Sea Eagles’ Rising Star Shines in Dominant Victory Over Warriors

The Manly Sea Eagles secured a commanding 26-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in a recent pre-season challenge. The match took place at McLean Park, Napier, showcasing some impressive talents on both sides.

First Half Highlights

The game began with the Warriors taking an early advantage. Ali Leiataua scored the first try after a fumble by Navren Willett, putting New Zealand ahead. Manly quickly responded when Brendan Wakeham darted from dummy-half, setting up Paul Bryan for a touchdown.

As the first half progressed, Joey Walsh’s towering kick found Hugo Hart, who capitalized on another error by Haizyn Mellars. Walsh later made an exceptional pass to Blake Wilson, enabling him to score, followed by Clayton Faulalo adding another try for the Sea Eagles just before halftime.

Warriors Fight Back

Despite Manly’s strong performance, the Warriors did not back down. Leiataua managed to score again, narrowing the gap as halftime approached. His persistence kept the Warriors in the game, as they aimed to capitalize on mistakes by their opponents.

After the break, Walsh’s clever grubber kick led Hart to secure his second try, reaffirming Manly’s dominance. Blake Wilson later took advantage of another Warriors’ error to race away for the final score of the match, solidifying a comprehensive win for the Sea Eagles.

Key Player Performances

• Ali Leiataua (Warriors):
• Joey Walsh (Sea Eagles): Outstanding playmaker feeding crucial passes to teammates.
• Blake Wilson (Sea Eagles): Impressive debut with multiple scoring opportunities.

Team Lineups

New Zealand Warriors

• 1. Geronimo Doyle
• 2. Haizyn Mellars
• 3. Ali Leiataua
• 4. Leka Halasima
• 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
• 6. Luke Hanson
• 7. Tanah Boyd
• 8. Demitric Vaimauga
• 9. Wayde Egan
• 10. Jackson Ford
• 11. Kurt Capewell
• 12. Morgan Gannon
• 13. Erin Clark
• 14. Samuel Healey
• 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith
• 16. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
• 17. Kayliss Fatialofa
• 18. Makaia Tafua
• 20. Motu Pasikala
• 21. Rodney Tuipulotu Vea
• 22. Jack Thompson
• 23. Caelys-paul Putoko
• 24. Daeon Amituanai
• 25. Sio Kali

Manly Sea Eagles

• 1. Blake Metcalfe
• 2. Blake Wilson
• 3. Clayton Faulalo
• 4. Josh Feledy
• 5. Navren Willett
• 6. Onitoni Large
• 7. Joey Walsh
• 8. Simione Laiafi
• 9. Brandon Wakeham
• 10. Paul Bryan
• 11. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt
• 12. Corey Waddell
• 13. Caleb Navale
• 14. Zaidas Muagututia
• 15. Hugo Hart
• 16. Viliami Fifita
• 17. Kylan Mafoa
• 18. Tyler Melrose
• 19. Andes Johansson
• 20. Benjamin Keene-o’keefe

Conclusion

The Sea Eagles’ performance showcased their depth and skill, signaling a promising start to the pre-season. Fans can look forward to more exciting matches as the 2026 NRL Pre-season series continues, particularly with talent-laden rosters like Manly and the Warriors.