Dragons spoil homecoming
The Warriors missed a golden chance to book a spot in the grand final after the Dragons spoiled the party at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday.
The Auckland club was making its first appearance at home but despite leading 6-0 at halftime, it couldn’t go on with the job as the Dragons dominated the second half to win 26-6.
It was a gutsy display by the Warriors who finished with 40 per cent possession and came up with several try-saving tackles.
But the relentless pressure from the Dragons proved too much to hold out as they eventually ran out of steam in the final quarter.
Having overcome the Roosters last week, a win would have put the Warriors through to the decider on October 6 with a game to spare.
Instead, they now need to beat defending champions Broncos, who have already qualified for the final, in Sydney on Saturday to join them. Even then, it could still come down to for and against, with the Dragons leaving a significant dent in the Auckland club’s points differential.
The Warriors made three late changes to last week’s side, with wing Roela Radiniyavuni and front-rower Tyler Reid handed their debuts, while Onjeurlina Leiataua started in the back-row and Kathleen Wharton dropping back to the bench.
That proved to be a masterstroke as Leiataua scored the only try of the first half.
The Dragons had enjoyed most of the running up until that point as the Warriors struggled to get out of their own half.
Skipper Kezie Apps went to close to scoring only to be held up by Georgia Hale and Apii Nicholls, while they bombed another try when wing Shakiah Tungai lost the ball over the line.
It was impressive scramble defence by the Warriors on both occasions, but they also blew a chance late in the half when Jules Newman failed to ground a kick in-goal.
Newman made up for that mistake shortly after the break with a brilliant try-saving tackle on opposite centre Tiana Penitani. Then it was the Warriors’ left-edge defence to come to the rescue as Jessica Sergis was also held up.
But the visitors continued to lay seige to their line with multiple sets in the red zone. And they eventually broke through, with Shaylee Bent running into a big gap to level the scores.
The Dragons marched downfield before Penitani caught the Warriors short down the right edge.
The decision to allow Feterika to play then came back to haunt the Warriors, as she pounced on a grubber to seal the result before Sergis and Botille Vette-welsh crossed late to blow out the scoreline.