Latest news with #SamHealey
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
NRL: The Man Behind NZ Warriors' ‘Next Man Up' Philosophy
Article – RNZ , Digital Sports Journalist Only a few hours out from kickoff, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan succumbs to a niggly hip injury and his understudy is thrust into the starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks. This is where David Tangata-Toa earns his salary. Halfway through a season when the Auckland club hovers near the top of the NRL table, igniting hopes that this may finally be that elusive championship year, the secret to its success lies far beyond its star-studded premier team. 'One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year,' coach Andrew Webster said last month, as he surveyed a roster depleted by injuries. 'It's going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We're certainly finding that out.' With Egan gone, newcomer Sam Healey received the call-up from reserve grade and a chance to show his junior club, where dad Mitch played more than 200 games in the 1990s, just what it let slip through its fingers. In 47 minutes, he ran for 71 metres – all but four from dummy half – and made 27 tackles, as the Warriors produced their most complete performance so far for a 40-10 win over Cronulla. Healey's seamless inclusion epitomised the 'next man up' mentality that has served the programme so well and, as 'transition coach', Tangata-Toa has been one of the drivers of that philosophy. Earlier in the day, he guided his reserve side to victory over Newtown Jets, avenging their only defeat so far this season and maintaining their five-point advantage atop the NSW Cup competition. 'We all want to be successful and, at the end of the day, coaches get judged on results,' Tangata-Toa said. 'Where I get my satisfaction from is seeing guys debuting, and then going up and doing a really good job. 'On the weekend, Sam Healey was such a great story, playing against his old club, where he couldn't quite get an opportunity and relocated to New Zealand – he jumps in and does a really good job. 'I've only coached Sam this year and have played hardly any role in that, but just to see a kid step up like that… it's great to see these kids realise their dreams and, if you can be around that, it's pretty cool.' In his second NRL game, Healey was not the only one of Tangata-Toa's proteges on display against the Sharks. With co-captain Mitch Barnett sidelined by ruptured knee ligaments for the rest of the season, forward Tanner Stowers-Smith also made his second appearance off the bench, after debuting against the Dolphins last month. He'll likely build on that opportunity, as the campaign progresses. Through 14 rounds, others like Taine Tuaupiki, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Te Maire Martin have played for both premiers and reserves, where they wait in the wings for their next chance to step into the spotlight. Whenever they are promoted, their replacements in reserve grade are often drawn from the Jersey Flegg (U21) programme. Tangata-Toa's role is threefold – he's hired to win games and prepare his players to perform at first grade when required, while helping develop the 'next' next wave of teenagers for the future, but not necessarily in that order. 'Reserve grade I see as a development team,' he said. 'My role is to develop these players and get them ready for first grade, when they're called upon by Webby. 'Obviously, if you can win some games along the way, that's development as well, because you have to teach the young kids how to win, so when they do get to first grade, there's that expectation of winning games. 'The development side of it is super important around that 'next man up' mentality, so when they're called upon, they can do a job in the top grade.' Tangata-Toa held similar development roles at Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, but was summoned to Auckland, when Webster became head coach at the Warriors. The pair had crossed paths at Hull Kingston Rovers 15 years earlier, when Webster was an assistant and academy coach, and Tangata-Toa was ending his playing career. 'Webby was actually my coach at Hull KR, but he was a year younger than me,' he said. 'We became friends there, and always coached against each other and kept in touch. 'There was a position open up here so he rang me, as I was coming off contract at the Bulldogs, to see if I would relocate. We nutted it out and moved the family over here – it's been a good move.' The Warriors reserves have reached the NSW Cup semis over the previous two years, but have been depleted when injuries to the top side pull players from the next level down. Last season, only Barnett and Jackson Ford played through the first 14 rounds. Halfway through this year's schedule, the Warriors have had eight players turn out in every one of their 13 first-grade games – centre Adam Pompey, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, second-rower Kurt Capewell, and forwards Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. That continuity has helped both teams maintain standards and build combinations, without dipping too deeply into the depth chart. 'We've been really lucky this year,' Tangata-Toa said. 'Compared to last year, first-grade haven't had a whole lot of injuries, so we've been pretty lucky in reserve grade to keep the majority of our squad together. 'There are a few changes every week, but last year, we were changing up to six players a week through injury and performance.' During its three-year Covid-enforced exile across the Tasman, the club had to abandon its supplementary teams – including the NRLW side – as it focused on core business without the benefit of revenue from home games. Since returning home, the Warriors have fielded teams in the major New South Wales competitions, taking back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup (U17) at their first two attempts. 'This is only the second year we've had all the junior pathway teams in the NSW competitions,' Tangata-Toa said. 'NSW Cup [reserves] have been in for three years now and the club's done a really good job around that. The first year back, they made the semis, last year they made the semis and this year, halfway through the season, they're sitting on top. 'The club invests quite heavily in trying to keep those Kiwi kids at home, so we're starting to see some rewards around that.' With former first-grade coach Andrew McFadden guiding the club's pathways, homegrown players can now see a route from school and club footy into NRL, without having to leave New Zealand. 'The transition, you're starting to see it in the reserve grade competition,' Tangata-Toa said. 'Only four years ago, the age of the reserve competition, you'd see a lot of 26-27-year-olds still playing and they would make up the majority of reserve grade teams, whereas now, you're probably only seeing one or two of those players in the competition, and the rest are 20-21-year-olds.' The Warriors reserves are still well served by veterans with considerable first-grade experience. Half Tanah Boyd, 24, crossed the ditch this year from Gold Coast Titans, where he logged 68 NRL games, while centre/winger Morgan Harper, 26, has made 64 appearances at Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. Both are still awaiting their Warriors debuts. Since arriving in 2022. hooker Freddy Lussick, 24, has played 40 games for the club, but has tumbled down the pecking order to the point where he sometimes has to wear the unfamiliar No.10 jersey to start in reserve grade this season. Front-rower Afoa, 28, is the club's longest-serving player, after making his NRL debut in 2016, and has since amassed 145 games, including seven this season. He's become a fan favourite for returning kickoffs from the back fence and is still more than capable of stepping into top grade when required. Afoa probably has several years left in his playing career, but his most important role now may be as mentor to the young forwards trying to supplant him. That creates a delicate balancing act for Tangata-Toa, who must keep these journeymen motivated, while younger prospects are promoted around them. 'It's potentially a tricky one, but it probably comes down to the individual and their attitude around it,' he said. 'As a coach, you've got to keep an eye out for that, but I've been really impressed with the guys. 'There's a real connection, not just with the NRL and reserve grade, but the club in general, and that comes from Webby up top. 'There's never been once this year where I've had to question a bloke's attitude, because they were a bit filthy they weren't getting called upon – they were just really happy for their teammates. 'That's a rap on Webby as a head coach, that he's able to create this environment where everyone's in it for the right reasons.' The reserves train alongside – and often against – the premiers each week, measuring themselves against those they are trying to replace. When one limps to the sideline, another instantly fills their spot. 'It's good to see these young boys coming through and getting the opportunity,' lock Erin Clark said. 'You never know when it comes and, when it does come, they're definitely ready, so that's good for us as a club. 'From the lower grades up, we all train the same system, so we definitely know the man that steps up is ready.' Last time the Warriors made the NRL Grand Final in 2011, club affiliate Auckland Vulcans also reached the NSW Cup final, while their U20 side won the National Youth Competition in extra time. They seemed on the verge of a dynasty then, but while the juniors won again in 2014 – Afoa was part of that team – the reserves and premiers have never returned to the finals since. Harold Matthews success may be an omen that reign may not be far off. The Warriors have suffered a variety of body blows this season – they've lost Addin Fonua-Blake, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker across the Tasman, captain Tohu Harris and superstar Shaun Johnson to retirement, and now skipper Barnett to injury – but so far, they've found a way to keep moving forward. Much of that comes down to the job Tangata-Toa has done to prepare their replacements to answer the call.
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
NRL: The Man Behind NZ Warriors' 'Next Man Up' Philosophy
, Digital Sports Journalist Only a few hours out from kickoff, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan succumbs to a niggly hip injury and his understudy is thrust into the starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks. This is where David Tangata-Toa earns his salary. Halfway through a season when the Auckland club hovers near the top of the NRL table, igniting hopes that this may finally be that elusive championship year, the secret to its success lies far beyond its star-studded premier team. "One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year," coach Andrew Webster said last month, as he surveyed a roster depleted by injuries. "It's going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We're certainly finding that out." With Egan gone, newcomer Sam Healey received the call-up from reserve grade and a chance to show his junior club, where dad Mitch played more than 200 games in the 1990s, just what it let slip through its fingers. In 47 minutes, he ran for 71 metres - all but four from dummy half - and made 27 tackles, as the Warriors produced their most complete performance so far for a 40-10 win over Cronulla. Healey's seamless inclusion epitomised the 'next man up' mentality that has served the programme so well and, as 'transition coach', Tangata-Toa has been one of the drivers of that philosophy. Earlier in the day, he guided his reserve side to victory over Newtown Jets, avenging their only defeat so far this season and maintaining their five-point advantage atop the NSW Cup competition. "We all want to be successful and, at the end of the day, coaches get judged on results," Tangata-Toa said. "Where I get my satisfaction from is seeing guys debuting, and then going up and doing a really good job. "On the weekend, Sam Healey was such a great story, playing against his old club, where he couldn't quite get an opportunity and relocated to New Zealand - he jumps in and does a really good job. "I've only coached Sam this year and have played hardly any role in that, but just to see a kid step up like that… it's great to see these kids realise their dreams and, if you can be around that, it's pretty cool." In his second NRL game, Healey was not the only one of Tangata-Toa's proteges on display against the Sharks. With co-captain Mitch Barnett sidelined by ruptured knee ligaments for the rest of the season, forward Tanner Stowers-Smith also made his second appearance off the bench, after debuting against the Dolphins last month. He'll likely build on that opportunity, as the campaign progresses. Through 14 rounds, others like Taine Tuaupiki, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Te Maire Martin have played for both premiers and reserves, where they wait in the wings for their next chance to step into the spotlight. Whenever they are promoted, their replacements in reserve grade are often drawn from the Jersey Flegg (U21) programme. Tangata-Toa's role is threefold - he's hired to win games and prepare his players to perform at first grade when required, while helping develop the 'next' next wave of teenagers for the future, but not necessarily in that order. "Reserve grade I see as a development team," he said. "My role is to develop these players and get them ready for first grade, when they're called upon by Webby. "Obviously, if you can win some games along the way, that's development as well, because you have to teach the young kids how to win, so when they do get to first grade, there's that expectation of winning games. "The development side of it is super important around that 'next man up' mentality, so when they're called upon, they can do a job in the top grade." Tangata-Toa held similar development roles at Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, but was summoned to Auckland, when Webster became head coach at the Warriors. The pair had crossed paths at Hull Kingston Rovers 15 years earlier, when Webster was an assistant and academy coach, and Tangata-Toa was ending his playing career. "Webby was actually my coach at Hull KR, but he was a year younger than me," he said. "We became friends there, and always coached against each other and kept in touch. "There was a position open up here so he rang me, as I was coming off contract at the Bulldogs, to see if I would relocate. We nutted it out and moved the family over here - it's been a good move." The Warriors reserves have reached the NSW Cup semis over the previous two years, but have been depleted when injuries to the top side pull players from the next level down. Last season, only Barnett and Jackson Ford played through the first 14 rounds. Halfway through this year's schedule, the Warriors have had eight players turn out in every one of their 13 first-grade games - centre Adam Pompey, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, second-rower Kurt Capewell, and forwards Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. That continuity has helped both teams maintain standards and build combinations, without dipping too deeply into the depth chart. "We've been really lucky this year," Tangata-Toa said. "Compared to last year, first-grade haven't had a whole lot of injuries, so we've been pretty lucky in reserve grade to keep the majority of our squad together. "There are a few changes every week, but last year, we were changing up to six players a week through injury and performance." During its three-year Covid-enforced exile across the Tasman, the club had to abandon its supplementary teams - including the NRLW side - as it focused on core business without the benefit of revenue from home games. Since returning home, the Warriors have fielded teams in the major New South Wales competitions, taking back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup (U17) at their first two attempts. "This is only the second year we've had all the junior pathway teams in the NSW competitions," Tangata-Toa said. "NSW Cup [reserves] have been in for three years now and the club's done a really good job around that. The first year back, they made the semis, last year they made the semis and this year, halfway through the season, they're sitting on top. "The club invests quite heavily in trying to keep those Kiwi kids at home, so we're starting to see some rewards around that." With former first-grade coach Andrew McFadden guiding the club's pathways, homegrown players can now see a route from school and club footy into NRL, without having to leave New Zealand. "The transition, you're starting to see it in the reserve grade competition," Tangata-Toa said. "Only four years ago, the age of the reserve competition, you'd see a lot of 26-27-year-olds still playing and they would make up the majority of reserve grade teams, whereas now, you're probably only seeing one or two of those players in the competition, and the rest are 20-21-year-olds." The Warriors reserves are still well served by veterans with considerable first-grade experience. Half Tanah Boyd, 24, crossed the ditch this year from Gold Coast Titans, where he logged 68 NRL games, while centre/winger Morgan Harper, 26, has made 64 appearances at Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. Both are still awaiting their Warriors debuts. Since arriving in 2022. hooker Freddy Lussick, 24, has played 40 games for the club, but has tumbled down the pecking order to the point where he sometimes has to wear the unfamiliar No.10 jersey to start in reserve grade this season. Front-rower Afoa, 28, is the club's longest-serving player, after making his NRL debut in 2016, and has since amassed 145 games, including seven this season. He's become a fan favourite for returning kickoffs from the back fence and is still more than capable of stepping into top grade when required. Afoa probably has several years left in his playing career, but his most important role now may be as mentor to the young forwards trying to supplant him. That creates a delicate balancing act for Tangata-Toa, who must keep these journeymen motivated, while younger prospects are promoted around them. "It's potentially a tricky one, but it probably comes down to the individual and their attitude around it," he said. "As a coach, you've got to keep an eye out for that, but I've been really impressed with the guys. "There's a real connection, not just with the NRL and reserve grade, but the club in general, and that comes from Webby up top. "There's never been once this year where I've had to question a bloke's attitude, because they were a bit filthy they weren't getting called upon - they were just really happy for their teammates. "That's a rap on Webby as a head coach, that he's able to create this environment where everyone's in it for the right reasons." The reserves train alongside - and often against - the premiers each week, measuring themselves against those they are trying to replace. When one limps to the sideline, another instantly fills their spot. "It's good to see these young boys coming through and getting the opportunity," lock Erin Clark said. "You never know when it comes and, when it does come, they're definitely ready, so that's good for us as a club. "From the lower grades up, we all train the same system, so we definitely know the man that steps up is ready." Last time the Warriors made the NRL Grand Final in 2011, club affiliate Auckland Vulcans also reached the NSW Cup final, while their U20 side won the National Youth Competition in extra time. They seemed on the verge of a dynasty then, but while the juniors won again in 2014 - Afoa was part of that team - the reserves and premiers have never returned to the finals since. Harold Matthews success may be an omen that reign may not be far off. The Warriors have suffered a variety of body blows this season - they've lost Addin Fonua-Blake, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker across the Tasman, captain Tohu Harris and superstar Shaun Johnson to retirement, and now skipper Barnett to injury - but so far, they've found a way to keep moving forward. Much of that comes down to the job Tangata-Toa has done to prepare their replacements to answer the call.
RNZ News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: The man behind NZ Warriors' 'next man up' philosophy
Warriors hooker Sam Healey is the latest to stake his claim on more first-grade minutes. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Only a few hours out from kickoff, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan succumbs to a niggly hip injury and his understudy is thrust into the starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks. This is where David Tangata-Toa earns his salary. Halfway through a season when the Auckland club hovers near the top of the NRL table, igniting hopes that this may finally be that elusive championship year, the secret to its success lies far beyond its star-studded premier team. "One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year ," coach Andrew Webster said last month, as he surveyed a roster depleted by injuries. "It's going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We're certainly finding that out." With Egan gone, newcomer Sam Healey received the call-up from reserve grade and a chance to show his junior club, where dad Mitch played more than 200 games in the 1990s, just what it let slip through its fingers. In 47 minutes, he ran for 71 metres - all but four from dummy half - and made 27 tackles, as the Warriors produced their most complete performance so far for a 40-10 win over Cronulla . Healey's seamless inclusion epitomised the 'next man up' mentality that has served the programme so well and, as 'transition coach', Tangata-Toa has been one of the drivers of that philosophy. Earlier in the day, he guided his reserve side to victory over Newtown Jets, avenging their only defeat so far this season and maintaining their five-point advantage atop the NSW Cup competition. "We all want to be successful and, at the end of the day, coaches get judged on results," Tangata-Toa said. "Where I get my satisfaction from is seeing guys debuting, and then going up and doing a really good job. "On the weekend, Sam Healey was such a great story, playing against his old club, where he couldn't quite get an opportunity and relocated to New Zealand - he jumps in and does a really good job. "I've only coached Sam this year and have played hardly any role in that, but just to see a kid step up like that… it's great to see these kids realise their dreams and, if you can be around that, it's pretty cool." In his second NRL game, Healey was not the only one of Tangata-Toa's proteges on display against the Sharks. With co-captain Mitch Barnett sidelined by ruptured knee ligaments for the rest of the season, forward Tanner Stowers-Smith also made his second appearance off the bench, after debuting against the Dolphins last month. He'll likely build on that opportunity, as the campaign progresses. Through 14 rounds, others like Taine Tuaupiki, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Te Maire Martin have played for both premiers and reserves, where they wait in the wings for their next chance to step into the spotlight. Whenever they are promoted, their replacements in reserve grade are often drawn from the Jersey Flegg (U21) programme. Tangata-Toa's role is threefold - he's hired to win games and prepare his players to perform at first grade when required, while helping develop the 'next' next wave of teenagers for the future, but not necessarily in that order. David Tangata-Toa is at the forefront of the Warriors' 'next man up' mentality. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Reserve grade I see as a development team," he said. "My role is to develop these players and get them ready for first grade, when they're called upon by Webby. "Obviously, if you can win some games along the way, that's development as well, because you have to teach the young kids how to win, so when they do get to first grade, there's that expectation of winning games. "The development side of it is super important around that 'next man up' mentality, so when they're called upon, they can do a job in the top grade." Tangata-Toa held similar development roles at Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, but was summoned to Auckland, when Webster became head coach at the Warriors. The pair had crossed paths at Hull Kingston Rovers 15 years earlier, when Webster was an assistant and academy coach, and Tangata-Toa was ending his playing career. "Webby was actually my coach at Hull KR, but he was a year younger than me," he said. "We became friends there, and always coached against each other and kept in touch. "There was a position open up here so he rang me, as I was coming off contract at the Bulldogs, to see if I would relocate. We nutted it out and moved the family over here - it's been a good move." The Warriors reserves have reached the NSW Cup semis over the previous two years, but have been depleted when injuries to the top side pull players from the next level down. Last season, only Barnett and Jackson Ford played through the first 14 rounds. Halfway through this year's schedule, the Warriors have had eight players turn out in every one of their 13 first-grade games - centre Adam Pompey, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, second-rower Kurt Capewell, and forwards Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. That continuity has helped both teams maintain standards and build combinations, without dipping too deeply into the depth chart. "We've been really lucky this year," Tangata-Toa said. "Compared to last year, first-grade haven't had a whole lot of injuries, so we've been pretty lucky in reserve grade to keep the majority of our squad together. "There are a few changes every week, but last year, we were changing up to six players a week through injury and performance." During its three-year Covid-enforced exile across the Tasman, the club had to abandon its supplementary teams - including the NRLW side - as it focused on core business without the benefit of revenue from home games. Since returning home, the Warriors have fielded teams in the major New South Wales competitions, taking back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup (U17) at their first two attempts. "This is only the second year we've had all the junior pathway teams in the NSW competitions," Tangata-Toa said. "NSW Cup [reserves] have been in for three years now and the club's done a really good job around that. The first year back, they made the semis, last year they made the semis and this year, halfway through the season, they're sitting on top. "The club invests quite heavily in trying to keep those Kiwi kids at home, so we're starting to see some rewards around that." With former first-grade coach Andrew McFadden guiding the club's pathways, homegrown players can now see a route from school and club footy into NRL, without having to leave New Zealand. "The transition, you're starting to see it in the reserve grade competition," Tangata-Toa said. Tanner Stowers-Smith will have more opportunities in first grade, with the season-ending injury to Mitch Barnett. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Only four years ago, the age of the reserve competition, you'd see a lot of 26-27-year-olds still playing and they would make up the majority of reserve grade teams, whereas now, you're probably only seeing one or two of those players in the competition, and the rest are 20-21-year-olds." The Warriors reserves are still well served by veterans with considerable first-grade experience. Half Tanah Boyd, 24, crossed the ditch this year from Gold Coast Titans, where he logged 68 NRL games, while centre/winger Morgan Harper, 26, has made 64 appearances at Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. Both are still awaiting their Warriors debuts. Since arriving in 2022. hooker Freddy Lussick, 24, has played 40 games for the club, but has tumbled down the pecking order to the point where he sometimes has to wear the unfamiliar No.10 jersey to start in reserve grade this season. Front-rower Afoa, 28, is the club's longest-serving player, after making his NRL debut in 2016, and has since amassed 145 games, including seven this season. He's become a fan favourite for returning kickoffs from the back fence and is still more than capable of stepping into top grade when required. Afoa probably has several years left in his playing career, but his most important role now may be as mentor to the young forwards trying to supplant him. That creates a delicate balancing act for Tangata-Toa, who must keep these journeymen motivated, while younger prospects are promoted around them. "It's potentially a tricky one, but it probably comes down to the individual and their attitude around it," he said. "As a coach, you've got to keep an eye out for that, but I've been really impressed with the guys. "There's a real connection, not just with the NRL and reserve grade, but the club in general, and that comes from Webby up top. "There's never been once this year where I've had to question a bloke's attitude, because they were a bit filthy they weren't getting called upon - they were just really happy for their teammates. "That's a rap on Webby as a head coach, that he's able to create this environment where everyone's in it for the right reasons." Bunty Afoa is the Warriors' longest-serving player and an example to the new generation. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The reserves train alongside - and often against - the premiers each week, measuring themselves against those they are trying to replace. When one limps to the sideline, another instantly fills their spot. "It's good to see these young boys coming through and getting the opportunity," lock Erin Clark said. "You never know when it comes and, when it does come, they're definitely ready, so that's good for us as a club. "From the lower grades up, we all train the same system, so we definitely know the man that steps up is ready." Last time the Warriors made the NRL Grand Final in 2011, club affiliate Auckland Vulcans also reached the NSW Cup final, while their U20 side won the National Youth Competition in extra time. They seemed on the verge of a dynasty then, but while the juniors won again in 2014 - Afoa was part of that team - the reserves and premiers have never returned to the finals since. Harold Matthews success may be an omen that reign may not be far off. The Warriors have suffered a variety of body blows this season - they've lost Addin Fonua-Blake, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker across the Tasman, captain Tohu Harris and superstar Shaun Johnson to retirement, and now skipper Barnett to injury - but so far, they've found a way to keep moving forward. Much of that comes down to the job Tangata-Toa has done to prepare their replacements to answer the call. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
10-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
NRL: Inside Warriors rookie Sam Healey's last-gasp call-up in victory over Cronulla Sharks
If you want an indication of the confidence among the new breed rising at the Warriors, look no further than rookie hooker Sam Healey. When the 22-year-old woke up last Saturday morning, all he was thinking about was another appearance for the New South Wales Cup team. Apart from one
RNZ News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: What we learnt as NZ Warriors overwhelmed Cronulla Sharks
Chanel Harris-Tavita and Sam Healey celebrate a try against the Sharks. Photo: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAP Despite their 9-3 record through the opening half of the NRL season, NZ Warriors had not exactly dominated opponents. Resilience had become their trademark, with many of their successes built on dramatic late-game feats or gritty defence to hold charging opponents at bay. Their points differential had been in the negative through most of the campaign and sat at just plus-5 entering their contest against Cronulla Sharks. They had lost co-captain Mitch Barnett for the season , veteran second-rower Kurt Capewell was covering at centre and they lost star hooker Wayde Egan to a hip complaint before kickoff. At Shark Park, the Warriors finally took their game to another level that must now have the competition on warning, outscoring their opponents 28-0 after halftime. Here are a few takeaways from their breakout 40-10 victory . Already reeling from the lose of Barnett for the season, the Warriors also had to deal with Egan's late withdrawal. While Barnett is a big loss, Egan is arguably a bigger one - and especially against the Sharks. After 13 rounds, he led the competition in dummy half runs and tackles, heading off Cronulla counterpart Blayke Brailey in both categories. His grip on the Warriors No.9 jersey is absolutely ironclad. Replacement Sam Healey was unproven, after logging 14 minutes off the bench in his NRL debut against North Queensland Cowboys last month. Jackson Ford reverted back to his favoured interchange role. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport The other change saw Marata Niukore shifted from second row to prop, with Jackson Ford - initially handed Barnett's No.10 jersey - slipping back to an interchange role he has made his own this season and Jacob Laban promoted into the starting second row. This was an entirely predictable change, probably inevitable. Healey's elevation into the gameday squad completed his journey to the top flight, after leaving the Sharks to search for a first-grade opportunity. Dad Mitch played 222 games for Cronulla from 1989-2000, so gaining his first start at Shark Park would have been an emotional moment for Sam. He played 47 minutes, running eight times for 71 metres and making 27 tackles, without looking out of place. Brailey went the distance for the Sharks, making a game-high 53 tackles in his 150th NRL outing. The other one that got away from the 'Shire' was Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf, who inherited the No.7 jersey from Shaun Johnson at the start of the season and has made every post a winner since, leading the Dally M standings when they went behind closed doors last week. He had seven appearances for Cronulla, but found his career path blocked by the arrival of Nico Hynes from Melbourne Storm, and has instead found a home at Mt Smart. Metcalf outplayed his much-vaunted rival, kicking 6/8 off the tee, making a linebreak and providing two try assists, while likely putting some ground on Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, one of his closest Dally M rivals. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated head-to-head match-up of the night saw former Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake take on the man that replaced him at the club - James Fisher-Harris. Fonua-Blake was back-to-back Dally M Prop of the Year during his last two years in Auckland and is compiling a similar case this season, leading the league in metres after contact. Inspirational Kiwis skipper Fisher-Harris spent a few weeks sidelined by a pec injury and then copped a suspension in his first game back, but with Barnett out of the picture, his team will now depend on him in the trenches going forward. They battled each other to a standstill - Fonua-Blake had more running metres and they both made 34 tackles - but Fisher-Harris scored his first try in a Warriors uniform to start the second-half avalanche of points. A feature of the Warriors season has been the emergence of the next generation of young forwards, led by teenager Leka Halasima. After grabbing tries in three consecutive games earlier in the season, he has now scored in back-to-back games against South Sydney and Cronulla to continue his meteoric rise. Laban let no-one down in his starting role and now provides another option for coach Andrew Webster, with Capewell currently deployed in midfield. The revelation was Demitric Vaimauga , who started the campaign slowly, but has started to show his ability in recent weeks. His 40-minute shift produced 11 runs for 106 metres, 21 tackles and a try, but the highlight may have been his short pass for Fisher-Harris' try after halftime. Demitric Vaimauga scores a try against the Sharks. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Halasima, 19, and Laban, 21, are signed through 2029, while Vaimauga, 21, is committed through 2028, so they have plenty of time left with the Warriors. Healey, 22, showed he is worth long-term investment, while Tanner Stowers-Smith, 21, also recorded his second game at his level off the bench. "The pleasing thing is the effort of our young guys, off the back of really strong leadership this year," Webster said. "We spoke about trying to be Barney , but be better at what they're doing, and I thought they stood up. "This place has changed and you see young kids feeling comfortable in their skin, feeling safe to be themselves, and then go out on the field and express themselves." This will be how the Warriors cover the absence of Barnett this season. "I didn't know when it was going to come, but at halftime, I said to the boys, 'We love being in these tight games, these kind of battles', so I was rapt they got the rewards late." Warriors coach Andrew Webster The Warriors are now 7/7 this season, when they lead at halftime and continue to lead the competition in set completion on 83 percent, after converting 92 percent (36/39) against the Sharks. The Warriors take their second bye of the season, which guarantees two points on the table. The week off is timely for Egan, who is obviously a bit nicked up and will enjoy some extra rest, as will others in the squad that have probably been carrying niggles into games over the past couple of months. In two weeks, they'll host four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers, just three days after Origin II in Perth. That's a long trip for players hoping to back up for their club. The Panthers have struggled this season and uncharacteristically sit near the bottom of the table. No-one is fooled by that and they are surely not far from a run at the playoffs. That said, the Warriors lost to Melbourne Storm off their first bye of the season, so they will need to turn that around. Since March 21, they will have played just once at Mt Smart in 12 rounds, but now face five games in the next eight there, as well as a third bye. They are now entering a very favourable phase of their schedule. Don't look now, Warriors fans, this may yet be your year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
