The Warriors have recorded a much-needed 34-14 win over the Tigers in New Zealand, consolidating their spot in the top four.
The Warriors hadn’t won in 36 days after losing to the Panthers and Broncos in between two byes but they got their season back on track with a strong performance in Auckland on Sunday.
MATCH CENTRE: Warriors v Tigers, scores, stats, live blog
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With the Panthers and Broncos lurking, the Warriors had to win to keep those two teams at bay for now in the race for fourth spot.
For the Tigers, despite the inclusion of Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau, they dropped their seventh game in eight starts.
They were brave, keeping within arms length for the majority of the game. They trailed 22-14 with six minutes remaining before the Warriors scored two late tries.
Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd impressed in his club debut, replacing the injured Luke Metcalf. Boyd’s halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita scored a double.
It wasn’t all good news for the Warriors though as Rocco Berry, who was playing just his sixth game of the season, left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Harris-Tavita double helps Warriors win | 02:38
BIG HITS
WAHS NEW HALVES SHINE
Warriors coach Andrew Webster declared he had “handed over the keys” to Tanah Boyd in the wake of Luke Metcalf’s season-ending ACL injury – and the young gun delivered.
Boyd played 69 games for the Titans before crossing the ditch in the off-season and he’s been central to the Warriors NSW Cup side this year, guiding the team to an 11-game winning run.
Webster said Boyd had earned his call-up to first grade and the 24-year-old repaid the faith with a composed performance against the Tigers.
Boyd didn’t try to overplay his hand and simply steered the team around the park while freeing up Harris-Tavita to run the ball.
It was the type of performance that confirms the Warriors are still in premiership contention despite losing their breakout star halfback in Metcalf.
Benji ‘frustrated’ with outplayed Tigers | 06:03
BIG BACK THREE
The Warriors back three Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck carved up the Tigers in Auckland.
Former Dally M Medal winner Tuivasa-Sheck ran for 218 metres from 23 carries that produced a try and three tackle busts.
Fullback Tuaupiki finished with 179 metres from 16 runs, nine tackle busts, an offload, linebreak, linebreak assist and try assist.
But Watene-Zelezniak wasn’t to be outdone and also got his name on the score sheet while running for 133 metres from 14 carries that produced seven tackle busts.
Webster lauds Metcalf replacementin win | 07:32
BENJI’S HALVES CONUNDRUM
Adam Doueihi played in the No. 6 jersey against the Roosters last week and straightened the Tigers’ attack in a gutsy victory.
That result snapped a six-game losing run but with Jarome Luai returning from Origin duties, Doueihi was shifted back to the centres against the Warriors.
The 26-year-old looked by far the most threatening Tiger in attack on Sunday and Marshall must now decide how to better utilise him.
If the Tigers are to avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon then Doueihi needs to get his hands on the ball as often as possible.
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