The New Zealand Warriors have held on to record a heart stopping 28-26 victory over a flat Wests Tigers outfit at a packed Leichhardt Oval this afternoon.
With ten seconds remaining, giant winger Taniela Tuiaki crashed over for his third try of the match, with Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson failing with his sideline conversion attempt after the full-time siren which could have sent the match into golden point extra-time.
After a brutal opening, the Warriors posted first points thanks to a probing dart from hooker Ian Henderson, with the lively number nine taking advantage of some sloppy Tigers marker defence to scoot over for an early 6-0 lead.
The visitor’s controversially moved further ahead in the 23rd minute through a Sonny Fai four-pointer; the teenage sensation accepting a highly dubious Grant Rovelli pass to scoot thirty metres down the left-hand touchline to open up an 10-0 lead.
New Zealand further capitalised on their handy field position when Nathan Fien surged through two Tigers goal-line defenders to crash over, with Lance Hohaia’s second conversion pushing the energetic Warriors out to a 16-0 advantage on the half hour.
But the brilliance of Tigers five-eight Benji Marshall finally sparked Wests into action; the livewire pivot mesmerising a number of Warriors defenders on a forty metre charge, before unleashing one of his brilliant flick passes onto a flying Taniela Tuiaki to dot down.
A wonderful sideline conversion from Wests skipper Brett Hodgson closed the gap to ten, with the enigmatic Warriors holding a surprise 16-6 lead at the break.
The Tigers were rewarded for a much more enterprising start to the second half with a spectacular try to hooker Robbie Farah, with Farah accepting the second of two miraculous passes to crash over in the 50th minute.
Another brilliant sideline conversion from Hodgson meant it was game on at 16-12.
Concerted pressure from the home team allowed them to draw level five minutes later thanks to a try to Chris Lawrence, the flashy centre receiving a great pass from Hodgson to carry three Warriors over the line for a crucial try.
But not to be outdone, the Warriors produced their own piece of brilliance from inside their own half, with a great flick pass from Simon Mannering allowing debutant winger Malo Solomona to charge downfield before offloading to Hohaia to complete a scintillating Warriors try.
New Zealand looked to be home and hosed when Sam Rapira crashed over off the back of another Tigers handling error, with Michael Witt’s second conversion in four minutes putting the Warriors up 28-16 inside the final ten minutes.
Tuiaki’s second try with just three minutes remaining ensured a grandstand finish, and when the giant winger crashed over for his hat trick with six seconds remaining, it was all down to Hodgson’s conversion attempt to decide the fate of the game.
New Zealand Warriors 28
Tries: Ian Henderson, Sonny Fai, Nathan Fien, Lance Hohaia, Sam Rapira
Goals: Lance Hohaia 2, Michael Witt 2
defeated
Wests Tigers 26
Tries: Taniela Tuiaki 3, Robbie Farah, Chris Lawrence
Goals: Brett Hodgson 3
At Leichhardt Oval
Referee – Steve Lyons
In todays other match, the Parramatta Eels have held off a late surge from a second string Melbourne Storm outfit to record a narrow 24-22 victory at Parramatta Stadium.
Parramatta Eels 24
Tries: Taulima Tautai, Tony Williams, Joel Reddy, Krisnan Inu
Goals: Luke Burt 4
defeated
Melbourne Storm 22
Tries: Sika Manu 2, Joseph Tomane, Cooper Cronk
Goals: Steve Turner 2, Cooper Cronk
At Parramatta Stadium
The New Zealand Warriors have consolidated their spot in the National Youth Cup top eight, scoring an entertaining 36-28 victory over the Gold Coast Titans in Sunday’s Toyota Under 20 clash at Skilled Park.
A three try burst midway through the first half by a powerful Warriors outfit broke the spirit of the junior Titans, with strong performances from halfback Jody Henry and centre Francis Leger handing the Warriors just their third victory of the season.
The Titans were overwhelmed thanks to a dominant Warriors possession advantage in the sweltering Gold Coast conditions, and could have found themselves on the end of a bigger scoreline had it not been for the brilliance and speed of backs Shannon Walker and Jordan Rapana.
After firing a few warning shots across the Warriors bow, the Titans finally converted pressure into points thanks to a 10th minute converted try to hooker Kayne Lawton, with the crafty number nine slicing through three Warriors defenders to dart over under the posts to open the scoring.
New Zealand’s responded with their first four-pointer off the back of a break from nippy half from Henry, with winger Kevin Locke touching down wide out to make it 6-4 after 16 minutes.
The Warriors made it back-to-back four pointers minutes later thanks to the sublime skills of backrower Sonny Fai; centre Francis Leger barging over off a neat short ball from the exciting Warriors forward to extend their lead to 8-6 after 19 minutes.
New Zealand’s dominance in possession in the steamy conditions allowed the Warriors to post their third try in the 23rd minute; this time centre Rusty Bristow crashing over off the back of some nice interchange of passes to push the visitor’s out to a handy 12-6 advantage.
With the game opening up thanks to the stifling heat, the Titans were able to level the scores on the half hour thanks to a determined four-pointer to Gold Coast winger Jordan Rapana.
Receiving a floating pass from half Matt Nuttal on the ten meter line, Rapana displayed some dazzling footwork and sheer determination to crash through four New Zealand defenders to score a well deserved try.
Some expansive play on the stroke of half-time allowed the Warriors to edge back into the lead, with Warriors winger Locke laying on a neat centerfield pass to allow the nippy Henry to dart over, pushing New Zealand ahead 18-12 at the main break.
The dynamic speed of Shannon Walker enabled the Gold Coast to post first points after the resumption, with the electric Titans custodian leaving three Warriors defenders clutching at air as he flashed over for a 45th minute four-pointer.
NRL rookie Fai brought the growing Robina crowd to life when he finished off an exhilarating sixty metre bust form Warriors forward Bill Tupou to dot down, with Matthews second goal pushing the visitor’s out to a 24-16 lead after 50 minutes.
A scintillating turn of speed from Warriors centre Leger allowed him to cross for his second try and warp up the match for the visitor’s, with Howie’s 67th minute conversion making it 30-16.
And despite New Zealand completely dominating proceedings, it took a piece of individual brilliance from Titans winger Rapana to hand the home side an outside chance, with the lanky Gold Coast flanker racing 100 metres after defusing a Warriors bomb, to make it 30-22 inside the final ten minutes.
But New Zealand hooker Aaron Pawley put paid to any hopes of a Titans fightback when he barged over for a 76th minute try, with the blinding speed of the Gold Coast’s Walker allowing him to score a double to finish proceedings.
New Zealand Warriors 36
Tries: Francis Leger 2, Kevin Locke, Rusty Bristow, Jody Henry, Sonny Fai, Aaron Pawley
Goals: Howie Matthews 4
Defeated
Gold Coast Titans 28
Tries: Jordan Rapana 2, Shannon Waker 2, Kayne Lawton
Goals: Kayne Lawton 3, Cody Nelson 1
At Skilled Park
Referee – Matt Cecchin
The New Zealand Warriors have made it back-to-back home victories, registering a convincing 36-16 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
Despite dominating the opening forty minutes, the home side found themselves 12-10 down at the half-time break, but blew the visiting Canterbury side off the park in the second half with four converted tries.
Canterbury had plenty of chances to build on their slight half-time advantage, but could not convert a mountain of early second-half possession into points.
But the home sides resolute defence throughout that period all but won them the game, with enigmatic Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei the star for the home side with two rampaging tries.
New Zealand burst out of the blocks early, with the Warriors capitalising on an early Bulldogs mistake to allow winger Patrick Ah Van to cross inside the opening two minutes.
Into a strong headwind, the normally reliable Warriors superboot Michael Witt’s failed with his conversion attempt from wide out, to hand the home side an early 4-0 ascendancy.
The home side were in again just six minutes later off the back of yet another Canterbury handling error, with the giant Vatuvei bursting through some feeble Bulldogs central defence to charge 30 metres to score a breathtaking solo try.
With his radar readjusted, Witt converted from an easier angle to hand the Warriors a commanding 10-0 lead in as many minutes.
Canterbury superstar Sonny Bill Williams made up for some earlier poor options by setting up the visitor’s opening four-pointer, with the brilliant backrower unleashing a trademark one-hand offload for skipper Andrew Ryan to burst downfield, with Ryan finding Luke Patten in support to finish off a fantastic 85 metre movement.
Hazem El Masri’s simple conversion made it 10-6 after 21 minutes.
The Bulldogs made the most of their limited opportunities, this time the footwork of Ben Roberts bamboozling the tiring Warriors forwards, allowing the nippy number six to dart over beside the posts, with El Masri’s 33rd minute conversion handing the Bulldogs a surprising 12-10 half-time advantage.
After repelling a barrage of Bulldogs attack in the opening ten minutes of the second half, the Warriors snatched back the lead through another power charge from Vatuvei in the 57th minute.
The giant Kiwi winger made up for some earlier handling errors with another strong charge, busting away through the Bulldogs backline to cross for his second try of the afternoon.
New Zealand went even further ahead six minutes later, this time Warriors skipper Ruben Wiki bursting over from close range, with Witt’s third goal pushing the home side to a handy 22-12 advantage after 63 minutes.
A 68th minute penalty goal to Witt pushed the home side out to a 12 point lead, but a spectacular 70th minute try to Bulldogs winger Heka Nanai ensured a grandstand finish.
But the Warriors ensured that they would grab the crucial two competition points when custodian Lance Hohaia finished some good work Ah Van, with a 79th minute try to Sonny Fai completing the six tries to three rout.
The Warriors now head to the steamy Dairy Farmers Stadium to take on the resurgent North Queensland Cowboys, whilst the Bulldogs will play host to the inconsistent St George-Illawarra Dragons.
New Zealand Warriors 36
Tries: Manu Vatuvei 2, Patrick Ah Van, Ruben Wiki, Lance Hoahaia, Sonny Fai
Goals: Michael Witt 6
defeated
Canterbury Bulldogs 16
Tries: Luke Patten, Ben Roberts, Heka Nanai
Goals: Hazem El Masri 2
At Mt Smart Stadium
Referee – Ben Cummins
Crowd – 15,992
The New Zealand Warriors have secured a home semi-final by registering a hard fought 24-20 victory over the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium on Saturday night.
The Panthers were pumped from the outset to send their rugby union bound skipper Craig Gower out on a high note with one last victory, with the home side racing to an early 14-0 lead before being overrun by a rampant New Zealand outfit.
While the Warriors victory secured fourth spot on the competition ladder, the Panthers four point loss saw them gain the wooden spoon for season 2007.
It was Frank Pritchard charge down of a Michael Witt clearing kick that afforded the Panthers great field position, with Penrith lock Nathan Smith taking full advantage by barging over under the posts to open the scoring in the tenth minute.
Panthers winger had no problems with the simple conversion to afford the home side an early 6-0 advantage.
Gordon extended the home sides lead to 8-0 in the 20th minute when the Warriors were penalised for a ruck infringement.
The Panthers shot out to a 14-0 lead in the 26th minute when Smith crossed for a rare try double, with the rangy Panthers lock capitalising on a majestic Jarrod Sammut run to dive over in the corner unopposed.
New Zealand finally got on the board just five minutes out from the half time break, with centre Todd Byrne pouncing on a well weighted Grant Rovelli grubber to open the visitors scoring.
Michael Witt’s conversion made it 14-6 after 35 minutes.
The try seemingly snapped the Warriors into action, with the visitor’s registering back-to-back four pointers off the resulting kick re-start. Interchange hooker George Gatis burst through some soft Panthers defence, and raced forty metres downfield before linking with Rovelli to finish off a scintillating New Zealand try.
The Warriors capped off a tremendous five minute spell when Byrne crossed again in the corner off a Rovelli cross field kick, with Witt’s sideline conversion handing the visitors a miraculous 18-14 half time lead.
New Zealand had their sights firmly on a top four finish when giant prop Sam Rapira crashed over for his fourth try of the season, with a simple Witt conversion seeing the Warriors grab a handy 24-14 lead after 53 minutes.
The Panthers ensured a grandstand finish when talented backrower Frank Pritchard crossed for a converted try in the 66th minute, but the Warriors held firm to secure their first home semi-final.
New Zealand Warriors 24
Tries: Todd Byrne 2, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira
Goals: Michael Witt 4
Penrith Panthers 20
Tries: Nathan Smith 2, Frank Pritchard
Goals: Michael Gordon 4
At CUA Stadium
Referee – Sean Hampstead
The Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors have drawn one of the most entertaining matches of the season, fighting out a breathtaking 31-all draw at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
In what was a dazzling showcase of attacking rugby league, the Roosters and Warriors split the two competition points after an exciting ninety minutes, with the drawn result occurring for only the second time in golden point history.
It was the Rosters that opened the scoring in the seventh minute, with centre Joel Monaghan capitalising on an Ashley Harrison bust by scoring in the corner. Sydney skipper Craig Fitzgibbon failed to convert from wide out, but the Roosters held an early 4-0 advantage.
The Roosters match plan of running the big Warriors forwards ragged seemed to be paying dividends, with Monaghan crossing for his second try in just the 12th minute. Fitzgibbon made no mistakes this time to push the home side out to a 10-0 lead.
Sydney scored their third try of the opening 20 minutes, with Ashley Harrison crashing over from close range on the back of a dominant 66% possession advantage. Fitzgibbon nailed the conversion from close range to extend the Roosters lead to 16-0.
The Warriors got back into the game in the 25th minute, with a beautiful offload by Epalahame Luaki enabling Wade McKinnon to race away and score a breathtaking 55 metre try. Warriors half Michael Witt converted to get the visitors into the contest at 16-6.
New Zealand made it back to back tries off the next set of six, with a majestic backline movement seeing centre Jerome Ropati finishing off a scintillating 60 metre try. Witt had no problems from right in front to make it 16-12.
The Warriors stole the lead just three minutes later, with the dynamic Luaki steamrolling three Roosters defenders to plant the ball on the line. Witt nailed his third conversion in ten minutes to hand the visitors an 18-16 half time lead.
Sydney levelled the scores early in the second half through a penalty goal to Fitzgibbon, with the successful kick resulting in the Roosters backrower’s 600th career goal.
New Zealand regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Luaki crashed over for his second, with Witt’s fourth straight conversion pushing the Warriors out to a 24-18 lead.
Video Referee Sean Hampstead was called on in the 60th minute t adjudicate on a try to Warrior Manu Vatuvei, with Hampstead ruling in favour of the giant winger after viewing countless replays. Witt put the visitors out to a 30-18 lead with a magnificent sideline conversion.
The Roosters drew fresh breath test into the contest with a 70th minute try to Craig Wing, with Amos Roberts’s conversion getting Sydney within six points inside the final ten minutes.
The match was headed for golden point extra time when Monaghan crossed for his hat trick in the 76th minute, but a 40 metre field goal by Braith Anasta just a minute later seemed to have sealed the match.
But with just 15 seconds left on the clock, a field goal to Witt pushed the match into golden point extra time.
In a frenetic final ten minutes of extra time, both sides traded long range field goal attempts, but the game finished in an honourable 31-all draw.
The Sydney Roosters will now host the Wests Tigers next Friday night at Telstra Stadium, while the Warriors will meet the resurgent Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium next Saturday night.
Sydney Roosters 31
Tries: Joel Monaghan 3, Ashley Harrison, Craig Wing
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 3, Amos Roberts 2, Braith Anasta fg
New Zealand Warriors 31
Tries: Epalahame Luaki 2, Wade McKinnon, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei
Goals: Michael Witt 5, Michael Witt fg
At Sydney Football Stadium
Referee – Shayne Hayne
The New Zealand Warriors returned to the winners circle in emphatic fashion on Friday night, registering a 54-14 thrashing of an under strength Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium.
On a typically wet and blustery night in Auckland, it was the Warriors who recorded back to back victories for the first time since round three, running in six converted first half tries to demolish a young Panthers outfit.
The Warriors burst out of the blocks with a try to Michael Witt in just the second minute. Bursting through a yawning gap on the halfway line, Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon charged downfield before liking up with Witt to open the scoring. New Zealand centre Tony Martin duly converted to hand the home side the perfect start.
Penrith’s reply was quick smart however, with a floating Craig Gower cross field kick allowing Luke Lewis to pounce over in the corner. Michael Gordon missed the sideline conversion to leave the visitors trailing 6-4.
In a fast paced, open game considering the slippery conditions, it was the Warriors who scored next in the 14th minute with a try to hooker George Gatis. Martin nailed his second conversion of the night to push the Warriors out to a 12-4 lead.
The Warriors third try was a carbon copy of their first, with Witt again backing up a McKinnon break to score under the posts. Martin’s third goal extended the Warriors lead to 18-4 after only 18 minutes of play.
New Zealand crossed again in the 25th minute with a rampaging try to Wairangi Koopu, after the strapping backrower charged onto a floating cut out pass to cross unopposed. Five-eighth Witt successfully took over the goal kicking duties, pushing the homes side out to a 2-4 lead.
Another Gower cross field bomb allowed the Panthers to strike back, with winger Nick Youngquest crossing in the corner, with Gordon’s sensational sideline conversion making it 24-10.
Concerted pressure on the Panthers goal line allowed the home side to score their fifth try in the 35th minute, with McKinnon rewarded for his brilliant support play with a simple twenty metre try. Witt had no problems with the conversion to extend the Warriors lead to 30-10.
New Zealand finished the half with a sensational try to giant prop Epalahame Lauaki, with the brilliant Warriors backline clicking into gear. With 23 seconds remaining in the half, McKinnon was again able to chase down a downfield scrum kick, with a Witt grubber of the next play sitting up perfectly for Lauaki. Witt capped off a fine first half with yet another goal to send the home side to the sheds with a 36-10 lead.
With a mountain of work to do in the second half, it was Penrith that scored first through a try to debutant Keith Peters in the 49th minute, but it was McKinnon that sealed the result when he scored his second try 14 minutes later.
Further tries to Manu Vatuvei and Louis Anderson in the final ten minutes completed the nine tries to three rout.
The Warriors now travel to Carrara Stadium next Saturday night to do battle with the Gold Coast Titans, whilst the Panthers will play host to the Brisbane Broncos at CUA Stadium, also on Saturday night.
New Zealand Warriors 54
Tries: Wade McKinnon 2, Michael Witt 2, George Gatis, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Manu Vatuvei, Louis Anderson
Goals: Michael Witt 6, Tony Martin 3
Penrith Panthers 14
Tries: Luke Lewis, Nick Youngquest, Keith Peters
Goals: Michael Jennings
At Mt Smart Stadium
Referee – Steve Clark
New Zealand Warriors VS North QLD Cowboys @ Mt Smart Stadium, 12pm, 15/04/2007
Having lost their past two matches on the road, the New Zealand Warriors return home to their home ground fortress to meet the table topping North Queensland Cowboys in what shapes to be the match of the round.
The Warriors started the season in superb form, recording impressive back to back victories over the Eels and Broncos before becoming unstuck on the road once again, losing to the Storm and the Sea-Eagles in the past fortnight.
The Cowboys head to Mt Smart Stadium on the back of four straight victories to start the season, but will no doubt wish they had the services of injured key forwards Carl Webb and Luke O’Donnell for this fiery encounter. If the cowboys big men can make decent yardage against the warriors monster pack, than expect the lethal Thurston / Bowen combination to continue their electrifying early season form.
I am expecting the Warriors to return the winners circle in this physical clash, on the basis of the Warriors overall size being too much for the smaller Cowboys unit to contain. The warriors are one side that can match the Cowboys in the ad lib attack department, and look for a big game from a number of Warriors as they push for selection in next Friday’s ANZAC Test in Brisbane.
Prediction – NZ Warriors by 8
New Zealand Warriors –
Wade McKinnon, Todd Byrne, Tony Martin, Lance Hohaia, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price ©, Simon Mannering, Logan Swann, Micheal Luck
Bench – George Gatis, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira
North QLD Cowboys –
Matt Bowen, Brenton Bowen, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Neil Sweeney, Jason Smith, Johnathan Thurston ©, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Jacob Lillyman, Justin Smith
Bench – David Faiumu, Scott Bolton, Sione Faumuina, Ray Cashmere
Referee – Tony Archer
Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig Hill
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