Warriors blow lead in messy loss
AUCKLAND: Todd Payten's bid to land the Warriors head coaching job struck a major hurdle as his side suffered a messy 1612 defeat against the Gold Coast Titans last night.
The Titans, who keep living down to their reputation as the NRL's worst team, were hardly great against a Warriors team which stalled badly.
The Warriors have not won two in a row since May last year but had a royal chance on the Gold Coast, after a terrific win over the Broncos last week in Payten's second game in charge.
An inexplicable Roger TuivasaSheck drop in the 73rd minute as the Titans scrambled to make something happen on the final tackle summed up a shambles of a game.
Blake Green compounded the problem by trying to palm the ball a record distance over the dead ball line. Beau Fermor struck for the try.
The Warriors, who were scoreless for the final 71 minutes after a tremendous start, were beaten yet again.
Interim coach Payten was officially told on Thursday he would be interviewed for the top job. This was a move from club CEO Cameron George to remove any unnecessary distractions for the rookie coach.
His side did not do him any major favours on the Gold Coast, as he became yet another coach no doubt dumfounded by the Warriors' form riddle.
The Warriors' fast start was a distant memory by the third quarter, when Tyrone Peachey's acrobatics created a try for forward Sam Stone.
Ash Taylor's poor conversion attempt left the Warriorsstill holding a 1210 advantage, but the home side now had momentum in its favour.
The Warriors got off to a flying start and the Titans could barely complete a set. Yet by halftime, the Warriors led by just 126.
Looking suitably stressed, Titans coach Justin Holbrook saw his side find all manner of ways to give the ball back to the Warriors.
The visiting side could, should, have been leading by about 20.
TuivasaSheck scored first from a scrum.
A sharp pass from Peta Hiku set up the second for Ken Maumalo, who made a made a sharp catch before twisting over the line in the ninth minute. — The New Zealand Herald
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