Tongan young gun set for his 50th Warriors appearance in NRL final

Tongan centre Leka Halasima will reach a major milestone when the One New Zealand Warriors open their finals campaign against the Dolphins on Saturday.

The 20-year-old will make his 50th appearance for the Warriors when he lines up in the qualifying final at Go Media Stadium.

He also becomes the second of the club's young players to reach the mark.

The milestone comes after Halasima was brought back into the side following his absence from last week's final regular-season match against Manly.

Born in Tofoa, Tonga, Halasima made his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2024 after coming through the club's development system.

He has become an important part of the side this season, scoring eight tries in 20 appearances.

Leka Halasima in action for the Warriors against the Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on 30 August 2026. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

The milestone comes as anticipation builds around the Warriors' first finals match of the season, with tickets for Saturday's clash selling out within minutes of going on sale to the general public.

Warriors members had already snapped up their allocation before the remaining tickets disappeared almost immediately when general sales opened on Tuesday.

One frustrated fan posted: “I missed out on all three sale times and I’m a member! Not impressed.”

Warriors fans will pack Go Media Stadium after tickets for Saturday’s finals clash sold out within minutes of general sale. Photo/Photosport

The sell-out means the Warriors will run out in front of a packed crowd of around 25,000 at Go Media Stadium, underlining the demand for finals footy in Auckland.

Halasima's milestone also comes as the Warriors enter their 11th finals campaign and their third in four seasons under head coach Andrew Webster.

But the team has more than a milestone to celebrate, with the Warriors also welcoming back several experienced players for the first week of the finals.

Front rower Jackson Ford returns on the bench after missing the last 10 matches of the regular season with a pectoral injury.

Ford suffered the injury 20 minutes into the Warriors' round 16 clash against North Queensland in Christchurch on 21 June.

Centre Halasima, second rower Kurt Capewell and hooker Wayde Egan are also back after missing last week's win over the Sea Eagles.

Kurt Capewell and Wayde Egan return to the Warriors side for Saturday’s qualifying final against the Dolphins. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

The Warriors will again be without winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who remains sidelined with a broken right collarbone.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will continue on the right wing and will make his 150th career appearance, including his 84th for the Warriors.

He goes into the finals after scoring twice in last week's 31-30 win over the Sea Eagles, taking his season tally to 12 tries from 14 appearances.

The Warriors finished the regular season with club records for wins, defeats and points scored, winning 18 of their 24 matches and scoring 728 points.

They have also had two tight battles with the Dolphins this season.

The Warriors won their first meeting 20-18 in Wellington on Anzac Day, before the Dolphins edged them 26-24 in Brisbane after scoring a late try.

Erin Clark and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will bring plenty of experience to the Warriors’ finals campaign against the Dolphins. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

That history adds another layer to a finals clash between two sides separated by only two points in both of their regular-season meetings.

For Halasima, the occasion will be a chance to mark his first 50 Warriors games on the biggest stage yet.

Loose forward Erin Clark will also extend his run of consecutive appearances for the Warriors to 50 since returning to the club last season.

The Warriors' qualifying final against the Dolphins kicks off at 6.05pm (NZT) on Saturday, 12 September, at Go Media Stadium. The winner will advance directly to the second week of the finals.

For more NRL action and updates, click here.

Warriors women eye strong finish against Broncos

An unchanged lineup has been named for the One New Zealand Warriors’ final NRLW regular-season clash against the Broncos at Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday (2pm NZT).

The Warriors’ slim finals hopes were ended by last Saturday’s 32-40 loss to the Sharks, leaving them with one final chance to finish their second season back in the competition on a high.

They face a tough test against last year’s premiers, with three Warriors who featured in last season’s grand final victory over the Broncos named again in centre Mele Hufanga, standoff Gayle Broughton and prop Annetta Nuuausala.

Former Bronco Stacey Waaka will also line up against her old club.

The Warriors wāhine will be looking to end a run of four straight defeats, with their last win coming against Newcastle in Hamilton on 8 August.

A win on Sunday would also give the Warriors a chance to finish the season with some momentum while providing a strong test against the reigning premiers to close out their campaign.

For more details on the NRLW, click here.

TEAMS: MEN

Warriors: Backs: 1 Taine Tuaupiki, 2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 3 Ali Leiataua, 4 Leka Halasima, 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Te Maire Martin. Forwards: 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitchell Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Jacob Laban, 13 Erin Clark. Interchange: 14 Sam Healey, 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jackson Ford, 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 20 Adam Pompey. Reserves: 21 Jett Cleary, 22 Luke Laulilii, 23 Makaia Tafua. Warriors ins: Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Leka Halasima, Luke Laulilii, Wayde Egan. Warriors outs: Jye Linnane, Morgan Gannon.

Dolphins: Backs: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jack Bostock, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Selwyn Cobbo, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa. Forwards: 8 Thomas Flegler, 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 10 Tom Gilbert, 11 Max Plath, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13 Morgan Knowles. Interchange: 14 Kurt Donoghoe, 15 Ray Stone, 16 Francis Molo, 17 Connelly Lemuelu, 18 Felise Kaufusi, 19 Bradley Schneider. Reserves: 20 Jake Averillo, 21 Brian Pouniu, 22 Tevita Naufahu. Dolphins ins: Kodi Nikorima, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Selwyn Cobbo.

Match officials: Referee Adam Gee. Touch Judge Matt Noyen. Senior Review Official Chris Butler.

WOMEN:

Warriors: Backs: 1 Anastasia Sekene, 2 Payton Takimoana, 3 Mele Hufanga, 4 Stacey Waaka, 5 Lavinia Tauhalaliku, 6 Gayle Broughton, 7 Patricia Maliepo. Forwards: 8 Annetta Nuuausala, 9 Jasmin Huriwai, 10 Matekino Gray, 11 Maarire Puketapu, 12 Shakira Baker, 13 Kaiyah Atai. Interchange: 14 Capri Paekau, 15 Harata Butler, 16 Ashlee Matapo, 17 Metanoia Fetalaiga. Reserves: 18 Mya Hill-Moana, 19 Tysha Ikenasio, 20 Natalia Hickling, 21 Apii Nicholls, 22 Laishon Albert-Jones. Warriors ins: Apii Nicholls, Laishon Albert-Jones, Natalia Hickling, Tysha Ikenasio.

Broncos: Backs: 1 Tamika Upton, 2 Kerri Johnson, 3 Deleni Paitai, 4 Georgia Bartlett, 5 Julia Robinson, 6 Ali Brigginshaw, 7 Jesse Southwell. Forwards: 8 Shannon Mato, 9 Jada Ferguson, 10 Brianna Clark, 11 Lauren Dam, 12 Romy Teitzel, 13 Lillian Yarrow. Interchange: 14 Rhemy Hinckesman, 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 16 Bree Spreadborough, 17 Harlem Walker. Reserves: 18 Reegan Hicks, 19 Caitlin Urwin, 20 Tara McGrath-West, 21 Tavarna Papalii, 22 Amanii Misa. Broncos ins: Amanii Misa, Caitlin Urwin, Harlem Walker, Tara McGrath-West.

Match officials: Referee Peter Gough. Senior Review Official Kasey Badger.