New Zealand Warriors claim win in sold-out homecoming match

Josh McAllister
New Zealand Warriors

New Zealand Warriors claimed a 22-2 victory over Wests Tigers in their sold-out homecoming match at Mount Smart Stadium.

After 1038 days away from their home, the Warriors marked their return on Sunday in front of a crowd of 26,009.

Wayde Egan thought he had opened the scoring only to be ruled held up by the bunker in the NRL. However, it was fitting that New Zealand Warriors captain Tohu Harris opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. The back-rower crashing onto the ball to cross next to the posts. 

Chanel Harris-Tavita extended the lead thanks to a kick to the corner from half-back Shaun Johnson. The hosts kept Wests Tigers tryless, their only points coming from the boot of Adam Doueihi. 

Jesse Arthars sealed the win on 76 minutes, with Johnson converting all three tries and adding two more penalties. It was the club’s fifth win of the NRL campaign, 

The Tigers have not won at Mt Smart Stadium since round 25, 2016. They sit 15th in the NRL ladder, having won just three games from 15.

New Zealand Warriors news

New Zealand Warriors have re-signed hooker Freddy Lussick until the end of the 2024 NRL season.

The 21-year-old has signed a new two-year deal with the club after originally joining the side in early May for the 2022 campaign.

“Freddy has settled in brilliantly since joining us,” said Warriors general manager football Craig Hodges.

“While he’s a great fit for our club as deputy to Wayde Egan, he has also really impressed us with what he has provided off the field.”

Earlier in June, forward Ben Murdoch-Masila was ruled out for up to eight weeks following surgery on a dislocated elbow.

The 31-year-old suffered the injury in a tackle with Cronulla Sharks full-back Will Kennedy in the first half of last weekend’s game.

NRL New Zealand Warriors