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RNZ News
an hour ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: Warriors suffer back-to-back defeats with loss to Brisbane Broncos
James Fisher-Harris in action for Warriors against Broncos. Photo: Tertius Pickard/ NZ Warriors have slumped to consecutive defeats for the first time this NRL season, falling 26-12 to Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. While the result sees their grip on a top-four spot now in jeopardy, they also lost the services of arguably their two best players - half Luke Metcalf and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - as they fought back into the contest in the second half. Nicoll-Klokstad did not return to the field after halftime with a knee injury, while Metcalf was helped off the park in the closing minutes, after he was nailed in a tackle by second-rower Brendan Piakura. Brisbane were on top from the opening kickoff, when Warriors forward Marata Niukore dropped a pass in front of his own posts and the home side took advantage for centre Katoni Staggs to score. Ill discipline continued to cost the Warriors, as they allowed their opponents across for two more tries and 18 unanswered points in the first half. Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita seemed to have scored before the break, when he chased a kick and gathered the loose ball, but replays showed he never forced for the try. They conceded a try on halftime to centre Gehamet Shibasaki, which proved a crippling blow, but emerged from the sheds with renewed vigour. They finally broke their drought, when winger Roger Tuviasa-Sheck crossed in the corner, and had another, when second-rower Leka Halasima chased a kick, gathered uncontested and scored. Down 20-12, with 15 minutes remaining, the Warriors still had a chance, but could not capitalise on their opportunities. Shibasaki crossed late for a second try, putting him atop the NRL tryscoring rankings, which finally sealed the win for Brisbane. Despite the defeat, the Warriors are fourth, still four points clear of their nearest chasers on the table - Sydney Roosters. They won't drop out of the top four this week or next, when they will bank two points from their bye, but with only two points covering the next five teams, they need to find form against Wests Tigers in two weeks or risk being swamped over the closing rounds. See how it all unfolded with RNZ's live blog: Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Jack Gosiewski Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy, 19. Selwyn Cobbo, 20. Deine Mariner, 21. Jaiyden Hunt, 22. Ben Talty, 23. Kyle Pickering. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Marata Niukore, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers‑Smith, 19. Taine Boyd, 20. Samuel Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Taine Tuaupiki
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Reece Walsh stars in Origin audition amid Warriors' double injury blow
The Broncos beat the Warriors 26-12 on the back of a starring display from Reece Walsh in his Origin audition amid two big injury blows for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium. Walsh finished with 103 metres, five tackle busts, two offloads, a linebreak assist and a try assist to put his hand up to replace the injured Kalyn Ponga in game three. The Warriors lost their second straight game with the defeat compounded by injuries to fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and halfback Luke Metcalf. Adam Reynolds produced a pinpoint grubber for Kotoni Staggs to dive over and give the Broncos an early lead. Later, Ezra Mam came up with a pinpoint cut-out pass to put Josiah Karapani over for his fifth try in three games to extend the Broncos' lead. The Warriors gifted the Broncos a penalty goal from a ruck infringement allowing Reynolds to make it 12-0 to the home side. Metcalf looked to have set up a try for halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, but replays showed he didn't get the ball down. Walsh, in his State of Origin audition, then produced a perfectly timed short ball to put Gehamat Shibasaki over on the stroke of half-time as the Broncos took a commanding lead. Making matters worse for the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad later suffered a knee injury trying to make a tackle on Shibasaki and did not return after half-time. But the Warriors, as they have done all season, fought through the adversity as Adam Pompey produced the last pass for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to score in the corner after a brilliant long ball from Metcalf in the lead up as the Warriors got on the board. Walsh was then taken out chasing a Reynolds kick gifting the Broncos a penalty goal to make it 20-6, even though the Brisbane fullback appeared off-side. While Brisbane looked to be cruising at that point, Leka Halasmia then soared high to latch onto a kick from Harris-Tavita to give the Warriors a sniff at a late comeback. But then in a further blow for the Warriors, Metcalf came from the field with a knee injury as Brendan Piakura was placed on report for a late hit on the halfback. Mam and Reynolds combined to put Shibasaki over for a double as the Broncos sealed their third straight win to move back to fifth on the ladder. WALSH STAMPS ORIGIN CLAIMS With Ponga sensationally ruled out of the Origin decider because of a lisfranc injury suffered on Friday night, Walsh is right in the frame to earn a recall to the rep arena. Walsh is only a few weeks back from a PCL injury, which was still giving him a little bit of grief last week, but since he's returned, his form has been very good. Against the Warriors, Walsh was very lively. 'That was probably Walsh's best game of the season,' Michael Ennis said. 'Things were happening around Reece Walsh today.' For Maroons coach Billy Slater, his two fullback options to replace Ponga are Walsh or shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the wing. After the Broncos star's performance against the Warriors, you'd have to think Slater will be leaning heavily towards Walsh.
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL live updates: Broncos v Warriors
Broncos player Reece Walsh gets past Te Maire Martin of the Warriors during the NRL preliminary final between the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: DAVE HUNT / AAP / PHOTOSPORT The Warriors are looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to an under strength Panthers side last weekend, and face a Broncos outfit coming off a big comeback win over the Sharks. Kick-off is at 5pm NZT. Follow all the action from RNZ's live blog: Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Jack Gosiewski Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy, 19. Selwyn Cobbo, 20. Deine Mariner, 21. Jaiyden Hunt, 22. Ben Talty, 23. Kyle Pickering. Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll‑Klokstad, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Marata Niukore, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 18. Tanner Stowers‑Smith, 19. Taine Boyd, 20. Samuel Healey, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Taine Tuaupiki
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Michael Maguire declares Reece Walsh is ready for a Queensland recall for State of Origin III
Michael Maguire has declared Reece Walsh ready for a State of Origin recall as the Brisbane coach backed his fullback superstar to ignite the Broncos' late-season charge to the top four. Walsh will lodge one final audition for Kalyn Ponga's Queensland No.1 jumper in Saturday night's clash against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland coach Billy Slater will choose his team for the July 9 decider on Sunday night and Ponga is under pressure to hold his spot after two quiet Origin games at a time when Walsh has returned with a bang. Back from a six-week knee injury, Walsh has been at the epicentre of Brisbane piling on 78 points in consecutive wins over the Titans and Sharks that have reignited his Queensland Origin selection hopes. An unabashed fan of Walsh, Slater will find it hard to resist the 22-year-old if he carves up former club the Warriors and Maguire, NSW's series-winning coach last season, says 'Reece Lightning' is primed to strike in Origin III. 'Last week he took a massive step into where I think he's ready (for the Origin decider),' Maguire said of Walsh, who damaged his posterior cruciate ligament against the Warriors in round 7. 'I think he's done that in the last couple of weeks. 'It's just a matter of where the opportunity arises for him (to play for Queensland). 'Reece works really hard at his game. He's actually good to have around. 'He just loves talking footy and he's definitely my style (of player). 'We get to sit down and work out how we want to game plan and play. 'Whilst he's doing that, I think he's got plenty of good footy in front of him and opportunities.' Walsh's immediate ambition is maintaining the rage for a Brisbane side that has rocketed back into finals contention after snapping a form crisis blighted by six losses from seven games. Entering round 17 in fifth spot, Brisbane (7-7) are six competition points adrift of the Warriors (10-4) and a top-four fightback becomes real if they dispose of the fourth-placed Kiwi outfit. Asked if the Broncos can still qualify for the top four, a bullish Maguire said: 'Definitely. 'I've said before – this competition is well and truly wide open. 'We've got to make sure we find our game like we did last week and the week before. 'We've taken a lot from the month where we didn't get the spoils we were after. 'This is another good opportunity for us. We are playing against a good team, but we know what we're capable of doing. 'If we find that, I'll be pleased as a coach and playing group.' The Broncos are desperate to atone for their gut-wrenching golden-point loss to the Warriors in April. Walsh was the villain that night, kicking out on the full from the extra-time restart, gifting Warriors playmaker Luke Metcalf a superb match-winning penalty goal from halfway. 'I guess a lot of people say we can't do it,' Maguire said of Brisbane's belated bid to make the top four. 'This is in our hands to be able to go about what we want to do. 'There's a lot of people who probably walk the streets and say we can't do it. 'We'll see how we go.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Buy or Selwyn': Cobbo could be squeezed out as the Broncos announce two more key signings
Selwyn Cobbo's time at the Broncos appears to be all but over after the club announced the re-signing of Josiah Karapani, while outside back Grant Anderson will join Brisbane from the Storm a week after the club confirmed Kotoni Staggs would be staying on a long-term deal. Cobbo was in State of Origin contention just a few weeks ago but has fallen out of favour, with the star outside back dropped to reserve grade and now seemingly set to leave the club at the end of the year. Karapani has taken his spot on the wing and scored two crucial tries in the comeback win over the Sharks last week, with his solid form earning him a new two-year deal. 'My family say there's a massive difference since they last saw me, just my professionalism, my preparation and everything, and I know that's been from the help of the staff and coaches,' he said. 'I love the connection, the culture of the club, the boys and how close we got so quickly. 'It's also the fans, it's a good atmosphere and energy when we're at Suncorp Stadium. 'I'm slowly finding my feet with this team … I want to be more competitive on the field and aim for that one goal which is the premiership.' The Broncos have also signed Anderson for the next two seasons, with the Storm sad to see him go given he's been able to play anywhere in the backline and has done a good job for the team. His move to Brisbane has been in the works for months, but it was finally made official on Wednesday. 'Grant has been an outstanding representative of Melbourne Storm over the past few seasons,' Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi said. 'He's a great example of a player who has made the most of every opportunity, working his way through our feeder system with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, before earning his place in the NRL side. 'We know he'll give his all for Storm for the remainder of the 2025 season, and we look forward to his continued contribution.'
