Source: Radio New Zealand
Warriors Ali Leiataua scores a try, NRL Pre Season Challenge, NZ Warriors v Sea Eagles. McLean Park, Napier. Saturday 14 February, 2026 Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
It’s only pre season. That’s what Warriors fans will be telling themselves after an uninspiring, error-ridden performance in Napier in their first hit out of the year.
An ugly outing in Napier saw the Warriors go down 33-18 to a young Manly Sea Eagles side, an ominous sign for Andrew Webster’s men.
Solace will be taken in the fact several frontliners were missing through All Stars duty, and there was plenty of energy provided late by the rookies off the bench.
Harry Inch, Paea Sikuvea and Jack Thompson had brief shining moments, but their introduction was darkened by dozens of mistakes which didn’t allow the home side any momentum or cohesion.
Ali Leiataua bagged a brace, both from Manly errors with the greasy conditions wreaking havoc, and while some rust is to be expected in pre season, the Warriors were far from a well oiled machine at McLean Park.
They have just six days to fix their faults, as they head across the Tasman to meet the Dolphins on Friday.
Follow how the game unfolded:
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Wade Egan Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
