The New Zealand Warriors took one step closer to securing a top four spot, holding on to defeat a determined Wests Tigers 30-22 in Hamilton.
Result
New Zealand Warriors 30
Tries: Luke Metcalf (6), Adam Pompey (14), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (33), Tohu Harris (50), Addin Fonua-Blake (77)
Goals: Shaun Johnson (8, 69) Adam Pompey (15, 51, 78)
Wests Tigers 22
Tries: Starford To’a (16, 78), Luke Brooks (18), Daine Laurie (57)
Goals: Api Koroisau (17, 19, 58)
Report
The Tigers took their Round 24 game to Waikato in New Zealand, to repay the Warriors for their sacrifices during the Covid impacted seasons. Both sides were unchanged prior to kick-off. The game began with an early penalty to the Warriors. On the attack, a no look pass from Tohu Harris put Mitch Barnett through a gap. He linked up with Luke Metcalf who scored the opening try.
Following their first try, the Warriors looked clinical as they found their second. Shaun Johnson fired a cut-out pass to Adam Pompey who crashed over. It took an error from the Warriors to get the Tigers into the game. Mitch Barnett coughed up possession and the Tigers pounced. Daine Laurie produced a late pass to Starford To’a who crossed for a try. Off the following kick-off, Laurie was in the action again. He broke the line and linked up with Luke Brooks, who raced away to score the Tigers second try in two minutes.
Eventually, the Warriors grabbed the lead back when Dallin Watene-Zelezniak produced an acrobatic putdown when he scored in the corner. That try was the only difference between the sides at halftime.
After the break, the Warriors dominated possession. They forced multiple repeat sets while attacking the Tigers line and eventually they broke through. Tohu Harris barged over from close range to grab his second try in two weeks. However, the Tigers took less than ten minutes to bounce back. Jahream Bula broke the line and found support inside from Daine Laurie, who finished off the long range try.
In the final stages of the game, tempers flared as the Tigers gave away several penalties for high contact. Within range of the posts, the Warriors opted for a penalty goal to extend their lead to a converted try. After a tightly fought ten minutes, the Warriors scored through Addin Fonua-Blake as they looked to have iced the game. The Tigers produced a consolation try, but that wasn’t enough as the Warriors held on to win by eight points.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Tohu Harris (New Zealand Warriors)
2 – Addin Fonua-Blake (New Zealand Warriors)
1 – Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers)
