New Zealand survive Canberra challenge to win 20-16 and set up possible home final
THE Raiders have given the Warriors a hell of a scare but New Zealand held on to win in Simon Mannering’s milestone match.
Warriors
Don't miss out on the headlines from Warriors. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NEW ZEALAND have boosted their chances of a home semi-final next week after downing Canberra 20-16 at Mt Smart Stadium.
But the win might have come at a cost with club legend Simon Mannering failing to finish the match after he suffered a sternum injury.
The Raiders jumped out of the blocks and played an almost perfect opening 20 minutes, completing eight from eight sets.
LATE MAIL: All the latest team news
SHARKS: Heighno says he did nothing wrong
Josh Papalii, who has been Canberra’s best forward over the last month, topped off another dominant performance by crashing over for a try in the 12th minute. Papalii made the most of a flat ball delivered by hooker Josh Hodgson close to the line.
Conceding points on the back of an error or a penalty has been Canberra’s Achilles heel this year and that’s the exact way the Warriors opened their account only nine minutes later.
A penalty conceded by Papalii for an incorrect play the ball gifted the Warriors possession in good territory and centre Solomone Kata sliced through Canberra’s right edge to score.
LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams preview Round 25, get the season reviews going and lament their truly appalling tipping skills.
Subscribe to the League Central podcast on iTunes.
Again, the Raiders’ ill-discipline lead to the Warriorss second try of the first half. Five-eighth Blake Austin booted the ball out on the full and like clockwork the result was a Warriors try.
A no look flick pass down the right side from Peta Hiku found his winger David Fusitu’a, who crossed the line for his 22nd four-pointer of the year.
Leilua partly redeemed himself for the poor defensive read that lead to the Kata try earlier in the game by putting on one of the most brutal hits of the season on Mason Lino.
It didn’t take the Warriors long to edge in front as Hiku bamboozled Canberra’s left edge defence to post first points in the second half, taking his side’s lead to 16-8.
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana produced one of the try-assists of the year, setting up Elliott Whitehead for a try. A grubber kick to the corner by Hodgson looked destined for the sideline but some magic from Rapana kept the ball alive for Whitehead to score.
Simon Mannering became the first player to ever reach 300 NRL games for the New Zealand club. But the veteran’s night ended prematurely after the backrower left field with a sternum injury and didn’t return.
He wasn’t the only one who took an early shower, hooker Issac Luke was on the receiving end of a high shot by Canberra’s Brad Abbey and was taken off for a HIA with only 17 minutes left on the clock.
In a worrying sign for the Warriors, in-form fullback Tuivasa-Sheck showed obvious discomfort to his ankle after he emerged grimacing from a tackle late in the second half.
For the Raiders, last night’s game brought down the curtain on what undoubtedly will be viewed as a season of missed opportunities. Stuart’s side had the talent required to mix it with the top eight sides but a string of close losses during the season has ultimately cost them the chance to be turning out in September.
They also farewell Blake Austin [Warrington Wolves], Junior Paulo [Parramatta Eels] and Shannon Boyd [Gold Coast Titans] who are moving on from the club.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 3 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T & Cs apply.