NZ Warriors hit back with win over Tigers
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
The NZ Warriors returned to the winning again with a 34-14 win over Wests Tigers at Auckland's Go Media Stadium., but it took a while to get going.
The home side had lost back-to-back games against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos before last week's bye, but bounced back against the Benji Marshall-coached Tigers.
Two converted tries in the final 10 minutes put the contest beyond doubt but the start of the game wasn't ideal.
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With star halfback Luke Metcalf sidelined for the rest of the season, replacement Tanah Boyd stepped in to run the show in his club debut, while Chanel Harris-Tavita settled into a seamless combination with his new partner.
The Warriors lead 16-8 at half-time, with centre Rocco Berry, Harris-Tavita and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring tries. However it was actually the Tigers who scored first through a simple cath-and-pass along the line to Jeral Skelton. in the second minute.
Wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was next to score after the break, but Wests closed within 10 points with a try to centre Adam Doueihi.
Harris-Tavita had his second to secure the win, and second-rower Leka Halasima bullies his way over to add the icing in the final minute.
The Warriors lost Berry to a shoulder injury - the latest in a long line of physical shortcomings for the centre.
The result consolidated the Warriors in the NRL top four, six points clear of their nearest chasers. with a visit to 14th-placed Newcastle Knights next Sunday.
Warriors 34 Chanel Harris-Tavita 2, (Rocco Berry Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Leka Halasima tries, Tanah Boyd 5 con) Wests Tigers 14 (Adam Doueihi 2 tries, Jeral Skelton tries; Doueihi con). HT: 16-8
