NRL round four: New Zealand Warriors defeat Newcastle Knights 20-12

Donning the Warriors’ No. 1 jersey for the first time since July 2021, Tuivasa-Sheck would run rampant over the Newcastle Knights as the New Zealand Warriors picked up a 20-10 win.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 31: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors charges forward during the round four NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, on March 31, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

An Easter Sunday resurrection of a different kind has occurred in Auckland on Sunday afternoon as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck continued his remarkable return to rugby league.

Donning the Warriors’ No. 1 jersey for the first time since July 2021, Tuivasa-Sheck would run roughshod over the Newcastle Knights in his side’s 20-12 win.

Four games back from an unhappy two-year stint in rugby union, Tuivasa-Sheck looked right at home in his preferred position despite being earmarked as the Warriors’ third-string fullback since his return.

Debate is set to rage on over the coming week as to the Warriors’ fullback fortunes, which coach Andrew Webster welcomed despite confirming Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s imminent return.

“You’re asking my favourite question, again, Roger to fullback,” Webster said.

“The thing about it is, it’s good noise. Roger brings that because we all know what he’s done in the game.

“I laugh about, I make jokes about it. I’m not sick of them. They can keep coming. Hopefully I can be as resilient as the boys were tonight with them. I’m giving you permission to keep asking.

Donning the Warriors’ No. 1 jersey for the first time since July 2021, Tuivasa-Sheck was excellent. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Kalyn Ponga needed some help from his team against the Warriors. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“But I want to be clear, because it’s almost like people think I’m lying, [Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback] is how we want to go. It’s how Roger wants to go.

“Roger isn’t asking me why he’s not playing fullback. He just wants to play his role, which is centre. Roger doesn’t want to disrupt the club or Charnze. He just wants to win a competition.

Tuivasa-Sheck kept the Knights guessing all afternoon and showed glimpses of his old self with a particular run late in the first half that had Knights front-rowers Mat Croker and Jack Hetherington grasping at thin air and lock Adam Elliott reeling following an equally sleek yet bulldozing effort.

The 2018 Dally M Medallist finished proceedings with close to 300 metres and seven tackle breaks, and was equally adept defensively where he shut down a number of Knights attacking raids.

The Knights’ early-season struggles continued, despite the efforts of captain Kalyn Ponga who single-handedly kept his team in the game with a flashy display.

Ponga constantly threatened the Warriors throughout in an epic shootout with counterpart Tuivasa-Sheck, including a late try assist for Bradman Best, but it came with very little execution from the remainder of his team.

Luke Metcalf of the Warriors is taken off injured. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Luckless Metcalf

Luckless Warriors five-eighth Luke Metcalf looks set for another extended stint on the sideline after suffering a suspected broken leg in the opening 10 minutes.

Dogged by injuries throughout his young career, Metcalf entered the 2024 season as the Warriors’ preferred halves partner for veteran Shaun Johnson, outlasting international playmakers Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita in the meantime.

That looks set to be put on the backburner with Harris-Tavita making the most of his late inclusion on the bench.

Harris-Tavita, who has returned from a year-long sabbatical from the game this season, scored the Warriors’ second try midway through the first half to extend a lead that rarely came under threat.

Cog-nundrum continues

Conjecture over the make-up of the Knights’ playmakers looks set to continue with Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble unable to make their mark across the ditch.

Gamble’s neat grubber for namesake Tyson Frizell late in the first half proved the only opportunity seized by the playmaker pair.

In fairness to the under-sieged duo, the soft underbelly of the Knights’ engine room did not help their cause, as the Novocastrians fought from the back foot for the majority of the afternoon.

Jackson Hastings’ hopes for a recall weren’t helped by Newcastle’s 28-12 NSW Cup loss, leaving coach Adam O’Brien truly at sixes and sevens as he wrestles with his side’s 1-3 start to their campaign.