From underdogs to undisputed: Tactix take it home, Gallaher stays no ezy, and Wahs fall

The Mainland Tactix silenced their doubters by lifting their first-ever ANZ Premiership title, Ponsonby added a 37th Gallaher Shield to their legacy, while the Warriors were left disappointed after a shock home loss to the Titans in Round 21 of the NRL.

When Jane Watson turns to the crowd mid-match, with her hands raised, demanding more noise, it’s clear this match mattered.

After years of trials and triumphs, the Tactix finally won their very first national netball championship, defeating the Northern Mystics 58-46.

With all odds stacked against them, this united Cantabrian side fought their way to victory from the very first whistle.

Captain Erikana Pedersen shared how proud she was of her team, knowing they entered the final as underdogs. “We were hungry for this, a lot of people doubted us, but we had full belief we could do it,” she says.

The Tactix set a promising tone early, keeping the favourites and defending champions, Mystics, to a single-digit score after the first quarter. Their momentum only grew from there.

Kudos to the Tactix’s suffocating defensive unit of Watson, Karin Burger, and Paris Lokotui, who made it difficult for the Mystics to execute their trademark flair. Powerhouse Peta Toeava had to work hard off the ball just to get it into the shooting circle.

While the Mystics’ defenders did their homework to try to shut down goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Pedersen rose to the challenge in the midcourt. Her ball speed, vision, and constant movement anchored her attacking side, maintaining composure.

As the home team headed into half-time, there was still hope for Mystics fans, but the Tactix capitalised on their dominant first-half performance.

Tactix winning coach Donna Wilkins. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

You couldn’t help but admire the collective effort the Tactix displayed. Every player contributed from end to end throughout the 60 minutes, keeping many of the Mystics’ key players quiet.

Even without two-point shots, the Tactix remained unfazed, with shooter Eleanor Bird shining by scoring 50 from 54 attempts and even regaining possession after a missed shot.

Yet, the match was also one of the most physical contests the competition has seen. In the shooting circle, Watson and Mystics' goal shooter Donell Wallam put on a show, both refusing to give an inch.

Umpire Gareth Fowler had to issue a warning to them regarding the physical nature of the play.

For the Mystics, disappointment lingered. Despite moments of brilliance and strong crowd support, they couldn’t put the final pieces together.

For the Tactix, this match was a story rewritten. They are no longer the underdogs; they are the 2025 ANZ Premiership champions.

Gallaher Shield: Ponsonby vs Marist

As if 36 titles weren’t enough, the Ponsonby Ponies extended their formidable legacy on Saturday, clinching the Gallaher Shield for the 37th time with a 27-21 victory over Marist at Eden Park.

Just like the Tactix, Ponsonby showcased a united performance, relying on their full squad to get the job done. Several bench players made critical impacts, stepping up when the pressure was on.

Known for racking up the points, the Ponies wasted no time asserting their dominance. Two tries within the opening 10 minutes raised early questions among fans about whether this final would follow the script of another Ponsonby blowout.

But Marist weren’t going down without a fight. Captain Ofa Topeni rallied his team, narrowing the deficit to just eight by halftime.

A late try from Number 8 Kitiona Vai, moments before fulltime, sparked hope for an East Auckland comeback, but it came too late.

Handling errors and missed executions at key moments cost Marist dearly, allowing Ponsonby to exploit the situation. Their set-piece dominance was evident, as they won consecutive rucks, scrums, and lineouts, with their experience shining through in the later stages.

Two of Ponsonby Ponies co-captains, William Talataina-Mu, left, and Joe Royal, right. Photo/Auckland Rugby/Facebook

Defensive rock and co-captain William Talataina-Mu was instrumental in key turnover moments, steadying his team when momentum threatened to shift.

Meanwhile, rising star Jarell Tuaimalo Vaega lit up the field, scoring twice with his blistering pace, leaving defenders trailing.

For a club steeped in history, Ponsonby’s continued success proves the strength of their unshakable culture. From veterans to rookies, their shared purpose was clear, as evident in the post-match celebration.

As the blue and black jerseys flooded Eden Park once again, another chapter was added to Ponsonby’s storied legacy.

At this club, legacy isn’t just written in titles; it’s built on heart, culture, and family.

NRL Premiership: Warriors vs Titans

You could argue that the Gold Coast Titans’ coach, Des Hasler's, controversial approach to get his players out of the shower paid off last week, as they defeated the Warriors 24-16 at Go Media Stadium.

Celebrating his 500th game as a coach, Hasler’s current 16th-placed Titans surprised the top four Warriors heads on Saturday in Auckland.

The Warriors started strong, with centre Adam Pompey dotting down the opening try, followed by young gun Leka Halasima five minutes later. There was every reason for Wahs’ fans not to believe they would secure the win.

But due to disruptions and ongoing concerns about their right-edge defence, the boys from the Gold Coast quickly fought their way back into the match.

Leading 12-10 at half time, young halfback Jayden Campbell stepped up, converting three out of four attempts at goal while also breaking the line to create opportunities for his team-mates to score.

Gold Coast Titans team photo after winning the Zae Wallace Shield. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

The send-off of Wahs’ winger, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, further complicated matters for the home side, with Titans’ centre Jojo Fifita scoring almost immediately after, despite a near hold-up by defenders.

Although down a man and trailing by 14 points, the Warriors managed to find an overlap in the Titans’ defence, allowing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to get over the line and close the gap.

But the Titans maintained control of the game with their effective ball retention and kicking game, leaving the Wahs little chance to pull off a miracle like the one in Newcastle the previous week.

With much discussion around player selection, specifically Warriors' versatility, Taine Tuapiki, head coach Andrew Webster, says he’s not making changes to the team a couple of hours after the match. “Taine is an option every week,” he told reporters.

Despite having a relatively smoother run in the remaining fixtures compared to other teams, Webby and his side will return to the drawing board this week, aiming to address key areas of concern ahead of their crucial home clash with the Dolphins on Friday.