Harris-Tavita steps up, Wahs women pay price and Fijiana fall short against the Springboks

Toa Sāmoa international Chanel Harris-Tavita stepped up when the Warriors needed him most, taking control of the attack after Luke Metcalf was forced from the field during Saturday’s 40-6 demolition of the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Metcalf clutched at his right hamstring while taking a penalty conversion, leaving Harris-Tavita to a new halves pairing with Taine Tuaupiki coming into the game.

The 27-year-old responded with 12 points, including a try and a try assist, while putting his body on the line in defence.

Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said Harris-Tavita “stood up, when Luke went off”, while captain Mitch Barnett was equally impressed.

“I just loved how Chanel stood up tonight and really took control,” Barnett told journalists after the match. “And when you got blokes doing that sort of thing it makes the job a lot easier.”

The Wahs remain third on the NRL ladder and travel to Sydney to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday, 22 August, for round 25.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira of the Warriors scoring a try. Photo/Jason O’Brien/Photosport

Click here to relive the Warriors’ win over the Broncos.

Missed kicks hurt Wahs women

The Warriors women had a very different result, falling 30-22 to the Wests Tigers in their round seven clash in Sydney on Sunday.

Both sides scored five tries, but the difference came from the tee.

Mele Hufanga of the Warriors. Photo/Izhar Khan/Photosport

The Tigers converted five of their six attempts while the Warriors managed just one from five.

Captain Apii Nicholls said the side never quite put together a complete 70-minute performance.

“There were a lot of great things, both defensive and on attack, but I think we just had some missed opportunities out there.”

The defeat leaves the Warriors women sixth on the ladder, with a tough clash against the competition leaders Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, 23 August.

To find out more about the 2026 NRLW season, click here.

OFC semi-finals locked in

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Championship League in Fiji has reached the business end after seven days of competition.

Rewa FC came from 1-0 down to defeat Lae City FC 2-1 in Ba and book their place in the first semi-final against 13-time champions Auckland FC.

The sides meet at Four R Stadium in Ba on Wednesday, with kick-off at 3pm NZT.

The other semi-final sees Galaxy FC take on Central Coast FC at 7pm NZT.

Fijiana fall just short

The Vodafone Fijiana XV pushed South Africa all the way in Lautoka but fell 29-22 to the Springbok Women.

Fiji led 10-5 at half-time after tries from Atelaite Buna and Vani Buleki before South Africa hit back after the break.

The Fijiana fought their way back to within two points at 24-22, but a late South African try ended the hosts’ comeback.

It is Fiji’s second Test loss to South Africa on home soil.

In other international fixtures from the weekend, the Wallabies recorded a convincing 56-17 win over Japan at North Queensland Stadium, while the United States edged the Argentina XV 25-24 in a nail-biting finish in Miami.

For more information on international rugby results, click here.