NRL Super Saturday Round 14: Warriors Demolish Sharks, Broncos Celebrate Reynolds' Milestone in Style
AUSTRALIA – June 7, 2025 – NRL Super Saturday in Round 14 delivered a compelling dose of rugby league drama, featuring a stunning upset and a milestone celebration. The New Zealand Warriors produced arguably their most complete performance of the season, routing the Cronulla Sharks 40-10, while the Brisbane Broncos celebrated captain Adam Reynolds' 300th NRL game with a dominant 44-14 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
These results have significant implications for the ladder and the momentum of several clubs as the competition heats up.
Match 1: New Zealand Warriors Stun Cronulla Sharks 40-10
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Woolooware Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
The fixture between the Sharks and Warriors was tipped to be a tight contest, but what unfolded was a second-half masterclass from the New Zealand outfit.
The Story of the Game:
- Tight First Half: The opening 40 minutes hinted at a close battle. The Warriors established an early lead with tries from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Adam Pompey, but the Sharks, through Mawene Hiroti and Kayal Iro, fought back. A penalty goal from Luke Metcalf saw the Warriors take a narrow 12-10 lead into the break.
- Warriors' Second-Half Explosion: The second half, however, was a completely different story. The Warriors unleashed a relentless attacking display, piling on five unanswered tries. James Fisher-Harris, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, and a double from five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita (including a sensational 90-meter intercept) contributed to a stunning 30-point demolition.
- Defensive Masterclass: Beyond the points, the Warriors' defensive efforts were phenomenal, particularly a standout performance from fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who made several try-saving plays and cleaned up crucial kicks. They kept the Sharks scoreless in the entire second half.
Key Takeaways:
- Warriors' Statement: This was the Warriors' 10th win of the season and their fifth consecutive victory in Sydney since 1995 – an impressive feat given they were without key players Mitch Barnett (season-ending injury) and Wayde Egan. Coach Andrew Webster's side proved their genuine premiership credentials with this ruthless display.
- Sharks' Defensive Woes: For Cronulla, it was a worrying performance, marking their second consecutive loss where they've conceded 40 points or more (following a 42-16 defeat to the Roosters in Round 12). Coach Craig Fitzgibbon admitted the Warriors "got the jump on us physically," highlighting a concerning lapse in their typically strong defensive resolve. Kayal Iro did become the first player in the NRL era to score a try in his first nine consecutive appearances of the season, a small consolation.
Match 2: Brisbane Broncos Dominate Gold Coast Titans 44-14
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
The second Super Saturday clash was a celebration of Adam Reynolds' 300th NRL game, and the Broncos ensured their captain marked the milestone with a resounding victory over their QLD rivals.
The Story of the Game:
- Broncos' First-Half Blitz: Brisbane came out firing, determined to honour Reynolds. They dominated the first half, scoring points at will. Tries from Gehamat Shibasaki (two), Corey Jensen, Kotoni Staggs, and Josiah Karapani saw them race to a commanding 28-0 lead at halftime. Kotoni Staggs was particularly devastating, with powerful runs and a spectacular aerial try.
- Titans' Brief Resurgence: The Gold Coast showed some fight in the second half, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira bagging a double, but any flicker of a comeback was quickly extinguished by the Broncos.
- Reynolds' Masterclass: Adam Reynolds orchestrated the attack with precision kicking and passing, converting six of the Broncos' eight tries. Reece Walsh, returning from injury, also put an exclamation mark on the win with a late double.
- Pressure on Hasler: The heavy defeat heaps more pressure on under-fire Titans coach Des Hasler, as his side continues to struggle for consistency.
Key Takeaways:
- Reynolds' 300th: A fitting tribute to Adam Reynolds, who controlled the game expertly and celebrated his significant milestone in emphatic fashion.
- Broncos' Confidence Boost: This dominant victory will provide a massive confidence boost for the Broncos, especially with Reece Walsh's strong return and the clinical attacking performance. They head into their bye week in strong form.
- Titans' Struggles Continue: The Titans remain entrenched near the bottom of the ladder, and their defensive frailties were brutally exposed by a red-hot Broncos outfit.
Implications for the NRL Ladder
These Super Saturday results have solidified the positions of some teams and highlighted concerns for others:
- The Warriors consolidate their top-four aspirations, showcasing that they can perform at an elite level even with key players sidelined.
- The Sharks face a crucial period, needing to address their defensive vulnerabilities if they are to remain serious finals contenders.
- The Broncos are re-establishing themselves as a formidable force, looking to climb back into the top half of the ladder.
- The Titans have a lot of work to do, both on and off the field, to turn their season around.
NRL Round 14 continues to deliver compelling rugby league, and Super Saturday certainly provided its share of memorable moments and crucial results.
