Holy hecka? Nah, holy leka! Halasima magic, ABs grit, and Tactix U-turn light up weekend

The theme of the weekend was second-half resurgence, so let's dive into the details!

In a heart-stopping finish that left over 21,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium stunned, it was the Warriors' young gun, Leka Halasima, who snatched victory from the Knights with a try for the ages.

The Warriors secured a legendary 20-15 win on Sunday night in Newcastle, a result stemming from individual brilliance that could spark endless discussions.

With the Warriors trailing the Knights 15-14 in the dying stages of the game and crucial points missed from Warriors' half, Tanah Boyd, it seemed the Knights were moments away from a gutsy home win.

But Halasima, whose name means 'concrete road’ in Tongan, cemented the Wahs' victory. He escaped the aftermath of Boyd’s charged-down penalty, sprinting 40 metres down the field to score the winning try right on fulltime.

The home side will surely feel unlucky, as they put on a dominant first-half performance, tearing apart the Warriors' left edge and leading 12-6 at halftime.

For the Knights, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but for the Warriors, it was a night of pure magic. The win sees the Auckland club comfortably seated in fourth place on the ladder, with whispers of “this is our year” growing louder among their loyal fans.

This was not just a clutch moment; it represented a play that simply couldn’t be taught.

Halasima’s heroic effort was a blend of speed and skill, as he showcased quick reaction times and elusive footwork, beating several Knights defenders and earning an impressive 54 fantasy points.

Now with a win under their belts, they aim to build momentum as they head back home to face the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday at 5pm after the women's Warriors' match at 2.45pm.

One thing is clear: young gun Leka Halasima isn’t just the future - he’s the present.

All Blacks vs France

The All Blacks triumphed over France, securing their third win in the Lipovitamin-D series with a hard-fought 29-19 battle at a packed FMG Stadium in Waikato on Saturday.

Despite a united French defence, the men in black found themselves trailing 19-17 going into the second half, leaving fans on edge.

But under the leadership of Ardie Savea and with some brilliance from Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks powered through, ensuring the French had no chances of victory.

The injection of Jordie Barret was pivotal. His undeniable presence aided debutant Brodie McCallister in scoring his first international try just before fulltime, making up for a few wayward lineouts earlier in the match.

Head coach Scott Robinson, left, Ardie Savea, right, in a post match press conference. Photo/Jeremy Ward/Photosport

“We know how important the 23 is, and Jordie was just so professional when he came on,” coach Scott Robinson says.

Barrett also made a major defensive impact, chasing down young French back Emilien Gailleton and tackling him just before he could score.

The fresh faces in the All Blacks team stepped up impressively, with last-minute changes to the starting lineup that saw Du’Plessis Kirifi starting at openside flanker and scoring his first test try in the 59th minute after capitalising on a French fumble after Damian McKenzie's kick.

Throughout the match, Savea proved his class with a relentless defence, executing 21 carries and securing a crucial turnover late in the game. His consistency and leadership are clearly vital to the team's success.

While the French were kept scoreless in the second half, it's clear Razor has a solid foundation to build on. For now, he and his squad will enjoy a brief break before focussing on preparations against Argentina and South Africa.

The physicality displayed in Saturday’s game is a strong indicator of what to expect in August and September.

Pulse vs Tactix

The tale of two halves played out on the netball court as the Mainland Tactix clawed their way back to win 57-52 against the Pulse on Sunday night in Christchurch.

After being down the whole first half, head coach Donna Wilkins had her work cut out to maintain their perfect home record.

Right from the start, the Pulse dominated, with the midcourt duo of Gabi Simpson and Maddy Gordon outplaying the Tactix defence and hitting the circle edge with ease. Amelia Walmsley was once again formidable at the back, leading the visitors to an early 14-10 lead.

Tactix defensive combo Jane Watson and Karin Burger. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

In an attempt to shut down Gordon, Karin Burger started at Wing Defence. But the decision to shift Burger back into Goal Defence and move Paris Lokotui to Wing Defence proved crucial for the Tactix's comeback.

From that point on, the game was dominated by black and red, as the Tactix mirrored the Pulse’s performance from the first half. They applied defensive pressure, forcing the Pulse to shoot from long range and keeping their centre pass to goal rate at a low 69 per cent.

In the third quarter, also known as the ‘championship quarter’, the Tactix pulled ahead by five goals, breaking the game wide open. The defensive duo of Burger and Goal Keep Jane Watson excelled, stifling the Pulse’s attacking eight gains between them.

To maintain the momentum, Tactix captain Erikana Pedersen took charge of the attack with remarkable composure. She worked tirelessly with Centre Holly Mather, who contributed to a total of 50 feeds and received the most centre passes, totalling 23.

In celebration of her 100th match for the Tactix, Pedersen became one of only five players to achieve the milestone for the club.

With 10 rounds completed and the second finalist confirmed, the Cantabrians travel to face the Northern Mystics on Sunday at the lively Trust Arena.