Tuivasa-Sheck stars as Warriors go two from two
The Warriors ensured there was no hangover from last week’s breakthrough in Perth as they made it two from two to start the NRL season.
They turned on the style at times to overpower Gold Coast 20-8 in front of over 14,000 fans in Auckland.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored a try, saved another and ran for almost 200m.
David Fusitu’a also starred with another double, while the team’s goal line defence held strong until a late consolation try to Titans winger Anthony Don.
It was the Warriors’ 14th win in their last 15 games against the
Titans.
But the performance at least provided a good indication of how Stephen Kearney’s new-look side would handle the growing expectation after last week’s upset win over the Rabbitohs.
And the coach was particularly pleased with they way they backed up after the long flight home from Western Australia.
‘‘It was a real tough contest and what I liked about the lads’ performance is that they stayed in the battle and Roger again came up with some really big plays,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘I knew it was going to be a really tough week, coming back from a big trip so it was really about focusing on getting our jobs done and I thought the boys did that pretty well.’’
With 10 errors and a completion rate of under 70 per cent, the Warriors were by no means perfect. But when their attack was on, it felt like 2002 all over again as they carved up the Titans defence with 28 offloads in the four-try victory.
‘‘When they start throwing the footy around and it sticks, they’re a hard side to defend,’’ Titans coach Garth Brennan said. ‘‘They’ve got some class there in [Shaun] Johnson and Tuivasa-Sheck and when they’re in that sort of mood you’re in for a big day.’’
It wasn’t all good news for the Warriors, though.
Young back-rower Isaiah Papali’i is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after leaving the field after just eight minutes due to a medial ligament injury.
Kearney felt they could have been more disciplined with their second-phase play and with a tough trip to Canberra next week, he knows they will have to step up.
‘‘We’re not getting carried away here. We’ve got a lot more improvement in us and we recognised that in the sheds after the game.’’
Warriors 20 (David Fusitu’a 2, Roger TuivasaSheck, Solomone Kata tries; Shaun Johnson 2 goals) Titans 8 (Anthony Don try; Michael Gordon 2 goals). HT: 12-2.