Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a moment to forget during New Zealand’s thrilling 24-18 Pacific Cup victory against Samoa on Sunday, after he became entangled in a metal fence.
Dylan Brown has risen from the depths of a difficult 2025 to prove to be the defining man for the Kiwis, helping the hosts rebuff two Samoan comebacks in Auckland.
The visitors blew two crucial chances in the final seven minutes, spilling the ball twice with the line wide open.
Brown was the match winner, after a season where he spent time out of Parramatta’s team ahead of his exit to Newcastle next year.
With Samoa charging home hot, the Eels five-eighth gave New Zealand a six-point lead when he leapt high to take a Kieran Foran kick with six minutes to play.
The Kiwi No 6 then did well to get the ball around the upright and to the line, with the bunker clearing Brown of a double movement.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a moment to forget during New Zealand’s thrilling 24-18 Pacific Cup victory against Samoa on Sunday, after he became entangled in a metal fence
The fullback had raced back to his touchline in an attempt to stop a 40-20 attempt from going out. He had jumped in the air in an attempt to pat the ball back into play, but in doing so, careered straight into the fence
But just 32 minutes into the match, Samoa pressed for another score before the break, with Chanel Harris-Tevita putting boot to ball in hopes of securing a 40-20.
Fullback Nicoll-Klokstad raced backwards towards the right touchline but was unable to take the catch. The ball bounced and bounced towards the touchline with the Warriors star racing after it, in a bid to stop it from going out of play.
As the ball bounced over the line, the 30-year-old leapt into the air and attempted to tap it back into play, keeping it alive. The Warriors star was unable to stop his momentum and found himself flying into a metal fence at the side of the pitch.
The Kiwi fullback hadn’t realised that Samoan speedster, Simi Sasagi, was racing up behind him to collect the ball and walk it in under the posts, with the visitors levelling the score at 12-12.
There was some debate among Fox League’s commentary team about whether Nicoll-Klokstad was out of bounds when he touched the footy.
‘Boy, the kick from Harris-Tevita was an absolute beauty.
‘His injection’s been all-important for Samoa. But Klokstad, who dropped the ball for their first try and confidence at the moment is a little shot, just reaching for the ball.
‘Batting the ball back in he gets stuck in the fence, look at that, he gets stuck in the fence Charnze.’
The ball subsequently bounced back into play, with Simi Sasagi (right) racing onto the loose ball before scoring for Samoa
Despite the bizarre moment, New Zealand would go on to seal a 24-18 victory (pictured centre: Charnze Nicoll-Kokstad)
He added: ‘And then Simi Sasagi, the Canberra Raider, he can’t believe his luck. Oh that’s brilliant.’
Rugby league great Greg Alexander issued his sympathies to the 30-year-old fullback.
‘He did too good a job did Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad,’ he said at half-time.
‘He flicked the ball back inside but no one was there to help him.’
With Samoa carrying all the momentum, it was a banana kick from Brown that fooled Brian To’o and allowed Matt Timoko to dot down for the Kiwis.
Samoa must now pick up the pieces ahead of their clash with Tonga next week, with Jazz Tevaga, Ata Mariota and Jaydn Su’A all suffering concussions.
But there was still plenty to like for the 2022 World Cup finalists, who were hunting their first win over New Zealand with Payne Haas now in their side.
After falling behind 12-0 at the 20-minute mark via a Casey McLean double, Samoa were able to get back in the game via some great hands from Deine Mariner.
Dylan Brown (left) has risen from the depths of a difficult 2025 to prove to be the defining man for the Kiwis, helping the hosts rebuff two Samoan comebacks in Auckland
The Broncos centre was able to reach behind him to collect a quick Roger Tuivasa-Sheck pass, dummy and then split the line to score.
Samoa’s next came in bizarre circumstances, with Kiwis fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad becoming entangled in a fence when batting back an attempted 40-20 from Chanel Harris-Tavita.
That allowed Simi Sasagi to chase through, pick up the ball and score untouched with no Kiwis in the picture.
After getting it back to 18-18 late, Samoa looked set to take the lead when Jarome Luai grubber-kicked for Blaize Talagi, only for Mariner to spill a pass back on the inside.
And even after Brown put the Kiwis ahead, Samoa could have levelled in the dying minutes had To’o not put down a Mariner pass close to the line.
The result means Samoa will need to beat Tonga next week to have any hope of reaching the Pacific Cup final, while New Zealand have a week off before hosting Tonga in a fortnight.
