Matty’s On the Five: Warriors produce magic in Brisbane, Black Ferns toppled by Canada and Jai Opetaia defends title

Up the Wahs! It’s been a long five weeks, but finally we can rake in another win, and against the Panthers too. Another big weekend of sports, let’s get stuck in!

1. Warriors produce magic in Brisbane

The Warriors beat the Panthers 22-20 in the NRL’s magic round in Brisbane on Sunday. It was a spirited performance, that was just enough to defeat the Penrith Panthers, who have beaten the Wahs the last eight times they faced.

The Panthers hit first in the opening two minutes from a Warrior's error directly from kickoff. Then Warriors make-shift stand-off Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad featured in his side's first points, with a double-pump play to put Marcelo Montoya over in the left corner.

Nicoll-Klokstad would also feature in a pivotal moment early in the second half, forcing an error from Panthers captain Isaiah Yeo, who was sent off for foul play. Ali Leaitatua was then awarded for his slick line running, scoring his first try for the side.

During Yeo’s stint on the sidelines, the Warriors struck again through Adam Pompey who ran a clever route to score. Penrith hit back with two tries from Yeo and Izack Tago. But with eight minutes to go - Taine Tuaupiki tied the game up at 20-20, with a scything run.

Tuaupiki then slotted the conversion, putting the Warriors ahead by two with five to go. The Panthers were given a chance to tie the game, with a penalty conversion but were unable to ice it, giving the Warriors their first win in five weeks. How good!

Result: New Zealand Warriors (14th) defeated Penrith Panthers (3rd) 22 to 20

Highlight moment: Ali Leaiataua scores his first NRL try in his first game back in the topside since 2023.

Pacific Champion: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Cook Islands)

2. Black Ferns toppled by Canada for first time

The Black Ferns have fallen to third place in the World Rugby rankings, after a shock loss to Canada in Christchurch at the weekend. It was the first time ever the Black Ferns have lost to Canada - going down 22-19.

Katelyn Vaha’akolo opened the scoring on the left edge thanks to some slick ball play, exposing the Canadian edge defense.

A strong carry by Kennedy Simon beating three defenders put the Ferns in good field position. Simon would then give an offload to Vaha’akolo, enabling her to score her second. But Canada struck back from a strong maul close to the Ferns line, powering over for a try.

It was then a Canadian onslaught in the second half, as they scored two tries from powerful mauls close to the line. Another try from the relentless Canucks put them in front by seven.

The Ferns' Patricia Maliepo then scored with eight minutes to go, from a savvy move down the left edge, putting the Ferns within striking distance of a win. But Canada were able to hold out, putting a serious dent in the Ferns' chances of claiming the Pacific Four title.

Result: Black Ferns defeated by Canada 22-19 in the second round of Pacific Four.

Highlight moment: Katelyn Vaha’akolo’s slick two-try outing puts her as one of the best outside backs in women’s rugby.

Pacific Champion: Katelyn Vaha’akolo (Tonga)

3. Jai Opetaia defends IBF title in largest fight card in history

Australian-Samoan Jai Opetaia continues to etch his name in history as one of the most dominant fighters as he retained his IBF Cruiserweight title at the Ring of Power boxing event in Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

The title bout was Opetaia defeat Russian boxer Mairis Breadis by unanimous decision, in what was the second time these two fighters had faced each other.

Leading up to the fight, Opetaia knew he was in store for a tough one, revealing that the previous clash had left him with several injuries.

And this fight was no different, as the two danced for 12 rounds in front of a packed crowd at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh. Opetaia looked slick in the opening rounds, sticking and moving with good footwork and head movement.

But despite a head clash in the latter parts of the fight which broke Opetaia’s nose, Breadis was unable to topple the undefeated Opetaia.

Result: Jai Opetaia defeats Mairis Breadis by UD (Unanimous Decision)

Biggest moment: Opetaia’s nose breaks in the 10th round from a headbutt, but continues to press forward!

4. Moana Pasifika come close to beating Hurricanes

Moana Pasifika showed promising signs in their narrow defeat to the Hurricanes, coming close to toppling the second place side in Wellington - going down 32-24.

We spoke to Moana Pasifika players earlier that week about what needed to be done against the Canes to win the game. The key message that came through was the need to “be physical” and that’s exactly what Moana did.

Despite going down 19-0 in the first half, Moana looked spirited in their efforts, and were able to score two tries of their own from powerful carries close to the line. The Canes had a chance before the half to score again from a lineout 10 metres out, but the ball was stolen by Moana booting the ball into touch.

Moana struck first in the second half, with Fine Inisi finishing in the corner from a silky face ball to the winger. Throughout the second half, it was an intense back and forth going try-for-try, but Moana weren’t able to hang in with the Canes towards the end of the game.

Result: Hurricanes defeat Moana Pasifika 32 to 24 at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Biggest moment: Hurricanes star Peter Lakai scoring a highlight try from a charge down.

Pacific Champion: Moana Pasifika front rowers Sione Mafileo and Abraham Pole for leading the Moana forward pack.

5. Blues continue winning streak

The Blues continue their tear in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, surviving a Highlanders offensive onslaught in the first half to secure their sixth straight win - 47-13 at Eden Park.

The Blues opened the scoring as Ofa Tu’ungafasi powered over the line. But, the Highlanders were quick to hit back a few minutes later, with Timoci Tavatavanawai scoring off of quick ball in the corner.

Another try from the Blues put them in front by seven, but penalties gave the away side six easy points to put them in arms reach. The Blues then scored again before the half to put them in front by eight.

The Blues ran in another 28 unanswered points in the second half as the Highlanders weren’t able to hang in there with the table leaders. Caleb Clarke featured in a highlight try, breaking through the Highlanders line and offloading to Taufa Funaki to give the interchange player a try.

Clarke also featured in the last try for the match, with a slick intercept to score under the sticks.

Result: The Blues beat the Highlanders 47 - 13.

Biggest moment: Caleb Clarkes two-try clinic hopefully puts him into contention for an All Blacks jersey!

Pacific Champion: Caleb Clarke (Samoa)

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on ‘Overtime with Matty’ on the 531PI Pacific Grandstand Show.

“Perspective drives performance every day of the week. How you view what you do ultimately determines how you do what you do.”

Inky Johnson