Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors in action on Saturday night. Photo: www.photosport.nz / Jason O'Brien
Two first-half tries to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have propelled the New Zealand Warriors to a 32-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans in Gold Coast on Saturday night, reclaiming the team a spot in the NRL top four.
The result broke a three-game losing run against the Titans, who have often defied their standing at the bottom of the competition table.
With two rounds remaining in the regular season, the Warriors had already clinched their 10th playoff appearance, with the ninth-placed Dolphins now eight points adrift, after losing to Manly Sea Eagles earlier on Saturday.
The Warriors were off to the worst-possible start, when captain James Fisher-Harris spilt the ball from the opening kick-off and counterpart Tino Fa'asuamaleaui crashed over for the opening try.
Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore quickly responded, reaching out in a tackle to plant the ball on the tryline, and Tuivasa-Sheck struck twice in quick succession for an 18-6 half-time advantage.
Both teams engaged in an arm-wrestle for 20 minutes, but early in the second half, halfback Tanah Boyd slotted a penalty to put his team further clear.
Centre Adam Pompey put the nail in the coffin, after Tuivasa-Sheck challenged a kick, batting the bat back to Chanel Harris-Tavita, who found Pompey open out left.
The Warriors piled on 32 straight points, with rookie Eddie Ieremia-Toeava scoring his first NRL try, but let their foot off the throat in the closing moments, allowing a couple of consolation tries as the Titans struggled to avoid the competition wooden spoon.
Former Gold Coast halfback Tanah Boyd kicked faultlessly from the tee, converting all five tries and the penalty, while centre Rocco Berry celebrated his 50th NRL appearance, with a return from injury.
Gold Coast had beaten the Warriors six times in their last seven meetings, but the Aucklanders chose the ideal time to bury that bogey, as they gathered momentum toward the postseason.
Next they host 13th-placed Parramatta Eels at Auckland's Go Media Stadium, on Friday 29 August.
Relive all the action with RNZ's blog:
Team lists
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Jaylan De Groot, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Jojo Fifita, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Jayden Campbell, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Chris Randall, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange: 14. Keano Kini, 15. Klese Haas, 16. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, 17. Josh Patston
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Demitric Vaimauga, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17. Leka Halasima
