Andrew Pelechaty reviews Jarrod Croker’s 300th NRL game, with the Warriors spoiling the party.
Result
New Zealand Warriors 36
Tries: (6) Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 31st; Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 47th; Tom Ale 54th; Luke Metcalf 62nd; Wayde Egan 66th; Shaun Johnson 78th
Goals: (6) Shaun Johnson 32nd, 49th, 56th, 79th; Adam Pompey 64th, 68th
Canberra Raiders 14
Tries: (2) Jack Wighton 21st; Josh Papali’i 77
Goals: (2) Jarrod Croker 23rd, 34th
Report
After a week of wonderful Croker tributes, over 21,000 packed Bruce Stadium to watch his milestone game. An emotional Jarrod Croker ran out as Jason Croker blew the horn to start a special Viking Clap, followed by a minute of applause for Jarrod in the third minute.
But the Warriors – who are enjoying their best season since 2018 – did well to absorb the emotion of the opening exchanges, though Matthew Timoko went close to scoring.
After plenty of ball, the Raiders finally opened the scoring in the 21st minute: Jack Wighton regathering his kick, with Croker converting for a 6-0 lead.
The Raiders got a further advantage when Mitchell Barnett was sin binned in the 23rd minute.
Though the Warriors held on for the sin bin period, and levelled the scores through a fantastic Dallin Watene-Zelezniak try. DWZ leapt high to take a Shaun Johnson bomb, and somehow planted the footy in the right hand corner.
But Canberra took an 8-6 lead at half-time after a Croker penalty goal.
It took just seven minutes for the Warriors to hit the front when former Raider Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad strolled through. CNK continued the tradition of ex-Raiders excelling against the Milk, with 194 All-Run Metres.
That opened the floodgates: Tom Ale, Luke Metcalf, and Wayde Egan scored simple tries in the space of 12 minutes, as the Raiders’ defence crumbled, to lead 30-8.
But there was a scare for the Warriors when Johnson went off for a HIA, but he would soon pass his HIA and return.
Canberra finally scored through Josh Papalii, but it was way too late.
The Warriors capped a wonderful night when Johnson intercepted a desperate Sebastian Kris pass to score one of the easiest tries of the night. Not even a second sin bin (Marata Niukore) could dampen the New Zealanders’ spirits.
It goes without saying that this was one of the Raiders’ worst performances this season considering the occasion. The Raiders (8-6) will use their bye to recover, with their next game against the Sydney Roosters at the SFS.
But it’s Always Sunny at Mt Smart Stadium, as the Warriors improve to 8-6, have a bye next weekend, and then play the Dragons at Wollongong.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors)
2 – Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
1 – Marcelo Montoya (Warriors)
