Warriors 29
Manly Sea Eagles 22
Prior to the Warriors' match against the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday evening, coach Andrew Webster emphasized the importance of his team mentally engaging in the game for the entire duration of 80 minutes.
After a few narrow victories in which they allowed their opponents to regain momentum, it occurred.
What he got was the opposite.
The team secured a victory in front of their loyal fans at Mt Smart. They managed to make a comeback and win the game with a score of 29-22. However, there were still some worries or issues that need to be addressed. The Warriors allowed the opposing team to score first within just two minutes due to a careless mistake. Additionally, they had a higher number of penalties and errors compared to their opponents.
Manly, a team fighting to continue their season, took advantage of defensive weaknesses that the top teams in the competition will take full advantage of during the finals.
The achievements of the Warriors in their quest to excel in the postseason will be undermined by the mentioned factors. Despite securing a place in the top eight with a victory tonight, the Warriors should aim for much higher goals than just making it to the eighth position.
Centre Rocco Berry showed further progress this season and performed exceptionally well. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's impressive range of finishing skills was evident. Addin Fonua-Blake showcased his hard-working nature in the front. Additionally, the Warriors successfully prevented Manly from scoring in the second half.
In line with their early season struggles, the Warriors faced an immediate setback when Bunty Afoa failed to catch the pass from Wayde Egan and dropped the ball on only the second play of the game. Jake Arthur, who was added to the starting lineup at the last minute, quickly scored for Manly, easily evading weak defense and reaching for the first points within the first two minutes.
A trend started in the first half with a high score, as both teams took advantage of mistakes made by the opposition. Out of the seven tries scored in the first 40 minutes, each one occurred right after the opposing team made an error or committed a penalty.
The Warriors were ahead of their opponents in terms of penalties and mistakes in the initial part of the game, and this was evident in the final score.
Despite a poor start, the hosts were able to dominate the game within the first 20 minutes. This momentum shift was initiated by Tohu Harris with a deceptive move near the goal line. Additionally, Adam Pompey once again filled in for Shaun Johnson in the role of goal-kicker due to Johnson's leg injury.
Shortly after, a Watene-Zelezniak duo swiftly followed him. The initial one consisted of a typical diving finish in the corner, while the second showcased an impressive exhibition of agility and power, enabling him to outmaneuver defenders and forcefully cross the try line. This series of three tries within a span of 10 minutes, coupled with a commanding 16-6 advantage, suggested that the Warriors were on the brink of dominating the game.
They failed to gain any more points in the first half.
Instead, Manly took advantage of a consistent weakness on the Warriors' left side, resulting in winger Jason Saab scoring three tries within 20 minutes – effortlessly sliding in untouched for each one. The legitimacy of the third try was slightly questionable as it seemed a Manly teammate may have touched the ball with their thumb, causing it to move forward just before it reached Saab. However, the officials in the Bunker determined that the replays provided were not enough evidence to overrule the initial on-field decision of a successful try. As a result, Manly headed into halftime with the lead.
The beginning of the second half seemed crucial in determining the outcome of the game. Despite Manly's strong start, it was the opposing team who conceded the first points, with Watene-Zelezniak scoring his third try. This increased his total number of tries for the season to 21, approaching the club record of 23 set by David Fusitu'a in 2018.
The Warriors didn't regain the lead until the last 10 minutes. Daly Cherry-Evans tried to score with a drop goal, but it was blocked by the opposing team. Reuben Garrick accidentally dropped the ball while trying to catch it after being hit in the air by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. The Warriors' fullback seemed to tackle Garrick in mid-air, but the referee determined that there was no possession because the ball hadn't been fully caught and Garrick's landing wasn't dangerous since he landed on his back.
The decision seemed to confuse captain Cherry-Evans, but the Warriors quickly got to work and managed to score a goal through Marata Niukore. A late drop goal by Johnson secured the team's 15th win of the season.
Warriors 29 The paragraph could be paraphrased as: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored three tries, while Tohu Harris and Marata Niukore also scored. Adam Pompey successfully converted all four tries, and Shaun Johnson added a drop goal.
Manly Sea Eagles 22 Jason Saab scored three tries, Jake Arthur attempted a try, and Reuben Garrick successfully converted all three tries.
HT: 16-22