Full Time
80:00
2:00pm Sun July 3, 2022
Round 16 - Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa - Crowd: 26009

Match Overview

It had been 1037 days since the Warriors last played in New Zealand and despite their woeful form this year, they made sure that their long-awaited return home was a happy one, keeping the Tiger's tryless as they won 22-2.

The Tigers lacked structure, direction and discipline from start to finish while the Warriors relied heavily on strong ball running to get a much needed win.

Wayde Egan made a break in the very first set of the game, but his support player Chanel Harris-Tavita tripped before Egan could get him the ball and a certain try went begging.

In the 12th minute Egan darted over the Tigers line from dummy half for a try, but the Bunker was unable to confirm that he got the ball down and the try decision was overturned.

The Bunker denied the Warriors a second try just 5 minutes later when it found Marcelo Montoya knocked the ball on in the contest to catch a Shaun Johnson bomb.

The scoring opened in the 26th minute when Johnson kicked a penalty goal.

From the next set, Johnson's grubber was blocked by the Tigers defence, however he manager to regather the ball. A minute later, Egan at dummy half, close to the Tigers line, sent a good ball to Tohu Harris, who was the trailing runner, and he scored between two Tigers defenders. Johnson converted from almost in front.

In the 34th minute, Johnson's cross-field kick was missed by both Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Ken Maumalo. The ball pulled up in the Tigers in-goal area and Chanel Harris-Tavita following through, grounded the ball for a try. Johnson converted.

Right on halftime, the Tigers got on the board courtesy of an Adam Doueihi penalty goal.

The second half saw both sides playing restrained, low-percentage football. A second penalty goal for Johnson, kicked in the 66th minute, was the only points scored until the final 7 minutes of the game, when Johnson put in a chip to the Tigers left corner, which Watene-Zelezniak batted back to Jesse Arthars, who regathered the ball, spun out of a tackle attempt by Maumalo and fell over the line to score. Johnson converted from touch to seal the 20 point victory.

3. Wayde Egan

Egan was comfortably the best on field. His service from dummy half was crisp, while he set up the Warriors first try and very nearly scored one himself.

2. Tohu Harris

Harris was brilliant as always. Great line running, which delivered a well deserved try, while in defence he was rock solid.

1. Josh Curran

Curran was very strong all game in defence especially, but also in attack with his nice short passing very nearly creating an opportunity for the Warriors to put on more points.