Ben Francis looks at the five big takeaways from the New Zealand Warriors’ bounce-back win over the North Queensland Cowboys.
Victory keeps the chasing pack at bay ... for now
After losing their last two games by two points, it was important the Warriors got back on track with a commanding performance and that’s exactly what they did against the Cowboys.
Under the roof at Te Kaha Stadium with a dry track, the Warriors were able to gain plenty of momentum with quick ruck speed, and that helped nine players cover more than 100m with the ball, dominating the middle before shifting to their back five to score all seven of their tries.
While the previous two losses were not significant, they had allowed the chasing pack, including the Dolphins – more on them later – Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights to sit just two points behind the Warriors in the standings.
The Warriors now have a 10-4 record and a six-point buffer inside the top eight, with the Cowboys sitting ninth, although they have had fewer byes than all the teams above them in the standings.
Although that gives the Warriors some wiggle room for slip-ups, if they want to be genuine contenders, holding a top-two spot in the finals is paramount as it would ensure a trip to the grand final must go through Mt Smart.
It wasn’t their most complete performance of the season, but considering they were still without several key players and their bench was young, it will be a big confidence booster.
Big names attend at Te Kaha amid rumours about South Island franchise
The NRL’s first venture into the recently opened Te Kaha proved a success, with more than 25,000 fans turning out for the match.
The atmosphere was electric from start to finish as the Warriors claimed their first win at a New Zealand venue outside Auckland for just the second time in their history, the other coming against the Cronulla Sharks at Taupō’s Owen Delany Park in 2011.
The match also highlighted why the NRL’s proposed 20th side would likely be based in Christchurch.
As recently as last week, reports emerged that New Zealand is the frontrunner to secure the NRL’s 20th licence, with a second Kiwi team edging ahead of another Queensland club.
Talks have been rumbling for some time, but it now appears more likely than ever that one of the three proposed bids will get over the line, with reports suggesting the NRL wants a deal in place before its next broadcast agreement.
The NRL is currently a 17-team competition but the Perth Bears are set to enter in 2027, followed by the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028.
For years there has been talk of a second New Zealand franchise and as the NRL eyes a 20-team competition as part of its next broadcast deal, that prospect is edging closer to reality.
Several influential figures were in the stands watching on at Christchurch. Those in attendance included Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys, outgoing NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney.
Abdo addressed the crowd after the match but the final say rests with V’landys and based on what unfolded in Christchurch, it is hard to imagine the NRL looking past a team based there.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad proves value in rare wing appearance
Last season, Te Maire Martin was viewed as the Warriors’ ultimate utility. Now that he has locked down the halfback role, a new versatile option has emerged.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad started the season as the first-choice fullback, but injuries resulted in him shifting to centre and five-eighth before he was sidelined with his own niggles.
He then marked his first start on the wing since his rookie season in 2017 with a four-try haul, becoming just the ninth Warrior to achieve the feat. He finished with 187m from 18 carries and two line breaks.
He was one of their best overall, although there were some defensive communication issues.
Compared with centre or the halves, Nicoll-Klokstad looks more dynamic on the edge, where he can better play to his strengths, particularly with Taine Tuaupiki having solidified his spot at fullback.
It also underlined his versatility, with Warriors coach Andrew Webster praising Nicoll-Klokstad after the match, saying: “He’s Mr Versatile, he’s team-first, Charnze.
“His preferred position is definitely fullback. He’s very good at it, he’s elite, but we need him to play on the wing right now.
“He’s holding his gloves up and learning all the time, and I’m very grateful to have him.”
If he keeps performing, it will raise questions about how Alofiana Khan-Pereira gets back into the side, although his speed is hard to ignore.
Warriors sweating on fitness of Jackson Ford after concerning injury
When Jackson Ford was left grimacing after making a tackle and signalled to the sideline that he needed to come off, Warriors fans everywhere feared the worst.
Early indications are that Ford has suffered a torn pectoral, with scans set to determine how long he will be sidelined, although Webster admits it doesn’t look great.
In a best-case scenario, he could be back within four to six weeks, but if surgery is required, his season could be over. If the worst-case scenario eventuates, it would be a cruel blow for a side with premiership ambitions, with parallels to last season already emerging after Tanah Boyd and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were ruled out with season-ending injuries.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed the best season of his career and was just three points behind Nathan Cleary on the Dally M leaderboard when voting went behind closed doors after round 12. He had also been in discussions for New South Wales State of Origin selection.
Heading into the match, Ford had been averaging 74 minutes, 43 tackles and 169m per game – huge numbers that will be difficult for a replacement to match.
With James Fisher-Harris also sidelined by a calf injury, the Warriors are now without two important front-line middles.
Kurt Capewell will likely return from a rest, which could mean Marata Niukore shifts to the middle to bring some much-needed depth.
Tanner Stowers-Smith has shown he is capable of handling the demands of first grade and Mitch Barnett remains available, but otherwise the Warriors may have to lean on inexperienced rookies to get them through.
Warriors travel to Brisbane to face NRL’s in-form team
Next up for the Warriors are the Dolphins, the NRL’s hottest team and who are nipping at their heels in the standings.
The Queensland side are on a seven-game winning streak and sit third on the ladder. Their last defeat came on Anzac Day, when they fell by just two points in Wellington.
Six of those wins have been by more than 12 points, including their 36-22 victory over the Tigers, which came without the bulk of their Origin stars including Selwyn Cobbo, Max Plath and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while halfback Isaiya Katoa was also injured.
Even without those players, the Dolphins were relentless, led by Kiwis duo Kodi Nikorima and Jeremy Marshall-King.
Marshall-King has been key to the Dolphins’ success. He missed the start of the season and they looked clunky without him, but he has brought composure to the spine and continues to produce big plays at crucial moments.
Centre Jack Bostock has proven to be an offensive weapon under the high ball in the red zone, while their back five were strong in bringing the ball out of their own end.
All of that makes this a massive game in the context of the Warriors’ season. Defeat could push them out of the top four for the first time since round five, depending on other results, while a win would keep them inside the top two heading into their final bye of the season.
The two sides’ past five meetings have all been decided by four points or fewer, so expect another tight thriller at Suncorp.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.