so well my friend, starting on the bench, now playing the full 80 minutes, in the back row, its a credit to you,' Halligan said to close out the interview. Fans have since taken to social media to ridicule the awkward exchange. 'Halligan's 'stream of consciousness' interviewing technique takes some getting used to,' one fan posted. 'Fucking great that Leka follows that gibberish with 'Pardon?',' another fan commented. 'Daryl has been getting stuck into the beers or something,' joked another. Others questioned whether Halasima was ready for on-the-spot media interviews, especially with curve ball questions like Halligan was throwing his way. 'Poor bloke was so nervous and clearly not really listening to the questions,' one viewer posted. 'As someone with years of media experience and a former player, he should be helping out these young kids that haven't had a lot of media training,' added another. 'Adding to the shyness, the lad was born in Tonga, so his first language isn't even English, making Halligan's word salad even more bewildering than it would otherwise be,' yet another pointed out.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Raiders: NRL live updates from round 12 clash
All the action live as the Warriors host the Raiders in their round 12 NRL clash in Auckland. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 10. Bunty Afoa, 9. Wayde Egan, 12. Marata Niukore, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell (c), 13. Erin Clark. Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, Reserve: 21. Tanah Boyd. Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4, Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Simi Sasagi, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Morgan Smithies. Interchange: 14 Owen Pattie, 15. Noah Martin, 16. Josh Papalii, 17. Ata Mariota. Reserve: 18. Jed Stuart Warriors re-sign Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban on long-term deals The Warriors have moved swiftly to re-sign promising duo Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban on long-term deals until the end of the 2029 NRL season. Halasima wasn't off contract until 2027 and Laban in 2026 but the Warriors have moved early to keep them at the club, with two new teams, the Perth Bears and a Papua New Guinea-based franchise, entering the competition in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Both players debuted in the NRL last year, with Halasima featuring in every match this season, starting in the last five, while Laban has featured four times. 'It's so exciting for us seeing Leka and Jacob signed for so long,' said Warriors coach Andrew Webster. 'We're really proud of them and what they've already achieved. We have so much belief in them and they're paying that back with their performances.' Halasima, 19, produced a stunning performance in the Warriors' 26-24 win over the Wests Tigers last month, scoring a solo 70m try which ultimately proved to be the game winner. Laban, 21, scored his first NRL try in last week's 16-12 win over the Dolphins. Both players have been named to face the Canberra Raiders on Sunday. Andrew McFadden, Warriors general manager of recruitment, pathways and development, said it was a 'significant moment'. 'It reinforces what we are working towards in making this a development club, building it around players we are bringing through from the local game. 'Leka and Jacob are terrific examples of the talent in New Zealand while also showing off the opportunities available through our pathways.' Last month, the Warriors re-signed fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad until the end of the 2027 NRL season, while also signing Morgan Gannon from Leeds Rhinos and five-eighth Jye Linnane from the Newcastle Knights, on three year deals. Meanwhile the Warriors have confirmed centre Moala Graham-Taufa will leave at the end of the season. The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
