Warriors win Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final

[One Warrior]

Warriors win the Harold Matthews Cup premiership in their first year:​

HMC Grand Final: Champions!​

The Warriors have become the first team in the history of the UNE Harold Matthews Cup to claim the premiership in their maiden year after defeating the Western Suburbs Magpies 34-16 at CommBank Stadium today.
It continued a fairy tale run for the Warriors who had to win their final game of the regular season to snatch sixth spot in the finals, followed by sudden death wins over Parramatta Eels and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to make the decider.

Warriors lock Lennox Tuiloma, who scored two tries in the decider including a strong effort in the second half where he dragged defenders over the line with him before breaking free to score, was named Player of the Match while the Magpies received some consolation after centre Haemasi Makasini was awarded Player of the Series.

Player of the Match Warriors lock Lennox Tuiloma. Picture: Bryden Sharp
Warriors coach Thaine Ashford said the historic result was just the beginning for pathways programs in New Zealand, with the Auckland-based club joining the UNE Harold Matthews Cup for the first time in 2024.
“It is probably bigger than us,” Ashford said.
“Obviously it is special to us, but (also) for the game in New Zealand having the opportunity to showcase that you can stay home and build something from where we are.
“I’m very grateful to be a part of something special and to be a part of history.”
The Magpies started strong with two back-to-back tries to back-rower Teancam Epati and five-eighth Jhevon Lele in the opening six minutes to take their lead out to 10-0.
The Warriors hit back in the 11th minute through halfback Jack Thompson who broke through the defensive line to race down the field to score (10-6).
Trailing by four points, the Warriors pushed the Magpies in defence – forcing an error in their half.
The Warriors pounced on the mistake and found themselves in front after Thompson passed short to back-rower Militonimolela Sikuvea who crashed over the line (12-10).
With momentum behind them, the Warriors scored another two tries along with a penalty goal to extend their lead out to 24-10 at half-time.

The second half started with both teams testing one another in both attack and defence with set-for-set football being played for the opening 12 minutes.
The Warriors were the first to score in the second half, after Magpies fullback Ali Hickam Karnib spilled a Thompson grubber.
Winger Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso regathered the ball and charged to the line – carrying a defender on his back before passing the ball to utility Boston Krone to score (28-10).
The Magpies won the ball back from the kick-off before hooker Ashton Large found space for prop Christina Taupau-Moors to crash over the line and reduce the deficit to 12 points with 10 minutes remaining (28-16).
The Warriors sealed the deal in the final five minutes when lock Tuiloma powered his way through the goal-line defence for his second try.
“Every single one of these boys has played their part to get us here today, not just the boys that took the field today,” Ashfield said.
“The boys turned up for each other and they believed in each other and that’s what it can do for you sometimes.
“I’m very happy and very grateful for the win.”

Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final: Warriors are Champions! | Warriors

One New Zealand Warriors first club in history to win Harold Matthews Cup in debut season.

www.warriors.kiwi

 

[Meth]

Amazing.

Probably hasn't got the attention it deserves.

 

[Izz]

Awesome stuff!

 

[Big Marn]

Fantastic! How do contrscts work at thst age,? You would think the sharks are circling to nab the best players if they can.

 

[Rich102]

Great win for the young men. Well done!

 

[Izz]

Here are some highlights:


Warriors Anonymous does a really good job of covering all the lower grades

 

[Rich102]

Gee, there is some class in that team.
Look forward to some of it coming through in the future.
The club should be commended for entering these teams in the NSW competitions.

Thanks for the clip Izz.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Fantastic! How do contrscts work at thst age,? You would think the sharks are circling to nab the best players if they can.

Most would be on development contracts.
Bugger all money but enough to cover Xrays and stuff like that

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Gee, there is some class in that team.
Look forward to some of it coming through in the future.
The club should be commended for entering these teams in the NSW competitions.

Thanks for the clip Izz.

This is the groundwork for the kind of results and depth Penrith are achieving these days. It might not filter through to first grade this year or next, but eventually we’ll have that sort of production line of players.

 

[Matua]

Most would be on development contracts.
Bugger all money but enough to cover Xrays and stuff like that

If it happens in NZ it's covered by ACC isn't it?

Does this comp always finish so early? What happens to the players in the team now? Back to school teams (league or rugby?) or is there another ongoing comp?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

If it happens in NZ it's covered by ACC isn't it?

Does this comp always finish so early? What happens to the players in the team now? Back to school teams (league or rugby?) or is there another ongoing comp?

They must be going back to school teams, right? With a view there'd be representative footy domestically, Junior Kiwis etc?

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

If it happens in NZ it's covered by ACC isn't it?

Does this comp always finish so early? What happens to the players in the team now? Back to school teams (league or rugby?) or is there another ongoing comp?

So this week they will meet up again and be medically cleared by the club Doctor to be released back to their clubs and School teams. Probably have a proper presentation as well for what they achieved.

The rep season time frame from Feb to April is the only Window that they can have it in. Cant have it at the end of the Season as thats when the Heritage games are played and the Club Season finishes early September.

Im just speaking on what I know from the Wests Rep set up as i do a bit of work for the NSWRL in the Wests Juniors District

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I wonder if this could be used to kickstart league in a few NZ schools? Would think having players win a comp like this would be a pretty big deal for the schools the boys go to.