LIVE: Two of the shape groups of the competitors are locked in an enthralling battle because the Warriors host the Raiders at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
The Warriors lead the guests 14-6 at half-time in a back-and-forth battle highlighted by a shocking second late within the half the place Dallin Watene-Zelezniak pulled off an excellent if controversial try-saving sort out, earlier than the Warriors went the size of the sector to attain.
MATCH CENTRE: Live stats and extra!
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
The fourth-placed Raiders entered the affair one spot larger on the ladder than the Warriors, however rookie coach Andrew Webster has his aspect buzzing, successful 5 of their final six — together with a Round 15 victory over Canberra.
And they have been boosted by the return of Marata Niukore from a three-week suspension, with the second-rower making a direct affect with the opening attempt after simply 4 minutes.
His bursting run by means of the defence from shut vary rewarded a daring determination from the hosts to take the faucet moderately than kick an early penalty.
The Warriors got here shut right down to a second ten minutes later with a raid down the left flank, however Marcelo Montoya’s go again inside was knocked on.
The guests started to swing momentum again their means with consecutive six-agains leading to Canberra quantity six Jack Wighton diving for the road solely to lose the ball as he stretched out his arm for the white stripe – although he was nicely brief.
But the Warriors gifted the Raiders an equaliser 20 minutes in when a poor go for Shaun Johnson noticed Niukore drop the ball, with Hudson Young selecting it up and racing away from the chasers to dive underneath the posts for his seventh attempt of the season.
Jarrod Croker transformed from proper in entrance to make it 6-6 on the midpoint of the primary half, whereas the Warriors have been hit with a double damage concern quickly after. Niukore was taken off for a HIA evaluation, which he subsequently failed, and Dylan Walker wanted remedy for an obvious knee damage.
“This could be quite momentous,” Dan Ginnane mentioned in commentary, earlier than Walker gamely battled on regardless of obvious discomfort.
The Raiders poured on the stress, utilizing the burden of possessoin to arrange camp near the Warriors’ tryline.
But each groups have been struggling to manage the ball, with 10 mixed errors within the first 26 minutes and 4 set restarts to that stage.
Canberra and Maroons beast Corey Horsburgh conceded a penalty for failing to clear the ruck, and Shaun Johnson this time determined to take the factors on provide with a medical penalty to make it 8-6 within the twenty eighth minute.
The Canberra Raiders assault was described by Shane Flanagan as “a bit clunky”, in contrast the Warriors’ slick switches of play and arduous operating, characterised by charging 70 metres up the sector in 4 tackles from the next kick-off. The following play, a Johnson bomb compelled a Raiders knock-on.
“This is what they’ve done this year, it’s just relentless,” Ginnane mentioned in commentary – just for a knock-on on the primary sort out of the ensuing set, epitomising the error-strewn performances of either side.
The development continued within the ultimate minutes of the half, with the Warriors losing one other uncommon alternative contained in the Canberra 20m zone. Dylan Walker attacked the road earlier than throwing a clearly ahead go for Addin Fonua-Blake to waltz by means of a niche.
The following set, Jamal Fogarty floated an ideal kick into the Warriors in-goal, with Seb Kris retrieving the ball and looking out set to attain. But Warriors winger Dylan Watene-Zelezniak chased him down and brilliantly tackled the ball free – although he was fortunate to flee punishment for making contact with Kris’ head within the course of.
Ginnane mentioned in commentary: “This is just stunning… This might just be his biggest play of the year!”
Shane Flanagan mentioned on Fox League: “Those types of moments win football games.”
“Huge play, it was a big turning point,” Cooper Cronk mentioned at halftime.
Just 45 seconds earlier than the break, the Warriors’ harmful right-side assault made the Raiders pay for his or her failure to attain the earlier set, with Shaun Johnson charging to the road earlier than teeing up Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to dive by means of and hand the Warriors a 14-6 lead on the break.
TEAM NEWS
The Warriors are boosted by the return of Marata Niukore from suspension and Bunty Afoa from a head knock. The latter has dropped again to the bench within the one late change Webster made.
But they’re up in opposition to a Raiders aspect that has been in large type away from residence. They’re on a seven-game successful streak for away video games — and have received a complete of 10 from their final 12 video games.
The Raiders additionally welcome again a key member of their pack with Josh Papalii coming back from a hamstring damage. Pasami Saulo is again on deck too after lacking Round 19 because of a head knock.
Get all the newest NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
TEAMS
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 15. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 10. Bunty Afoa 14. Dylan Walker 18. Bayley Sironen 20. Josh Curran 17. Freddy Lussick
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Matt Frawley
LIVE BLOG
Follow all of the motion in our reside weblog beneath. If you possibly can’t see the weblog, click on right here.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au