NZ Warriors impress in the heat

Beautiful day in the City of Sails saw the return of the Warriors Fan Day and also combined a trial match between the Warriors and the new entrant in the NSWRL Premier League, The Auckland Lions.

The Warriors trial side was made up mainly of the clubs new buys and a large group of youngsters coming through the local comp ranks to make the Warriors development squad and some, ultimately, The Warriors.

The game was reffed by none other than Billy Harrigan, who received a great welcome, and was played at an intensity which belied the fact it was a trial match. Some very heavy hits and exciting back play made for a very enjoyable game.

The final score of 64-4 to the Warriors does not fairly reflect the intensity in which the game was played. The Lions threw everything they had at the Warriors and only superior defense by the NRL franchise saved the score from becoming much closer.

Warriors to stand out were, Witt, Hohaia, Crockett and Lawrie.

The Lions, coached by Kiwi assistant coach Graham Norton, can go home with their heads held high. They were beaten by a team who were out to impress and took the Lions by surprise.

Lions to impress, Kapi, Buckingham, Toimoana, Paora Packer.

Warriors:

1 Lance Hohaia 2 Todd Byrne 3 Tony Martin 4 Cooper Vuna 5 Michael Crockett 6 Michael Witt 7 Grant Rovelli 8 Sam Rapira 9 George Gatis 10 Evarn Tuimavave 11 Epalahame Lauaki 12 Louis Anderson 13 Corey Lawrie

14 Sonny Fai 15 Wayne McDade 16 Russell Packer 17 Constantine Mika 18 Malo Solomona 20 Miguel Start 21 Scott Jones

Lions:

1 PATRICK KAPI 2 PIRIPI NEHO POPATA 3 DAVID FISI