Tuivasa-Sheck stars in trial

If the Warriors can improve on how they looked on Sunday when the NRL starts in two weeks’ time, then there could be good things to come for the Auckland club this year.

Led by electric fullback and new captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the Warriors beat the Gold Coast Titans 26-6 at CET Arena in Palmerston North on Sunday, in their last trial game before they start the season proper against the Newcastle Knights on March 5.

Tuivasa-Sheck missed most of last season with a knee injury, but on Sunday that looked a distant memory, as he was a constant threat from the back.

He laid on three try assists and spent most of his afternoon busting through Gold Coast tackles.

He was helped by the tight Warriors defence, which looked solid for most of the match and was much better than when they lost to the Melbourne Storm 30-18 last week.

Veteran forward Simon Mannering was pleased with the win but still thinks they can get better.

‘‘I thought both teams were pretty rusty at times, especially towards the end of that second half it got pretty scrappy,’’ Mannering said. ‘‘It was an improvement on last week.

‘‘We were more consistent throughout the whole game, but there’s still things we have to do so much better which we will have to do going into round one.’’

Mannering believed they were better for the game last week and he said their spine played well today.

After the Warriors were up 10-0 through tries to Isaiah Papalii and Tuimoala Lolohea, Nathan Davies scored right on halftime for the Titans to make it 10-6 at the break, even though it felt like the Warriors should have been up by far more. ‘‘That try just before halftime was disappointing because there was a minute to go and it was a familiar story for us,’’ Mannering said. ‘‘We switch off with one tackle towards the end of the half or end of the game and let them in.

‘‘That was soft. I just liked the way we bounced back. They opened us up a couple of times, but we didn’t panic, we chased back, defended our tryline, they got repeat sets but we stayed calm. ‘‘

David Fusitua and James Gavet crossed for the Warriors in the second half to give them a 20-6 lead, before Mannering sealed the win with a late try.