The New Zealand Warriors look like they have recovered from the 32-0 thumping they received courtesy of the Roosters last week, with a 24-14 win over the Parramatta Eels last night at ANZ Stadium.
Despite the Warriors missing a couple of key staff including Shaun Johnson, the Warriors were are to hold firm to take out the victory and overcome a second half comeback from the Eels.
Parramatta got off to an early start with a penalty goal from the boot of Mitchell Moses in the eighth minute, but the Warriors hit back to get out to a 12-2 lead at the break. With the game looking in the bag, Warriors slipped back into their 2017 habits with allowing the Eels to tie things up to 12-12 in the first 20 of the second half.
At that stage the game could have gone either way, with the Eels’ performance against the top-of-the-table Warriors defying Parramatta’s lowly ladder position. However, the Warriors took charge of the game with ten minutes to go and scored two tries to place the match firmly in their own hands.
The loss as seen the Eels slump to their ninth loss of the season, with only two victories. Eels fans can almost start putting a line through the season before we’ve even hit the halfway mark.
With the win the Warriors can regroup back to the form that saw them be considered real contenders for the 2018 season. They’ve gone equal top of the table with the Dragons and the Panthers, showing real grit and determination in what is shaping up as one of their best ever seasons. With the Origin period around the corner, the Warriors have given themselves the perfect chance to solidify their position at the pointy end of the table come finals time.
Match results
Warriors 24
Tries: David Fusitu”a, Petu Hiku, Jass Teva and Issac Luke
Goals: Mason Lino – 5
Eels 14
Tries: Clint Gutterson and Manu Ma”uti
Goals: Mitchell Moses- 3
Cedric
Guest
I'm a worried Warriors fan, the main concern I have is their lack of forward mongrel. It showed when other forward packs turned up the heat, like the Bronco's, Storm and Roosters and then in the first 20mins of the 2nd half with Parra. The Parra forwards just marched down the field at will and it looked like the Warriors forwards were caving. I don't even want to remember the belting the Roosters forwards did on the Warriors. They have got Gavet back but they also need Pulu there and Mannering to start with the young Papalli off the bench. So lets see how the Warriors forwards handle Souths pack, here's hoping, but I don't think Mannering or Harris posses a mean bone in their bodies.
Jeffrey Lebowski
Guest
Big J the Broncos are the strongest club in the game and will never be demoted, I was being facetious. But pretty hollow victories for you guys mostly. You may as well support the Harlem globe trotters.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Tell us how you really feel, Jeff. Kick the broncos to the q cup hey?? Why to watch them destroy every team by 20-30 points each week, sure that will make the Qcup worth watching
Jeffrey Lebowski
Guest
The Broncos? Dead set mate you couldn’t be more one eyed. They are such an average team. I hardly ever bemoan referees but it’s 4 victories the refs have gifted the Broncos now. A strong Broncos is important for profits and frankly it’s just embarrassing. The next Brisbane team NEEDS to be in Brisbane and not Ipswich etc. Otherwise the Broncos will be gifted ladder position they haven’t earned. People no longer begrudge Manly. It’s the Broncos and Roosters! Most of Brisbane hate the Broncos except for their fans who view them through a mother’s eyes. Give us someone to unite against them with. The derby’s will become the stuff of legend, it’s guaranteed. What are Man city without Man U? Argentina without Brazil? Canada without the USA? Collingwood without everyone else? Give the Broncos north of the river and a new team to the south side. The hate between the Northside and Southside of Brisbane is vey real. Why waste a team on Ipswich that will only make the Titans not look as bad. I’m sick of the NRL making dumb decisions because they don’t want to upset those in the comfy chairs. KICK THE BRONCOS TO THE QCUP!
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
Curious, did you actually read the part of the article where I mentioned their old habits of 2017????
Paul
Roar Guru
jeez you Warriors fans have short memories. Easts showed last week what happens when the 2017 version of the Warriors turns up to play. Defence is still super important and that was lacking in a big way against both Easts and the Storm. Unless that gets more consistent, the Warriors will be making up the numbers come finals time.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
He sure did, the Warriors team looks the strongest that they been since the 2011 season, Blair, Mannering, Luke and Johnson all with gf experience and all would be hungry to bring it home for the Warriors for the first time. Really the only team I see standing in their way of a title at the moment is the Storm, who knows we may end up with a Storm v Warriors decider for 2018.
kk
Guest
Issac Luke showed once again why he is one of the greatest Warriors ever. Obviously carrying injuries, he pressed the metal when needed. It was all over.
Jason Andrews
Roar Pro
All in all a decent won by the Warriors and when Johnson returns they should be back to full strength and by a real contender in 2018.
BigJ
Roar Guru
True, but you would have to admit that things didn’t look good at the 12-12 mark. But the Warriors took charge of the game and won it. If they did that against the Storm, bunnies of even the Broncos they would pay for it.
Aem
Guest
Funny thing is, they haven't blown a lead all year. It just feels that way because they're the Warriors and years of systematic failure has instilled a deep seated pessimism around the perception of them, lol.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Things got a bit there for a second and it looked like the Warriors were going to blow another lead, but they held firm and got away with it. Good win for the Warriors