March 28, 2026

#hakinakina: The Warriors have suffered their first loss of the NRL season

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 28, 2026

The Warriors have suffered their first loss of the NRL season, beaten 32-14 by the Wests Tigers in Auckland.

The Tigers stunned the previously unbeaten Warriors with a strong attacking display, running in six tries and taking control of the match with a 16-10 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half.

New Zealand started brightly with early tries to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jacob Laban, but defensive lapses allowed the Tigers to respond quickly and seize momentum.

The visitors capitalised on those opportunities, crossing through multiple players including Kai Pearce-Paul, Royce Hunt and Jahream Bula, while their kicking game proved decisive in extending the lead.

The match also marked the long-awaited return of Luke Metcalf, who had been sidelined since last season with an ACL injury, providing a boost to the Warriors’ lineup.

Despite that positive, the Warriors were unable to maintain their early-season form, struggling to contain the Tigers’ attack and falling behind as the game wore on.

The defeat ends the Warriors’ unbeaten start to the 2026 campaign and serves as a reminder of the competition’s intensity as they look to bounce back in the coming rounds.