NRL

Most of the talk has been about the eye-catching NRL return of Luke Metcalf.

But another Warriors star put in a monster performance against the Panthers on Friday night and he could be the X-factor the Wahs need to reach the promised land of their first-ever NRL premiership.

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After starting the year as a barnstorming back rower, Leka Halasima has found himself deputising in the centres on multiple occasions in 2026 — and has been leaving a trail of destruction along the way as Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary can no doubt attest.

In the 29th minute the NSW and Kangaroos No.7 was mercilessly brushed aside by a rampaging Halasima who had already blasted past the outstretched arms of Isaah Yeo — much to the delight of the home crowd at Go Media Stadium.

MORE: ‘I’ve got no opinion’: Warriors boss dodges Metcalf future questions after Panthers masterclass

‘Leka the Wrecker,’ declared Andrew Voss in commentary for Fox League and he wasn’t wrong.

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Such was Halasima’s impact in the 28-12 win over Penrith, head coach Andrew Webster immediately declared the 20-year-old will remain in the centres for next week’s clash against the Broncos at Suncorp. 

In truth, barring injuries it’s hard to imagine him playing anywhere else in the run-in the NRL finals.

A Dally M Rookie of the Year finalist in 2025, Halasima has started in the centres for the past two weeks in place of Adam Pompey.

In that time he’s recorded a remarkable 16 tackle busts including 11 against the Panthers in Round 23 on his way to 239 run metres — 74 metres of which were post-contact if you don’t mind.

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Next up comes Kotoni Staggs and the Broncos. Good luck.

Da nefs putting his hand up for the Kiwis team 👀 pic.twitter.com/XqAFxMyhxQ

— B.Brown (@BBROWNeez) August 7, 2026