Back to the future: Roger returns to fullback and wins it for the Wahs with trademark magic moment

By Mike Meehall Wood / Editor

He’s back.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck hadn’t been enjoying the best of nights, and neither had the rest of the Warriors, but sometimes a little adversity goes a long way.

Taine Tuaupiki, the fullback, had been forced off with a concussion when the Raiders took the lead, overcoming a huge glut of possession the other way with characteristic grit to lead going into the final quarter.

Yet, with RTS deputising at fullback, the Warriors suddenly hit form. The first, from Luke Metcalf, was important but the second, in which Roger didn’t so much dodge as batter his way over the stripe, was the one that the packed out Christchurch crowd loved.

It moved the score to 18-10, a lead that the Warriors would never relinquish.

They had started, like they did in Round 1 against the Sharks, like a house on fire. Addin Fonua-Blake opened the scoring but the Wahs were unable to add to his try amid dogged Raiders defence.

Before the break, Matt Timoko nabbed one back and after it, Nick Cotric stuck Canberra into the lead. It was well deserved.

Yet, staring down a 0-3 start, the Warriors finally found the attack that they had been lacking. Andrew Webster sighed in relief. So did Roger.

“We’ve had two weeks where we’ve sort of played pretty, as in it looked really good at times, and tonight probably didn’t look as good and we got the win,” said the coach.

“Sometimes you get a win ugly, and we still made it hard for ourselves, but I was just really, really rapped for the boys.

“They dug in at the end there, found a way to get it done and I think there’s going to be a huge amount of relief for the boys and we can move on from here, which is cool.”

Canberra did exactly what they have done in their two previous games – both wins – but this time, failed to get it over the line.

They will point to a no try in the first half, when Ethan Strange had one took off when it looked like he had grounded the ball, and several other micro moments that might have gone the other way.

That they stayed in it in the opening stage showed that they have exactly the same intent as ever, and the Raiders even managed to put on some nice attack at times, which hasn’t always been their forte.

Ricky Stuart, coaching his 250th at the Milk tonight, won’t be worried for a second on a performance level. Keep this up and they’ll remain about the toughest nut to crack in the NRL.

“I didn’t expect anything different,” he said of the Warriors.

“To be honest, and respectful say, I knew we’d be up for a performance.

“I knew we’d be playing a good footy team. So that’s the way we prepared and that’s what we got.

The Warriors attack gets there – in the end

It took Tuivasa-Sheck moving to the back for the Warriors to get going with the ball, and there might be a lesson there.

By the end, RTS was claiming high balls and scoring tries, but for a long time, he had been something of a passenger in the centres.

Timoko, the incumbent Kiwis centre, had given him a bath for the first Canberra try while going the other way, Roger was getting nowhere.

Webster has slated Tuivasa-Sheck in as a centre since his arrival but it hasn’t always worked so far.

That’s been complicated by the absence of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from the back with an ongoing hamstring issue, but once Tuaupiki went down, the hand was forced.

Now, RTS will in all likelihood start next week, too. CNK is still out and not slated to return until Round 5, and with Adam Pompey a perfectly serviceable centre, Tuivasa-Sheck is the obvious option.

It will be interesting to see how it goes, because this is an attack that has lacked a little spark.

The forwards are still great, but the cohesion in getting the ball to the edge and over the stripe is yet to completely come together with Tuivasa-Sheck in the centres.

Fonua-Blake has twice as many tries as any other middle in the last two years, partly because he is so devastating close to the line, but also because the Warriors have worked out exactly where and how to use him as an attacking weapon.

He hangs around the ball-players, has the pace to keep up and the smarts to pick the right line.

Unfortunately, the same can’t currently be said for the rest of the Warrior at the moment.

In both of their home games so far, they’ve started rapidly but failed to convert their domination into points before running out of steam later on.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the issue is: the movements are there, as are the same playmakers, as is the endeavour.

It might be just a question of luck, which will change, or that they have faced three excellent defensive units in the Sharks, Storm and now Raiders. Had they faced others, the 0-3 might be the other way around.

As it stands, though, it’s the lack of points that are the problem – or at least, the lack of conversion of pressure into points.

This time around, they got away with it. The lessons, though, still need to be learned.

Canberra will be absolutely fine

The Raiders do not go away. They’re already firming as one of the best defensive teams in the comp and showed it here, with Xavier Savage and Strange pulling off last ditch trysavers before half time on the rare occasions where they structure broke down. All the little things about scramble and effort, they have in spades.

Canberra far from sparkling in attack and even, at times, seem to just burn plays in good ball to get to the point where they can kick it.

But if you stay in enough contests and make the opposition fight for every inch, the score will be close enough for you to jag things your way.

When the possession shifted enough towards the end of the first half, they eventually struck back through Timoko, who did what Tuivasa-Sheck couldn’t, getting around his opposite number to score.

Had Strange’s effort stood, Canberra could have gone on with it. That slice of luck didn’t got their way.

They did eventually take the lead, but were undone by two moments of defensive frailty – not tracking Metcalf and a spilled bomb from Cotric – that were also, perhaps, on the unfortunate side.

When it came to chasing late, they were given plenty of chances but didn’t have the attack to trouble the Warriors. That’s still the worst part of Canberra’s game and the aspect that needs the most work.

On this evidence, however, they’re not going to get battered often, will be in every game and, you’d expect, will win enough of them to make the finals.

Everyone who plays them knows they’ve been in a game. It’s rarely pretty, but it’s hard not to respect the bit.

The Crowd Says:

2024-03-23T07:07:59+00:00

The Barry

Roar Guru


It was a great atmosphere mate Great arvo. My kids are keen fans but being 13 and 16 haven’t had heaps of opportunities to see a big bulldogs win… they loved it…

2024-03-23T06:42:22+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie


Owe you one in the tipping comp Baz. Hope you had a great day. Sounded as though Belmore was going off judging by what I heard on the radio for the last 20 minutes or so.

2024-03-23T00:49:36+00:00

Magic Lyrebird

Roar Rookie


Belmore should be heaving. I have some great memories of sitting with my Dad on the grass watching the brilliant Ewan McGrady. I hope it's a good game. Go Dogs!

2024-03-23T00:22:13+00:00

Pickett

Roar Rookie


That was a very good crowd. Many Kiwis (mainly RU fans) keep telling us that RL only has a foothold in the back suburbs of South Auckland, but crowds over the last couple of years dispels that myth. There's been massive crowds all over NZ even for trial games.

2024-03-22T23:54:23+00:00

souvalis

Roar Rookie


With SJ outside him begging for it !

2024-03-22T23:53:04+00:00

BigGordon

Roar Rookie


I've spent a few minutes comparing replays of the DWZ tackle on Hopoate with the Taylan May "tackle" on Walsh. One showed exactly what not to do ie go into a tackle standing upright and risk a head clash, while the other showed exactly what to do, ie drive up under the ribs, drop the attacking player on the ground and win the ball for his team - and both blokes ended up playing on. As DWZ showed, it really ain't that hard to get it right.

2024-03-22T23:20:26+00:00

The Barry

Roar Guru


There’s been some good signs. Last week was tough. Losing a prop after 10 second caught up with us and then we had the Kikau no try, then Wilson putting a toe in touch I’m hopeful… we’ve been competitive at times against the Eels and Sharks… and the Titans aren’t them I hope they put up a good show, I’m heading to Belmore this arvo with my two boys The corresponding fixture last year was a good win. Dogs were 18-0 down and won 20-18 with a try in the last couple of minutes. I also got a same game multi up with Fifita and Averillo as any time try scorers into the bulldogs to win :stoked:

2024-03-22T22:49:15+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie


Great game to watch - tough and gritty. Games between these two are always close. The Roosters/Souths game was just sad. Can't believe how far Souths have fallen. Keep thinking surely they rediscover something - the switch gets flicked - but there was no energy or spark or effort. Its like Demetriou has lost the room. The Dogs versus Titans is a tough one to pick - the Titans are missing Campbell and Fifita but the Dogs struggle to score - are you confident?

2024-03-22T22:31:35+00:00

The Barry

Roar Guru


That was a really entertaining game First half was a million miles an hour and low error rates I thought the Warriors had the Raiders on the ropes a free times in the first half, but Canberra kept hanging tough Then early in the second it looked like the Warriors were going to repeat their performance against the Sharks and find a way to lose a game where they’d looked pretty comfortable. Good for them they found a way to fight their way back into it and were deserved winners It’s not often a tackle is the highlight of a game. When you do it’s usually a knock on the quality of the game. But not here. Savage on AFB was top shelf. I brought AFB into my SuperCoach this week and was doing a victory dance for his second try when he caught the ball, but somehow Savage stopped him Didn’t get anywhere near the hype of the Roosters versus Rabbitohs game but was a far better spectacle

2024-03-22T22:24:38+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie


In terms of selections I guess Ricky was torn between putting faith in captain Whitehead who had recovered from injury and rewarding the brilliant form of Hosking. Probably made the wrong choice in the end. Elliot didn’t do a lot and Hosking wasn’t as effective as he has been. Mind you the Warriors defence looked determined to blunt Hosking’s effectiveness.

2024-03-22T22:21:06+00:00

Geoff from Bruce Stadium

Roar Rookie


I think I might have been a bit harsh in my comments during the call yesterday – disappointment of losing I guess. The Raiders were competitive for the full 80 minutes and defensively they are far more resilient than they were in 2023. The tackle by Savage on AFB when he looked certain to score was symbolic of this. But in attack they are still lacking set plays and structures in the 20 metre zone to take advantage of their good defence when the game is on the line. Fogarty and Strange need to take responsibility for this. A few calls went against them when two tries weren’t given. If they were the bunker may have struggled to take them off them and the result could have been different. Credit to Ricky that he didn’t whinge about it in the presser. Rapana was immense, Timoko always looked threatening, Savage looks reborn and will only get better as will Strange. I had a go at Guler and Cotric during the game but on reflection Emre was pretty solid. Its very disappointing to see Nick Cotric struggling for form. He was a gun a few years ago but seems to have lost that bustling barging direct style in favour of crabbing across field. Don’t know if its a lack of confidence but he needs to get back to that more direct style he used to have. Maybe he needs to drop a few kilos and fine down a bit to give him a bit more flexibility and agility. – particularly under the high ball. Hope he gets his mojo back.

2024-03-22T20:31:31+00:00

3 R M

Roar Rookie


The Wahs with a full house in Christchurch and taking a home game there next year I think . With the right bid NZmk2 looks feasible.

2024-03-22T20:31:00+00:00

jimmmy

Roar Rookie


I didn't think there was a lot betwen these two. The Raiders have found someone in Strange I reckon. He is a really good defender and a strong runner. He will only get better. RTS and Timoko was a great battle . Just about square in the end thought but very intriguing. I think both these side will win their share of footy games this season but the Warriors may have more upside wh they get CNK back. Best game of the round so far.

2024-03-22T19:50:07+00:00

dogs

Roar Rookie


One thing I noticed was the Raiders wingers held their width in defense, rarely left the opposing winger unmarked, seemed very effective. But guess the downside is the risk of one-on-one misses like when Young missed RTS. Also think the raiders need to start with Hosking. Had a couple of mistakes, but overall I thought he added more than Whitehead. Wish my team had those sort of dilemas.

Read more at The Roar