NRL news: New Zealand Warriors win 18-10 over Canberra Raiders

The Warriors have recovered from their heartbreaking loss to Melbourne, snapping the Raiders’ undefeated run to get their first win of 2024.

Warriors vs. Raiders. Picture: NRL Imagery

With his side down by four points against Canberra Raiders at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Friday night, New Zealand Warriors cult hero Dallin Watene-Zelezniak set off on a run from the right wing.

Angling in multiple times, stepping by several defenders, the big winger polished the play with a fine, flat pass that put five-eighth Luke Metcalf over near the posts and levelled the scores.

When Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ran through three Raiders defenders on a powerful run to the line and Metcalf converted, the eight-point lead proved impregnable for the gritty Raiders.

“They were definitely on top and someone was going to have to come up with a momentum play,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said. “We spoke last week about when Dallin comes fishing across, then someone has to push on that play. I thought it was great by Lukey.

“They’re great tries when they’re off the cuff and people react. There were a couple big plays to get us back into it.”

The Warriors have recovered from their heartbreaking loss to Melbourne, beating the Raiders at home to earn their first win of 2024. Picture: NRL Imagery

HIGHLIGHTS TEAM

It was the Warriors’ first win in 2024 and may not have convinced pundits that they’re not ‘gettable’ at times.

As they did against Cronulla Sharks and Melbourne Storm, the Warriors dominated the Raiders for long periods. And for the most part of the game in front of 17,249 fans, the Warriors looked the team most likely.

“Webster credited the visitors.

“The Raiders bought a tough style of footy. They came to play, they were physical and we had to go toe-to-toe.

“We’ve had two weeks where we’ve played pretty and looked really good at times. Tonight we probably didn’t look as good and we got the win. We won ugly.”

ADDIN UP

The Warriors exploded out of the blocks and Addin Fonua-Blake opened the scoring when he split the Raiders from five metres out and ran over untouched.

When Rocco Berry caught a Metcalf bomb and offloaded to Fonua-Blake, the big man was odds-on for try number two.

Yet Xavier Savage came in from his wing and somehow stopped the rampaging 123-kilogram front-rower.

Fonua-Blake was typically destructive with 154m, 56 post-contact metres and 24 tackles.

Raps for Fullback

The Raiders have suffered their first loss of 2024. Picture: Getty Images

Late in the game the Raiders successfully challenged a penalty against Jordan Rapana when the fullback spectacularly took out Chanel Harris-Tavita after a short drop-out.

Replays showed Rapana’s eyes on the ball and Harris-Tavita’s legs over his head. Senior review official Matt Noyen ruled play on.

Rapana was his team’s best with 205 metres and courage under the high ball.

“He was enormous,” Ricky Stuart said. “He amazes me, that bloke. I think he’s playing his best football in a position he hasn’t played a lot of.”

DWZ HIT

In the first half Raiders centre Albert Hopoate was on the end of a thumping tackle by Watene-Zelezniak that had shades of Sea Eagles wing-enforcer Jorge Taufua.

With seconds to go before half-time, Ethan Strange threw a flat ball that Watene-Zelezniak anticipated and turned into a hospital pass for Hopoate, buckling the centre and leaving him in the hands of trainers and gasping for breath.

Originally published as NRL news: New Zealand Warriors win 18-10 over Canberra Raiders