Bulldogs
outlast Warriors in Auckland

Round 8
New Zealand Warriors 16 v Canterbury Bulldogs 30
at Ericsson Stadium
Referees: Gavin Badger

Match Summary:
The Canterbury Bulldogs have continued a three-game winning streak at Ericsson Stadium with a 30-16 victory over the New Zealand Warriors today.

The quality of the first half was a bit average with New Zealand turning the ball over countless times through poor handling and ridiculous attempts at offloads near their own line. As a result Canterbury were camped in the Warriors territory with the first try coming from a great offload by Mark O?Meley in the 7th minute, giving Daniel Holdsworth and easy four pointer.

Ten minutes later Louis Anderson had the ball jolted from his grasp as he was try to dig the Warriors out from their try-line, with Roy Asotasi swooping on the pill and taking the spoils as Canterbury added to their lead.

When the Warriors had the ball in good field position they made use of it though, with a try in the 34th minute of play to Wairangi Koopu evidence of just that. Fien got out of dummy half quickly, finding the loping back-rower running a perfect line and he went over untouched to lift the spirits of their fans.

The turning point of the match came two minutes later, when a bit of bad luck for the Warriors denied them what would have been a great try after Brent Webb was ruled off-side. Fien was again involved, chipping behind the ruck for Webb who scooted away and gave the ball to Tony Martin out wide to cross. Unfortunately the flying fullback was a metre in front of Fien and it was called back. A try three minutes later to Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga after another error from the Warriors really knocked the wind out of the sails for New Zealand and provided a 12-point turnaround as the teams went to the sheds with Canterbury leading 16-8.

At this point the Bulldogs were far from impressive though with their attack lacking any genuine direction. They had simply capitalised on errors from the opposition with their fifth tackle options leaving a lot to be desired. The Warriors had problems of their own - namely themselves. Poor discipline, handling errors and offloads at the wrong time were proving costly.

The second half was much better from both sides with New Zealand getting straight back into the game with a try to Sione Faumuina in the 42nd minute. At 16-14 things were looking up and the sin-binning of Mark O?Meley in the 49th minute saw Martin add another two points to lock-up the scores.

But an injury to Steven Price saw the Warriors drop their bundle, with his on-field leadership very much required after a hamstring injury to Ruben Wiki saw him withdraw on the day. Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri then contributed a brace of tries and a penalty goal to take the game from the home team and hit back after last week?s disappointing effort against the Sea Eagles.


Scorers:
New Zealand Warriors: 16
Tries: Sione Faumuina, Wairangi Koopu
Goals: Tony Martin 4/4
Canterbury Bulldogs: 30
Tries: Roy Asotasi, Hazem El Masri(2), Willie Tonga, Daniel Holdsworth
Goals: Hazem El Masri 5/6

By the Clock:
Sunny day over here in Auckland. A few changes to the teams:

Warriors - Wiki out with a hamstring injury. Tuimavave into the starting side with Mannering to the bench.

Bulldogs: Matuia dropped, Roberts to five-eighth. Williams into the centres for Emelia and Phelps to the bench.

And we're underway in the first half!

3 min: NEWS Fien, sporting red hair today, is smashed by Patten whilst chasing a kick through. The Dogs fullback is on report for the suspected use of an elbow and could be in some hot water.

4 min: PENALTY GOAL New Zealand Warriors
Martin takes an easy two points on offer following the penalty from the Fie/Patten incident.
Warriors 2-0

7 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
O'Meley attracts the attention of three or four Warriors close to the line and still manages to pop a ball to Holdsworth, who strolls over for the opening try. El Masri converts and the Dogs take the lead.
Bulldogs 6-2

15 min: NEWS The Warriors' defence is holding up in the face of some questions by the Bulldogs. A few gaps starting to appear on the fringe of the rucks for the Bulldogs.

18 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Asotasi swoops on the pill close to the line as it's jarred loose in a heavy tackle on Loius Anderson. El Masri converts again as the Bulldogs simply capitalise on the Warriors mistakes.
Bulldogs 12-2

26 min: NEWS Hanlding errors costing the Warriors dearly, with the Dogs camped in their territory.

30 min: NEWS Hit of the Week: Clinton Toopi on Tony Grimaldi. As the Bulldogs get a roll on the Kiwi centre smashes Grimaldi and jolts the ball loose.

34 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
Koopu scores a great try untouched as Fien scoots out of dummy half and picks up the rampaging back-rower running a terrific line. Martin converts and the Warriors are back in the game.
Bulldogs 12-8

36 min: NEWS The Warriors are pulled back for what would have been a great try. Fien grubbered through behind the ruck for Webb who raced thirty metres before finding Martin out wide. Unfortunately Webb was a metre offside and he didn't need to be.

39 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Tonga scores out wide after Toopi has a brain snap and tries to offload in an impossible position. The Dogs spread it to the eastern side of the field and find the stripe. El Masri fails for the first time today right on the buzzer.
Bulldogs 16-8

40 min: NEWS Halftime: I haven't seen anything from the Bulldogs to suggest they've solved their issues in the halves as twice they've scored from Warriors mistakes and the other was a good offload close to the line. But they won't need to worry about creativity if the home team keeps giving them as much of the possession in the second half as they did in the first. New Zealand are an immensely frustrating side and despite their conjuring of good scoring opportunites, they simply can't hold onto the ball. They were unlucky with Martin's no try where Webb was ruled off side, but attempted offloads in their own half and poor handling is ruining their chances here today. Unless they get hit with 40 lashes of the Cat O'Nine tails in the sheds, I can't see them having the discipline to take home the chocolates in this one.

And we're underway in the second half!

42 min: TRY New Zealand Warriors
An early mistake from the Bulldogs gives possession the Warriors and they take full advantage, posting a try to Faumuina from a good move close to the line. Martin converts and the home team are in it up to their eyeballs.
Bulldogs 16-14

45 min: NEWS Perry for the Bulldogs has done his medial ligaments, reducing the visitors to 17 men.

49 min: NEWS O'Meley in the bin for 10 minutes as the Dogs' constant infringements in the ruck annoy ref Gavin Badger.

49 min: PENALTY GOAL New Zealand Warriors
Martin evens up the contest with the ensuing penalty goal.
16 all.

50 min: NEWS Steve Price forced from the field with a left shoulder problem. Unsure if he'll return as yet.

54 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri puts Canterbury back in front with a good try after Patten created the extra man in the back line. El Masri adds the extras.
Bulldogs 22-16

59 min: NEWS O'Meley back on the field.

62 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri takes the lead to 8 points with a penalty goal from a high shot on Grimaldi in Warriors territory.
Bulldogs 24-16

68 min: NEWS An attacking raid by the Warriors fizzles out after Byrne made a 60m break from a Dogs cross-filed kick.

70 min: NEWS Price back on the field, dismissing any long-term injury concerns.

75 min: NEWS Willie Tonga on report for a lifting tackle on Grant Rovelli. It looks bad, but caused Tovelli no harm.

77 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
El Masri finishes off another try after a break by Sonny Bill down the right flank. Canterbury have put New Zealand away here in the final stages. Hazem converts his own try.
Bulldogs 30-16

80 min: NEWS Fulltime: The Bulldogs have overcome the Warriors here at Ericsson Stadium in a steely encounter, with both clubs showing they are capable of playing top quality football when needed. The Warriors turned around a disappointing first half to be very much in the game for most of the second period. Canterbury just had too much for them in the end though.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Roy Asotasi
2 - Hazem El Masri
1 - Nathan Fien
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