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New Zealand Warriors Secure Historic First Senior Premiership in NSW Cup Grand Final Victory Sydney, Australia – The New Zealand Warriors have secured their first-ever senior club premiership, triumphing 30-12 over the St George Illawarra Dragons in the 2025 NSW Cup Grand Final at CommBank Stadium in Sydney. The victory marks a significant milestone for the Auckland-based club, making them the first team based outside of New South Wales to claim the prestigious title in the competition's long and storied history. The result caps an exceptional season for the Warriors, who entered the finals series as Minor Premiers following a dominant campaign where they registered 23 wins, one draw, and just three losses. The Grand Final proved a fiercely contested affair, with momentum shifts characterising the match before the Warriors pulled away in the final quarter, largely capitalising on a crucial sin-binning early in the second half. The Warriors established an early foothold in the contest, crossing first through Moala Graham-Taufa in the 11th minute. However, the Dragons responded quickly, with centre Hayden Buchanan levelling the score just minutes later. The match then settled into a tense exchange, reflecting the high stakes of the competition. The Warriors eventually broke the deadlock just before half-time, orchestrated by the boot of halfback Tanah Boyd.
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A well-placed bomb led to winger Setu Tu claiming the ball for a spectacular try, followed by another four-pointer to hooker Sam Healey, establishing a 16-6 lead for the New Zealand side at the interval. The Dragons re-emerged with renewed determination in the second half, swiftly cutting the deficit to four points (16-12) through Haele Finau’s effort from dummy-half, applying immediate pressure on the league leaders. However, the turning point arrived in the 48th minute when Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias was sin-binned for a professional foul. The Warriors’ halfback, Tanah Boyd, who would later be named Man of the Match, slotted the resulting penalty goal to extend the lead to 18-12. The numerical advantage was then ruthlessly exploited by the Warriors, who crossed for two quick tries through Setu Tu (his second of the match) and second-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. These rapid scores cemented the Warriors' control, taking the lead to 30-12 before the final 20 minutes remained scoreless. The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup holds considerable weight in Australian rugby league, serving as the premier open-age competition in the state of New South Wales and acting as a crucial feeder competition for the professional National Rugby League (NRL). Its history dates back to 1908, making it the oldest continuous rugby league competition in Australia.
For the Warriors, this senior title represents a long-awaited success, following previous defeats in reserve grade deciders in 1996, 1997, and 2011, as well as two NRL Grand Final losses. Warriors captain Kalani Going, who was recently crowned the competition’s Player of the Year, reflected on the dedication required to achieve the historic result. Speaking after the win, Going praised the team’s culture and the influence of the wider club philosophy. "It's unreal, especially with the bunch of boys we've got," Going stated, adding that the team’s success was rooted in a strong internal drive. “We're building that 'next man up' mentality. The philosophy is 'iron sharpens iron,' and we feed off the energy of the NRL squad. ” Going further noted the significance of the win as a fitting farewell for several departing senior players, describing the opportunity to send them off with a premiership as "super proud. " The success of the reserve-grade squad has been directly linked to the club’s overall upward trajectory, which saw the junior teams also secure premiership titles this season.
The team utilised a mix of rising stars and seasoned professionals, with 13 of the Grand Final squad boasting NRL experience, providing crucial leadership throughout the demanding season. The victory ensures the team's season is not yet complete. The New Zealand Warriors will now travel to Accor Stadium to compete in the NRL State Championship Final next Sunday, where they will face the winners of the Queensland Cup, the Burleigh Bears, for the overall national reserve grade title. The 2025 NSW Cup Grand Final will be recorded as a landmark moment, not only for the Warriors but for the competition itself, validating the growing strength of cross-border participation. As the Warriors prepare for their next challenge, the premiership trophy secures their position in the history books, marking the arrival of a new, geographically diverse era in the top-tier feeder competition.
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