The Junior New Zealand Warriors capped off a fantastic year by obliterating the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Grand Final of the Toyota Cup. The future of New Zealand rugby league is certainly looking bright. A few of the players have signed to play with other NRL clubs from next year which is unfortunate for the Warriors but good for the national side. The Warriors under 20s team should end up being a great breeding ground for future Kiwis.
Warriors 36 -- Broncos 4
Big Sam Rapira celebrated his 100th NRL game for the New Zealand Warriors in style, with a big 36 to 4 thrashing of the Brisbane Broncos in Auckland. The Warriors forwards smashed their Brisbane counterparts into submission allowing their backs to run rampant. For the Warriors, Russell Packer was outstanding, as was Rapira, Lewis Brown, Ukuma Ta’ai and Simon Mannering. Lance Hohaia scored one of the tries of the year when he took the ball, first pass off the ruck, split the defence, chipped over the Brisbane fullback, regathered and scored. The Warriors were ripped-off by the referees a short time later when Hohaia was taken out by the fullback while attempting to reenact the exact same try which would’ve given him a hat-trick for the night.
The Warriors played so well they made the Broncos look like a bunch of 8 year olds. They just looked lost and helpless! Poor little fellas…lol
So the Warriors are now certain to play in finals footy in a couple of weeks and if they win next week and other results go their way, they could get a home semi-final. That would be really friggin’ awesome!
Sam Rapira is playing his 100th NRL game for the New Zealand Warriors against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night (August 27, 2010). Rapira has been one of the Warriors most consistent forwards since he debuted and cemented a regular first grade spot for the club.
Michael Luck sustained an horrific leg injury in last Saturday night’s NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Manly Sea Eagles. He fell on to Anthony Watmough’s boots and an 18 cm gash was ripped above one of his knees. He is one of the toughest rugby league players in the world and one of the Warriors most consistent defenders. Get well soon……the Warriors need you more than ever!!!
Manu Vatuvei came head to head with Akuila Uate today as the New Zealand Warriors overpowered the Newcastle Knights at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. The Beast managed to score a hat-trick of tries and generally outplayed the Thriller all afternoon. The win helps the Warriors move up the NRL ladder and propels them closer to achieving rugby league’s greatest goal.
On the Footy Show a few weeks ago (22nd July 2010) Daryl Brohman predicted the New Zealand Warriors would drop out of the top 8 and not play in the 2010 NRL finals series. The Big Marn has been a rugby league legend but he appears to have lost his mind. Paul Vautin had earlier talked up the Warriors premiership aspirations and seemed shocked by Brohman’s comments. Fatty called him an imbecile!
This video was inspired by the Warriors win over the Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium a few weeks back. The Storm were competitive despite having nothing to play for for the remainder of the season. There was some good rugby league played on the night but the most memorable part of the game was when the crowd started chanting the word, “cheat” as Cameron Smith was attempting to convert a try.
I took the commentary by Jason Costigan from Sky Sport’s coverage of the New Zealand Warrior’s Round 2 clash with Cronulla at Mount Smart Stadium, and created this tune which I’m sure will become a timeless classic. Rugby League has never sounded this good. I’m hoping it appeals to all fans of NRL teams.
The Warriors win their 3rd game in a row for the first time since 2008. Jerome Ropati had an awesome game. The NRL website says he gained 275 metres throughout the match. Filling in as fullback due to an injury to Lance Hohaia, Ropati caused all sorts of havoc for the Parramatta defence on another cold, rainy game-day. Ukuma Ta’ai and Lewis Brown had really good games too, as did the halves, James Maloney and Isaac Johns. The scores were close right up until the 60th minute with the Warriors holding a slim, 12 -- 6 lead but Parra gave up and the Warriors ran away with it, winning 35-6 in the end.