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Warriors fullback battle brings best out of Nicoll-Klokstad and Tuaupiki
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • August 12th, 2026 1:31 pm
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Taine Tuaupiki celebrate a try | Photo: Tertius Pickard/Photosport
With only a four games remaining before finals, the Warriors’ fullback debate has become one of the more intriguing selection talking points of the run home.
Taine Tuaupiki and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad have both shown they are worthy of the No. 1 jersey, giving Andrew Webster a welcome headache at a crucial stage of the season.
But rather than creating tension, the competition appears to have brought the best out of both players.
Nicoll-Klokstad, who recently returned from injury, said he was simply grateful to be back involved after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“If I’m being honest, bro, I was happy to be back in the picture,” Nicoll-Klokstad told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.
“I was out a little bit there with injury and when you are injured, all you want to do is just be a part of the team.
“So I missed that for a good part of six weeks.”
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
During his time out, Tuaupiki impressed at the back with his speed, footwork and attacking instincts, giving the Warriors another strong option in a position that has become increasingly important heading into finals.
Rather than viewing Tuaupiki’s form as a threat, Nicoll-Klokstad said he had used it as a chance to learn.
“I think watching Taine go about his work and how he goes about his game, I just said to him, ‘I feel like you’ve helped me add a few strings to my bow, especially from an attacking point of view,’” he said.
“I feel he’s real elusive, he beats defenders really well, and there’s stuff he’s obviously got that I won’t be able to create, like his speed and his footwork and all of that.
“But his work in certain areas I can definitely take on.”
Taine Tuaupiki | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The comments reflect the team-first mindset that has underpinned the Warriors’ season, with players pushing each other for positions while still looking to improve the wider squad.
With the Warriors entering the final stretch of the regular season, that attitude could prove just as valuable as any individual performance.
After a thrilling win over the Penrith Panthers last week, Webster has named a relatively unchanged lineup to face Brisbane this weekend.
Nicoll-Klokstad will play at fullback while Tuaupiki will feature on the six-man interchange bench for Webster's disposal.
Listen to the full interview below:
