Boyd wonder: More pain for Tigers as new Warriors halves duo run riot

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has hailed the character of recruit Tanah Boyd, who had to wait until round 19 to make his NRL debut for his new club and delivered in style.

Boyd joined the Warriors after six seasons with Gold Coast, but had to bide his time in the NSW Cup until a season-ending injury to gun halfback Luke Metcalf.

In his first opportunity in the No.7 jersey, Boyd starred as the Warriors ended a two-game losing streak and some poor form at Go Media Stadium with a 34-14 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday.

“He’s been frustrated inside, but he hasn’t showed it externally, not once,” Webster said.

“I just said, ‘That’s a real test to your character, that the team aren’t seeing you kicking stones and the team are actually seeing you working hard, and you’re making the rest of the club better’.

“He was a big part of why the NSW Cup team have won 12 in a row, then plays a big part when he gets his opportunity tonight, so just really proud of his character more than anything else.”

Happy Warriors celebrate a try in their win over Wests Tigers.Credit: Getty Images

Boyd made one error, with his kick restart failing to go 10m, with the Tigers scoring in the next set, but otherwise rose to the challenge.

“He organised them, he talks really well and I think everyone was clear on their roles ... that’s his strength and he kicks the ball really high and far, so yeah, I thought he did an excellent job,” Webster said.

The Warriors locked down their top-four ladder position with the victory, with Boyd well supported by his halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, who scored two tries.

Tanah Boyd tangles with Starford To’a on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images

Webster’s decision to start Boyd and leave Te Maire Martin on the bench proved a master-stroke when centre Rocco Berry dislocated his shoulder late in the first half after scoring their opening try.
Coming off an upset win over Sydney Roosters, the Tigers got off to a bright start, with Jeral Skelton scooting across the line in the second minute.

Backing up from Origin, Jarome Luai found Adam Douehi, who fired the ball on to Skelton with a quick catch-and-pass.

After the home side hit the lead with back-to-back tries, Douehi, starting in the centres, closed the gap to 12-8 when he crashed through three defenders in the 27th minute.But the Warriors had the final say of the half when winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, in his return from an ankle injury, planted the ball down in the corner in the 33rd minute for an eight-point lead.

After Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck got in on the try-scoring action, Douehi, who was the Tigers’ best, again powered over the line for his second of the match.

But when Harris-Tavita matched that feat in the 72nd minute, the home team had victory wrapped up. Tigers coach Benji Marshall said his team was out-muscled by the hosts.

“I thought we missed the mark physically today,” Marshall said.

“The ruck control was too quick for us, and all in all they dominated field position and we were coming out of our half most of the game.

“To the boys’ credit, they fought pretty hard and gave themselves a chance getting back, but then a couple of errors went against us and we couldn’t fight back, but jeez, they’re a good side.

“The Warriors played a simple game, built off the back of running hard, tackling hard, and controlling field position, and that’s what we thought we wanted to do, but, yeah, they did it better.”

AAP

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