Leka Halasima’s double not enough as Warriors' 2026 NRL season ends

Leka Halasima scored two tries and produced a huge defensive effort but the the Warriors’ season is over after Newcastle held on for a dramatic 12-10 win in front of a record crowd at Eden Park on Sunday night.

The 20-year-old Tongan was at the heart of the Warriors' fightback, scoring in both halves as the Knights' defence repeatedly denied the home side the points they needed to keep their NRL season alive.

But Newcastle held their nerve through a frantic final 10 minutes to secure their place in next week's Preliminary final against Penrith.

A crowd of 48,511 packed into Eden Park, the biggest ever for a rugby league match in New Zealand. But the home fans were left stunned as the Warriors failed to turn their chances into points.

Halasima opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a slick build-up through halves Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Harris-Tavita found Halasima on the left edge and the young forward powered through the Knights' defence to put the Warriors ahead.

A record 48,511 fans packed Eden Park for the Warriors’ elimination final against the Newcastle Knights. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Newcastle hit back through halfback Fletcher Sharpe before half-time to level the contest at 6-6.

The Knights then took control early in the second half when Dominic Young crossed on the right edge after the Warriors lost possession.

Newcastle’s defence became the story of the match from there.

The Warriors created chances but struggled to find a way through while the Knights repeatedly scrambled to keep their line intact.

Halasima refused to let the Warriors go quietly.

In the 70th minute, he found space in the corner and got the ball down despite having very little room to work with.

Taine Tuaupiki could not convert from the sideline, leaving the Warriors two points behind at 12-10.

The final minutes became a desperate battle for field position and possession.

The Warriors came close again, with Ali Leiataua ruled to have been obstructed by Sharpe while Newcastle survived several attacking sets.

The Newcastle Knights celebrate their 12-10 win over the Warriors at Eden Park, booking their place in the preliminary final. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

The Warriors were handed one final chance after a successful Captain’s Challenge gave them possession, but Newcastle’s defence held firm.

Errors, a failure to execute the one-percenters, and a lack of ball retention towards the closing stages had also proved costly for the Warriors, echoing their back-end performance in the 26-16 defeat to the Dolphins in the first week of the finals.

The hosts' possession advantage had slipped to 50 per cent apiece by halftime while Sharpe's try brought the scores level at 6-6.

The second half told a similar story, with the Knights finding their decisive points through winger Young, who crossed down the right edge in the 44th minute.

Newcastle held on to complete one of the biggest wins in the club’s recent finals campaign and advance to face the Panthers next Sunday.

For the Wahs, it was a brutal end to a season that had promised so much. They finished second in the regular season and earned the right to host a home final, moving the match from Go Media Stadium to Eden Park for the first time.

But after the Dolphins defeat, the Warriors have now suffered back-to-back finals losses and will head into the off-season wondering what might have been.

Halasima leaves the finals with his reputation further strengthened.

After being cleared to start despite injury concerns, he delivered when the Warriors needed him most, scoring both of their tries and making a series of big defensive plays.

It was not enough to keep the Warriors alive, but on a night built for heroes, the young Tongan forward was one of the few Warriors who consistently delivered.