Latest news with #TanahBoyd
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
NRL: Why Tanah Boyd looks primed to succeed as new Warriors halfback
Tanah Boyd looks comfortable in the driver's seat – and will be key to the Warriors' hopes of September success this season. That's the early conclusion after watching the impressive debut performance of the former Titan, in the 34-14 win over the Wests Tigers on.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Tanah Boyd's patience finally pays off with NZ Warriors NRL call-up
Tanah Boyd converted five of his team's six tries against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ NZ Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd admits wondering if he would ever get the chance to pull on the club jersey in NRL first-grade. After six seasons at Gold Coast Titans, Boyd took a chance to cross the Tasman this year in search of his next opportunity, but has had to wait in the wings for that chance to arrive. Coach Andrew Webster finally tapped him on the shoulder against Wests Tigers on Sunday, after the Warriors lost star half Luke Metcalf for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee before last week's bye. "There were definitely times when I wasn't sure whether it was going to come, but I had to stay positive, make sure I was playing good footy and when my chance came, I had to take it with both hands," Boyd said. "It was terrible what happened to Lukey and you don't wish it on anyone, but I knew I had to step in and do my job. That next man up mentality is something we pride ourselves on as a club." Boyd, 24, took his assignment in stride, guiding the Warriors around the park and teasing the Tigers with his kicking game, as the Auckland club put its premiership campaign back on track, after consecutive losses, with a 34-14 win at Go Media Stadium. Tanah Boyd puts up another bomb against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ His seven bombs were the most by a Warriors player this season and his only try assist came from a high kick to the Tigers goal-line, contested by second-rower Leka Halasima, with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita eventually pouncing on the loose ball to score. "It was a good start, I was happy," he said. "I had a pretty simple role - I just wanted to defend well, kick well. and lead the boys around, and I thought I did that pretty well. "I had a good week-and-a-half to build combinations and was pretty confident. Nothing changes in Cup and the transition was pretty easy. "There are obviously things we want to fix up, but we'll clean those up to be better. You're never going to be perfect, but we'll keep striving for that." While Metcalf was making a fine fist of his starting role with the Warriors, leading the Dally M Medal standings midway through the season, Boyd was filling a similar role for the club's reserves, who are dominating the NSW Cup competition on the back of a 12-game winning streak. "We're privileged to know what Tanah Boyd has done for us, without even playing a NRL game yet," Webster said. "We're really big on our reserve grade challenging our first grade at training and he's done that every single week with a smile on his face. "He would have liked to play, but Luke was doing such a good job and he's just waited patiently for his opportunity. He's a team-first guy and he doesn't miss a beat, because we could see how good he was at training all the time." An often-overlooked key to good team chemistry is keeping a positive outlook when things aren't rolling your way. Many in Boyd's position would have let their disappointment fester and infect those around them. "He's been frustrated inside, but he hasn't shown it externally, not once," Webster said. "It's a real testament to his character that the team aren't seeing him kicking stones, and they're seeing him working hard and making the rest of the club better. "He's a big reason the [reserves] have won 12 in a row and played a big part when he got his opportunity tonight. I just really proud of his character more than anything else." Despite missing four games on first-grade duties, Boyd ranks among the NSW Cup's top five in scoring (fourth), goals (second), line engagements (fourth), try assists (second), kick metres (fourth) and kicks (fourth). He will now slide down those standings, as he settles in his new fulltime duties on the big stage. Tanah Boyd sizes up his options against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "I literally just said to him, 'Be yourself, do what you've been doing'," Webster said. "He didn't have to come in and be Luke - he had to play the way he wanted to play and the team would adjust to him. "He wasn't coming out there, throwing plays we hadn't been using, but he does it a little bit different - his way. I was really happy for his hard work, he's done an amazing job." Another indication of Boyd's positive outlook was his decision to take his player option of a second year at Mt Smart, before he had even made his first-grade debut. "I've loved every moment of it," he said. "The coaching staff and Webby have been so good, and I've learned so much. "My game has gone to the next level under the coaching staff and I'm loving the boys as well. "I just see the growth in the club, and I feel like I've grown as a player and a person, and my family are loving it as well." His NRL return has come in time for him to face his old Titans crew - currently bottom of the table - twice during the run to the playoffs. "I've spoke to a few of the boys and it will be good to go up against them," he said. "It will be weird, but exciting." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 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.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New halves pairing helps Warriors tame Tigers
The Warriors have locked down their top-four NRL ladder position by taming the Wests Tigers with a dominant 34-14 win over Benji Marshall's men. The Aucklanders ended a two-game losing streak and some poor form at Go Media Stadium, with new halfback Tanah Boyd stepping up in his club debut, while his partner Chanel Harris-Tavita bagged a double on Sunday. Boyd joined the Warriors after six seasons with Gold Coast, but has had to bide his time in the NSW Cup. Having led that side to 11 straight wins to sit atop the ladder, Warriors coach Andrew Webster had no hesitation in calling on the 24-year-old when Luke Metcalf's season was ended by a knee injury. It proved a smart call to opt for Boyd over Te Maire Martin, who came off the bench late in the first half on Sunday when centre Rocco Berry exited with a shoulder issue. Coming off an upset win over Sydney Roosters, the Tigers got off to a bright start, with Jeral Skelton scooting across the line in the second minute. Backing up from Origin, Jarome Luai found Adam Douehi, who fired the ball on to Skelton with a quick catch-and-pass. The home side then hit the lead with back-to-back tries, scored by Berry and Harris-Tavita. Douehi, starting in the centres, closed the gap to 12-8 when he crashed through three defenders. But the Warriors had the final say of the half when winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, in his return from an ankle injury, planted the ball down in the corner in the 33rd minute for an eight-point lead. That was extended when Boyd combined with Harris-Tavita, who tapped the ball on to Roger Tuiavsa-Sheck. Douehi, who was the Tigers' best, again powered over the line for his second try of the match, but when Harris-Tavita matched that feat in the 72nd minute the home team had victory wrapped up. Second-row sensation Leka Halasima, standing out on the wing, then showed his brute strength to ice the win, with Boyd converting from the sideline.
NZ Herald
7 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.
