The 2026 NRL season is officially warming up with the commencement of the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge, and the Manly Sea Eagles have made an emphatic statement, overcoming the New Zealand Warriors 26-10 in a spirited encounter at McLean Park in Napier.
Sea Eagles Soar in Napier Opener
Saturday's action-packed slate of pre-season fixtures kicked off with a compelling clash across the Tasman, as the Warriors hosted the Sea Eagles. While the Warriors showed flashes of brilliance, it was Manly who ultimately asserted their dominance, showcasing a well-drilled performance that will have fans buzzing.
First Half: A Tale of Two Halves
The opening stanza at McLean Park was a fascinating contest. The Warriors, eager to impress on home soil, started brightly, controlling possession and territory for significant periods. However, they struggled to convert this dominance into points, a recurring theme that would plague them throughout the match. Despite their territorial advantage, the Warriors found themselves trailing by six points at the break, with the Sea Eagles managing to find the try line on three occasions.
Manly's ability to capitalize on limited opportunities was a key factor in their first-half success. Their attack, initiated by the halves pairing of Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh, looked dangerous, particularly on the right edge. A well-executed cutout pass from Walsh led to Clayton Faulalo crossing for a crucial try. Another moment of brilliance came from Walsh, whose pinpoint bomb was expertly tapped back by winger Navren Willett, allowing Hugo Hart to pounce and extend Manly's lead.
The Warriors, however, refused to be completely outdone. In the dying moments of the first half, five-eighth Luke Hanson launched a bomb that proved problematic for Manly winger Navren Willett. The ball fell kindly to Warriors centre Ali Leiataua, who dotted down for his second try of the day, narrowing the deficit to 16-10 heading into halftime.
Second Half: Sea Eagles Seal the Deal
The second half saw the Sea Eagles continue their strong momentum. A penalty early in the second term provided them with an immediate attacking platform. Joey Walsh was again instrumental, delivering a deceptive grubber kick that found Hugo Hart, who dived low to score his second try and push Manly's lead to 20-10. This try, in particular, highlighted Manly's sharp attacking execution.
Despite the scoreline, the Warriors attempted to rally, but their efforts were hampered by handling errors, particularly in the challenging wet conditions. The Sea Eagles' defence proved resilient, repelling multiple Warriors raids and maintaining their composure.
A significant moment in the second half saw Manly lodge a successful Captain's Challenge. After the ball appeared to be stripped from Jackson-Levi Shereb-Schmidt's grasp, the Bunker intervened and agreed with Manly's assessment, awarding them a penalty and another attacking opportunity. This demonstrated the Sea Eagles' commitment to contesting every play.
Key Takeaways and Early Season Form
The Witzer Pre-Season Challenge is designed to provide teams with valuable game time and an opportunity to test their combinations ahead of the gruelling NRL season. For the Manly Sea Eagles, this opening performance is a significant positive.
The Sea Eagles showcased an attacking flair and clinical finishing that will be a concern for opposition teams. Their ability to score points from various positions on the field, coupled with a solid defensive effort, suggests they have put in a strong pre-season. The combination of Large and Walsh in the halves looks promising, and the contributions from players like Hugo Hart and Clayton Faulalo indicate depth in their squad.
For the New Zealand Warriors, there are clear areas for improvement. While they showed periods of dominance and individual brilliance, their inability to consistently convert pressure into points was their undoing. Handling errors, particularly in challenging weather, need to be addressed. Coach Andrew Webster's decision to rest some top players in the second half suggests a focus on longer-term preparation, but the team will be looking to tighten up their execution in upcoming pre-season fixtures.
Looking Ahead
As the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge progresses, both the Warriors and Sea Eagles will be looking to build on this performance. The Sea Eagles will aim to maintain their winning form, while the Warriors will be focused on refining their attacking strategies and reducing errors. With the NRL season proper on the horizon, these pre-season hit-outs are crucial for teams to fine-tune their strategies and build the necessary momentum.
The Witzer Pre-Season Challenge continues with a bumper Saturday of action, including the Wests Tigers v Roosters, Knights v Bulldogs, and the traditional Charity Shield clash between the Dragons and Rabbitohs. Fans can follow all the updates and analysis on NRL.com's live blog.
