Warriors roar in second half to crush Raiders 40-6 in Auckland

Heavy rain and a packed Go Media Stadium set the stage for a gritty showdown between the New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders.

The first half was a test of patience, skill, and discipline. Both sides were locked at 6-6 after 40 minutes of wet-weather rugby league.

Canberra struck first when halfback Ethan Sanders linked with Kaeo Weekes to exploit the Warriors’ right edge and open the scoring.

The Warriors soon hit back, winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak diving over in the corner after slick passing down the left.

At 14 minutes, the Raiders held a narrow 6-4 lead before the contest settled into a physical arm wrestle. Rain made handling tricky, with Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suffering a couple of fumbles.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster had to reshuffle the spine after Channel Harris Tavita left the field with a head knock.

Taine Tuaupiki, right, came off the bench to help steady the Warriors’ spine after Channel Harris Tavita was forced from the field. Photo/Photosport/Joshua Devenie

Young utility Taine Tuaupiki came on, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to five-eighth.

Canberra threatened late in the half, but the Warriors’ goal-line defence stood firm.

A penalty goal from sustained pressure levelled the scores at 6-6 going into the break.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finishes in the corner for his second try of the night, delighting the home crowd at Go Media Stadium. Photo/Photosport/Joshua Devenie

The second half was all Warriors. Centre Ali Leiataua swung the momentum with a 40-metre intercept try, converted by halfback Tanah Boyd.

From there, the home side piled on the pressure.

Young forward Leka Halasima scored off a clever Boyd grubber, and Jackson Ford crashed over under the posts after slick hands from Erin Clark.

Halasima later added a second try after powering through multiple defenders.

Boyd also crossed for a try of his own, keeping the Raiders on the back foot.

Watene-Zelezniak wrapped up the scoring late, diving over for his second try.

Tuivasa-Sheck added the conversion, marking his 150th NRL appearance in style.

The Warriors scored six unanswered tries in the second half, leaving the Raiders stunned and securing a commanding 40-6 victory.

The win showcased the Warriors’ depth, skill, and Pacific power, with young forwards like Halasima and Leiataua making big impacts.

For fans braving the rain, it was a show of resilience, flair, and team spirit: a reminder of why the Warriors remain a team to watch this season.

Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston has broken Ken Irvine's record of 212 tries. Photo/Facebook

Meanwhile, Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston has rewritten the rugby league record books, reaching a historic milestone as the NRL warned fans not to storm the field in Sydney.

Johnston broke the NRL’s all-time try-scoring record in spectacular style, sparking scenes of celebration at Allianz Stadium on Friday.

He equalled Ken Irvine’s record of 212 tries with a first-half score and then surpassed it with a brilliant coast-to-coast try for the Rabbitohs in the very first minute of the second half.

The Roosters won 26-18. For more on this weekend's NRL action, click here.