Category: Sport

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Highlanders have held off a spirited Moana Pasifika 27-17 in their first appearance at Te Kaha Stadium.

Both sides opted to play enterprising rugby under the roof, producing some pulsating moments across a highly competitive 80 minutes.

It took 25 minutes for the first points, the Highlanders freeing up Jonah Lowe outside to waltz over for the opener.

Moana struck back in style, a rampaging run from Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa taking them into the 22, before Willy Havii sent a towering cross over for Israel Leota to soar into the sky and score a stunner.

They would then take the lead as Glen Vaihu was put one on one with Cam Millar and skinned him to give Moana a 10-7 halftime advantage.

Things were squared up shortly after the break through the boot of Millar before Angus Taʻavao rumbled over from close range.

Adam Lennox, moving from halfback to wing, showcased his gas as he latched onto a Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens grubber and skinned the cover.

Replacement Augustine Pulu gave Moana a sniff after running a superb line and getting flipped into the in-goal.

However, more Moana mistakes would hand it to the Highlanders, Millar knocking over the final points right on the siren.

See how things went down in RNZ’s liveblog below.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action as the Otago Highlanders take on Moana Pasifika at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch.

Former All Blacks Julian Savea and Ngani Laumape remain sidelined for Moana.

After his electric cameo in Auckland, Highlanders fullback Finn Hurley has been ruled out, with Ethan Blackadder and Will Jordan still unavailable for the Crusaders, with Caleb Clarke missing for the Blues.

Kick-off is 2pm.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Soane Vikena, 3.Saula Ma’u, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Tomás Lavanini, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Xavier Tito-Harris, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Tanielu Tele’a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Reserves: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Te Kamaka Howden, 20. Hugh Renton, 21. Lucas Casey, 22. Folau Fakatava, 23. Taine Robinson.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Tevita Latu, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Tuna Tuitama, 15. William Havili.

Reserves: 16. Mamoru Harada, 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Ola Tauelangi, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 23. Israel Leota.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

With Christchurch humming for Super Round, the Highlanders have declared themselves the perfect hosts for its next edition.

An indoor stadium, a proud rugby history, and a notoriously rowdy student population, the ingredients are all there.

Coach Jamie Joseph implored the powers at be to consider Dunedin.

“Don’t forget there’s 20,000 students that choose to live in Dunedin for four or five years. You may be one of them, I was. Dunedin’s an awesome place to host something like Super Round. We’ve got an indoor stadium that will lend itself quite well.”

Highlanders skipper Ethan de Groot said the city would step up for the occasion, just as Christchurch had done.

“We love our rugby down south and I feel like we don’t get enough of it, especially with test matches. The more rugby down south, the better.”

Teammate Timoci Tavatavanawai concurred.

“Same kind of ground, same kind of vibe. It’s a small city, but there’s a lot of people that always support. So yeah, I’ll take it down there if they want it.”

As the only side to have had a covered home ground prior to Te Kaha’s opening, the Highlanders feel they have the playbook for under roof rugby.

“We are used to playing under a roof, you know, but I think it gives an advantage for all the teams, really. The consistency of the conditions play no part, no wind, no sun in your eyes, it just sort of lends itself to a really good time,” Joseph said.

Their first match at Te Kaha comes against an embattled Moana Pasifika outfit, though Joseph is wary of a motivated Moana.

“They are playing to prove a point or trying to save their team or trying to find a job for next year. So we know we’re coming up against a very hungry Moana and just like us, we’re hungry to get a win after some of the close losses we’ve had.”

That defeat to the Blues last week was compounded by the loss of star winger Caleb Tangitau, who was knocked out after copping a shoulder to the head.

“Caleb is okay, he had a good run yesterday, a bit unfortunate because he has been a player that’s been consistently playing well for us this season.”

However, the Landers will be bolstered by the return of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

“He’s beaten the doctor’s clock, so that’s always good. We find ourselves in a position where we’ve got to take each performance as it comes, and getting Jacob back is going to be crucial for our performance.”

De Groot said their pack is preparing for a bruising battle.

“They’ve got some big cattle in their squad and we have to get the technique right to go against those guys.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Analysis – Anzac Day brought out the fighting qualities of the NZ Warriors, as they hung tough and finally wore down the Dolphins 20-18 at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium.

During the week, coach Andrew Webster was at pains to not compare a game of rugby league with the adversity faced by the combined Kiwi and Aussie soldiers at Gallipoli, but he was nevertheless proud of the qualities shown by his men on the sporting field.

“I’m Australian and that NZ national anthem was unbelievable, with everyone singing,” he admitted. “I had goosebumps… looking at the big screen at our players, how emotional they were and proud they were singing the anthem.

“Great day for rugby league and really good for the whole country of New Zealand. I reckon these boys should be proud that they didn’t send them home unhappy, they sent them home with a victory.

“We didn’t play our best football tonight, but I felt like they were digging their heels in and saying, ‘We’re not losing tonight’. I was proud of that.”

Best player

One of the most contentious positional battles within the Warriors squad has seen Taine Tuaupiki challenge Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the fullback spot.

Concussion and a niggly neck injury have sidelined the incumbent for three games now, while he spent two others at centre to accommodate the inclusion of his understudy.

Performances like this will ultimately tip the scales Tuaupiki’s way long term.

Webster obviously loves the X factor he brings and, possibly for the first time this season, that ability was on full display, as he popped up all over the park, testing the defence with his speed and footwork.

Tuaupiki ran 23 times for 236 metres, breaking eight tackles and scoring the gamewinning try in the 62nd minute.

Dally M-leading front-rower Jackson Ford was again immense, playing the full 80, tackling himself into the ground (58) and running more than 200 metres.

Skipper James Fisher-Harris and lock Erin Clark were also colossal up the middle, the latter with one incredible run up the centre of the defence, while wing Alofiana Khan-Pereira now has back-to-back try doubles for his new club.

Halasima nightmare

Spare a thought for young star Leka Halasima, who has been a walking human highlight reel during his short career – but seemingly couldn’t put a foot right on this particular night.

Two high tackles had him on report early.

His obstruction on a defender saw a try to wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scrubbed, then he spilt a difficult pass in midfield that ultimately resulted in Jamayne Isaako’s first try at the other end.

Just before halftime, he seemed to have redeemed himself, chasing Tanah Boyd’s high kick to the tryline, soaring, catching and scoring, but replays showed he lost the ball in the process.

Plenty of work-ons from this performance.

Key moment

Let’s call this the 40 key moments between Isaako’s second try for the Dolphins, taking their lead to 18-6, and Tuaupiki’s gamewinning try midway through the second half.

In fact, all the Dolphins’ scoring came in an 11-minute window during the first half. Apart from that, the home side pretty much dominated, especially on defence.

Even during that scoring burst, the Warriors had Watene-Zelezniak’s try disallowed and then Halasima’s just before halftime.

They completed 91 percent (22/24) of their sets in the first half and finished with 85 percent (40/47) for the game, right on their league-leading rate.

Even though they weren’t scoring, they were piling pressure on the opposition and, as long as they stayed patient, that had to toll eventually.

“We missed the jump, but after 25 minutes, our defence started to get better,” Webster reflected. “Guys were trying to make a difference in the first 20 minutes, but we weren’t together when we were defending and they [the Dolphins] were getting ruck speed as a result.

“We really flicked the switch with our defence. We really put them under pressure and came up with some big plays.

“They didn’t score a point in the second half, we kept them scoreless for a long time… super proud.”

Best try

The Warriors finally had their chance, when Dolphins wing Selwyn Cobbo couldn’t secure Boyd’s kick to the right corner, gifting them possession 10 metres out.

From dummy half, hooker Wayde Egan went right to Tuaupiki, who dummied to centre Ali Leiataua, before stepping inside two tacklers to level the scores.

While the Warriors don’t win without that try, they also needed Boyd to convert from the sideline to provide the winning margin. The halfback had another solid game, with Luke Metcalf reportedly available for selection again next week.

Injuries etc

If this is Mitch Barnett’s final season with the Warriors, it certainly isn’t much of a farewell tour.

The skipper will leave his contract early to join Brisbane Broncos next season, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field consistently during this campaign and won’t be available again next week.

Barnett missed the opening two games with the season-ending knee injury suffered last June, then played two games, before breaking his thumb and missing two weeks.

Against the Dolphins, he clashed heads with five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita and wobbled off the field to fail his concussion test, ruling him out of the next fixture.

He won’t be alone. Leiataua also clashed heads with Dolphins front-rower Thomas Flegler, as he was taken without the ball during the gamewinning try movement, and also failed his check.

“Mitch can’t get any momentum at the moment,” Webster said. “He’s had a long layoff and he gets back and something happens… he’s probably more frustrated than anything.

“Ali’s been playing really good football the last two weeks, so to go off like that, he’s frustrated as well.”

That’s a tough break for Leiataua, who seemed to have taken advantage of Adam Pompey’s suspension to cement his place in the midfield. Pompey scored a try in NSW Cup on Saturday, so should now simply step back into first grade next week.

The Warriors lost second-rower Marata Niukore from the original gameday squad, with no indication what his problem was, while Watene-Zelezniak (hipdrop) and Halasima (high tackle) were both placed on report.

With Nicoll-Klokstad, Metcalf and Te Maire Martin all apparently available next week, the backline could look very different in seven days.

The absences of Barnett and possibly Niukore will be compounded by that of Tanner Stowers-Smith, who isn’t expected back until round 11 from a hamstring strain. The interchange may look a bit different too.

What the result means

The Warriors regained their tentative grip on second on the competition table, behind Penrith Panthers, but ahead of Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters, all on points differential.

That points advantage is coming down though and, with a bye looming, they can’t rely on it to carry them much longer.

Penrith will face Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon and a win would put them clear at the top. It would also put the Warriors four points clear of ninth on the table, which means they would have to lose twice to drop out of the playoff group.

Still, it’s early.

What’s next

Next Saturday, the potentially depleted Warriors will travel to Sydney to face Parramatta Eels.

It’s anyone’s guess which version of the Eels will turn up.

This season, they have conceded 50 points to Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans, and another 48 to the Panthers. They have also lost to Wests Tigers, but beaten the champion Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs.

They have the worst defence in the league and logic suggests they shouldn’t be a threat, but if they beat Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon, we may have to revise that.

Definitely a chance for the Warriors to boost that flagging points differential.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bryony Botha and Prue Folwer returned to the podium for New Zealand at the track cycling World Cup in Malaysia after clinching silver in the women’s madison.

The result came 24 hours after the pair were part of the gold medal-winning women’s team pursuit.

New Zealand’s most experienced track cyclist Botha forged a strong combination with the inexperienced Fowler in the two-rider madison event over 30km, where teams score points from sprints every 10 laps of the 120-lap journey.

They were beaten out of gold by the Netherlands, who scored points on 10 of 12 sprints and tallied 66 points to New Zealand’s 54.

It has proven to be a remarkable meet for 23-year-old Fowler, who became ill following last week’s World Cup team pursuit win in Hong Kong.

With no reserve, the team changed tactics for the team pursuit in Malaysia, with Fowler in the unaccustomed role of starter and then pulling out after four laps with the remaining three riders completing a brilliant win in the final.

“Hong Kong was exciting and a big step up for me in the team pursuit,” Fowler said.

“But I came down with something and spent two days in bed.

“I gave what I could in the TP (Team Pursuit) and the girls finished it off nicely.

“I wasn’t sure how I would pull up in the madison today but the legs felt good, the lungs pulled through and set it up really nicely. We had to read the race at the end and came through for the podium, which was so pleasing.”

Earlier Keegan Hornblow finished fifth in the four-event omnium, placing third in the Scratch race, seventh in the Tempo and Elimination races and sixth in the final Points race.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana need another miracle.

The side’s captain, inspirational leader, and encapsulation of what the franchise represents – Miracle Fai’ilagi, is walking proof of the possible pathway from the islands to Super Rugby.

However, the franchise will fold at the end of the current Super Rugby season barring a financial saviour, closing that path for many aspiring Pasifika players.

Fai’ilagi said it would be a devastating blow.

“The purpose of this team is to inspire Pacific players back home. There’s not much there in the islands, but having this opportunity, having this team in Super Rugby, is a huge step for boys and girls coming through.

“Opportunities like this are hard to get back home, so to come here, express themselves and earn a living is a dream for some of us. If that gets taken away, then that pathway for future players goes too.”

Faiʻilagi was a foundation member of Moana, and used his time there to elevate his game to become one of the country’s premier loose forwards.

Having lived the dream, knowing what this franchise can do for pacific players, Faiʻilagi was desperate to see it survive.

“It’s huge for me as one of the pioneers who came here. I had a job to do, not just for me but my family and players back home. It’s really special for me and for this team to continue.”

Despite the uncertainty, Faiʻilagi has taken it upon himself to keep morale high among Moana.

“For me it’s about doing my job as a leader within the group and staying tight while staying hopeful. One of our pillars is faith and believing anything can happen. There are a lot of positives out there and a lot of people willing to help us in our situation.”

The side has endured a cruel run of luck of late, from lightning strikes delaying games to a power cut at their home ground cutting the live broadcast.

“Things happen. You can’t control the weather, any of that. Those situations are another opportunity to keep the boys tight within the game, whether we’re up or down, and keep a positive mentality for not just 40 minutes but 80. It’s about focusing on what we can control within the team. That’s a big part of my job as captain.”

With Moana players likely to be available for other franchises in 2026, Faiʻilagi was coy on whether or not the sharks had come circling for him.

“Not focusing on that, just focusing on my job and the team. But as I talk about opportunities, there are opportunities out there and plenty of eyes looking. We’ll see what’s next for me and some of the boys here. It’s a good challenge.”

He said Moana are still playing with a point to prove.

“I think people already know the meaning and purpose of this team. We spoke about it before this situation came out. We’re Pasifika people, we can’t back down, we always find a way. We always go back to faith and trusting God. There are a lot of people outside the group trying to help us, so we stay positive and connected.”

However, despite what the future held, Faiʻilagi said the people of the Pacific were behind them.

“They are everywhere supporting us wherever we are.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Despite an inconceivable build-up to the Commonwealth Games in July, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua is feeling buoyant about her side’s chances at the pinnacle event.

It’s unprecedented on many fronts, not least because when the Silver Ferns finally get together in early July for a three-day camp, it will be the first time in 18 months Taurua gets to be face to face with her players.

In September, Taurua and her coaching team were suspended over concerns about the high-performance environment, sparked by player complaints.

Taurua was reinstated 51 days later but the saga played out in the public domain for weeks and eventually led to resignations at the very top of the sport.

Taurua did not coach a single Test in 2025 but was excited by what she saw.

“I was really pleased, considering what had happened and where they were I thought and through the leadership of Karin [Burger] were able to combine really well and put performances out there that were above average,” Taurua said.

“I also know where the opposition is at …four or five teams that can actually win gold so we’ve just got to get ourselves together and be really focussed on our strategy but I’m really excited by what I saw last year.”

Yvette McCausland-Durie stepped in as interim coach and oversaw a series sweep against South Africa in September.

The Silver Ferns then drew the Constellation Cup series 2-2 with Australia before the world champions pipped them in the series decider.

The Silver Ferns finished their tour to the UK with a 2-1 series win over England, their last hit-out before the Commonwealth Games.

Last month, Taurua caught up with the Silver Ferns currently playing in the Australian league at their respective Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) franchises.

Last week she spent time at the Steel where she connected with national squad members, and plans to get around the other ANZ Premiership franchises in the next two weeks.

During the busy 2025 international window, defenders Catherine Hall and Carys Stythe got their debuts, as did shooters Martina Salmon and Filda Vui.

While Taurua has pored over the footage, she didn’t gain the kind of intel that you can only get when you’re on the ground; like how do the players respond to direction, how do players apply themselves in training?

There is no time for trials. The national selectors will pick the team on 1st June, meaning ANZ Premiership players have only got to round eight of the competition to impress.

“We don’t have long, which is why we have to condense everything down and that’s to meet the New Zealand Olympic Committee deadline. It’s very challenging but also really exciting because these games now are really going to count for athletes.”

The national selection panel consists of Adrianne Hayes, Leigh Gibbs, Jo Morrison, Gael Nagaiya and Taurua herself.

“We select on past and current performances so that might be whether they’ve been in the black dress or ANZ to where they are now, what are the shifts that have happened in between.

“We also look at the combinations, so how they compliment with somebody else as a unit. We look at the positional balance so making sure we can cover all positions and if somebody goes down then we’ve got another person who can come in.

“We also look at preparation so how are they in regards to injuries, can they handle seven games in nine days so we look at a myriad of factors.”

The biggest question mark is around the goal attack position.

Former captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio is widely considered the best goal attack in the country but made herself unavailable last year. It’s also not known if Te Paea Selby-Rickit, who is playing in Australia, will put her name forward.

But Taurua is pleased that Georgia Heffernan saw good court time in that position in the later stages of the international window, while Salmon and Vui also had a taste in the GA bib.

“And Amelia Walmsley, they all got a go at goal attack, so it’s going to be interesting how they progress during ANZ. With that goal attack position we were able to see new people take the court so that was promising.”

On Friday, Australian coach Briony Akle was named Taurua’s assistant coach 13 weeks out from the Glasgow Games.

The Silver Ferns get together for a three-day camp on the 5th July after players finish their respective domestic seasons.

They will then fly to the UK, where they will first base themselves in Manchester for a six day camp.

“We’ll have a couple of games that we’re just organising at the moment, it equates to something like 12 hours on training court for us, which is enough if we’re really clear about what we’re doing.”

Silver Ferns avoid ‘vicious’ pool

The Silver Ferns have been drawn in the same pool as fourth ranked Jamaica. The big question mark around the Sunshine Girls are which shooters will be there.

The world’s most prolific shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembard has recently given birth but veteran Romelda Aiken-George has come back from the brink of retirement to fill her compatriot’s shoes in the Australian netball league.

Aiken-George is in some of the best form of her career. There is also Shimona Nelson, who is a weapon for the Melbourne Mavericks in the SSN, but hasn’t made herself available for the Sunshine Girls in recent times.

“We don’t know who will be there at the back, but we do know it will be a big target in that goal shoot position. And we know defensively they are lethal, they will be dynamite.”

In the other pool are the defending gold medallists Australia, along with England, who are ranked third in the world, and a quickly improving South Africa.

South Africa pulled off a 2-1 series win over England in February. Last month, the England Roses coach suddenly stepped down, four months out from the Commonwealth Games.

Taurua describes that pool as “vicious”.

“One of those teams has to go and I think where South Africa are, with Elmeré van der Berg making her SSN debut this year – she is on point. I’ve been watching some of the games in the UK league and a lot of the Proteas who played the Silver Ferns last year, have progressed.”

Their opening match is against hosts Scotland on July 25th.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Black Ferns have completed an impressive start to Whitney Hansen’s tenure as coach by thumping the Wallaroos 40-5 on the Sunshine Coast to defend their Pacific Four series title.

New Zealand scored six tries to one, including a double to winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga, to stretch their unbeaten record over Australia to 30 wins and retain the O’Reilly Cup .

The result also completed an clean sweep of the four-nation tournament following earlier emphatic wins over the United States and Canada in North America.

It was an uplifting set of performances under new coach Hansen, who replaced Allan Bunting after the Black Ferns failed to reach the final at last year’s World Cup.

They again unveiled some sharp attacking skills, despite some heavy rain in Queensland, to break through the defence of Australia, who lost all three of their matches in the tournament.

Black Ferns outside centre Amy du Plessis opened the scoring with a try in the fourth minute of play, but the Wallaroos drew within two points through captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona.

The Black Ferns lifted their intensity from that point to score 33 unanswered points.

Leti-I’iga’s rapid-fire double put the visitors 21-5 up at halftime, before second-half tries to Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Justine McGregor and Laura Bayfield.

Bayfield’s try was poignant, with the Christchurch-based army captain having spoken before the match about the honour of playing in the first-ever Anzac day test between the teams.

Renee Holmes landed five of her six conversion attempts.

The sides will meet again in Auckland on August 22.

Follow how the game unfolded below.

Black Ferns selectors made four changes to the side that beat Canada in Kansas City last weekend for the historic clash against Australia.

Kickoff is 9.45pm.

Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Mo’omo’oga Palu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Laura Bayfield, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu – co-captain, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant – co-captain, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du’Plessis, 14. Justine McGregor, 15. Renee Holmes.

Reserves: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Maddison Robinson, 18. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 20. Mia Anderson, 21. Tara Turner, 22. Hannah King, 23. Mererangi Paul.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Pacific Four Series rugby action, as the Black Ferns take on Australia Wallaroos at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Black Ferns selectors made four changes to the side that beat Canada in Kansas City last weekend for the historic clash against Australia.

It’s the first Anzac Day test for the teams, and a win would see the Ferns retain the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup trophies.

Mo’omo’oga Palu is in line to make her Black Ferns debut as starting tighthead prop, along with Chryss Viliko and Georgia Ponsonby in the front row.

Palu signed with the Hurricanes Poua squad for the 2026 Aupiki season, after four seasons with South Island team Matatū.

Kickoff is 9.45pm.

Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Mo’omo’oga Palu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Laura Bayfield, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu – co-captain, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant – co-captain, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du’Plessis, 14. Justine McGregor, 15. Renee Holmes.

Reserves: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Maddison Robinson, 18. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 20. Mia Anderson, 21. Tara Turner, 22. Hannah King, 23. Mererangi Paul.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Wing Alofiana Khan-Pereira grabbed another try double, but fullback Taine Tuaupiki provided the late heroics, as NZ Warriors rallied to beat the Dolphins 20-18 at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium.

The visitors led 18-4 midway through the first half and were still ahead 18-14 midway through the second, but were on the back foot and could not resist the Warriors’ persistence on attack.

Tuaupiki was a constant threat throughout and popped up in the backline to cross for the try that levelled the score, with halfback Tanah Boyd slotting a sideline conversion for the win.

In his third game for his new club, Khan-Pereira had his second double, laid on by the genius of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at centre inside him.

On the other side of the field, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored his seventh try in four games.

The result propels the Warriors back into second on the NRL table with six wins and two losses, edging Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters on points differential.

The outcome comes at a heavy cost though, with co-captain Mitch Barnett and centre Ali Leiataua both leaving the field with concussion, and Watene-Zelezniak on report for an alleged hipdrop tackle.

Next Saturday, the Warriors visit Parramatta Eels, who currently lag 15th on the table with three wins from seven games.

Follow the live action here:

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