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14-minute blitz shatters Eels’ five match streak amid Warriors’ ‘blinder’

The New Zealand Warriors have flexed their premiership muscles, pulling off a record thrashing of the Parramatta Eels at home.

Fox League
2 min read
July 8, 2023 - 7:58PM
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Luke Metcalf of the Warriors celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 19 NRL match between Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors at CommBank Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Luke Metcalf of the Warriors celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the round 19 NRL match between Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors at CommBank Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

The Warriors have embarrassed the Eels at home, spanking Parramatta 46-10 thanks to a Luke Metcalf masterclass.

The crushing defeat brought Parramatta’s five-game winning streak to a grinding halt as Warriors milestone man Shaun Johnson nailed seven of eight conversions.

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The Eels should have scored first but had a try rubbed out due to a blatant obstruction and the Warriors then marched them down field and took control of the match.

Without Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard on Origin duty, the Eels lacked leadership in attack as the Warriors ran riot.

Jackson Ford made through the left edge before some fancy footwork from Metcalf saw the five-eighth dance his way over to score in the seventh minute.

“The Warriors punish the Eels with their first chance,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“Jackson Foord is almost the most improved player in the competition. Then Metccalf, look at the footwork… what an exciting brand of football they do play,” Steve Roach responded.

The Eels hit back thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Bailey Simonsson as forced his way past three defenders in the 16th minute.

It was Simonsson’s ninth try of the season and came just moments after making a try-saving tackle at the other end of the field.

The Warriors were in again when winger Marcelo Montoya made the most of an overlap to score in the corner in the 27th minute.

Montoya had a double on the half hour mark after stepping back inside and beating two defenders.

Metcalf then also scored his second try in similar fashion to his first before Dylan Walker crossed on the stroke of halftime.

“He’s having a blinder, everything he touches is turning to gold and he could have three tries,” Mal Meninga said on Fox League at halftime.

Luke Metcalf of the Warriors. Getty
Luke Metcalf of the Warriors. Getty

After leading 30-4 at halftime, the game was as good as over as the Warriors inflicted the biggest scoreline agaist the Eels at their home ground of Commbank Stadium, which was opened in 2019.

While the Eels were missing three of their biggest stars, the Warriors beat what was in front of them, keeping their top four hopes alive after Metcalf produced the best 80 minutes of his young career to help his side to a dominant win over the understrength Eels.

On a night where Shaun Johnson celebrated his 200th game for the Warriors, it was his halves partner playing just his sixth match for the club who stole the show to help his side bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss at home to Souths.

The 24-year-old was simply unstoppable on Saturday night, scoring two tries and setting up another in the first half.

Originally published as 14-minute blitz shatters Eels’ five match streak amid Warriors’ ‘blinder’

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/nrl/14minute-blitz-shatters-eels-five-match-streak-amid-warriors-blinder/news-story/4822a209eeb682d3378d1cec713cc181