Warriors pummeled, Super Rugby finalists found and Tongan Tala win 4th title

The Wahs slump to 12th place after a month of great footy, the final standoff in Super Rugby looms, and the Tongan Tala win their fourth consecutive tournament. How good!

1. Warriors lose to Melbourne Storm

My beloved Wahs winning streak was toppled by the first place Melbourne Storm on Saturday night in horrid conditions, losing their 16th straight game to the Storm. The final score was 38 - 24.

The home side fired out of the starting blocks, as they held 93 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes, scoring two tries as a result. I had my eye intently on the Storm, because I knew how clinical they can be to come back, and boy was I right. Seventeen minutes later, they scored four tries and were up by six at the half.

The Warriors did well to bounce back in the second half, with Mitch Barnett scoring in the opening minutes. But two yellow cards to both Warriors wingers crippled the home team, as the Storm were able to score twice while the Warriors were down on numbers.

Marcelo Montoya scored in the closing minutes of the game, but again, the Warriors defensive efforts couldn’t stop the lightning quick Sua Fa’alogo who scored his second on the night.

An unfortunate result, but next week we go again! Up the Wahs!

Result: Melbourne Storm beat the NZ Warriors 38 - 24 at Go Media Stadium.

Highlight Moment: The NZ Warriors Harold Matthews squad getting cheered on in honour of winning this year's competition. How good was that for our young boys!

Pacific Champion: Sua Fa’alogo, for one of our Pasifika boys thriving in the patterned Melbourne Storm fullback jersey was a beaut to see.

2. Blues topple Brumbies to secure final spot

The Blues are into another grand final after defeating the Brumbies at Eden Park on Friday night 35 - 20. Conditions were choppy, but the Auckland-based franchise looked slick and strong in front of their home crowd!

The Blues started strong and easily made their way down to the Brumbies line, and a cut out ball to the right edge put Harry Plummer over in the second minute of the game. Despite giving away a penalty goal, the Blues forwards looked powerful against the opposition, scoring a try off a strong maul.

The forwards’ aggression was the difference for the Blues, at each breakdown they outmuscled the Brumbies pack. Much of the Blues tries were completed off the forwards, and one of which was by Hoskins Sotutu who broke the record for most tries by a forward in one season!

The Brumbies made a valiant effort in the back end of the game, but were unable to complete a comeback, halting the Brumbies seven-game win streak.

Result: The Blues beat the Brumbies 35 - 20 at Eden Park.

Highlight Moment: Hoskins Sotutu broke the scoring record for a forward in Super Rugby, another Pacific player etching their name in rugby history!

Pacific Champion: Hoskins Sotutu, great outing for the number 8 and hopefully we see him in the All Blacks squad.

Watch our sports wrap on 531PI's Pacific Mornings.

3. Chiefs upset Hurricanes

The Chiefs upset the Hurricanes in the Capital, securing their place in another final, winning 30 - 19 at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

The away side had an exciting start, with Emoni Narawa cruising past defenders in open space on the right edge and offloading to Samipeni Finau who scored in the right corner. The Chiefs looked slick following the try, as Damien McKenzie converted the Chiefs second try, and added another penalty to put the Chiefs in front 17 - 0.

The Hurricanes bounced back just before half-time, with barnstormer Peter Lakai stormed over for their first. But in the second half Damien McKenzie proved too clinical with his conversions, slotting three more kicks for the Chiefs.

Despite two tries from the Hurricanes and a yellow card against the Chiefs, it wasn’t enough to steal a win at home, ending the Hurricanes’ outstanding season. The Chiefs now head to Auckland to face the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final.

Result: The Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 30 - 19 at Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Highlight Moment: The Chiefs defensive efforts were the highlight for me! 165 tackles made, shutting out the strong Canes attack how good.

Pacific Champion: Wallace Sititi, standout game for the young number 8 making some clinical plays for the Chiefs go forward.

4. Tongan Tala beat Fiji Pearls

The Tongan Tala secured their fourth straight Pacific Netball Series, beating the Fiji Pearls in the final 72 - 58 in the final - which was a massive improvement on their encounter in pool play where they only won by one point against the Fijians.

The five teams represented at the tournament included Fiji, First Nations Australia, Namibia, Samoa, Singapore and Tonga, with Tonga claiming their fourth straight tournament win.

The scores were locked at half-time 33 - 31, but in the last two quarters the Tala edged away from Fiji winning the game 72 - 58.

It was a great outing for both sides who performed well in last year's Netball World Cup and I think it reflects positive signs for netball in the region.

A great story to come out of the tournament was the ongoing success of Tonga’s Uneeq Palavi, who has become a mainstay for the side, after initially being unsure if she should even join the Talas.

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5. State of Origin Game 2 sides are in!

With State of Origin game two to go down next week, both teams have brought in key players for the crucial clash.

The Blues welcome back Latrell Mitchell to the side, while Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards also gets the call up after missing game one due to injury, while Mitchel Moses replaces Nicho Hynes in the halves.

Meanwhile, Reece Walsh returns at fullback for the Maroons, with Warriors back-rower Kurt Capewell named on the bench. Dane Gagai also gets the nod as 18th man for the Maroons.

It’s going to be an interesting game two with Latrell back in the side, given he hasn’t lost a series during his time in a Blues jersey. I expect his aggression will inspire the troops to produce some mongrel in their play.

With Reece Walsh’s return, I expect his inclusion to be crucial in the Maroons go forward. I think his explosiveness will open up for the back four to find extra space, where as we know, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow thrives. It’s going to be an exciting one!

Game two kicks off next Wednesday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Matty’s Golden Point

Matty’s Golden Point is a piece of advice shared on 531PI’s Pacific Grandstand show.

“Ambitious goals make for outstanding achievements.”