Warriors lose back-to-back games in NRL
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
The NZ Warriors have lost their first their back-to-back games of the 2025 season falling 26-12 to Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
They will still remain in the top four but lost two key players in Luke Metcalf and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as they fought back in the second half.
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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.
A lack ofl 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.
The Warriors conceded a try on halftime to centre Gehamet Shibasaki, which proved a crippling blow, but emerged from the sheds with renewed vigour.
Wing 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.
