February 24, 2025 • 10 mins
The Warriors are set to open the 2025 NRL season with a high-profile clash against the Canberra Raiders in Las Vegas.
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been sidelined - but he joined Piney ahead of the big day.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB at.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Twenty twenty five NRL season in Las Vegas. This weekend.
They played the Canberra Raiders one o'clock Sunday afternoon, New
Zealand time. Unfortunately this guy won't be on the field.
Harris is Johnson comes to Bury? What hands a race
for the corner? What's Tenny's a Lesbia Egan waiting? Harris receiving,
(00:34):
Johnson running? Then the subdy Cherry. Here's the swing shut?
One's Tenny's a Leslia? That is the impossible? Quite the
starchy see marching kitchen for what tennis on a stage?
Who turns it at the field?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Goal? Okay?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
For the try?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Patured a crossfield? What Tenny's Elizbie gets the bouts? Hell
get the try? The Warriors will have the final sun Yeah?
Warriors Wingerdell and wa Tennis Lesniak has been sidelined with
a wrist injury, but he joins us in studio. I'm
so so sorry that you're not going to be on
the field, Dell And how did the injury come about?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Yeah? Unfortunately I won't be there playing, but I will
be there on the sideline supporting. I leave tomorrow, which
is nice. At least I still get to go and
support the boys. I think everyone forgets that we were
once fans before players, so it's going to be cool
to be a fan for the.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Next brilliant the next few weeks.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
But but yeah, my injury came about. Yeah, I was
going down sideline and was going out, so I threw
the ball back in and jumped at the same time,
and coming down, he sort of tackled me in the
air and I was coming down. I just put my
hand behind me to brace, and unfortunately I took his
weight and my weight and yeah, basically did a job
(01:47):
on my wrist. And now I've had surgery. So I'm
on the men and I'm just really ticking the boxes
each day to get myself back as fast and safe
as possible.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So watch the timeline for your return.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
It's hard to say, like I'm me being optimistic. I
want to try and get back for around seven. But yeah,
it's just it depends get the I get the cast
off on the thirty first of March. I think that's
after the Tigers game Round three, and then if it
all goes well, It just depends how because you'll lose
a lot of muscle and strengthen that arm because I
(02:22):
haven't been able to move it's in a cast right now,
you'll lose a lot. So as fast I got boxes
to tick on the strength and where I need it
to be to play, and as fast as I can
get that done, the sooner I can get out on
the field and play. So it's hard to say exactly,
but but yeah, it's not too not too long.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
We'll keep our fingers crossed for you that it's at
the lower end of what is expected. Have you been
able to still to spend some time around the team
as the season start draws closer.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, yeah, I'm on team schedule around every day because
I can still run, so they're still making me run,
which is actually pretty cool because at least I don't
have to work on my fitness coming Usually sometimes when
you come back from an injury, you have to build
that fitness base up so it protects you as well.
(03:10):
But it's a risk injury. So I can still keep running.
I started running on Friday, so and then I get
to fly over tomorrow to Vegas to be with the boys,
and and that and cheer them on, which is yeah,
an awesome TUNI to be together as a team, and yeah,
it be the I guess the first time the Warrior
has ever gone to Vegas to be part of It's
(03:30):
going to be pretty cool. Which I was playing, but
supporting on the sideline is the next best best thing.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Absolutely. I'm just so pleased you still get the chance
to go, because you're right, it will be. It will
be a terrific occasion. How different will it be for
the team to open their season in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I don't think it's going to be too different. It's yeah,
it's just a different country, to be honest. But we've prepped.
We've prepped really well, like we would have any other
game here in Australia or New Zealand. And I think, yeah,
the boys, the boys going over to do business, and
I think the games at four o'clock, so after the
(04:08):
game they might have and then the flights the next
day at night, so they might have some time to
I guess enjoy Vegas the way some people like to
enjoy Vegas. But but yeah, we're going there all business,
ready to start the year off strong.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It is cool, though, wasn't it. I mean only four
teams get this opportunity and for the Warriors to be
one of them. You're right, I know, it's a game
like any other game. You want to do the business first,
get the win. But it is quite cool, isn't it
to get the chance to do this? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, one hundred percent, it's awesome. That's why I was
so good to when I got injured, not because obviously
because I was going to be out, but the fact
to be to play in Vegas in front of my
family at all book tickets too, so they're all still going,
and and that to play in front of some family
over in America. I got quite a bit of family
over in America that live in Utah, so they're all
(04:59):
traveling to the game for it. But yeah, it's quite special.
The boys know how special it is. That's like you said,
it's the first time the Warriors have ever been to
Vegas to play, so it's going to be a pretty
cool feat to be in the team, the first team
that's ever done that.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
And of course it's the start of a brand new
NRL season as well. Let's not forget that. I just
want to ask you about a couple of players. Sounds
like Roger Tui I Vasasik's gonna be used mainly on
the wing this season, though you've obviously you're in a
pretty good position to assist his ability to do that
job for you. Had I reckon, we'll go a bit
wider out.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah, he's a man. You put him anywhere in the
team and he plays well. Yeah, he's just one of
those players. Grateful that I get to partner him on
the wing. He's he's actually very very nice to run after.
He beats a few people, scatters them all and then
I get to run after. He just makes my job
that little bit easier, which is nice. But yeah, with
(05:51):
Chance at the back, us three are sort of you're
getting to work together quite well. We're all hyphenated names
to this. That's pretty cool. But but yeah, it's gonna
be quite once I get back. It's gonna I'm quite
excited to play alongside Rodge and Charts at the back
and see what we can do in this competition as
a back three.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Sounds like Luke Metcalf's going to get first crack to
where the seven jersey with Seawn Johnson now having retired,
How do you reckon, Luke Metcalf is equipped for that role.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Yeah, I think Luke Luke has said it, he's ready
for it. The way he directs it seems he seems
like he's ready for it as well. He talks a
lot of meetings, which is what you want from your half.
He directs the game plan another thing you want from
your half, voicing that during the week, so when it
comes to game day, everyone's clear on their row and
what he wants from them.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And James and James Fisher. Harris has joined the team
as well this season. What sort of influence has he
had already and do you think he'll have across the season.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah. I was with Fish at Penrith then to see
where he is and I was quite close with him
Matt Penrith, and to see where he is now and
the way he is, it's quite it's quite cool to seize,
not that he will mature before, but he's just real
matured into a leader. He's uh, yeah, he's actually totally
(07:13):
different and like in terms of the way he trains
and plays now, he's still the same person off the field,
still get along with them, still a good laugh U.
But yeah, he can just flick a switch and grab
grabs the room quite well, and he's definitely someone Him
and Barney are definitely leaders that you'll follow into into
any game.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
And I just want to ask you about your try
scoring as well, which has been really prolific last couple
of years. Thirty nine tries in your last couple of seasons.
I mean, you've always been a try scoring winger, but
why do you think you've been even more prolific these
last couple of years.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I think Webbe's game plan and I guess my role
inside it is quite He gives me so much clarity
and what I need to do and where I need
to be to score those tries. And I mean you're playing,
you're playing alongside some really good plays. I've had Rocco
Berry play center, play center with me and he's yeah,
(08:14):
the way he gives me the ball and the opportunities
he gives me just yeah, I've had I had another
center back in the day called Dean Fodder. He used
to do the same thing for me and and Rocco,
even Ali. I got to train with Ali this pre
season because Rocos being injured and the combinations were building
in preseason. Was was quite nice. And yeah, there's just
(08:34):
like There's so many things that go into it. There's
the back roll of the line he runs the half,
and the decisions that they're making chance chans at the
at the back there just really compliment what I need
to do on the wing, and I just yeah, everyone
sees the triscod in the corner, but they don't get
to see what what happens before that. And I'm sure
(08:56):
I'm very vocal about it and letting the boys know
that I might get to put it down, but there's
a lot of things that got to go right before that.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Yeah, well, you've deflected play a price completely away from yourself.
I did it, which I totally expected, but no, I mean,
humility has always been one of your qualities. But you're right,
it's a team game. But you've still got to get
him down and you've done it in spectacular fashion, and
the fans just just love to see it.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Dylan made Sorry, Don't get me wrong. I enjoy There's
some opportunities that I'm given where I'm like, how am
I going to do this one? And then it comes
off and you're just like you actually, yeah, like far
you get the team's talking in the huddle and you're
just watching the screen.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
How did that happen?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well?
Speaker 2 (09:38):
May there be many more of those. I hope the
recovery from the injury goes really quickly, Dylan. And we
see you back out there enjoy Vegas, even if it's
a in a slightly different role than what you would
have hoped. And thanks for stopping into the studio for
a chat. Thank you very much, appreciate it. Thanks for
your time, No, thanks for yours, Dlan. Thanks indeed, travel safe, mate, Dlan.
Why tennis a lesni act? There? Can't wait to see
him back out there doing those those wonderful things we've
(10:01):
come to know and love, the acrobatics and the and
the celebrations and everything that makes Elan ten is Lesnik
one of the most exciting rugby League players going around.
He'll be in Vegas to watch his team, the Warriors.
They take on the Raiders Sunday afternoon one o'clock New
Zealand time, and then back home for two home games
to follow Friday March the fourteenth against the Sea Eagles
(10:24):
and Friday March the twenty first against the Roosters so
Vegas and then two games back at the Fortress that
is go Media Stadium, and their first month in the
competition is wrapped with an away game against the West
Tigers at Campbelltown on Sunday, March thirty.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB at.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Twenty twenty five NRL season in Las Vegas. This weekend.
They played the Canberra Raiders one o'clock Sunday afternoon, New
Zealand time. Unfortunately this guy won't be on the field.
Harris is Johnson comes to Bury? What hands a race
for the corner? What's Tenny's a Lesbia Egan waiting? Harris receiving,
(00:34):
Johnson running? Then the subdy Cherry. Here's the swing shut?
One's Tenny's a Leslia? That is the impossible? Quite the
starchy see marching kitchen for what tennis on a stage?
Who turns it at the field?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Goal? Okay?
Speaker 3 (00:50):
For the try?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Patured a crossfield? What Tenny's Elizbie gets the bouts? Hell
get the try? The Warriors will have the final sun Yeah?
Warriors Wingerdell and wa Tennis Lesniak has been sidelined with
a wrist injury, but he joins us in studio. I'm
so so sorry that you're not going to be on
the field, Dell And how did the injury come about?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Yeah? Unfortunately I won't be there playing, but I will
be there on the sideline supporting. I leave tomorrow, which
is nice. At least I still get to go and
support the boys. I think everyone forgets that we were
once fans before players, so it's going to be cool
to be a fan for the.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Next brilliant the next few weeks.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
But but yeah, my injury came about. Yeah, I was
going down sideline and was going out, so I threw
the ball back in and jumped at the same time,
and coming down, he sort of tackled me in the
air and I was coming down. I just put my
hand behind me to brace, and unfortunately I took his
weight and my weight and yeah, basically did a job
(01:47):
on my wrist. And now I've had surgery. So I'm
on the men and I'm just really ticking the boxes
each day to get myself back as fast and safe
as possible.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So watch the timeline for your return.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
It's hard to say, like I'm me being optimistic. I
want to try and get back for around seven. But yeah,
it's just it depends get the I get the cast
off on the thirty first of March. I think that's
after the Tigers game Round three, and then if it
all goes well, It just depends how because you'll lose
a lot of muscle and strengthen that arm because I
(02:22):
haven't been able to move it's in a cast right now,
you'll lose a lot. So as fast I got boxes
to tick on the strength and where I need it
to be to play, and as fast as I can
get that done, the sooner I can get out on
the field and play. So it's hard to say exactly,
but but yeah, it's not too not too long.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
We'll keep our fingers crossed for you that it's at
the lower end of what is expected. Have you been
able to still to spend some time around the team
as the season start draws closer.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, yeah, I'm on team schedule around every day because
I can still run, so they're still making me run,
which is actually pretty cool because at least I don't
have to work on my fitness coming Usually sometimes when
you come back from an injury, you have to build
that fitness base up so it protects you as well.
(03:10):
But it's a risk injury. So I can still keep running.
I started running on Friday, so and then I get
to fly over tomorrow to Vegas to be with the boys,
and and that and cheer them on, which is yeah,
an awesome TUNI to be together as a team, and yeah,
it be the I guess the first time the Warrior
has ever gone to Vegas to be part of It's
(03:30):
going to be pretty cool. Which I was playing, but
supporting on the sideline is the next best best thing.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Absolutely. I'm just so pleased you still get the chance
to go, because you're right, it will be. It will
be a terrific occasion. How different will it be for
the team to open their season in Vegas.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I don't think it's going to be too different. It's yeah,
it's just a different country, to be honest. But we've prepped.
We've prepped really well, like we would have any other
game here in Australia or New Zealand. And I think, yeah,
the boys, the boys going over to do business, and
I think the games at four o'clock, so after the
(04:08):
game they might have and then the flights the next
day at night, so they might have some time to
I guess enjoy Vegas the way some people like to
enjoy Vegas. But but yeah, we're going there all business,
ready to start the year off strong.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
It is cool, though, wasn't it. I mean only four
teams get this opportunity and for the Warriors to be
one of them. You're right, I know, it's a game
like any other game. You want to do the business first,
get the win. But it is quite cool, isn't it
to get the chance to do this? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, one hundred percent, it's awesome. That's why I was
so good to when I got injured, not because obviously
because I was going to be out, but the fact
to be to play in Vegas in front of my
family at all book tickets too, so they're all still going,
and and that to play in front of some family
over in America. I got quite a bit of family
over in America that live in Utah, so they're all
(04:59):
traveling to the game for it. But yeah, it's quite special.
The boys know how special it is. That's like you said,
it's the first time the Warriors have ever been to
Vegas to play, so it's going to be a pretty
cool feat to be in the team, the first team
that's ever done that.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
And of course it's the start of a brand new
NRL season as well. Let's not forget that. I just
want to ask you about a couple of players. Sounds
like Roger Tui I Vasasik's gonna be used mainly on
the wing this season, though you've obviously you're in a
pretty good position to assist his ability to do that
job for you. Had I reckon, we'll go a bit
wider out.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah, he's a man. You put him anywhere in the
team and he plays well. Yeah, he's just one of
those players. Grateful that I get to partner him on
the wing. He's he's actually very very nice to run after.
He beats a few people, scatters them all and then
I get to run after. He just makes my job
that little bit easier, which is nice. But yeah, with
(05:51):
Chance at the back, us three are sort of you're
getting to work together quite well. We're all hyphenated names
to this. That's pretty cool. But but yeah, it's gonna
be quite once I get back. It's gonna I'm quite
excited to play alongside Rodge and Charts at the back
and see what we can do in this competition as
a back three.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Sounds like Luke Metcalf's going to get first crack to
where the seven jersey with Seawn Johnson now having retired,
How do you reckon, Luke Metcalf is equipped for that role.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Yeah, I think Luke Luke has said it, he's ready
for it. The way he directs it seems he seems
like he's ready for it as well. He talks a
lot of meetings, which is what you want from your half.
He directs the game plan another thing you want from
your half, voicing that during the week, so when it
comes to game day, everyone's clear on their row and
what he wants from them.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
And James and James Fisher. Harris has joined the team
as well this season. What sort of influence has he
had already and do you think he'll have across the season.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Yeah. I was with Fish at Penrith then to see
where he is and I was quite close with him
Matt Penrith, and to see where he is now and
the way he is, it's quite it's quite cool to seize,
not that he will mature before, but he's just real
matured into a leader. He's uh, yeah, he's actually totally
(07:13):
different and like in terms of the way he trains
and plays now, he's still the same person off the field,
still get along with them, still a good laugh U.
But yeah, he can just flick a switch and grab
grabs the room quite well, and he's definitely someone Him
and Barney are definitely leaders that you'll follow into into
any game.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
And I just want to ask you about your try
scoring as well, which has been really prolific last couple
of years. Thirty nine tries in your last couple of seasons.
I mean, you've always been a try scoring winger, but
why do you think you've been even more prolific these
last couple of years.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
I think Webbe's game plan and I guess my role
inside it is quite He gives me so much clarity
and what I need to do and where I need
to be to score those tries. And I mean you're playing,
you're playing alongside some really good plays. I've had Rocco
Berry play center, play center with me and he's yeah,
(08:14):
the way he gives me the ball and the opportunities
he gives me just yeah, I've had I had another
center back in the day called Dean Fodder. He used
to do the same thing for me and and Rocco,
even Ali. I got to train with Ali this pre
season because Rocos being injured and the combinations were building
in preseason. Was was quite nice. And yeah, there's just
(08:34):
like There's so many things that go into it. There's
the back roll of the line he runs the half,
and the decisions that they're making chance chans at the
at the back there just really compliment what I need
to do on the wing, and I just yeah, everyone
sees the triscod in the corner, but they don't get
to see what what happens before that. And I'm sure
(08:56):
I'm very vocal about it and letting the boys know
that I might get to put it down, but there's
a lot of things that got to go right before that.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Yeah, well, you've deflected play a price completely away from yourself.
I did it, which I totally expected, but no, I mean,
humility has always been one of your qualities. But you're right,
it's a team game. But you've still got to get
him down and you've done it in spectacular fashion, and
the fans just just love to see it.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Dylan made Sorry, Don't get me wrong. I enjoy There's
some opportunities that I'm given where I'm like, how am
I going to do this one? And then it comes
off and you're just like you actually, yeah, like far
you get the team's talking in the huddle and you're
just watching the screen.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
How did that happen?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well?
Speaker 2 (09:38):
May there be many more of those. I hope the
recovery from the injury goes really quickly, Dylan. And we
see you back out there enjoy Vegas, even if it's
a in a slightly different role than what you would
have hoped. And thanks for stopping into the studio for
a chat. Thank you very much, appreciate it. Thanks for
your time, No, thanks for yours, Dlan. Thanks indeed, travel safe, mate, Dlan.
Why tennis a lesni act? There? Can't wait to see
him back out there doing those those wonderful things we've
(10:01):
come to know and love, the acrobatics and the and
the celebrations and everything that makes Elan ten is Lesnik
one of the most exciting rugby League players going around.
He'll be in Vegas to watch his team, the Warriors.
They take on the Raiders Sunday afternoon one o'clock New
Zealand time, and then back home for two home games
to follow Friday March the fourteenth against the Sea Eagles
(10:24):
and Friday March the twenty first against the Roosters so
Vegas and then two games back at the Fortress that
is go Media Stadium, and their first month in the
competition is wrapped with an away game against the West
Tigers at Campbelltown on Sunday, March thirty.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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