Warriors Show Resilience Despite Elimination Final Loss

The New Zealand Warriors concluded their NRL season with a challenging 24-8 elimination final loss to the Penrith Panthers in Auckland. Despite the defeat, hooker Wayde Egan expressed pride in the team’s resilience throughout a year marked by significant adversity.

Before the season began, many predicted the Warriors would finish at the bottom of the standings, a sentiment that was nearly confirmed after an opening loss to the Canberra Raiders. However, the Warriors rebounded impressively, achieving a 9-3 record and securing a position in the top three at the season’s midpoint. Unfortunately, injuries took a toll, as co-captain Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf both suffered ACL injuries, severely impacting the team’s performance in the latter half of the season.

Entering the playoffs, the Warriors faced the daunting challenge of overcoming a string of injuries that sidelined a third of their first-choice players. Ultimately, they finished the regular season in sixth place, despite spending 19 weeks among the top four teams.

Reflecting on the season, Egan acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding their exit from the playoffs. “You would have liked to finish in the top four, but credit to us for hanging in there,” he stated. He compared the Warriors’ challenges to those faced by other teams, noting, “If you take Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo out of Penrith, what happens to them? So it’s a credit to us for fighting on.”

The elimination final against the Panthers was a tough match, with the Warriors initially holding their own. They trailed by a narrow 6-2 at halftime and were only four points behind after a try from Leka Halasima. However, the Panthers scored twice in quick succession, sealing their victory. “Obviously not the result we wanted, but for most of the game we were right in it,” Egan said, acknowledging the team’s effort.

Egan had a standout season, playing in 21 matches, scoring two tries, and achieving a remarkable 93% tackle success rate. He completed the season with a career-high of 1,263 run metres. The match against Penrith was particularly special for Egan, as it marked his 150th NRL game, with 121 of those appearances for the Warriors. His family attended the game, presenting him with his jersey in a touching moment.

Reflecting on his journey, Egan commented, “One hundred and fifty games feels like 500 on the body, but it’s a special moment.” He expressed optimism for the future, highlighting the growth of younger players who gained valuable experience throughout the season. “With so many injuries, they got to debut earlier, played a lot of footy, and they’ll be better for it,” he said.

As the Warriors look ahead to the next season, Egan’s determination and the team’s resilience will be crucial as they aim to build on their achievements and overcome the challenges they faced in 2025.