Wests Tigers Stun Warriors in Auckland Upset
The Wests Tigers have delivered a remarkable performance, defeating the Warriors 32-14 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. This victory not only ended the Warriors' unbeaten start to the 2026 NRL season but also propelled the Tigers into the top four, a rare position for the club in recent years.
Resilience Shines Through Early Adversity
Facing a 10-0 deficit midway through the first half, the Tigers showcased incredible determination to rally back. They dominated the game with six tries to three and a significant tackle-break advantage of 50-18, overwhelming the Warriors' defence.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall expressed immense pride in his team's effort. "It was probably the most resilient performance I've seen from the team for a long time," Marshall said. "I'm very proud of the team to fight back. We made some adjustments on the run and played the type of football we wanted to play."
Jock Madden's Emotional Contribution
Marshall singled out halfback Jock Madden for special praise, revealing that Madden had been dealing with the loss of his grandfather. Despite missing the funeral to play for the team, Madden delivered a standout performance, handling kicking duties and supporting halves partner Adam Doueihi.
"I thought he was the difference tonight," Marshall noted. "He put Adam in position so he could just run. He did all the kicking, took all the pressure off Adam and let him play. His grandfather passed away last week, and he didn't make the funeral because he wanted to play for the team. He said his grandfather would have wanted him to play, so we're really proud of him."
Warriors' Frustration After Strong Start
The Warriors had opened the scoring early with a try from fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, but their momentum was disrupted when Adam Pompey was sin-binned for an unnecessary tackle. Coach Andrew Webster acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We're very frustrated. We missed the mark tonight and know what we've got to work on."
This loss denied the Warriors a chance to equal their best start to an NRL season, which was five wins in 2018.
Key Moments in the Match
- The Tigers scored their first try in the 32nd minute through Faaletino Tavana, assisted by Adam Doueihi.
- Kai Pearce-Paul added another try three minutes later after a high kick from Madden caused confusion in the Warriors' defence.
- Royce Hunt barged over just before halftime, giving the Tigers a 16-10 lead at the break.
- In the second half, Doueihi set up tries for Jahream Bula and Jock Madden, extending the lead.
- Nicoll-Klokstad scored a late try for the Warriors, but Sunia Turuva crossed in the final minute to seal the Tigers' victory.
The Tigers now hold a record of two wins and one loss to start the 2026 season, having also had a bye, marking a promising turnaround under Marshall's leadership.
