Joey Walsh Shines as Sea Eagles Beat Warriors, Raising Familiar Questions for Napier Hosts

NAPIER (Azat TV) – A youthful Manly Sea Eagles squad, spearheaded by emerging halfback Joey Walsh, delivered a commanding 33-18 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in their Witzer Pre-Season Challenge match at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday. The result, coming months after their intense Round 27 clash in the 2025 Telstra Premiership, has once again brought into focus the Warriors’ ongoing search for consistent halves combinations as the 2026 season approaches, while simultaneously anointing Walsh as a player to watch.

Walsh, who observers like commentator Michael Ennis described as looking “sharp and confident,” orchestrated the Sea Eagles’ attack with precision, laying on two tries and showcasing a sound kicking game even in wet conditions. His performance has quickly positioned him as a potential long-term successor to veteran Daly Cherry-Evans, drawing significant attention from rugby league pundits.

Sea Eagles’ Young Talent Shines in Pre-Season Challenge

The Sea Eagles’ victory was a testament to the depth and potential within their younger ranks. Beyond Joey Walsh’s standout performance, five-eighth Onitoni Large was also instrumental with ball in hand, consistently posing a threat. Up front, teenage prop Simione Laiafi dominated, running for over 150 metres and laying a crucial platform for his team’s success. Rookie Hugo Hart, a former American Football and rugby union prospect who only began playing rugby league last year, scored two tries, underlining his rapid ascent and the club’s high regard for his future potential.

Paul Bryan, a former Newcastle Knight whose previous NRL appearance was cut short by injury, made a significant impact in the forward pack, scoring Manly’s first try. His timely arrival in the Northern Beaches is seen as particularly crucial given the season-ending ACL injury suffered by teammate Caleb Navale earlier in the week, as reported by Fox Sports. Manly coach Anthony Seibold fielded a youthful squad for the pre-season opener, a strategy that paid dividends by showcasing the club’s promising talent pool.

Warriors Grapple with Halves Uncertainty

For the New Zealand Warriors, the match highlighted persistent questions surrounding their halves pairing as they head into the 2026 Telstra Premiership. Despite glimpses of brilliance, the team struggled with ball security throughout the game, preventing them from building sustained pressure. Veteran halfback Tanah Boyd, who started the match, reportedly offered little against the Sea Eagles, intensifying the spotlight on the Warriors’ playmaking options. Key players like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were sidelined due to a hamstring injury, with Motu Pasikala stepping in.

With Chanel Harris-Tavita racing against time to recover from a calf injury for Round 1, the Warriors’ options remain in flux. Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are slated to play in the halves for the Maori All Stars clash on Sunday, suggesting they are very much in contention for the starting roles. The performance of young half Jack Thompson, a 2024 Harold Matthews premiership winner, also left room for improvement, with two glaring errors noted during the match.

Key Moments and Injury Impacts in Napier

The game saw the Warriors start strong, with Ali Leiataua scoring the first try in the 5th minute after a Manly error in wet conditions. However, the Sea Eagles quickly found their rhythm, with Paul Bryan scoring in the 12th minute, followed by tries from Hugo Hart and Clayton Faulalo, giving them a 16-4 lead. Leiataua scored his second try just before half-time, narrowing the gap to 16-10.

The second half saw Manly extend their lead with Hugo Hart securing his second try, followed by a controversial 55-metre try from Blake Wilson after a successful Bunker review for a loose ball. Despite a late Warriors comeback attempt with tries from Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi and Makaia Tafua, Zaidas Muagututia sealed the Sea Eagles’ victory with a try in the 78th minute, followed by a field goal from Joey Walsh as time expired. Both teams utilized Captain’s Challenges effectively, with Manly successfully overturning a knock-on ruling to secure a penalty for a strip.

The outcome of this Witzer Pre-Season Challenge match serves as a crucial early indicator for both clubs. For Manly, it affirms the success of their youth development pathway and the promising future of players like Joey Walsh. For the Warriors, it underscores the urgent need to solidify their key playmaking positions and address issues of ball control, particularly as they aim to improve upon their 2025 season performance and compete effectively in the upcoming Telstra Premiership.