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New Zealand Warriors Rout Burleigh Bears 50-20 to Claim Historic NRL State Championship The New Zealand Warriors have secured their first-ever NRL State Championship title, capping a remarkable season for the club's development pathway by defeating the Burleigh Bears with a decisive 50-20 victory in Sydney. The match, played as the curtain-raiser to the National Rugby League Grand Final, pitched the champions of the NSW Cup (Warriors) against the reigning Hostplus Cup (Queensland) winners (Bears), confirming the Warriors’ status as the dominant second-tier club for the 2025 season. The comprehensive win provides the Auckland-based club with an unprecedented treble of premierships across their development grades this year, signalling a significant structural turnaround for the organisation's player pipeline following recent seasons of disruption. The intensity of the final, played in challenging conditions at Accor Stadium, was evident from the opening quarter, though the scoreboard rapidly tilted in favour of the New Zealand side. The Warriors, benefitting from a team featuring several players with NRL experience, established control almost immediately. A sustained period of pressure translated into a scoring spree, with the Warriors’ left edge proving particularly potent. Halfback Tanah Boyd, who was later crowned the Player of the Match, orchestrated the early dominance, contributing to four consecutive tries and demonstrating superior game management. The first half concluded with the Warriors leading 32-6, a margin that reflected their 56 per cent possession rate and a ruthless 80 per cent completion rate, leaving the Bears struggling to gain attacking footholds. The Burleigh Bears, who had earned their place in the State Championship after a convincing Grand Final win in the Queensland competition against the Norths Devils, attempted to rally following the break. Coach Luke Burt’s half-time address appeared to foster greater defensive resolve, led by fullback Nick O'Meley, who made several crucial interventions early in the second stanza.
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The Queensland champions found some success through the middle and registered three further tries, including a chip-and-chase effort that was finished by second-rower Ewan Moore. However, the initial deficit proved insurmountable against a Warriors side that continually found answers. Mitchell Watson and Josh Rogers also crossed for the Bears, helping to restore some pride in the final minutes, yet the attacking momentum was quickly stifled by the efficiency of the New Zealand attack, which went on to breach the 50-point mark. The State Championship is more than just a trophy; it serves as a critical barometer for the health and depth of the two respective development systems. For the Warriors, the victory underscores a successful rebuilding period for their pathways, which faced severe challenges during the recent COVID-19 pandemic when the club was relocated to Australia and forced to temporarily disband its reserve-grade sides. That period saw the Warriors rely on affiliate clubs, but the establishment of their own integrated pathway, from the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s) to the NSW Cup, has now culminated in multiple titles. David Tangata-Toa, the Warriors’ reserve-grade coach, emphasised the importance of the club’s institutional investment in junior and reserve development. “It’s a credit to the ownership for investing heavily into the pathways,” Tangata-Toa stated after the victory. “It’s not a cheap undertaking to run Matts, SG Ball, Flegg, and a New South Wales Cup side. But we are now beginning to see the rewards of that immense investment.
With the Harold Matts winning back-to-back comps, and now the NSW Cup side securing this final, it can only help the NRL club in future years. ” The contest also served as a stage for standout individual performances, particularly from players who are firmly on the radar for permanent NRL inclusion. Halfback Tanah Boyd, a recent recruit who previously spent time at the Gold Coast Titans, was instrumental. His ball-playing skill and composure under pressure demonstrated why he is viewed as a significant asset for the Warriors' top-grade squad depth. Boyd finished the day with 18 points, a try, and four critical try assists, confirming his role as the team’s creative fulcrum. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki, a former Queensland Cup Player of the Year with the Burleigh Bears, also delivered a masterclass, finishing with two tries, three line breaks, and over 200 running metres against his old club. Tuaupiki acknowledged the mixed feelings of facing his former teammates in such a high-stakes fixture. “I get along with those boys well, some of them are my closest brothers,” Tuaupiki commented ahead of the game. “But it was time for me to lock in. I still wanted to go after them.
We executed our game plan today and the result speaks for itself. ” Furthermore, the match provided valuable experience for other rising talents, including Jett Cleary, the younger brother of Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary, who was injected into the game from the interchange bench. The 50-20 defeat marks the Burleigh Bears’ third appearance and third loss in the State Championship final, a result which analysts noted was perhaps influenced by the relative NRL experience disparity in the two squads. Fox League analyst Michael Ennis, speaking during the game, commented on the dominant nature of the New Zealand attack, particularly down the flank marshalled by Boyd. “He has been a class above today,” Ennis said. “He is absolutely tearing apart the opposition’s left edge; he’s been brilliant. ” In summary, the 50-20 victory for the New Zealand Warriors against the Burleigh Bears secures a significant piece of silverware for the club, affirming the effectiveness of their rejuvenated development system. While the Burleigh Bears will reflect on a disappointing final scoreline that belies their success in the Queensland competition, this cross-border fixture successfully provided an intense, competitive platform for emerging talents. The result serves as a foundational moment for the Warriors, whose ability to convert consistent pathways performance into multiple titles this season suggests a strong, well-prepared cohort of players ready to challenge for NRL spots in the seasons ahead.
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