Win over Knights boosts Warriors’ playoff prospects
AUCKLAND: The finals charge is on.
The Warriors have consolidated their topeight place, and improved their chances of a home playoff game, with a solid 204 victory over Newcastle.
For long periods it was efficient, rather than eyecatching, and they will need to lift considerably in the coming weeks and learn to put the foot on the throat.
But overall it was job done, and a vital win against a tenacious Knights team that refused to buckle.
The Warriors also looked a bit legweary after the intense battle last Saturday in Wollongong.
This result also stopped an unusually bad run at Mt Smart (four consecutive losses) and was their first win in Auckland in three months.
It was earned up front as the Warrior’s pack gradually got on top of their opposites.
Bunty Afoa thrilled with his charges from deep in play, Adam Blair was brutally effective and Simon Mannering found open pastures. The big men were helped by the back three, who provided invaluable momentum, while captain Roger TuivasaSheck was again brilliant on his dancing feet.
The Warriors rode their luck at times, and persisted with the tactic of short goalline dropouts, which paid dividends twice as they regained possession.
Ken Sio, who always seems to make an impact against the Auckland club, powered through four defenders to open the scoring in the 11th minute, as the Warriors players seemed to get in each other’s way.
It was an untidy first half hour for the home side. Passes were spilt, players were caught offside, and a couple of kicks bounced just too long over the deadball line.
The Warriors, in front of an expectant crowd, could not get rolling as the Knights successfully slowed the play of the ball.
Just like last week, their spark was provided by TuivasaSheck. The fullback mesmerised the defensive line with a sideways jinking run, creating space for sleight of hand from Shaun Johnson and Gerard Beale, which eventually enabled Adam Blair to dive over in the 28th minute.
If that was good the second try was even better, as long balls from Blake Green and Johnson outflanked a swarming Newcastle defence to open the door for David Fusitu’a.
The Tongan winger, known for his acrobatics, displayed brute force to barge past three defenders to score.
Their momentum continued in the second half, when Green scythed his way over from 20m. The five eighth is not known for his running game, but his teamates enjoyed his deception, engulfing him after he scored.
The Knights were unfortunate not to score through Aidan Guerra, who fumbled as he was forcing a Mitchell Pearce grubber, but otherwise were effectively subdued in the second half. — NZME