NZ Warriors star Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sidelined by ankle injury

NZ Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak faces another long stint on the sidelines, after suffering an ankle injury in their loss to Penrith Panthers last Saturday.

Watene-Zelezniak, 29, was the victim of a "hip drop" tackle from Panthers second-rower Scott Sorenson just before halftime at Go Media Stadium and could not continue in the contest, with interchange utility Te Maire Martin injected into the centres and Adam Pompey moving out a spot in coverage.

While the veteran lay prone on the ground, Kiwi Sorenson scored the first of his two tries down that left side of the defence, left shorthanded by Watene-Zelezniak's injury.

He has avoided surgery on the ankle, but is expected to miss 4-6 weeks in recovery. Sorenson was put on report for his tackle and subsequently suspended for two weeks, after entering an early guilty plea at the judiciary.

"I actually thought Sorenson was an accident," Warriors coach Andrew Webster. "I think they're all accidents, but there are ones where they sit back down on their legs.

"He was diving to make a tackle and slid across his ankle."

Watene-Zelezniak sat out the opening nine rounds of the NRL season, after breaking his wrist moments into the first pre-season trial against Cronulla Sharks. His spot was filled by back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki, who was knocked out in reserve grade two weeks ago.

Webster confirmed Tuaupiki was available for selection against Brisbane Broncos this week, after progressing through concussion protocols, but specialist winger Ed Kosi is another option or Pompey may stay on the wing, with Kurt Capewell taking his spot in the midfield.

"It's a big hit, Dallin's a good player," Webster said. "We lost him for so long at the start, but we found a way to win without a good player for a period of time, so we'll have to find another way and I'm sure we can do that."

Watene-Zelezniak led the Warriors in tryscoring for each of the last three seasons, but has managed only two tries in his six appearances in 2025.

Meanwhile, halfback Luke Metcalf seems to being carrying no ill effects from a corked thigh that saw him play the second half against Penrith heavily bandaged, while conceding goalkicking duties to Pompey.

"He trained really well today, so onwards and upwards for Luke," Webster said.

Front-rower Marata Niukore also left the game early with a head wound, but seems to be tracking for a return against the Broncos.

"He's sore, but he's OK," Webster said. 'He's got a twin — a cut there and now another one — and a broken nose."

"His modelling career is over, so he'll have to focus on footy, but his symptoms are really good."

Webster confirmed Niukore didn't fail a concussion check after the incident, but was held out because of his facial fracture.

Centre Rocco Berry is due back from a persistent hamstring niggle and should help fortify the midfield, where reserve-grader Moala Graham-Taufa made his first appearance of the season against Penrith, scoring his first NRL try in his fourth outing.

rnz.co.nz