Farewelling the Beast too big a burden
Warriors unable to give club legend fitting sendoff as Penrith take charge
As it turned out, farewelling the Beast was way too much of a burden.
On a night when everybody wanted to send departing legend Manu Vatuvei out on the appropriate note, the Warriors couldn’t summon the right performance.
In fact, nowhere near it. There were moments when everything clicked, but not enough of them, as the hosts went down to the Panthers.
It leaves their top eight hopes on a knife edge, and the result was soured further by a serious knee injury to Shaun Johnson, who limped off midway through the second half.
Further diagnosis will be completed today, but the initial reaction from Warriors medical staff indicated that it could be seasonending, the second time in three years that Johnson has been cut down at this stage of the campaign.
Last night, the Warriors tried to play on emotion but the Panthers brought cold- hearted precision. Halfback Nathan Cleary was the standout for the visitors, with three superb tries and brilliant organisation.
Vatuvei’s emotional farewell, after 14 years and 226 games of first grade service, added to the poignancy of the occasion before kickoff.
A tearful Vatuvei, wearing his No 5 jersey for the last time, walked on to the field through a guard of honour formed by both teams. The legendary winger, accompanied by his children, was also farewelled by a traditional Tongan dance.
And if there was any doubt about his standing among the Warriors faithful, it was epitomised by more than 13,000 fans turning up at the renamed Manu Vatuvei Stadium on a freezing Auckland night.
Vatuvei was also honoured with an emotional post- match haka performed by the NRL team and the under- 20s squad, but like Issac Luke’s effort in New Plymouth last year, it came on a night soured by defeat.
Aside from Vatuvei’s occasion, there was also revenge in the air for the hosts, after the harrowing 36- 28 defeat at Pepper Stadium in round 10 in May, when the Warriors gave up a 28- 6 halftime lead. But those t win motivating factors weren’t enough, as the Warriors were outplayed, outpassioned and out- thought.
Coach Stephen Kearney was almost lost for words after the game, struggling to find many positives and admitting he was “pissed off ” with the performance.
“It was a really disappointing fini sh to the game on our part,” said Kearney. “We lost our way. Some individuals weren’t getting their job done and you pay a pretty hefty price in this competition.”
The Warriors lacked patience on attack, often releasing passes that didn’t need to be thrown. They were also guilty of hesitancy on defence, allowing 19- year- old Cleary in particular far too much time and space.
The Warriors trailed 18- 12 at halftime but regained the ascendancy through Solomone Kata’s second try, swiftly followed by Bodene Thompson’s touchdown after smart work by Blake Ayshford.
The home side looked on track for the desperately- wanted — and muchneeded win — but a 67th- minute Cleary try put the Panthers into a lead they never relinquished, and t wo more tries followed in the final 10 minutes. Warriors 22 ( S. Mannering, S. Kata 2, B. Thompson tries; S. Johnson 2 goals, I. Luke goal) Panthers 34 ( C. Harawira- Naera, T. May, N. Cleary 3, W. Blake tries; Cleary 5 goals) Halftime: 18- 12