Khan-Pereira burns old club as Warriors' Pacific powers surge to second

Alofiana Khan-Pereira didn’t need to say much, he let his running do the talking.

The new Warriors signing and former Gold Coast Titans winger has a unique cultural background.

He is a proud Bundjalung man on his mother’s side, with Pakistani heritage, and also has Sāmoan and Māori roots through his father, making him one of the most culturally diverse players in the NRL and believed to be the only player with Pakistani heritage in the competition.

Facing his former club for the first time since being released, the winger delivered a sharp reminder of what the Titans let go.

The 24-year-old scored twice early to set the tone in the Warriors’ 28-20 win at Go Media Stadium on Saturday.

But this wasn’t just a revenge game. It was another sign of something bigger building at the Warriors: a team increasingly shaped by Pacific players stepping up, backing each other, and playing with confidence.

Khan-Pereira struck inside the opening 23 minutes and never looked back.

His speed and power on the edge gave the Warriors early control, helping them pile on points before halftime.

Chanel Harris-Tavita crashes over for a key first-half try as the Warriors built a dominant lead over the Titans. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Coach Andrew Webster was mindful of the occasion and how easily it could have gone the other way.

“I think everyone thinks it’s this great motivation playing against your old team, and that you should play a player like that because he’ll be motivated and he’ll want to win,” Webster told reporters.

“But they probably often get it wrong. Players in that position can overthink that and then not do their job.

We focused on that with (Alofiana) this week and I’m so pleased that he gets to celebrate this win.

“He’s really brought into what we’re doing. He should be really proud of his moments, after those really good finishes.

"He has high standards which is what you want as a coach and he’ll only improve.”

NZ Warriors fans celebrate a hard-fought win that lifts their team to second on the NRL ladder after holding off a late Titans fightback in Auckland. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

The Warriors were close to perfect in the first half. They controlled possession, made just one error, and turned pressure into points through Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

By the break, the game already felt out of reach. That control, built on discipline, trust and connection, has become a key part of this Warriors side.

It’s also what has pushed them up to second on the ladder, a position few would have predicted this early in the season.

There was a time when games like this could slip. Not anymore.

Even when the Titans found some rhythm late, scoring four tries in the final half hour, the result never truly felt in danger. The Warriors had already done the hard work.

For the Titans, it was another frustrating chapter. Their slow start left them chasing the game, despite a late surge.

Warriors celebrate with the Zae Wallace Shield after their win over the Titans. Photo/Photosport/Brett Phibbs

Coach Josh Hannay said the fightback showed belief within his group.

“The growth and connection in the players and in the group is growing exponentially. If they don’t have a strong connection out there then that game gets away from them,” Hannay said.

“They don’t know how to quit which makes them incredibly proud to coach them.”

For the Warriors, though, the story sits elsewhere.

Khan-Pereira’s performance was more than a personal moment. It reflected a team that is finding its identity and backing its players to thrive, no matter where they’ve come from.

With five wins from seven and momentum building, the Warriors are no longer just chasing consistency.

They are starting to look like a side that belongs near the top and one that is being driven by the strength and impact of its Pacific core.

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