Tigers wing Luke Laulilii is tackled by Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors have tasted a dose of reality, tumbling 32-14 to Wests Tigers at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.
After three straight wins to start their 2026 NRL season, many were daring to dream of a first-ever championship, with two of their star players – co-captain Mitch Barnett and half Luke Metcalf – back in the line-up, after mending season-ending knee injuries.
Alas, they could not spark their team to victory, despite leading 10-0 after 16 minutes, through tries from centre Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and second-rower Jacob Laban, and seemingly having the visitors at their mercy.
Centre Adam Pompey was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, but the Tigers did their damage after he had returned, running in back-to-back-to-back tries to lead 16-10 at the break.
They consolidated that advantage with another after the restart, before Nicoll-Klokstad gave his team some hope with 10 minutes remaining.
Instead, the Tigers scored two more of their own to rub salt into the wounds.
See how the game unfolded in our blog:
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