AKP fires again as Wahs weather Eels storm

The Wahs are rolling. In another impressive display at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, the New Zealand side showed exactly why they are cemented in the top three.

They dismantled a struggling Eels outfit 36-14 and while it wasn’t a perfect 80-minute performance, the visitors’ ability to absorb pressure and strike back with Pacific flair was the difference.

Parramatta struck first in both halves, but they simply couldn’t contain the Wahs’ firepower out wide

The opening statement came from Leka Halasima, who ran a sharp line off halfback Tanah Boyd to stroll in.

From there, the Warriors’ wingers took over. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (AKP) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak continue to fulfil their duties at wing, both finishing off the work done by their inside men.

Khan-Pereira bagged yet another double, taking his career to 59 tries in just 58 games.

Jackson Ford scores during the second half. Photo/David Neilson/Photosport

He almost had a hat-trick after a length-of-the-field break that left the Eels' defence clutching at shadows.

Former Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson, watching on, summed up the recruit perfectly.

Johnson said post-match the ex-Titans recruit is a “professional try scorer,” highlighting it as a key reason behind the club’s decision to sign him.

The Eels threatened to flip the script early in the second half, clawing their way back to within four to swing momentum. But when the game tightened, the Wahs went to another level.

Rounding out another mammoth 80-minute effort, Jackson Ford charged through the Eels defensive line to lift his side’s intensity.

From there, the Warriors steadied. Even with disruption through injury and patches of inconsistency, they refused to let the result slip.

Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris, left, and head coach Andrew Webster at the post-match press conference. Photo/David Neilson/Photosport

Hooker Wayde Egan added to the growing concussion toll, ruled out for the remainder of the match, with Sam Healey stepping in.

Healey was composed across his 51 minutes, quick off the ruck and taking the line on confidently.

Shortly before full-time, stalwart Roger Tuivasa-Sheck redeemed his disallowed first-half effort, running in a perfectly weighted cutout ball from Chanel Harris-Tavita to seal the Wahs sixth.

It wasn’t smooth sailing, though, as it was another shaky start, but they recovered quickly and exposed a struggling Parramatta defence.

Harris-Tavita and Boyd outplayed Mitch Moses and Ronald Volkman across the night, combining for four tackle breaks and three try assists in a controlled halves display.

The Warriors now head into a round 10 bye before travelling to Suncorp Stadium to face the 2025 premiers, the Brisbane Broncos, on Saturday, 16 May for Magic round.

For more information on the 2026 NRL Premiership, click here.