Sharks score late win over Warriors
AUCKLAND: The Warriors’ finals credentials suffered a hit as Cronulla ground out a comefrombehind 1815 NRL win in Auckland last night.
The Warriors looked to have snatched victory when halfback Shaun Johnson kicked a field goal to break a 1414 deadlock with six minutes remaining, but the Sharks clinched the result when left wing Edrick Lee scored a controversial try off a forward pass inside the last minute.
The home side was boosted by the late inclusion of Kiwi internationals Issac Luke and Peta Hiku but it was not enough as the Sharks stormed back from 120 down to hand the Warriors their third consecutive home defeat in front of 14,195 fans at Mt Smart Stadium. The result continues a dire run for the Warriors against the Sharks, who have now won nine of the past 11 encounters between the two sides.
Cronulla went into the match in seventh spot on the premiership ladder and now it sits just two points adrift of the Warriors, who could slip into the bottom half of the eight by the end of the round.
Doubters have been predicting the Warriors’ decline all season and pessimists will mark this as the beginning of the lateseason slide that has been a grim tradition since their last finals appearance in 2011.
With nine games remaining in the regular season there is no need to panic, but this latest defeat lays bare the reality they need to find another level if they are to retain their spot in the top four.
The Warriors are yet to lose two games in a row and how they respond in the coming weeks will determine whether they are genuine title contenders or merely making up the numbers come the business end of the season.
It does not get any easier however, and coach Stephen Kearney will know they need to lift their efforts with a difficult run of games ahead against topeight sides. They have away matches against Penrith and Brisbane before returning to Auckland to host reigning premiers Melbourne on July 22.
The Warriors have some injury concerns with forwards Bunty Afoa and Tohu Harris forced from the field in the second half. — NZME