2021 NRL Round Nine, Sea Eagles 38 Warriors 32 – Report

Brad Inger reviews the Sea Eagles vs Warriors clash ….. Here’s how the game went.

SCOREBOARD

Player of the Year Points

3 pts – Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
2 pts – Jason Saab (Sea Eagles)
1 pt – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

MATCH REPORT

1st Half

An error from centurion Tom Trbojevic in Manly’s first set handed the Warriors a good field position. They took it with both hands, with Kodi Nikorima throwing a short ball to the Chanel Harris-Tavita for the match’s first try. After a few settled sets from both sides, the Sea Eagles kicked into gear, with Daly Cherry-Evans kicking a 40/20 with Tom Trbojevic crossing over barely touched to level the scores. The star fullback was over for his second minutes later, carrying several defenders as he barged his way to the line after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck lost control of a Cherry-Evans bomb, gifting Manly a set right on the New Zealand sides line. Momentum had swung in the home side’s favour until an untimely error from Cherry-Evans gave the Warriors a much-needed reprieve. The New Zealand side started to probe Manly’s defensive line with some quick plays from Nikorima until Tohu Harris barged over to the score levelling try. Both sides traded sets, with neither getting the upper hand until Tommy Turbo caught the New Zealand side napping scorching away after a quick tap from a penalty; the Warriors scrambling defence managed to stop him, but Sean Keppie looked certain to score on the next play, but the New Zealand side managed to keep him out. However, they were penalised in the process, handing the Sea Eagles another set on the Warriors try line. Tommy Turbo looked to have set up a try, but it was ruled forward by the official. Errors plagued both sides until the Warriors kicked a penalty goal to take the lead once again. The visiting side was not done yet as Josh Curran scored his first try in the NRL after snatching the ball after Jason Saab lost it in the air, ending the half with an eight-point lead.

HALF-TIME: New Zealand Warriors 20 Manly Sea Eagles 12

2nd Half

The Warriors started the second half with a lot of energy but lacked cohesion as a poor pass from Nikorima ruined what an almost certain try was. Manly responded, surging up the field to score a try of their own through Morgan Harper. Moments later, the Sea Eagles looked to have scored again, but the bunker reviewed it and deemed that they lost the ball over the line. Another error from the New Zealand side saw Manly retake control after a big run from Tommy Turbo before spreading it wide, taking advantage of some poor defensive reading from the Warriors edge. More errors from the Warriors saw Manly start another set in good field position, and they wasted little time with Turbo throwing a cutout pass to Ruben Garrick for their fifth try of the afternoon. The superstar fullback cut the Warriors to shreds on the next set, breaking the line before sending Saab over for his second try. The pain for Warriors fans continued as Manly ran the length of the field yet again, the Warriors looked to have scrambled to stop the Sea Eagles onslaught, but Manly was just too quick, getting the ball out to the edge with Saab scoring his third try of the day. The Warriors finally managed to defend an entire set and get their hands on the ball. After a penalty helped them move up the field, they were on the scoreboard once again; after Reece Walsh put up a bomb that Brad Parker knocked on, the Sea Eagles failed to ground the loose ball, and Harris-Tavita scored what could be the easiest try of his career, handing the Warriors a slight sniff at a come from behind victory. A penalty against Curran saw Manly take the penalty goal to push their lead out further as the game reached the final ten minutes. A short kickoff by the New Zealand side saw Tommy Turbo knocked the ball on, giving the Warriors the chance they needed, and after a few solid runs, Harris managed to flick an offload out for Walsh to score the first try of his career. This lead to an edge of your seats final minutes of the match as the Warriors got themselves in a scoring position, with Walsh getting the ball in the final seconds, but the Sea Eagles threw bodies at the big winger to carry him over the sideline to put the game beyond doubt.

FULL-TIME: Manly Sea Eagles 38 New Zealand Warriors 32

Injuries

to be advised

Match Review Committee

to be advised

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