Fulltime: Warriors bring Tigers back to earth with a thud
Well, lucky it’s only pre-season Tigers fans. Because the Warriors dominated this from start to finish, and finshed with a try to Solomon Vasuvulagi - crashing over with a hit and spin from short range - to wrap things up.
For the Warriors, Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin were the big tickets and they looked pretty handy all over. Especially that bloke who does shoeies in front of the coaches box - snuck on camera just before fulltime.
Stefano Utoikamanu was the Tigers best here, clunky stuff from them but very few regular starters in Tim Sheens’ line-up. Still to be determined - how many bonus points each team finished with. Good luck to whoever sorts that out.
Warriors 48 Tigers 12
Try: Warriors score two in two minutes
Warriors putting some more space between them and the Tigers on the scoreboard. Ackland with a fine cut-out ball right onto the chest of Moala Graham-Taufa, who duly finishes it off in the corner.
Fun fact, Ackland, son of former Warriors coach John, was one of Nathan Cleary’s first halves partners for the Mount Albert under 11s. And before I even have time to publish this post, Viliami Vailea nabs an intercept to put himself on the scoreboard once more.
Warriors 42 Tigers 12
Video: Tigers forwards combine for first try
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Try: Warriors halt Tigers charge
Points are flowing now as players start blowing. Now it’s the Warriors centre Viliami Vailea streaking away down the left edge for another after jumping onto a loose ball.
Warriors 30 Tigers 12
Try: Tigers strike back
And there’s a sight for sore eyes for the Tigers. Big man Stefano Utoikamanu, back from a long injury lay-off, barges over from short range.
He could be anything and plenty in the game know it, Brad Fittler had him in his extended Origin squad a couple of years ago but 2022 was pretty much a write-off thanks to ankle and wrist injuries. He’s looked good in this second half with the Warriors now cruising. Some famous Warriors names out there too now. Isaiah Vagana, son of Nigel, and Eiden Ackland, John’s young fella, are out there with 17 minutes to go.
Warriors 26 Tigers 12
Try: Tigers are on the board
Sings of life from the Tigers. New back-up half Brandon Wakeham sends play back inside down the right edge, a couple of fine offloads follow up from the big men - Jahream Bula with a beauty in there - and it’s Trey Peni crashing over.
Warriors 26 Tigers 6
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Try: Montoya bags a hat trick
Warriors threatening again, Te Maire Martin and Metcalf looking solid in the halves as the former forces an error with a crossfield kick. The next set the Warriors go in again, and it’s that man Marcelo Montoya barging over his third.
Tough start for Tim Sheens.Credit: Getty
That’s the Warriors’ bonus point with a fifth try for the evening too, they’ve already got one for jagging five-plus line breaks. Just about time to put the cue in the rack under normal circumstances... but there is $100,000 in prizemoney being dangled. Interesting to see how hard Andrew Webster goes.
Warriors 26 Tigers 0
Try: Metcalf goes all the way
Luke Metcalf, very impressive stuff from the Warriors recruit. Shows and goes to catch a lagging defender from 30-40 metres out, then dummies to go past Charlie Staines at the back too.
No wonder the Warriors were trying to get him out of Cronulla early all last year. Metcalf duly knocks over the conversion too.
Warriors 20 Tigers 0
Back under way in Auckland
Play resumes with the Tigers earning a set at the Warriors line straight away, young fullback Tauupiki forced into touch fielding a bomb. Tigers promptly bomb the chance with an error.
And among the changes, the nephew of Warriors great Ali Lauititi is out there, bearing the same first name and a second name to make you look twice - Ali Leiataua.
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Halftime: Warriors dominate new-look Tigers
And there’s the break. Warriors looking very comfortable, particularly new recruit in the halves Luke Metcalf, journeyman Brayden Wiliame and Marcelo Montoya down the left-edge. Bunty Afoa also getting through plenty of work in the middle. The Tigers looking pretty clunky, but it’s pre-season baby.
Two more tries and the Warriors will secure a bonus point in the pre-season comp, more to come too for their line breaks and offloads.
And a quick thanks to Dom Brock for manning the keys as I sorted out some technical difficulties here in Rotorua, with an obligatory shoutout to the Ruck n Maul Sports Bar, the best damn sports bar in town. To Cheers Sports Bar with your 9pm local closing time, take a good look in the mirror.
