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The New Zealand Warriors have broken a long-standing hoodoo and bounced back from a treacherous week off the field to take a 16 point victory over the hapless St George Illawarra Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium.
REPORT: WARRIORS GET BOUNCE BACK WIN
The Warriors struggled early in the match with errors and penalties, and it looked like it was going to be a very long afternoon, but they quickly turned things around and were clinical for the final hour of the match.
The turn around in the Warriors attack and movement on the field seemed to have a lot to do with Isaac Luke coming onto the field after starting the match from the bench. He was able to do plenty out of dummy half and get their forwards rolling.
Shaun Johnson also controlled things well through his kicking game, and David Fusitu’a added plenty at the back. Jacob Lillyman – after a woeful start – dropping the ball multiple times also got through a mountain of work.
The Warriors youngsters stood up well in what was a pretty well rounded performance coming off a 42-0 drubbing at the hands of the Melbourne Storm last week.
The Dragons on the other hand didn’t score a point in the second half as their attacking woes continued. They struggled to get any real rhythm or flow during the second half, although having three tries disallowed during the first half certainly didn’t help their cause.
Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall simply didn’t have enough creativity in their play, and Josh Dugan being moved to centre seemed to backfire as it did earlier in the season.
The scoring opened early with a penalty goal for the Dragons, but they would pay for that decision not long after as Shaun Johnson stepped his way to the line for the Warriors to take the lead.
Maybe more worrying for the Dragons was the way their goalline defence – it was exposed a few times and the way they attack it is something they can ill-afford.
The Dragons hit back not long after with Euan Aitken scoring on the left through some very soft defence off a nice pass from Gareth Widdop.
Matthew Allwood then flew through the air in the left corner for the Warriors after a nice sequence of passes. The Dragons had that controversial try disallowed, then the Warriors marched back up the field and Charlie Gubb span his way to the line.
Kalifa Fai Fai Loa managed to hit back for the Dragons a few minutes away from halftime with a fantastic wrap around play featuring Widdop and Marshall on the right hand side setting him up.
The second half was full of errors and penalties with neither team finding a rhythm to offence. Defence was improved, especially from the Warriors who had the Dragons regularly stuck in their own half and kept the pressure on.
The only try of the second half came to Jeff Robson in the 61st minute as he benefited from an Isaac Luke offload and New Zealand were able to hang on for the easy win.
Things will get easier for the Dragons from here on out as they don’t leave New South Wales again this season but there is plenty of pressure and scrutiny on their attack once again after this match.
Final Score
New Zealand Warriors 26
St George Illawarra Dragons 10
The St George Illawarra Dragons might have won two straight, but this is something of a statement game as they travel to Auckland for a match against the understrength and under pressure New Zealand Warriors. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 12pm midday (AEST).
This is really a match of contrasting storylines. For the Warriors, they are coming off an absolute belting at the hands of the Melbourne Storm and have underperformed this season.
The calls for Andrew McFadden to be sacked from his role as coach of the Warriors have only become louder – and it is not hard to see why as they sit in 14th place on the ladder, only better than the hapless Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.
To make matters worse, a number of players broke protocol last week after their loss to the Storm and will be missing for this game. Those out of action, despite being named on Tuesday, are Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Albert Vete, Sam Lisone and Konrad Hurrell.
With that amount of talent on the sidelines, it’s hard to see how the Warriors compete with any team in the NRL.
It may be more of an attitude thing at the Warriors though. Their defence last week, especially early in the game suggested that much, and if they defend like that it will suit the Dragons’ conventional style of attack.
The Dragons on the other hand, must not only win this match but use it as a stepping stone to finding some attacking form. While they might have put up 39 points in the last two weeks as they defeated the Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters, it was still less than convincing.
Their second half performances have been abysmal, but with the side not leaving New South Wales again after this weekend they could really use this match to springboard into a massive winning streak during the middle of the season.
With the Dragons sitting on the cusp of the top eight, a win here could see them move up to seventh position.
Despite not being named on Tuesday, it has been strongly suggested that Benji Marshall will return to the side after a long lay-off due to a hamstring injury.
In other team news, Euan Aitken is back for the Dragons, meaning Will Matthews will start from the bench. The Warriors will be without Simon Mannering, Tuimoala Lolohea and Ligi Sao as David Fusitua plays fullback and Albert Vete, James Gavet, Jazz Tevaga and Shaun Lane join the side.
The key battle here looks to be the kicking games of each side. Gareth Widdop and Shaun Johnson will handle the bulk of it, but you feel even if Johnson gets his right Josh Dugan being at the back could prove to be the difference.
Prediction
The Dragons should run up quite a score here.
Dragons by 20.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 9 match from 12pm midday (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments as the action unfolds.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde