NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 3
8 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
The NZ Warriors have shown they are more than ready for the play-offs with a convincing win over the Tigers tonight at a packed Ericsson Stadium by 32-16.
From the very first crunching run by Iafeta Palea'aesina for the NZ Warriors, in the first move of the game, the scene was set for tonight's game, it belonged to the NZ Warriors and the home crowd of 20,392.
Four minutes into the game and Clinton Toopi score the first of his three tries in the first half. Possession was totally with the Warriors in the half with the ad-lib football Warriors fans have come to know and love, in full flight. With the two Warriors centres collectively scoring 5 tries in the half, it was no surprise the Warriors went into the break with a lead of 28-0.
The Tigers when they did have the ball, made ground but couldn't quite finish off.
The second half was almost a total reversal of the first with the Tigers having the weight of possession, and the Warriors defending continuously on the Tigers line, when unforced errors crept into their game.
The loss of Jones early in the second half was very noticeable both on defence and attack.
The Tigers deadlock was finally broken three quarters of the way through the match when the former Warrior, Robbie Mears, crossed over for the first of his two tries. Two more tries for the Tigers, and only 1 try in the half for the NZ Warriors, and the final score looked a bit more respectable for the Tigers.
The Tigers now sign off from the 2003 competition while the Warriors look forward to the play semi finals starting next week in Sydney.
Scorers: WARRIORS 32 Tries: Toopi 3, Anderson 2, Meli Goals: Webb (4/6) defeated WESTS TIGERS 16 Tries: Mears 2, Wilson Goals: Covell (2/3)
Saturday 6 September 2003 5:30PM AEST, 7:30PM NZ Ericsson Stadium Crowd: 20,392 Referee: Shayne Hayne Video Referee: Mick Stone
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - C Toopi (Warriors) 2 - B Webb (Warriors) 1 - F Meli (Warriors)
By the clock:
The Warriors say goodbye to their home crowd before they set sail for Sydney for the play-offs, led tonight by Awen Guttenbeil playing his 100th first grade match. The Tigers bid farewell to the NRL competition for 2003. A night filled with emotion for both sides, a cracker of a game ahead for the huge crowd at Ericsson
0 min: KICK OFF!
4th min: TRY - Toopi for Warriors. A great start by the NZ Warriors. The go forward by the forwards sets up Toopi down the short side with Meli in support. Meli caught just short of the line and offloads to Toopi who scores. The clock is stopped early by the ref for Webb's conversion. 8 metres in from touch, and it's over. Warriors 6-0
8th min: NEWS - The video ref is used when it looks as though Fa'afili had scored for the Warriors. The replay shows his foot had just skimmed the white line as he went over. Possession so far all with the home side
9th min: TRY - Anderson for Warriors. A penalty to the Warriors gets them 20 metres out from their line. A beautiful inside pass by Jones to a flying Anderson adds the 4 points. Webb from right out in front, adds another two. Warriors 12-0
15th min: NEWS - The Tigers starting to make a bit of ground but so far the Warriors defence hasn't been threatened. The Warriors playing their ad-lib football are thrilling the local crowd
18th min: NEWS - A quick penalty tap by the Warriors close to their line nearly results in a try for Meli, but the pass from Webb was forward. The score remains 12-0 to the Warriors
22nd min: TRY - Toopi for Warriors. Once again the Warriors making a lot of ground in their sets. The fifth tackle option of a high kick to Meli's wing results in Meli flicking the ball back for a supporting Toopi. Webb from right on the sideline, misses the conversion. Warriors 16-0
26th min: TRY - Toopi for Warriors. Razzle dazzle play by the Warriors has the defence totally perplexed. The whole team is involving themselves in the plays. With 21 offloads so far in the match, it's no wonder the Tigers defence is stretched. Toopi scores his hat trick off a great pass by Jones following superb offloading by the Warriors. Webb adds the 2 points. Warriors 22-0
35th min: TRY - Anderson for Warriors. After the Tigers enjoying a little possession, the Warriors punish them up the blind side with Swann playing a top game. A little offload to a very fast Anderson and another try for the Warriors. Webb from 25 metres in from touch, adds the 2 points once more. Warriors 28-0
40th min: NEWS - Back to back penalties right on the Tigers line. The defence is tight but a little chip through on the 2nd tackle almost result in a 4 pointer. The video ref deems no try for the Tigers
HALF TIME: One way traffic at Ericsson so far in this match with the Warriors leading 28-0
46th min: NEWS - The play has all been the Tigers so far in this half. 4 sets of six going the Tigers way after a Warrior's mistake however the defence of the Warriors is on the button tonight. Jones (Warriors) looking a little shaky in back play and is off the park. Warriors 28-0
48th min: TRY - Meli for Warriors. Heartbreak for the Tigers as the first time the Warriors have possession in this half, Meli scoots up the sideline after a great pass by Webb, and scores. Webb from 20 metres in from touch, is waved away. Warriors 32-0
55th min: NEWS - The Tigers are far from a broken side and have come very close to scoring in the last 5 minutes. The weight of possession is certainly with them in this half. Twice in the last two minutes the Tigers have been held up in goal
58th min: NEWS - The Tigers denied a try. Ref Shayne Hayne gets a call from the touchie for a forward pass much to the delight of the very noisy Ericsson crowd. Warriors 32-0
60th min: TRY - Mears for Tigers. Once again the Warriors guilty of turning over possession. Mears who has been ducking and diving all night, is rewarded with a try as he ducks under the defence. Covell from 20 metres in, adds the 2 points for the conversion. Warriors 32-6
64th min: NEWS - A ref's call denies the Tigers another try as Manu causes havoc to set up Skandalis to bust the line. 4 Warriors defenders help to hold up the ball with little Murphy underneath it all. The Warriors guilty of unforced errors
69th min: NEWS - Discipline lacking a little in this half for the Warriors with errors handing the ball over regularly to the Tigers close to their line
71st min: NEWS - For the third time in as many minutes a Tigers player is held up over the line.
72nd min: TRY - Mears for Tigers. The Warriors defence asked to once again defend the line but this time Mears is finally able to get through for his 2nd of the night after he chips the ball through and Villasanti cannot gather it in. Covell gets the conversion from out in front. Warriors 32-12
80th min: TRY - Wilson for Tigers. A huge kick down field early in the set, and a mistake by Webb, helps the Tigers to their third try of night. Wilson now breaks the club record for the number of tries is a year, with 16. Covell from wide out in the rain, misses the conversion. Warriors 32-16
FULL TIME: The Tigers can claim the 2nd half however the night belongs to the Warriors. Ericsson now sadly farewell's one of it's favourite sons with Logan Swann playing his last home game for the Warriors, his club debut way back in 1997.