NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather forecasts

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Budget 2025
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / League / Warriors

Rugby League: Warriors impressive in first hit out of 2023, with big trial win over Tigers

Michael Burgess
By Michael Burgess
Senior Sports Journalist·NZ Herald·
9 Feb, 2023 04:19 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Michael Sio of the Warriors celebrates a try from Solomon Vasuvulagi. Photosport

Michael Sio of the Warriors celebrates a try from Solomon Vasuvulagi. Photosport

The Warriors have made a positive start to their 2023 campaign, with a comprehensive 48-12 victory over the West Tigers in their first pre-season trial on Thursday night.

Wing Marcelo Montoya grabbed a hat trick, with centre Viliami Vailea getting a brace, while new recruits Luke Metcalf and Jackson Ford were also among the scorers in the nine tries to two win.

Both teams were shorn of much of their top line talent – held back for impending trials – though the Warriors had considerably more NRL experience, including Te Maire Martin, Montoya, Bunty Afoa, Ford and Brayden Wiliame.

Trials aren’t necessary much of a barometer, as there have been good pre-season Warriors performances over the years that haven’t amounted to much when the real stuff comes around.

They were also facing a highly inexperienced Tigers team, from the Sydney club that gained the wooden spoon last season.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But there are always patterns to seek and on that note, Thursday was a pleasing exercise.

The Warriors showed some polish on attack – with sharp work on each flank – and plenty of power through the middle.

Perhaps most importantly, there was defensive steel.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The home side stood up to early pressure and showed a hunger to defend mistakes, especially in the first half, when both sides fielded stronger lineups, before the younger brigade were given a chance.

Martin and Metcalf looked handy in the halves, while Afoa and Tom Ale stood out among a hard working pack.

Vailea continued his eye catching 2022 form from last season, while former Dragon Wiliame combined well with Montoya.

It was an experimental Warriors team – with the focus on the second trial with Melbourne on February 26 – but a chance for others to push their case.

In front of a 600 strong crowd at the members only clash, there was plenty of willing contact.

Afoa produced his trademark strong charges - as well as being driven back in heavy contact – while Ale made his mark beside him.

After repelling some early Tigers attack, the Warriors opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Following a Vailea incursion on the right, the Warriors spread the ball to the other flank, with Montoya finishing well after a series of second man plays.

That gave the Warriors impetus and they went further ahead minutes later through Ford. Afoa produced a strong charge up the middle, before Martin drew in defenders near the line.

Smart dummy half work from Wiliame then put Ford into a gaping hole.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The Tigers had some moments – forcing a line drop out and going close to another – but the Warriors had more momentum, with Vailea a constant menace, making yards at will.

Montoya’s second try was another sweeping move, before a bone jarring fend by the winger confirmed the touchdown in the corner.

Highly rated Tigers’ back rower Fonua Poole was held up over the line just before the break, as the home side hung tough with a series of defensive sets in their own 22.

Metcalf capped a strong game with an impressive 50 metre solo try early in the second half, squeezing through a gap then outpacing the fullback.

What was equally impressive was the chasing pack, with four Warriors backing up the half in support.

After Montoya crossed for his third just before the hour mark, the home side finally had their line breached, with Trey Peni crossing on the right flank.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

That signalled a mini-resurgence from the visitors, as Stefano Utoikamanu strong armed his way over near the posts minutes later.

Coach Andrew Webster rolled the changes for the last quarter, with Vailea capping a great night with two late tries, before Maiu’u Zyon crossed at the death.

Warriors 48 (Marcelo Montoya 3, Jackson Ford, Luke Metcalf, Moala Graham-Taufa, Viliami Vailea 2, Maiu’u Zyon tries; Luke Metcalf 3 cons, Eiden Ackland 2 cons, Vailea con )

Tigers 12 (Trey Peni, Stefano Utoikamanu tries; Brandon Wakeham 2 cons)

Halftime 14-0

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Warriors

Warriors

'Significant moment': Warriors re-sign promising duo to long deals

21 May 02:47 AM
Warriors

Capewell to captain Warriors as Fisher-Harris banned, Barnett on NSW duty

20 May 06:14 AM
Warriors

Warriors hold off late comeback from Dolphins for nail-biting win

17 May 07:45 AM

The Hire A Hubby hero turning handyman stereotypes on their head

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Warriors

'Significant moment': Warriors re-sign promising duo to long deals

'Significant moment': Warriors re-sign promising duo to long deals

21 May 02:47 AM

Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban have been locked down until the end of the 2029 NRL season.

Capewell to captain Warriors as Fisher-Harris banned, Barnett on NSW duty

Capewell to captain Warriors as Fisher-Harris banned, Barnett on NSW duty

20 May 06:14 AM
Warriors hold off late comeback from Dolphins for nail-biting win

Warriors hold off late comeback from Dolphins for nail-biting win

17 May 07:45 AM
Fisher-Harris named to start for Warriors against Dolphins, RTS in reserves

Fisher-Harris named to start for Warriors against Dolphins, RTS in reserves

13 May 06:10 AM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP