The New Zealand Warriors have demolished defending NRL premiers Brisbane 40-6 at Suncorp Stadium, producing one of their most convincing performances of the season but losing star halfback Luke Metcalf to another hamstring injury.
The Warriors ran in seven tries to one and led 20-0 at halftime as they overwhelmed a Brisbane side whose title defence has fallen apart. The victory moves the Warriors level on competition points with second-placed Penrith and strengthens their push for a top-four finish heading towards the finals.
But the celebrations were tempered by another cruel injury setback for Metcalf.
Metcalf heartbreak strikes again
Metcalf pulled up clutching his right hamstring after kicking a conversion during the first half and took no further part in the match.
The injury comes at a particularly difficult time for the Warriors playmaker, who had only recently returned following an extended spell on the sidelines with another hamstring problem.
He had made an impressive comeback against Penrith last week, scoring two tries and kicking four goals in the Warriors’ 28-12 victory.
Now, just eight days later, he faces another anxious wait for scans to determine the extent of the latest injury.
The setback also carries an uncomfortable connection with Suncorp Stadium and Brisbane.
Metcalf suffered a serious ACL injury against the Broncos last season, making his latest injury at the same venue against the same opposition particularly bitter.
Warriors explode out of the blocks
Before the injury drama, the Warriors had already taken control.
Jacob Laban opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Chanel Harris-Tavita crossed five minutes later.
New winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira then produced one of the night’s biggest moments, intercepting a Reece Walsh pass and racing away for the Warriors’ third try.
Harris-Tavita added two penalty goals to send the visitors into halftime with a commanding 20-0 advantage.
The Warriors were also forced to spend 10 minutes with 12 men after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sent to the sin bin for a tackle on Walsh.
Walsh suffered an ankle injury in the incident and eventually left the field, adding to a disastrous evening for Brisbane.
Second-half demolition
The Warriors showed no interest in protecting their halftime advantage.
Nicoll-Klokstad returned to score shortly after the restart before Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Ali Leiataua crossed in quick succession.
Brisbane finally got on the scoreboard through Xavier Willison in the 60th minute, but by then the result was beyond doubt.
Leka Halasima completed the seven-try demolition in the closing minutes.
The Warriors’ try scorers were Laban, Harris-Tavita, Khan-Pereira, Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Leiataua and Halasima.
Harris-Tavita steps into the breach
Metcalf’s departure forced Harris-Tavita to move into halfback, and the experienced playmaker responded with an influential performance.
He scored a try, took over the kicking duties and helped maintain control of the match despite the disruption to the Warriors’ spine.
The Warriors also produced 1691 running metres compared with Brisbane’s 1183, underlining the physical dominance behind the scoreboard.
Finals momentum building
The victory continues an impressive late-season run for the Warriors.
They have now beaten Penrith and Brisbane in consecutive matches, taking down two of the competition’s biggest clubs as the race for finals positions intensifies.
With three regular-season rounds remaining, the Warriors are increasingly looking like genuine contenders.
But Metcalf’s fitness could now become one of the biggest questions hanging over their finals campaign.
Forty points at Suncorp sent a powerful message to the rest of the NRL — but for the Warriors, all eyes now turn from the scoreboard to the scan room.
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