Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris has an eye for the ball against Manly. Photo: Jeremy Ng/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors will limp into the NRL playoffs with a bitter 27-26 defeat to Manly Sea Eagles and a mounting injury toll that may leave them exposed at the business end of the season.
Captain James Fisher-Harris made history, when he scored the opening try within nine seconds of the kickoff, but his side were quickly behind on the scoreboard, as they conceded the next 14 points and all the momentum to their rivals.
Their continuity was not helped at all by the loss of centre Rocco Berry to a dislocated shoulder that saw him ambulanced to hospital during the first half, forcing a reshuffle of the backline.
Second-rower Marata Niukore left the field soon after with a hamstring tweak, but returned later, while reserve forward Eddie Ieremia-Toeava also exited in the second half with a shoulder injury.
After conceding two tries to Manly winger Lehi Hopoate and hooker Jake Simpkin, the Warriors stopped the bleeding and drew within 14-10 at halftime, with a try to winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Soon after the restart, the home side struck with tries to five-eighth Luke Brooks and forward Ethan Bullemor, as they desperately sought enough points to propel them into playoff reckoning.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and hooker Sam Healey responded for the Warriors, and the contest seemed headed for another nailbiter in a long history of close finishes between these two teams.
As so often happens, veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans - playing his last game for the Sea Eagles - proved the difference, slotting a late field goal to put his team beyond a converted try.
With two players sent to the sin bin in the final seconds, Manly were down to 11 men and Watene-Zelezniak grabbed his second try in the corner, as the final siren sounded.
Halfback Tanah Boyd converted from the sideline to bring the scoreline within a point, but Cherry-Evans' boot had secured the win.
"Very frustrated with that performance, but we just made it too tough on ourselves, something that's been pretty consistent of us lately," reflected second-rower Kurt Capewell.
"All we can do is work on it and be better next week."
The result will keep the Warriors in sixth on the table, securing a home playoff game next week against either four-time defending champions Penrith Panthers or Sydney Roosters.
Read how the match unfolded:
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. Sam Healey, 10. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima
Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Kalani Going
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Clayton Faulalo, 4. Tommy Talau, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Matt Lodge, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jazz Tevaga
Interchange: 14. Joey Walsh, 15. Caleb Navale, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 18. Aaron Schoupp
Reserves: 21. Simone Laiafi, 19. Navren Willett
