Latest news with #TaineTuaupiki
NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Warriors v Titans: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns for round 21 NRL clash
The Warriors welcome back fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for Saturday's crucial round 21 NRL clash against the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland. The 29-year-old missed the Warriors' past two games with a knee injury but returns to take his place in the No 1 jersey, with Taine Tuaupiki dropping to the
RNZ News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
NRL: NZ Warriors v Penrith Panthers - what you need to know
The Warriors and Panthers will line up without their travel-weary Origin stars. Photo: RNZ Warriors v Panthers Kickoff: 5pm Saturday, 21 June Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Penrith Panthers have traditionally been among the Warriors' toughest opponents through their time in the NRL, with the head-to-head record favouring them 32-19, plus a draw. The Warriors have even struggled to defend their home patch against them, with the Panthers enjoying a 14-11 edge on the road and they are deadlocked 10-10 at Mt Smart. Their biggest margin of victory came in 2013, when Kiwis Isaac John and Lewis Brown - both former Warriors - scored five tries between them in a 62-6 Penrith victory in Sydney. That was the Warriors' biggest-ever defeat, until their 70-10 Anzac Day debacle against Melbourne Storm in 2022. The Warriors enjoyed their biggest win in 2001, when Francis Meli, Justin Murphy, Logan Swann and Clinton Toopi all had try doubles in a 52-8 result at home. Current Panthers coach Ivan Cleary kicked 6/10 conversions for the Warriors that day. Penrith have won eight of the last nine meetings, dating back to 2019 - the last time these two teams met in Auckland - but the makeshift Warriors took the honours last year, with an upset 22-20 win at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored a late try and converted for the win. Both teams are coming off bye weeks and both have lost after their previous byes this season. The Warriors (10-3) have won back-to-back outings across the Tasman, since their last loss to Canberra Raiders at home. They lost co-captain Mitch Barnett to a season-ending knee injury against South Sydney, but produced probably their best performance - especially in a 28-0 second half - against Cronulla Sharks. Ivan Cleary has taken the Warriors to two Grand Finals - one as a player and one as a coach. Photo: This fixture will mark the start of a very favourable schedule that includes four home games and a bye over the next seven weeks. After winning their season-opener against the Sharks at Las Vegas, Penrith (5-1-7) lost five straight and sat at the foot of the NRL table, but two wins and the bye have helped boost their standing to ninth, just a point outside the playoff cut halfway through the season. Those wins only came against Parramatta Eels (16th) and Wests Tigers (13th), and they were preceded by a loss to Newcastle Knights (15th), so they're not exactly hitting their straps yet. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Moala Graham Taufa, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Eagan, 10 Marata Niukore, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18 Sam Healey, 22 Ed Kosi With Origin II played in Perth on Wednesday, players involved in this game could not fly back across Australia and then the Tasman in time to recover, so Kurt Capewell will miss his first game of the season. That's probably just as well - the Warriors wouldn't want to lose a second player to injury, trying to back up from the rep showcase. With Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua still sidelined, his place in the centres has been taken by Moala Graham Taufa, who will join Souths next season. Wayde Egan returns, after missing the Sharks game with a hip complaint, but Sam Healey remains among the reserves, just in case. Winger Ed Kosi is still in the gameday squad, which suggests there's an outside chance Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may yet revert to the midfield. Te Maire Martin will bring up his 100th NRL game against Penrith. Photo: Photosport Te Maire Martin is named for his 100th NRL game, which is some achievement, after he 'retired' in 2020 with a brain bleed. Panthers: 1 Daine Laurie, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Casey McLean, 5 Paul Alamoti, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Brad Schneider, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 Lindsay Smith, 11 Scott Sorenson, 12 Isaiah Papali'i, 13, Matt Eisenhuth Interchange: 14 Trent Toelau, 15 Liam Henry, 16 Luron Patea, 17 Luke Garner Reserves: 18 Luke Sommerton, 19 Jack Cole Much to Cleary's disgust , Penrith are far more depleted by the Origin logistics, with son Nathan, captain Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o, fullback Dylan Edwards and second-rower Liam Martin all unavailable. Prop Lindsay Smith was called into the NSW squad and travelled to Perth, but didn't take the field, so he will take his place in the starting line-up. The Panthers should be used to covering for their rep stars at this time of the season and have enough depth to ambush unprepared opponents. Their gameday squad features Kiwis Moses Leota, Scott Sorenson, Isaiah Papali'I, Luron Patea, Casey McLean and Trent Toelau. Without Cleary, Blaize Talagi will be called on to stamp his class on the game, something he has already done this season - his first at the Panthers. He scored 11 tries in 19 appearances for Parramatta last season and showed his ability in Penrith colours, when he scored a try and assisted on four in the 30-30 draw with North Queensland. Of Māori descent, Casey McLean made his Kiwis debut against Papua New Guinea, scoring four tries on the wing. Playing at centre, he's scored six tries in 10 outings for Penrith this season. "It's going to be different. I'm not sure what it's going to feel like, because I've never experienced it before. It's one of those things that you'll find out on gameday." - Penrith prop Moses Leota, looking forward to facing former teammate James Fisher-Harris "Still got some fond memories and some people there I've got a lot of respect for, particularly Ivan, but that's kind of dwindled now. I'm just glad that the fans get the champions at our stadium." - Warriors coach Andrew Webster , not emotional about facing his old club Webster will have his troops geed up for this one, with former Panthers Fisher-Harris, Egan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on board. The Wahs are locked in right now and could put up a score.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Eels centre Alfred Smalley suspended after high tackle on Warriors' Taine Tuaupiki
Parramatta Eels centre Alfred Smalley will spend more than a month on the sidelines, after knocking out NZ Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki in the final seconds of an NSW Cup game in Sydney. Tuaupiki, who started the season playing on the wing with the Warriors first-grade team , was at fullback for the reserves last weekend as they cruised to a 46-22 win over the Eels - their ninth straight victory to sit three points clear atop the table. As fulltime approached and with the Warriors on attack, Smalley shot out of the defensive line to plant a high shoulder shot on Tuaupiki - who was knocked out cold, but able to leave the field under his own steam and fly back to Auckland with his team. Auckland-born Smalley, 26, who logged two NRL appearances with Manly Sea Eagles in 2022, was sent from the field and has been suspended for five games after lodging an early plea for 'Grade Three Careless High Tackle - Reckless' with the judiciary. His actions attracted widespread outrage on social media. They were described as an "absolute dog shot" and "beyond disgraceful", among other things. Taine Tuaupiki celebrates a pre-season try for the Warriors. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport "I've spoken to Taine, I saw him yesterday and given him a day away from the place today," Warriors coach Andrew Webster told media on Tuesday. "It looked bad, but he pulled up pretty well afterwards. We just want to make sure he's OK. "It was tough to see. I was watching it at home and it was such a good win, but an unfortunate circumstance at the end of the game." Tuaupiki remains under concussion protocols, and has not been named for either first-grade or the reserves, when they face Penrith Panthers at home on Saturday. "That's the beauty of the protocols," Webster said. "If he doesn't hit the markers, you can say, 'No, you're not playing' and if he hits the markers, you can say, 'Yep, you can play'. "You're always looking at the symptoms and how the player's reacting, rather than giving them a certain number of days off and playing them. "They've still got to tick boxes and pass tests, and if they fail, we don't play them." Tuaupiki, 25, has made 20 first-grade appearances for the Warriors and is contracted through to the end of 2026. He was the star of the their 2024 victory over the four-time defending champion Panthers in their last meeting at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane, scoring a late try and converting for the 22-20 win. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Telegraph
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
NRL news, updates: Fans up in arms over ugly ‘dog shot' on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki, New Zealand, Parramatta Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki in the NSW Cup on Saturday. In the closing seconds of the Warriors' 46-22 win a frustrated Smalley lost his head, charging out of the line and flooring the young fullback. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Video of the incident appears to show the 26-year-old strike the New Zealand fullback with his shoulder or forearm, sending him flying backwards. If that wasn't enough Smalley then flopped on top of Tuaupiki who was out cold. Smalley was unsurprisingly sent off, while Tuaupiki was helped to his feet. You can watch the ugly incident in the player above. Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki. Image: Getty/X Incredibly with the help of the trainer the 25-year-old managed to walk off the field and informed fans hours later that he was doing okay on social media. But rugby league commentator Sam Hewat was disgusted by what he witnessed. 'Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy's head off,' he wrote on X. 'Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.' And fans were equally outraged. 'That's beyond disgraceful. He should have the book thrown at him,' one fan wrote. 'That's a total disgrace,' another added. 'That's disgusting,' a third wrote. Fortunately, Tuaupiki recovered enough from the incident to be cleared to board the plane home to Auckland on Saturday night. Originally published as Footy world outraged over former NRL player's ugly 'dog shot'
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ex-Manly star facing hefty ban for 'beyond disgraceful' act that left opponent knocked out
Former Manly Sea Eagles player Alfred Smalley has been blasted online after a shocking tackle that saw him knock out an opposition player. Smalley, 25, played two games for Manly in the NRL back in 2022. He joined Paramatta's New South Wales Cup side in 2025 and turned out for the side on Saturday during their clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Kellyville Park in Sydney. However, with eight seconds left on the clock and his side losing 22-44, Smalley flew off the line and smashed into promising full-back Taine Tuaupiki. The Warriors star, who has made 20 appearances for the club in rugby league's top flight, fell to the floor immediately, jolted by the sheer force of the brutal collision. Smalley then chose to flop his bodyweight onto the Warriors full-back, who appeared to have been knocked out cold. Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guys head off. Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more. — Sam Hewat (@samhewat) June 14, 2025 Alfred Smalley appeared to knock out Taine Tuaupiki with eight seconds left to go in the Warriors' victory over the Eels in the NSW Cup on Saturday A scuffle broke out between both sets of players, while some Warriors stars rushed to the attention of Tuaupiki, who was lying prone on the ground. Smalley was subsequently handed a red card. The 25-year-old would thankfully walk off alongside medical staff after the ugly hit, which some social media users described as a 'dog shot'. Sam Hewat was one of them, with the rugby league commentator reposting the video on his X account, writing: 'Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy's head off. 'Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.' Fans joined Hewat in their outrage at the ugly tackle. 'Diabolical,' one wrote. 'Bro wtf?' said another. One X user added: 'Shocking.' While one said: 'That's beyond disgraceful. He should have the book thrown at him.' Smalley made his NRL debut in the 2022 season for Manley against the Roosters. He'd later join up with North Sydney in the NSW Cup before going on to join Parramatta earlier this year. The victory sees the Warriors extend their lead at the top of the NSW Cup Ladder by three points over St George. The Eels, meanwhile, sit seven points adrift in third place. It is understood that Tuaupiki was cleared to board the flight home to Auckland on Saturday following the incident.
