Rampaging Warriors surge past Tigers

A rampaging New Zealand Warriors have run over the top of the Wests Tigers to record a 42-18 win in front of a bumper crowd of 22,512 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

In a game of two halves, the Tigers looked the better of the two teams for most of the first stanza before the Warriors thrilled the Wellington crowd with an exhibition of attacking football, piling on 28 second half points.

Despite dominating the first 40 minutes, the Tigers found themselves behind at half time after the Warriors scored three tries in the last seven minutes of the first half to take a 14-12 lead into the break. It was Glen Fisiiahi who scored in the 34th and 38th minutes before Manu Vatuvei completed a miracle try right on half time, laying the platform for a second half onslaught. Braith Anasta had earlier fooled the Warriors defence with a show and go to get over for the opening try of the match in the 19th minute, before James Tedesco got the ball down just inside the field of play on 23 minutes as Sam Tomkins tried to shepherd it dead.

The Tigers were unable to recover from the late first half burst, a situation that was made all the more difficult when news came through at half time that both Cory Paterson and James Tedesco had been ruled out for the remainder of the game after sustaining head knocks.

Glen Fisiiahi sealed his hat trick only two minutes into the second half when a Tigers mistake inside their own in goal provided him with a gift of a try. When the Warriors scored another converted try in the 46th minute to take the score to 26-12, it looked as though the Tigers wouldn't have enough in the tank to get back into the match.

To the Tigers credit however, they got themselves back into the contest with a 59th minute try to Robbie Farah which brought the score back to 26-18. The next ten minutes saw a period of sustained pressure as the Tigers looked to crack their opponent's line once again but the Warriors defence held firm.

Any chance of a comeback was ended when Pat Richards knocked on a grubber close to his own line which was latched onto by Jayson Bukuya to score an easy four pointer. Two more late Warriors tries to Sam Tomkins in the 74th minute and Glen Fisiiahi's fourth try in the 77th minute took the score to a convincing 42-18 by the time the full time siren sounded.

The Warriors have now recorded their first back to back wins of the season, a much needed boost ahead of their trip to Remondis Stadium next week. The only concern will be a reported broken jaw to Jerome Ropati sustained in the opening half.

For the Tigers, it's back to the drawing board before a clash with the in-form Manly Sea Eagles at Leichardt Oval next Monday night.

Match Details
New Zealand Warriors 42 Wests Tigers 18
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Crowd: 22512
Halftime Score: New Zealand Warriors 14 Wests Tigers 12

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Glen Fisiiahi
2 points - Konrad Hurrell
1 point - Aaron Woods

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (42)
Tries: Glen Fisiiahi (4), Shaun Johnson, Manu Vatuvei, Jayson Bukuya, Sam Tomkins
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (5/8)
Penalty Goals:

WESTS TIGERS (18)
Tries: Braith Anasta, James Tedesco, Robbie Farah
Field Goals:
Conversions: Pat Richards (3/3)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

TEAM NEWS: Wests Tigers - Robbie Farah will take his place into the side despite concerns for his calf muscle. Earlier this week Tim Simona was ruled out with concussion. Chris Lawrence comes into the side.

TEAM NEWS: Warriors are 1-17 as named on Tuesday.

Welcome to Saturday afternoon football as the New Zealand Warriors host the Wests Tigers from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Tigers have had a good patch of form in the last fortnight. After a big loss in round one at the hands of the Dragons they have bounced back with two very impressive wins over the Titans and the Rabbitohs. The Warriors got off the mark last week after holding on to defeat the Cowboys in Townsville but know another win is needed today to get some early season consistency.

All eyes will be on the exciting young halfbacks for both sides as they attempt to get their teams over the line for a win today.

Teams are coming out onto Westpac Stadium. Only a few minutes until kick off.

1: KICK OFF! We are underway in Wellington.

2: VIDEO REFEREE - We are going upstairs for the Tigers. Vatuvei lets the ball roll one too many times in the in goal and Anasta may have scored.

2: NO TRY - Vatuvei gets away with one there and the Warriors will restart play from the 20.

3: Solid set of six from the Warriors and the ball is put into touch deep inside the Tigers half.

4: PENALTY TIGERS for holding on a bit too long in the tackle.

5: VIDEO REFEREE - going upstairs again for another possible Tigers try after David Nofoaluma powers over the line.

5: NO TRY - the video referee says David Nofoaluma lost the ball short of the line. Warriors breathe a sigh of relief.

6: PENALTY WARRIORS - they really needed that to settle them down after a nervy start.

7: VIDEO REFEREE - we are going upstairs for a Warriors try. Looks good at first look.

7: NO TRY - the replay shows that Jayson Bukuya didn't ground the ball.

8: Tomkins is forced in goal after taking a Brooks kick close to his own line.

10: Warriors keep the Tigers out and start their set right on their own line.

10: Poor last tackle kick from the Warriors and the Tigers will start their set on halfway.

12: Cory Paterson is down after a tackle. He has been thrown in a weird way and lands on his head. PENALTY awarded to the Tigers.

12: Now Ropati is down clutching his head and time is stopped.

12: Sione Lousi was placed ON REPORT for that tackle on Paterson a couple of minutes ago.

13: Lulia tries to power himself over the tryline but the Warriors outnumber him and drag him into touch.

14: BIG bomb from Johnson on the last tackle but it is taken in goal by the Tigers.

15: PENALTY WARRIORS - they are let off deep in their own half as Lulia makes a high tackle.

16: Townsend put up a poor bomb but it ends well for the Warriors as the Tigers knock on.

18: PENALTY TIGERS - stripped out by the Warriors.

18: PENALTY TIGERS - they will start their set less than 30 out from the Warriors line.

19: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Braith Anasta. Kick to come.
Anasta dummies and gets over the line.

20: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richards converts from almost in front.

22: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Simon Mannering makes an unforced error.
Mannering throws a forward pass deep in his own half. Good opportunity here for the Tigers to go back to back.

23: VIDEO REFEREE - Tomkins tries to let the ball roll dead in goal but Tedesco may have gotten it down just in time.

23: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by James Tedesco. Kick to come.
Tedesco gets it down just before the dead ball line.

25: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Richard adds the extras without any trouble.

26: PENALTY WARRIORS - Tigers inside the 10.

27: Townsend grubbers into the Tigers in goal and it will be a line drop out.

29: Back to back line drop outs for the Tigers. First real sustained pressure from the Warriors.

29: INJURY UPDATE: Ropati went off earlier and reports say he has broken his jaw. Bad news for Warriors fans.

30: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Luke Brooks makes an unforced error.
Brooks tries to take an unlikely intercept and knocks on.

31: VIDEO REFEREE - looking at a possible Warriors try in the corner to Vatuvei.

32: NO TRY - Vatuvei has been taken into touch. Scrum to the Tigers and the pressure is relieved for now.

32: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Adam Blair makes an unforced error.
Blair knocks on trying to play the ball.

34: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Glen Fisiiahi. Kick to come.
Some razzle dazzle from the Warriors and they are in for their first try.

35: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson just misses from the sideline.

37: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Keith Lulia makes an unforced error.
Warriors make over 70 metres on their first set after points. The kick goes up and the Tigers have knocked on.

38: PENALTY WARRIORS right on the Tigers line.

38: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Glen Fisiiahi. Kick to come.
Another TRY to Fisiiahi in the corner just before half time.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson fails to add the extras.

40: VIDEO REFEREE - The Warriors may have scored the most amazing try right on half time. They threw the ball around and put in a kick, going 70 metres in total.

40: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Shaun Johnson. Kick to come.
AMAZING play and Johnson has scored. Unbelievable stuff!

40: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Another wide conversion and this time he gets it.

40: HALF TIME: After struggling to get into the game for most of the half, the Warriors remarkably lead 14-12 over the Tigers after a late surge.

40: INJURY UPDATE: Cory Paterson and James Tedesco have both been ruled out for the remainder of the game with head knocks.

41: Tomkins gets us underway for the second half.

42: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Glen Fisiiahi. Kick to come.
It is another mistake in goal, this time from the Tigers, and the Warriors score.

43: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Johnson extends the lead.

44: Warriors let the restart bounce but get away with it.

46: VIDEO REFEREE - The Tigers knock on a high ball right on their own line. Vatuvei chases through and may have scored.

46: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Manu Vatuvei. Kick to come.
Video ref had a lot of looks at it but they come up with a call of TRY. Not enough evidence to overturn despite a hint of a knock on by Vatuvei.

48: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Another two points added.

49: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Sam Tomkins makes an unforced error.
Tomkins knocks on from the restart.

49: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
Keith Galloway makes an unforced error.
Now Galloway turns it back over almost straight away.

51: Warriors growing in confidence. Throwing the ball around a lot more and playing much better football.

52: Brooks puts up a high bomb. Ball ends up back with the Tigers but they are tackled and it is a handover.

54: Another high bomb from Brooks but this one is poor and is out on the full.

55: Johnson makes a break. Next tackle is the last but it is grubbered dead in goal. 20 metre restart for the Tigers.

56: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
David Nofoaluma makes an unforced error.
Anasta puts up a cross field kick to Nofoaluma's corner but he knocks it on.

57: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Jayson Bukuya makes an unforced error.
Pressure pass to Bukuya and he can't hold onto it.

58: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Robbie Farah. Kick to come.
Farah has gone over doe the Tigers.

59: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
Easy conversion and this game isn't over yet!

63: VIDEO REFEREE - Johnson stretches to try and score for the Warriors but may have lost it.

63: NO TRY - Johnson lost it short of the line and the Tigers will restart play with a scrum.

65: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Sam Tomkins makes an unforced error.
Brooks puts in a chip and Tomkins knocks on. Tigers in dangerous field position.

66: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Sam Tomkins makes an unforced error.
Another knock on from Tomkins in a dangerous position. He won't be happy with himself.

68: After a bit of pressue, the Warriors are let off the hook with a 20 metre restart.

69: Warriors go 80 metres in that set and trap the Tigers in goal on the last tackle.

70: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Jayson Bukuya. Kick to come.
Richards knocks on a grubber kick on his own line and Bukaya picks it up to score.

72: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
Johnson hits the upright.

73: Richards kicks the restart out on the full.

74: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Sam Tomkins. Kick to come.
Tomkins drifts across field before finding a hole and running through for a try.

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Conversion on target.

76: UNFORCED ERROR WESTS TIGERS
James Gavet makes an unforced error.
Richards put up a high kick off and Gavet runs through to catch it but knocks it on.

77: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Glen Fisiiahi. Kick to come.
Hurrell breaks though the line before passing to Fisiiahi who goes over for his fourth.

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Two points added.

79: Another high kick off from Richards and the Tigers get it back.

80: Late line drop out for the Warriors. Tigers with their last chance to score a consolation try.

80: FULL TIME: Warriors 42-18 over the Tigers. A rampaging second half from the Warriors was too much for a Tigers team that lost a few players due to injury during the match.

80: Thanks for joining us for today's match. Stay tuned for the match report shortly.