NZ Warriors 2025 Round 11 Review: Warriors survive late scare to clinch fifth consecutive victory

After their 1-point victory over the Dragons in Round 10, the Warriors returned to Suncorp Stadium for the second time in three weeks to face the Dolphins, who defeated the Eels 20-16 last round.

The Warriors built another strong first-half lead, continuing a recent trend, but had to dig deep to hold off a late Dolphins surge. Despite a tense final ten minutes, the Warriors again showed their resilience, clinching a hard-fought 16-12 victory, their fifth win in a row.

What Went Down

Both the Warriors and Dolphins had early opportunities in a tightly contested opening 20 minutes. Chanel Harris-Tavita looked to have opened the scoring for the Warriors in the 13th minute, but his try was disallowed. Five minutes later, Kodi Nikorima faced the same outcome for the Dolphins.

The Warriors finally broke the deadlock at the 30-minute mark. Hooker Wayde Egan delivered a crisp short pass to Marata Niukore, who powered over from close range to score. Luke Metcalf could not add the extras, leaving the score at 4-0.

Controversy followed soon after. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck appeared to knock on, but the referee let play continue. The Warriors took full advantage, marching upfield with momentum. Luke Metcalf then produced a brilliant solo effort, grubbering ahead for himself, regathering, and linking with Kurt Capewell for another Warriors try in the 35th minute.

That would be the final scoring play of the first half, with the Warriors heading into the sheds leading the Dolphins 10-0.

The Dolphins stayed competitive throughout their NRL showdown with the Warriors but were ultimately let down by poor discipline and execution. Despite receiving multiple penalties early in the second half, they failed to capitalise, dropping the ball twice in promising attacking positions.

The Dolphins controlled possession and field position for extended periods but couldn't crack the Warriors' resilient goal-line defence. Felise Kaufusi was twice at the centre of near misses, first knocking on close to the line and then losing the ball while stretching to score.

The Warriors made them pay with 10 minutes left on the clock. Chanel Harris-Tavita sent up a towering bomb spilled by Herbie Farnworth, allowing rookie Jacob Laban to swoop in and score his first NRL try. That pushed the Warriors out to 16-0 in the 69th minute.

The Dolphins finally hit back when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow muscled through a tackle to score in the 71st minute, reducing the deficit to 16-6.

Drama followed when Warriors prop James Fisher-Harris was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Harrison Graham. The Dolphins immediately took advantage, swinging the ball wide for Farnworth to score in the 77th minute. Jamayne Isaako nailed the sideline conversion to make it 16-12.

In a nail-biting final set, Kodi Nikorima kicked ahead for winger Jack Bostock, who got a boot to the ball, but the bounce went over the sideline, allowing the visitors to hang on for a thrilling win in a match full of momentum swings and big moments.

My Thoughts

The Warriors have now won five consecutive games, and while this one wasn't pretty, it was exactly the kind of gritty performance that good teams find a way to win.

In the past, games like this were the ones the Warriors would let slip, momentum swinging back and forth, execution dropping under pressure. But this time, the team persevered and got the job done.

During the second half, there were handling errors, missed opportunities, and some puzzling decisions with the ball in hand. The attack never quite clicked. But defensively, this was one of their most determined efforts of the season. The Dolphins threw plenty at them, especially late in both halves, and the Warriors kept turning up with effort and urgency.

It's the kind of defensive resilience that wins finals matches, not just regular-season games.

It wasn't a complete performance. The spine is still building rhythm, and some combinations aren't clicking yet. But there are clear signs of growth. Chanel Harris-Tavita continues to stand out with his composure and strong defensive reads, while Luke Metcalf looks increasingly confident and willing to back himself.

Head coach Andrew Webster summed it up perfectly post-match: There's still plenty to tidy up, but the effort and resilience are there. And when those foundations are solid, the rest usually follows. These wins aren’t flukes; they’re the product of intent, discipline, and hard work.

What’s most promising is how this team now responds to pressure. In years past, the Warriors often crumbled in the final 20 minutes. But this current group stays composed, plays smarter, and makes better decisions down the stretch. It’s a significant shift from the chaos of previous seasons.

Staying in the top four heading into finals is absolutely achievable. More importantly, this team has a clear identity: work hard, defend harder, and back your teammates. And that identity gives me more belief in the Warriors than I've had in years.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors held strong under immense pressure in the final minutes, showing remarkable composure and complete trust in their defensive systems. With the Dolphins throwing everything at them in a frantic push for a late try, the Warriors refused to crack. Their line speed, communication, and scramble defence all held firm, turning what could have been another late-game heartbreak into a statement of resilience. It was a moment that reflected growth, a team learning to stay calm in the chaos and back themselves to get the job done.

Even though the Warriors didn’t always win the battle in the middle, they still showed plenty of grit in defence. Their tackles had real sting, and you could see they were trying to dominate physically. That kind of effort made it tough for the other team to get any flow going; they shut down offloads and forced a few mistakes just by being aggressive and committed. For most of the game, the Warriors brought the energy in defence and made their presence felt.

It wasn’t the prettiest win, but sometimes those are the ones that mean the most. The boys didn’t have it all together, but they hung in there, dug deep, and found a way to get the job done. That kind of win, scrappy, tough, a bit ugly, actually says a lot about where the team’s at mentally.

They’re starting to believe in themselves. You can see it. They’re backing each other, not panicking when things go wrong, and finding ways to win even when it's not clicking. That shows growth. You don’t have to blow teams off the park to prove you're turning a corner; sometimes, it’s the grind that proves it more.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors gave us another bit of a fright in the second half. They started off well but then lost a bit of their energy and focus as the game went on. When that happens, their rhythm gets off, and it makes things tougher for them. If they want to beat the really strong teams, they’ve got to keep that same effort going for the full 80 minutes. Right now, they’re still struggling to do that, and it’s those lapses that could cost them against better sides.

The Warriors’ attack still felt a bit clunky out there. They only managed to score 16 points, and there weren’t many clean breaks to get things really moving. Their set plays didn’t quite click either — the team seemed a bit off sync, which made it hard to build any real momentum. Even though they got into good spots on the field a few times, they kept missing chances to turn that pressure into points. It was frustrating because the game could have gone a lot differently with just a bit more polish in those moments.

The Dolphins really had some luck attacking the edges. The Warriors didn’t always read what was coming and made a few mistakes. There was even one moment where a slip-up almost let the Dolphins score a try to tie the game. So, while the Warriors did okay in other parts of defence, they definitely need to clean up their edge defence if they want to keep things tight.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Mitchell Barnett.

The skipper has earned well-deserved recognition for the second week in a row. He delivered another outstanding performance, dominating the middle of the field with 167 running metres, 71 of those coming after contact. Defensively, he was rock solid, making 33 tackles with just 2 misses.

His consistent form this season has been a real asset to the team. As a senior player, he sets a strong example for the younger squad members, showing precisely what it takes to become a regular first-grader. Every accolade coming his way is fully earned.

Warrior to Improve

I don't have a Warrior to single out for improvement this week because no one in the 17 let the team down. They weren't perfect, but every player gave 100%, and that's what we can really ask for.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 12, after a month away, the Warriors finally return to Mount Smart Stadium to host the Raiders, who defeated the Titans 40-24 this round.

As for the team I'd select, I'm not changing a winning team, so I am going with the same 17. The only changes I will make are forced with James Fisher-Harris, who is looking at a one-week ban if he enters an early guilty plea; if he fights it and fails, it will result in a two-week ban. I'm tempted to fight it with Barnett missing this week due to Origin selection. I will bring Jackson Ford back and Bunty Afoa if both Captains are out.

The Raiders have started the 2025 season strong, with impressive performances including a dominant win over the Warriors in Las Vegas. Their forward pack, led by captain Joseph Tapine, has been key in controlling games, while their speedy and agile backline continues to challenge opponents. With a mix of seasoned players and rising stars, the Raiders are shaping up as one of the toughest teams to beat early in the season.

To beat Canberra, the Warriors must wrap up the ball carrier and improve their attacking game. In their Round One 30-8 loss to the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, the Warriors struggled to contain Canberra's backline and second-phase attack. Wingers Savelio Tamale and Xavier Savage both ran over 200 metres, highlighting the Raiders' offensive threat.

To turn this around, the Warriors need to control the middle of the field and create space for the halves to operate more effectively, a challenging task without Mitchell Barnett and potentially James Fisher-Harris. Additionally, leveraging the attacking skills of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak can give the Warriors a much-needed boost in offence.

It is going to be tough, but I'm hopeful that the Warriors will extend their winning streak to six in front of a sold-out crowd in Auckland, so I'm going with a Warriors win by 4.

So, that was a heart-in-mouth Round 11, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Would you fight Fisher-Harris's charge or just miss the week?

Who are you bringing in to replace Fish and Barnett?

How would you fix the second-half slumps?

What is your score prediction against the Raiders?

NZ Warriors 2025 Round 10 Review: Warriors dig deep to seal nail-biting win over Dragons

After their Magic Round victory, the Warriors journeyed to WIN Stadium in Wollongong to face the Dragons, who went down 34-28 to the West Tigers at Magic Round.

Just like in Magic Round, the Warriors started strong and built a solid lead in the first half, going up 14-4. The Dragons fought back in the second half, but the Warriors held firm. A single field goal from Luke Metcalf was their only point after halftime, and it turned out to be the game-winner, securing a narrow 15-14 victory.

What Went Down

The Dragons kicked off the early pressure in this Warriors vs Dragons clash, but a run of penalties and set restarts handed momentum to the Warriors. Luke Metcalf made the most of this opportunity, spotting a gap in the Dragons' defence to stroll through and score the opening try in the 7th minute. A penalty goal shortly after in the 11th minute pushed the Warriors’ lead to 8-0.

The Warriors didn’t let up. With the Dragons’ defence still static, the Warriors set up another try when a cross-field kick was tapped back in the 15th minute. Taine Tuaupiki finished the play, giving the Warriors a 12-0 lead. Even though the conversion attempt was missed, another penalty goal at the 30-minute mark extended the Warriors’ advantage to 14-0.

The Dragons finally responded just before halftime. After some slick passing from Valentine Holmes, Clint Gutherson found space and scored in the 38th minute, cutting the lead to 14-4. Though the conversion was missed.

In the second half, the momentum shifted entirely. The Dragons gained ground quickly and reduced the Warriors’ lead to four points when Jack de Belin set up Dylan Egan for a try at the 48-minute mark. The Dragons were back in the game with the score now at 14-10. It didn’t take long for the Dragons to level things up, as Corey Allan pounced on a King-Toiga kick and crossed for a try in the 51st minute. The conversion was missed, but the score was now locked at 14-14.

The next 20 minutes were tense, with neither team able to land a knockout blow. But with just 10 minutes remaining, Luke Metcalf stepped up to deliver a surprise field goal, putting the Warriors in front 15-14. The Dragons had one last shot to reclaim the lead but missed their field goal attempt. As the clock ticked down, two late errors from the Dragons sealed the Warriors' hard-fought win, their fourth in a row.

My Thoughts

Well, that was another stressful watch.

First, I'm sorry for not posting a review last week for Magic Round. Life sometimes gets in the way.

If you’ve been following my blog or watching my show for a while, you’ll know I despise the Dragons. So any clash against them has me on edge, especially at WIN Stadium, where the Warriors have only won 3 out of 15 matches since 1995. Despite feeling confident the Warriors could keep their winning streak alive, I couldn’t shake the nerves.

And honestly, it felt like déjà vu from Magic Round. The Warriors started strong, built a decent lead, then let the momentum slip. The second half was mostly spent defending against a Dragons side that suddenly found life. But credit where it's due, the boys held firm and got the win.

With that result, the Warriors now sit outright 2nd on the NRL ladder, and if you'd told me this in the preseason, I wouldn’t have believed you.

It wasn’t a polished performance, but there were plenty of positives. The forward pack got through a mountain of work. Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita’s partnership continues to grow. And the young players in the squad are gaining critical NRL experience after being called upon to step up.

Andrew Webster admitted post-match that the team still isn’t at its best. There’s plenty to work on. But if you’re winning games without playing your best footy, that’s a great position to be in, as long as the improvement keeps coming.

The biggest difference from last year? This team rallies together. There’s a clear sense of belief, with each player backing the next. That unity shows up in tough moments, and it’s helping them grind out wins.

We still haven’t seen the Warriors at full strength, but with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris nearing returns, this team is poised to lock down a top-four spot.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors showed tenacity with their defence in the final stages, holding off a late push from the Dragons with strong, organised defence in the 20 minutes. Under pressure, they stayed focused and stuck to their structure, making key tackles and working together to stop several attacking sets. Despite only a slight lead, they remained calm and didn’t panic. If they can continue to handle pressure situations like this, it could cement them as a premiership threat.

The Warriors' forward pack set the tone through the middle with a powerful, no-nonsense performance. Mitch Barnett’s work rate and Erin Clark’s explosive runs led the charge, keeping the opposition on the back foot from the opening whistle.

Barnett, Clark, Leka Halasima, and Demitric Vaimauga cracked my triple-digit target, driving momentum and controlling territory. Their dominance up front created quick play-the-balls and strong ruck speed, making life easier for the halves and backs to create and capitalise.

It was a gritty, unified effort that highlighted just how crucial the pack is to the Warriors’ overall game plan.

Another tight tussle for the Warriors, though nerve-wracking for fans, is proving to be invaluable experience for the team in high-pressure situations. While we might be on the edge of our seats, watching with bated breath, these hard-fought battles are precisely what the Warriors need as they push toward a deep finals run. Each close encounter tests their composure, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure, skills that will be crucial when the stakes are even higher. While not always pretty, these moments shape a squad capable of thriving in the heat of playoff intensity.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors struggled to convert possession into points, and the attack looked less threatening than it did at Magic Round. The forwards were doing the work up front, but there were phases where the halves and backs couldn't click. Changes in the lineup may explain the issue, but they will need to improve in that department, as scoring fewer tries than your opponent and still getting the win is rare. They have enough scoring threats; they just need to use them.

A few defensive lapses allowed the Dragons to take control, and as good as the Warriors' defence was at scrambling, they kept putting themselves in tough spots. Some missed communications on the edges created holes, and the Dragons targeted them constantly. This goes back to the changes in the lineup, perhaps breaking the cohesion, and needs to be worked on. Stay vocal, trust the man on either side of you in the defensive line, and close those holes.

The Warriors came out flat after halftime, allowing the Dragons to gain momentum and score a quick try, almost turning the tide in favour of the home team. They were able to drag them back into the grind, but against a better side, a slow start like that could end up costing them a match. It's easier said than done, but they need to hit the ground running and keep control of the tempo. 

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Mitch Barnett.

I have overlooked him most of this season for the simple fact that I expect him to consistently deliver, so I felt like he needed to finally get some recognition. Ran for 186 metres and made 47 tackles with only 3 misses. Has really found his groove as Captain of this side, and while his co-captain has been sidelined, he has taken up the load. Has to be in contention for an origin again this year, and it's thoroughly deserved.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

It was a tough return to the NRL for the prolific try scorer. He was visibly rusty but busy with the ball in hand, running for 130 metres. However, his hands and defence let him down. He made 5 errors and constantly pressured his teammates by rushing in from the wing too often. I'm fully confident he will improve this week now that the cobwebs have been blown away, and if the team can shift the ball his way, the tries will come.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 11, the Warriors remain on Australian soil to face the Dolphins, who defeated the Eels 20-16 in Round 10.

As for the team I'd select, Jackson Ford looks set to miss the match due to his failed HIA, but James Fisher-Harris may be ready to go, so if he gets the Dr's tick of approval, I am bringing him in. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also looks set to return, so I will bring him back. However, I'm stuck on where to put him. I don't like him as a centre, but with Kurt Capewell being used there due to injuries and Taine Tuaupiki having a decent campaign, I am tempted to put RTS in centre this week. Everyone else, I would keep.

The Dolphins have been a tricky team to predict this season. They started poorly, strung some wins together, including an impressive win over the Storm, before flicking between wins and losses. They were not convincing against the Eels but have a good side. Isaiya Katoa is continuing to develop into a star half, and with threats like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth, the edge defence will get a workout. 

The Warriors need to focus on a few key areas to beat the Dolphins. First, they must strengthen their defence to prevent the Dolphins’ quick playmakers from exploiting gaps and breaking through the line. Dominating the middle with strong forward runs and a precise kicking game will be essential for controlling field position. The Warriors should utilise their skill out wide in attack to stretch the Dolphins' defence. Discipline is also critical; avoiding penalties and turnovers will prevent the Dolphins from gaining momentum. I'm confident the Warriors can get the job done, so I am backing them to win by 10 points.

So, that was a stressful Round 10, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Do you think the Warriors are a finals contender?

Who was your man of the match?

How would you fix the Warriors' attack?

What is your score prediction against the Dolphins?

NZ Warriors 2025 Round 8 Review: Warriors Ride Fast Start To ANZAC Day Success

After their upset win over the Broncos, the Warriors travelled down to Christchurch to host the Knights, who tasted defeat in Round 7, losing 34-14 to the Sharks.

In front of a lively league-starved Christchurch crowd, the Warriors never looked in doubt and cruised to a comfortable 26-12 win after a strong first half.

What Went Down

The game kicked off with a bang as both teams were reduced to 12 men within the first five minutes. Marata Niukore (Warriors) and Leo Thompson (Knights) were sin-binned for high tackles, setting the tone for a dramatic start.

Despite the early chaos, the Warriors quickly seized the momentum. Luke Metcalf's clever link-up play put Leka Halasima in a strong position near the line, and moments later, slick ball movement sent Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad diving over in the corner. However, the Bunker ruled out the try for obstruction.

Undeterred, the Warriors pressed on. Just a minute later, Dane Gagai spilled a high bomb, and quick hands from Kurt Capewell set up Adam Pompey, who scored in the left corner in the 8th minute. After a tense review, the Bunker confirmed the try.

The Warriors continued to dominate. A break from Capewell opened up the Knights' defence, and Metcalf’s brilliant pass sent Taine Tuaupiki charging toward the line. But once again, the Bunker intervened, ruling Tuaupiki’s foot had brushed the sideline.

As the game settled, the Knights thought they had a breakthrough when Greg Marzhew powered over the line, but the Bunker ruled he hadn’t grounded the ball. The Warriors made them pay almost immediately. A high kick aimed at James Schiller was plucked out of the air by Pompey, who linked up with Ali Leiataua, who offloaded to Jackson Ford for the Warriors' second try in the 28th minute.

The Knights’ frustration mounted as Dane Gagai was ruled to have knocked on, and Schiller’s difficult night continued with another error. The Warriors seized the opportunity, with Metcalf steering the attack, finding Erin Clark, who offloaded to Ford for his second try of the night in the 35th minute, seeing the Warriors go into the sheds with a commanding 16-0 lead.

The second half began with Newcastle gaining early momentum. Gagai led the attack, breaking through Leiataua before passing to Schiller, who bounced back from a tough first half to put the Knights on the scoreboard in the 49th minute.

Just as Newcastle seemed to be building some pressure, Jack Cogger threw a loose pass that was intercepted by Luke Metcalf, who appeared set to score. However, Fletcher Sharpe's determined chase stopped him just short of the line. Despite the near miss, the Warriors capitalised on the next set. Wayde Egan powered through the defence to score for the hosts in the 55th minute.

The Warriors then sealed the win in the final ten minutes, punishing the Knights for their mistakes in yardage. Metcalf sliced through the line, with the ball seemingly touching Chanel Harris-Tavita (backwards) before landing in Pompey's hands for his second try of the game in the 71st minute.

Though the game was already decided, the Knights had the final say in the 76th minute. After a few phases deep in Warriors' territory, Brodie Jones crossed untouched following a well-timed short ball from Phoenix Crossland. However, it was too little, too late, as the Warriors secured their first ANZAC Day victory since 2014, winning 26-12.

My Thoughts

This match was a much less stressful watch compared to recent rounds. I felt confident heading into the clash, given the Knights' struggles, and I even came within two points of my prediction from last week. However, with the Warriors’ poor ANZAC Day history in the back of my mind, there was still a hint of doubt. Those nerves grew early when Marata Niukore was sent to the sin bin almost immediately. Despite the setback, the Warriors stayed composed and got to work.

It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but the Warriors built pressure and capitalised on key opportunities. Defensively, they were solid for the most part, although a few poor reads allowed Newcastle to grab some soft tries. Overall, the Warriors controlled the game, keeping the Knights pinned down and preventing them from building any real momentum.

I was hoping to see the Warriors shift gears in the second half and pile on more points. However, they did ease up a little, but not enough to put the result in danger, just enough to stop them from running up a cricket score. That’s nitpicking, though. With the Warriors' attack still missing a bit of spark, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

Still, it was another important win, keeping the Warriors firmly inside the NRL top four. Even better, there are some very winnable games ahead, especially with James Fisher-Harris, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak set to return soon. There’s still work to be done, but the Warriors are improving each week (aside from the Storm game, hopefully just an outlier).

If this trend continues, the Warriors are a real chance to lock in a top-four finish, or at the very least, secure a spot in the NRL finals, which is a huge step forward from where I thought they’d be during the preseason.

There were a couple of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

It was a busy night for the forwards; they kept momentum firmly in the Warriors' hands. Five of the pack ran for my ideal triple-digit target, led by the constantly impressive Erin Clark (155m). Jackson Ford (147m), Mitchell Barnett (142m), Leka Halasima (122m) and Kurt Capewell (104m). Marata Niukore got 79 metres, but I assume he would have cracked 100 also if he hadn't received his sin bin and HIA. With the halves pairing of Metcalf and Harris-Tavita still finding its feet and building cohesion, it is vital to the Warriors' chances of success that the forwards do the heavy lifting in the middle, get the opposition stuck on the backfoot, and that's when we will see the Warriors attack start to bear fruit. The pack has been great in most games this season, so fingers crossed that trend continues.

The Warriors secured their fifth win of the season, a solid achievement considering their full-strength side hasn't yet played together. While their performances haven’t always been flawless, the Warriors have shown great heart and determination, winning games they would have likely lost last year. They're building a strong foundation, and once at full strength, we can expect their game to reach a whole new level. While it’s too early to start booking Finals tickets, the Warriors are definitely heading in the right direction.

Although the Warriors eased off in the second half, they didn’t allow the Knights to get back into the game. Aside from a soft try at either end of the half, the Warriors kept the pressure on, forcing errors and preventing the Knights from making it a competitive match. While I'd like to see the Warriors be more ruthless and finish teams off, it was reassuring to see they avoided the mental lapses that have cost them in recent matches, where opponents have scored quickly to close the gap.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors' attack remains clunky and lacks creativity, even though it's getting the job done for now. Scoring five tries is no small feat, but there’s still significant room for improvement. The team often looks unsure when entering the opposition’s red zone. Much of this can be attributed to the developing combination between Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita, as well as the absence of key strike weapons Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Once they return, I expect the Warriors to convert more of their scoring chances and sharpen their attacking game. 

The officials, particularly the Bunker, seemed determined to drain the excitement from the match. This wasn’t just an issue for this game, but a theme across all matches in the round. Going back several plays to review a high shot and sending players to the sin bin disrupts the game's flow. If the on-field officials miss a major call, then sure, review it. But for those 50/50 calls that no one reacts to, especially when the player being hit doesn’t try to exaggerate the incident, just let it play on. Maybe it's just me, an old fan frustrated by the system, but it’s especially annoying when more obvious mistakes, like forward passes or strips, are ignored by the Bunker. Thankfully, it didn’t cost the Warriors in this game, and they adapted well after going down to 12 men. Still, these constant interruptions take away from the enjoyment of watching the game.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Adam Pompey.

In my time doing these reviews, I have been highly critical of Pompey, and he has proven my opinion wrong essentially every round this season. He made a poor error defusing a bomb in this match, and that was really the only thing I can critique in this week's performance. He was busy with the ball in hand, scoring a nice double and running for 171 metres, making two linebreaks and adding a line break assist and eight tacklebreaks. Wasn't tested defensively too often but did show nerves under the highball, an issue that will go away for the most part when he returns to the centres. I have been very impressed with his effort this season, and he has proven to be a dependable player for the Warriors. He should retain his spot in the back five when DWZ and RTS return.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Rocco Berry. 

It was another week where I struggled to pick a player here; however, I decided to go with Berry, who had limited impact with the ball in hand, running only 7 times for 72 metres, defensively, he made 28 tackles, the highest for the Warriors backs, however he also had 7 missed tackles, which was the most by a Warriors player in this match. Struggled with kicks both on attack and defence, I rate Berry, and while he is only 2 games in from his return from injury, he is currently not at the level to keep a spot in the centres. I expect to see him dropped once the Warriors get their first-choice wingers back, so he has Magic Round left to show he deserves to keep the number 3 jersey.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 9, the Warriors head over to Brisbane for Magic Round to face the Cowboys, who defeated the Titans 50-18 in Round 8.

As for the team I'd select, I'm sticking with the same side. I don't like changing a winning team, and JFH, RTS, and DWZ are not scheduled to return until Rounds 10 and 11. 

The Cowboys had a rough start to the season but have bounced back strongly, winning four straight games since their Round 3 loss to the Broncos. Their halves are combining well, creating space for their strike players to showcase their speed, a major threat for the Warriors, who often struggle against fast-paced teams.

For the Warriors to come away with a win, the game plan remains simple but crucial, wrap up the ball carriers to stop offloads and put pressure on the Cowboys’ halves to deny them time and space. Dominating the middle will also be vital. The forwards need to build momentum, giving Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita the platform to create scoring chances.

Look for the Warriors to target short balls to power runners like Marata Niukore and Leka Halasima close to the line, a tactic that could lead to plenty of tries. The Warriors will also have strong support from their vocal fanbase at Suncorp Stadium, and they'll need to feed off that energy.

It’s shaping up to be a cracking contest, and I’m backing the Warriors to get the job done by 8 points.

So, that was a Satisfactory Round 8, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who was your player of the match?

Did you have a player to improve?

Would you like to see the Warriors play more games around NZ?

What is your score prediction against the Cowboys?