Kieran Foran stars in Warriors debut as Eels clash looms

KIERAN Foran took just 80 minutes to prove what a force he will be for the Warriors this year — and next he has his old club Parramatta in his sights.

Kieran Foran on the charge for the Warriors.

PARRAMATTA fans won’t be cheering this.

But after 10 months out of the game, Kieran Foran took just 80 minutes to prove what a force he will be for the Warriors this year after inspiring a thrilling second-half comeback victory over Gold Coast.

While Parramatta have been left reeling after suffering their third straight defeat on the weekend against Canberra, the Eels will now have to back up next Sunday against a Warriors side that took a giant step forward on the back of Foran’s long-awaited return.

Foran claimed the three Dally M points after scoring a crucial second-half try, when which he was given a standing ovation by the Warriors’ home crowd, while he also had a hand in two others.

The Warriors looked in trouble when they trailed 22-12 at half-time but raced in three unanswered second-half tries to complete a dramatic 28-22 victory.

Kieran Foran on the charge for the Warriors.

And it was hard to believe the performance Foran produced given he had not played since his last match for Parramatta against Newcastle in late May.

Halves partner Shaun Johnson believes Foran will only get better.

“I don’t even think he was even near his best today — that’s the pleasing thing about it all,” Johnson said.

“It’s a great starting point for him.”

Johnson said Foran’s confidence would build.

“For his first hit-out — jeez, how long had be been out of the game for? — and he comes out and just controls us, gets us to our points and just competes,” Johnson said.

“You see him physically with his defence as well.

“You get inspired by that sort of stuff.”

Kieran Foran scores a try for the Warriors.

Foran scored a tremendous solo try in the 62nd minute when his team desperately needed it to lock up the scores at 22-all, while he finished with seven runs for 87 metres.

Foran was not distracted by reports before the game revealing he had been stopped by NSW police at Sydney Airport ahead of the round four game against the Dragons.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Foran was taken into an interview room and after a short meeting was asked to hand over his phone. Foran has previously admitted to have a gambling problem and battled serious mental health problems last year.

After a start to the season that justifiably had everyone questioning their ability to play finals football this year, the Warriors’ second-half performance against the Titans served notice of what they are capable of doing if Foran, Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke all stay fit.

Tuivasa-Sheck ran for a game-high 176 metres that also included a try, while Luke had six runs for 92 metres in what was his best game of the season.

Coach Neil Henry was forced to make his last interchange with 19 minutes to go but declined to use the casualty toll as an excuse.

NZ WARRIORS 28 (K Foran D Fusitua R Hoffman S Johnson R Tuivasa-Sheck tries S Johnson 4 goals) bt GOLD COAST 22 (K Elgey 2 D Copley D Vidot tries A Taylor 2 T Roberts goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: Gavin Reynolds, Adam Gee.

Originally published as Kieran Foran stars in Warriors debut as Eels clash looms