Metcalf stars as Warriors see off Tigers
- NZ Sports Wire
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
The woes of Las Vegas are all-but forgotten for the NZ Warriors after a third NRL win on the trot.
Halfback Luke Metcalf booted the match-winning penalty goal in the 74th minute and accounted for 14 points in the Warriors' 26-24 win over the Wests Tigers in wet conditions at Sydney's Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
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Andrew Webster's side, pilloried less than a month ago after a season-opening drubbing from the Canberra Raiders in Sin City, moved up to sixth in the NRL standings after a third consecutive victory.
The Warriors took 6-0, 12-6 and 18-12 leads but could not shake the Tigers. They were fortunate not to fall further behind the Tigers in the second half, before a game-tying try and Metcalf's winning two-pointer.
Adam Pompey showed immense strength and good footwork on his way to scoring the first try of the match in the fourth minute, but the home side hit back with prop Fonua Pole crashing over, with the Tigers capitalising on a penalty and a set restart.
Moments after Wayde Egan was held up over the line, Marata Niukore put the Warriors ahead again in the 35th minute, capitalising on plenty of possession in their attacking area, using his strength to go past the smaller Jarome Luai.
However, three minutes later, the Tigers tied it up again, with Starford To'a scoring against the run of play after a short pass from Lachlan Galvin put Alex Seyfarth into a hole to get him bursting downfield before passing outside to his back.
The Warriors regained the momentum in the opening minute of the second half, scoring a try through Metcalf who ran in under the posts, then Bunty Afoa was held up over the line by swarming Tigers defence minutes later.
The Tigers hit back in the 49th minute as the end-to-end play continued and this time it was Solomona Faataape going over out wide after a deft kick from Galvin.
Latu Fainu, a late call-up for the Tigers, went through an enormous gap, catching the Warriors out to put the home in front for the first time in the 53rd minute.
The Warriors got a couple of let-offs in the 56th and 66th minutes, with Terrell May losing the ball over the line attempting to score his first try for the club, before Jahream Bula was denied a try for an obstruction.
Second-rower Leka Halasima scored a spectacular solo try to bring the Warriors level, getting the ball 30m from his own line, sprinting down the right sideline and stepping out of would-be tackles on his way to pay-dirt.
The Warriors have the bye in Round 5, with their next match against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Sunday, April 13 (kick-off 4pm NZ Time).
NZ Warriors 26 (Adam Pompey, Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf, Leka Halasima tries; Luke Metcalf 4 con, pen) Wests Tigers 24 (Fonua Pole, Starford To'a, Solomona Faataape, Latu Fainu tries; Apisai Koroisau 3 con, Tallyn Da Silva con). HT: 12-12
