Warriors upstage sloppy Eels - 34-18
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The New Zealand Warriors have opened their account for 2007 with an impressive win over the Parramatta Eels in Auckland. The Warriors started strongly and totally outplayed the Eels in the first half, going into half time with a 24-0 lead. It was the only first time in 5 years the NZ club has won it's opening game, and supporters will be excited about the prospects for 07.
The first stanza saw a near 80% possession advantage to the Warriors and they didn't miss the chance to convert this to points. The Warriors running in three early tries, including a soft on-line try by captain Steve Price to simply embaress the Eels in the early passage of the game.
The Warriors new signings Michael Crockett and Michael Witt looked dangerous with every touch of the ball, but it was new buy and ex-Eel Wade Mckinnon that set the game alight.
McKinnon must have had teflon on him, as no Parramatta could put him to ground. McKinnon in one passage beat up to 6 Parramatta defenders in a 65 metre down field run. The Eels were relieved to get into the sheds for the half time break, even the little possession they received in the first stanza was punctuated by dropped balls, embarrassingly forward passes and shocking discipline.
One particular pass from Eels pivot Brett Finch went so far forward it landed in the the hands of Tony Martin in the Warriors defensive line. For the Warriors the half-time break was an interruption to their merciless on-slaught, the NZ team was unlucky not to have pocketed 2 more tries in a classy first period.
They completed at near 90% and structured some nice attacking moves and looked fluid with the ball and rock solid in defence. Hagans call for the Eels to win the ruck in the 2nd half must have been taken on-board by his troops, as the Eels began to slow the Warriors down and mount some attack of their own.
Early points came in the form of 2 tries and suddenly the game became a contest. As the possession tables turned, the Warriors became frustrated and gave away several silly penalties of their own - and invited the Eels to mount a charge.
Such was the turn, the Eels were suddenly on the good side of the penalty count and went from a tackle count 70 higher than the Warriors to a count 20 less. The Eels still couldn't improve on 73% completion and the Warriors were good enough to close out the game with several late tries.
The Warriors capped a nice performance with a late try to Michael Crockett which will have them crowing with confidence going into the Broncos game next week. It's back to the white board for the Eels, with their new halves combination still having a lot of work to do and concern over injuries to centre Ben Smith and forward Fui Fui Moi Moi and for the Warriors a late injury concern for Vinnie Anderson who had his ankle twisted badly in a tackle on Cayless.
As the 3rd NRL game for 2007, both the Warriors and Eels will need to lift for next week - as the quality of these sides was far less than we saw in last nights matches involving: Tigers, Storm, Cowboys and Broncos.
At Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland:
Vodafone Warriors 34 (Michael Crockett 2, Wade McKinnon, Steve Price, Simon Mannering, Lance Hohaia tries; Tony Martin 4 conversions, penalty).
Parramatta Eels 18 (Daniel Wagon, Nathan Cayless, Jarryd Hayne tries; Luke Burt 3 conversions).
Halftime: 24-0 Vodafone Warriors.
Referee: Gavin Badger.
Crowd: 13,587.
