The Warriors had the passion of a team with a point to prove, but the calm heads of Canterbury ultimately proved too much.
After a week from hell dominated by the departure of coach Matt Elliott and an undignified dispute between the NRL club’s owners, the Warriors players went a long way to restoring fans’ faith in their footballing ability at Eden Park.
But some crucial mistakes and the coolness of Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson to slot a vital penalty and a field goal secured a last minute 21-20 victory for Canterbury.
“We knew we were going to get them on the rebound, and you know they’re always tough here. They’re a good football team,” Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said.
The Warriors got to a 10-0 lead early after two offloads from Ben Matulino, moved to the second row for the game, resulted in tries to Sam Tomkins and Manu Vatuvei.
But Canterbury fought back, each time answering Warriors tries with tries of their own, and Hodkinson’s faultless goalkicking kept them in the game.
The home team had their chance to extend their 20-12 lead in the second half with a sustained period of pressure, but the Bulldogs held and a Tim Lafai try, followed by a a sideline conversion from Hodkinson, brought them within two.
From there Hodkinson landed a disputed penalty awarded after Josh Reynolds lost the ball in a tackle, and after Thomas Leuluai missed a field goal, Hodkinson made no mistake with two minutes left.
“We certainly showed a bit of maturity and a bit of composure and waited for our opportunities,” Hasler said.
New Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said he was disappointed with the result but proud of the result, particularly after they were reduced to two bench players in the second half after injuries to Matulino and Sebastine Ikahihifo.
He said both he and the players had put the troubled week at the club behind them.
“You certainly don’t plan that sort of stuff,” he said.
“But I’m not focused on that anymore. I’m focused on what we need to win games and to improve as a club.”
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't think it was 50/50 at all. Tomkins lay directly between Reynolds legs, didn't move and Reynolds got tangled up. He exaggerated it but Tomkins deliberately lay there and made no effort to move.
Menace
Guest
Funny how that penalty was reversed and went to the team behind on the scoreboard - Cummins make an early bid for SOO. But kept the Warriors in the papers for this week in Auckland so any publicity...
Renegade
Guest
I'm not blaming the ref at all mate.... you said no one but a kiwi would dispute that penalty - it could definitely be disputed. It was a 50/50 call and if the penalty wasn't given, I'm certain it wouldn't have been as big a talking point as it is today.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tomkins lay on the ground after making the tackle without moving. Sure Reynolds milked it but how many times have refs said "make an effort to roll away" it was a clear penalty regardless of how much Reynolds may have milked it. Dumb play from Tomkins but it's much easier these days to blame the ref...
Xnowmann
Guest
If that penalty happened anywhere else on the field, nobody would be saying boo.. part and parcel of the game, get over it. The refs did everything to help the Warriors win bar running up to the scorebox and changing the scores manually.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Love how those disputing the Reynolds call turn a blind eye to the strip that lead directly to a Warriors try. Swings and roundabouts.
Renegade
Guest
Definitely a bulldogs fan if you think it wasn't.... he should be sponsored by Dairy Farmers for how good his milking is - it was a top shelf dive.
The eye
Guest
I'm not a Kiwi but that almost compared to the spear tackle he put on himself last year..laughably poor acting..but Warriors shouldn't have been anywhere near that losing position to start with,so probably got the final result they deserved.
planko
Guest
I dont think I was one of them if i did happy to cop it I have always rated Hodgekinson he did very little wrong at Manly. It took enormous faith in DCE to let him go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely a kiwi journo if he thought the Reynolds penalty at the end was "disputed".
The Barry
Roar Guru
Lot of people on the roar as recently as two weeks ago were saying that the Dogs had no halves. Now their 6 and 7 are 1 and 2 on the Dally M leaderboard respectively.