History has been created many times over by the One New Zealand Warriors in their debut season in the New South Wales Rugby League’s Harold Matthews Cup (under-17) competition.
And tomorrow their memorable campaign culminates in an unprecedented grand final appearance against Western Suburbs at CommBank Stadioum in Parramatta (12.00pm kick-off local time; 2.00pm NZT).
In reaching the decider, the Warriors marked their entry into the elite pathways competition by rebounding from losses in their opening two matches of the regular season to win five of their remaining six games to seal the sixth and last spot in the finals.
And then they went on a giant-killing run.
First up they ousted Parramatta 30-20 in their week one finals match, an exceptional feat given the Eels had beaten the Warriors 32-6 in the first-round clash in February and have been the dominant force in the competition.
Match: Magpies v Warriors
Grand Final -
home Team
Magpies
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Ali Hicham KarnibFullback for Warriors is number 1 Joseph Ratcliffe
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Winger for Magpies is number 2 Tyson WalkerWinger for Warriors is number 2 Ezekiel Davidson-Faaiuaso
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Centre for Magpies is number 3 Glassie GlassieCentre for Warriors is number 3 Jeremiah Lemana
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Centre for Magpies is number 4 Heamasi MakasiniCentre for Warriors is number 4 Turama Paranihi
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Winger for Magpies is number 5 Thomas GoodfieldWinger for Warriors is number 5 Kairus Booth
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Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Jhevon LeleFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Tyson HANSEN
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Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Alex IsdaleHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Jack Thompson
Forwards
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Prop for Magpies is number 10 Christian Taupau-MoorsProp for Warriors is number 8 Hudsyn Frost
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Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Ashton LargeHooker for Warriors is number 9 Kaawyn Patterson
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Prop for Magpies is number 20 Leviticus TOVIAProp for Warriors is number 10 Gordon Pailegutu Taanuu Afoa
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2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Teancam EPATI2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Dezman Laban
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2nd Row for Magpies is number 12 Pheonix Godinet2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Militonimolela Sikuvea
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Lock for Magpies is number 13 Peter TaaiLock for Warriors is number 13 Lennox Tuiloma
Interchange
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Interchange for Magpies is number 14 Lorima CosgraveInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Boston Krone
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Interchange for Magpies is number 15 Siotame Havea JrInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Romana Whitiora
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Interchange for Magpies is number 17 Peter FrenchInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Houma Fotu
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Interchange for Magpies is number 19 Henare RetiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Isaiah Savea
Reserves
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Replacement for Magpies is number 18 Stirling FaumuiReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Deshontayne Te Wao
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If that wasn’t enough, the young Warriors then bucked all outside expectations by beating the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 12-10 last week to qualify for the grand final (the Bulldogs were the defending premiers and backed up by winning the 2024 minor premiership).
That’s a singular achievement on its own but even more astounding after researching the Harold Matthews Cup’s history.
When the competition started in 1970 it was staged as a carnival with teams from the New South Wales regions involved along with Sydney clubs.
Since coming under the auspices of the NSWRL in 1986, not once has a start-up team reached the grand final – until now. It further underlines the significance of what the One New Zealand Warriors have achieved.
They’ll again be rated at long odds to win on Saturday, coming up against a Magpies side which was unbeaten in the regular season, finishing level with the Bulldogs but losing out on the minor premiership on points for and against.
The Magpies reached the grand final with another tight tussle last week when they beat the fourth-ranked Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 8-6.
The Warriors have named a settled squad for the decider with just one change to the starting lineup which sees Jack Thompson returning at halfback.
Due to the short-form nature of the competition, the One New Zsealand Warriors and the Magpies didn’t meet in the regular season.
