Phins fly past sluggish Eels
10 hours ago | Andy P
Warriors bounce back to victory
The New Zealand Warriors have returned to the winners circle after their 54 points flogging last week with a 26-12 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Mt. Smart Stadium.
The Kiwis started quickly with first points posted inside the first 3 minutes through Manu Vatuvei. A good ball movement from Shaun Johnson saw the four-pointer crafted.
Flying Scotsman, James McManus bagged a double in the Knights' defeat, his first in the 12th minute. McManus dived over in the corner off a pin-point cross field kick from Jarrod Mullen.
The Warriors replied with an aerial display from Thomas Leuluai who dived over the original try attempt from Russell Packer to score.
James McManus posted his second four-pointer shortly before half time as the Newcastle Knights spread the ball across the field to the right wing.
At half time, the Knights held a slim 12-10 lead.
Previously in 2013, the Warriors have been known to given up a healthy lead in the final 20 minutes of a match. However, today was an exception as they put the Knights to the sword with three unanswered tries in the second half.
The video referee awarded Sam Rapira his try as he darted through a massive hole in the Knights defence with no obstruction in the play. A simple misread from the Knights saw the Warriors hit the lead 16-12.
Captain, Simon Mannering busted his way through the Knights line as Kevin Locke laid the platform with a short pass. The final try from the Kiwis caused the most up roar from supporters as a blatant forward pass was missed by all officials as Elijah Taylor burst his way through the deefence to put the icing on the cake.
The Warriors bouncing back to form with a 26-12 victory over the traveling Knights.
Previously in 2013, the Warriors had been known to given up a healthy lead in the final 20 minutes of a match. However, today was an exception as they put the Knights to the sword with three unanswered tries in the second half.
The video referee awarded Sam Rapira his try as he darted through a massive hole in the Knights defence with no obstruction in the play. A simple misread from the Knights saw the Warriors hit the lead 16-12.
Captain, Simon Mannering busted his way through the Knights line as Kevin Locke laid the platform with a short pass. The final try from the Kiwis caused the most up roar from supporters as a blatant forward pass was missed by all officials as Elijah Taylor burst his way through the deefence to put the icing on the cake.
The Warriors bouncing back to form with a 26-12 victory over the traveling Knights.
Match Details
New Zealand Warriors 28 Newcastle Knights 12
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Crowd: 9,752
Halftime Score: Newcastle Knights 12-10
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Feleti Mateo
2 points - Kevin Locke
1 point - Sam Rapira
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (28)
Tries: Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Sam Rapira, Simon Mannering, Elijah Taylor
Field Goals:
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (4/5)
Penalty Goals:
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (12)
Tries: James McManus (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (2/2)
Penalty Goals:
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Welcome to Sunday Afternoon Football live from Mt. Smart Stadium as the New Zealand Warriors host the Newcastle Knights.
Team news:
Warriors – Elijah Taylor starts in place of Todd Lowrie who has been ruled out with a rib injury. Carlos Tuimavave has been called up to replaced Ben Henry who is out for the season with an ACL injury. Pita Godinet and Sebastine Ikahihifo have been added to the bench.
Knights – They are unchanged from the side named on Tuesday, 1-17
Warriors: 1. Kevin Locke 18. Glen Fisiiahi 3. Dane Nielsen 17. Carlos Tuimavave 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Rapira 9. Nathan Friend 10. Russell Packer 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Simon Mannering (c) 16. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Jacob Lillyman 22. Pita Godinet 24. Sebastine Ikahihifo
Knights: 1. Darius Boyd 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Kurt Gidley (c) 10. Willie Mason 11. Robbie Rochow 12. Alex McKinnon 13. David Fa'alogo
Interchange: 14. Travis Waddell 15. Neville Costigan 16. Adam Cuthbertson 17. Korbin Sims 18. Kevin Naiqama
Team news:
Warriors – Elijah Taylor starts in place of Todd Lowrie who has been ruled out with a rib injury. Carlos Tuimavave has been called up to replaced Ben Henry who is out for the season with an ACL injury. Pita Godinet and Sebastine Ikahihifo have been added to the bench.
Knights – They are unchanged from the side named on Tuesday, 1-17
Warriors: 1. Kevin Locke 18. Glen Fisiiahi 3. Dane Nielsen 17. Carlos Tuimavave 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Sam Rapira 9. Nathan Friend 10. Russell Packer 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Simon Mannering (c) 16. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Jacob Lillyman 22. Pita Godinet 24. Sebastine Ikahihifo
Knights: 1. Darius Boyd 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Kurt Gidley (c) 10. Willie Mason 11. Robbie Rochow 12. Alex McKinnon 13. David Fa'alogo
Interchange: 14. Travis Waddell 15. Neville Costigan 16. Adam Cuthbertson 17. Korbin Sims 18. Kevin Naiqama
Full time in Under 20s, Holden Cup has seen the Newcastle Knights defeat the New Zealand Warriors 24-10
We are minutes away from kick off at Mt. Smart Stadium with both sides going through their final preparations and getting the last word from their coaches.
1 min: We are UNDERWAY at Mt. Smart Stadium as the home team, the Warriors kick off.
1 min: Jarrod Mullen from outside his 40 metre line fires the kick downfield, it's collected by Glen Fisiiahi at fullback
1 min: Penalty to the Warriors for the Knights offside. They kick for touch and will start their set inside the Knights half
2 min: Second penalty awarded to the Warriors for a strip in the ruck, the Warriors attacking 15 metres out
3 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Manu Vatuvei. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
The Warriors spread the ball through Russell Packer across the field, he kept the ball alive for Shaun Johnson who linked with Manu Vatuvei to charge through the Knights defence. Warriors making the Knights pay on the back of two penalties. Johnson from touch with the conversion hits the uprights and it bounces away
New Zealand Warriors 4-0
Scored by Manu Vatuvei. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson unsuccessful.
The Warriors spread the ball through Russell Packer across the field, he kept the ball alive for Shaun Johnson who linked with Manu Vatuvei to charge through the Knights defence. Warriors making the Knights pay on the back of two penalties. Johnson from touch with the conversion hits the uprights and it bounces away
New Zealand Warriors 4-0
5 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Sam Rapira makes an unforced error.
A simple mistake from Sam Rapira sees the ball dropped on half way, the Knights with the ball through a scrum feed
Sam Rapira makes an unforced error.
A simple mistake from Sam Rapira sees the ball dropped on half way, the Knights with the ball through a scrum feed
6 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Knights, we have a TRY but looking obstruction as Roberts when through a gap in the Warriors defence
7 min: Video referee has denied James McManus as Willie Mason was ruled to have obstructed Shaun Johnson in the defensive line as he run a decoy. A questionable call as the replay did show Johnson committing to the tackle.
9 min: Penalty to the Knights for Shaun Johnson having hands in the ruck after the held call of the referee. Knights kick for touch and attack on halfway
10 min: Time off here with a fight between Russell Packer and Kade Snowden.
10 min: After it all, it's a penalty against Russell Packer for fighting despite Kade Snowden getting the last punch in. Knights attacking 30 metres out from the line
10 min: Second penalty to the Knights, they attack only 10 metres from the Warriors goal line
12 min: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by James McManus. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
The Knights on the last tackle through Jarrod Mullen send the ball across the field to the corner for James McManus to leap high, catch and crash down for Knights first points. Kurt Gidley with the conversion from the touchline adds the extras
Newcastle Knights 6-4
Scored by James McManus. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
The Knights on the last tackle through Jarrod Mullen send the ball across the field to the corner for James McManus to leap high, catch and crash down for Knights first points. Kurt Gidley with the conversion from the touchline adds the extras
Newcastle Knights 6-4
14 min: Penalty to the Knights again for the Warriors ruled offside at the play of the ball. Knights kick up field and attack 40 metres from the Warriors goal line
15 min: Jarrod Mullen kicking on the 4th tackle for the right corner as he tried to catch the Warriors backs short, but it rolls dead beating everyone. 20 metre restart for the Warriors
17 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Joseph Leilua on the last tackle running the ball off a cut out pass from Jarrod Mullen, but he is taken and loses the ball. Kevin Locke on the spot to clean up the ball, zero tackle for the Warriors 30 metres from their own line
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Joseph Leilua on the last tackle running the ball off a cut out pass from Jarrod Mullen, but he is taken and loses the ball. Kevin Locke on the spot to clean up the ball, zero tackle for the Warriors 30 metres from their own line
20 min: Penalty to the Knights for the Warriors offside, attacking 30 metres off their own line
23 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Thomas Leuluai. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Thomas Leuluai has dived over the the touch of the original tackle of Russell Packer who dived over but was stopped. Leuluai with some skills to dive over three Knights defenders to score for the Warriors. Johnson with the conversion slots the from next to the posts
New Zealand Warriors 10-6
Scored by Thomas Leuluai. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Thomas Leuluai has dived over the the touch of the original tackle of Russell Packer who dived over but was stopped. Leuluai with some skills to dive over three Knights defenders to score for the Warriors. Johnson with the conversion slots the from next to the posts
New Zealand Warriors 10-6
27 min: Kade Snowden drops the ball and gives the Warriors a chance 20 metres away from the Knights goal line
27 min: Shaun Johnson drops the ball before the Warriors can get set up as Simon Mannering offloaded before begin tackled. A let off for the Knights, scrum feed 20 metres away from their own line
29 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Feleti Mateo makes an unforced error.
Feleti Mateo looked for a hole in the Knights defence but dropped the ball, a poor read from Feleti Mateo. Scrum feed packs for Newcastle 30 metres from the Warriors try line
Feleti Mateo makes an unforced error.
Feleti Mateo looked for a hole in the Knights defence but dropped the ball, a poor read from Feleti Mateo. Scrum feed packs for Newcastle 30 metres from the Warriors try line
31 min: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by James McManus. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
The flying Scotsman has his second try of the afternoon as the Knights spread it to the wing and James McManus dived over in the corner. Kurt Gidley with a solid strike off the tee from the left touchline converts the try.
Newcastle Knights 12-10
Scored by James McManus. Conversion attempt by Kurt Gidley successful.
The flying Scotsman has his second try of the afternoon as the Knights spread it to the wing and James McManus dived over in the corner. Kurt Gidley with a solid strike off the tee from the left touchline converts the try.
Newcastle Knights 12-10
34 min: Mistake from the Knights as the Warriors spread the ball, the Knights jumped up and knocked down the pass from the Warriors. Scrum packs for New Zealand just short of halfway
36 min: James McManus doing well under the high ball, positioned himself in goal to earn the Knights a 20 metre restart.
38 min: Shaun Johnson gives up possession with a mistake, zero tackle for the Knights on halfway
40 min: HALF TIME at Mt. Smart Stadium sees the Newcastle Knights 12 lead New Zealand 10. The Warriors in this contest
41 min: Second half is UNDERWAY at Mt. Smart Stadium with the Knights kicking off
42 min: Thomas Leuluai on the last tackle with a wobbling bomb sends the ball out on the full. Easy turn over on their own 40 metre line as a result
43 min: Penalty for a strip on Willie Mason, Knights attacking 20 metres from the Warriors goal line
44 min: Time off here with Darius Boyd down after suffering a leg injury in the tackle of Simon Mannering. He will remain on the field for now
45 min: Time off here with Aku Uate down after heavy contact.
46 min: Aku Uate is coming off for the Knights with a possible rib injury, he comes off and the Knights will do a reshuffle of the outside backs
46 min: Kevin Locke putting a short kick on the last tackle for the Warriors, but it rolls dead, line drop out
48 min: Thomas Leuluai with a cross field kick on the last tackle goes out on the full before Manu Vatuvei could for the ball. Change over for the Knights on the 10 metre line
51 min: Zero tackle for the Warriors, and they get a penalty for the Knights holding down on the end of it. Warriors attacking 10 metres out from the Knights line
51 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Warriors, looking at possible obstruction
52 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Sam Rapira. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Sam Rapira darted through a massive hole in the Knights defence as the video referee sees no obstruction in the play. Shaun Johnson from right in front adds the extras
New Zealand Warriors 16-12
Scored by Sam Rapira. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Sam Rapira darted through a massive hole in the Knights defence as the video referee sees no obstruction in the play. Shaun Johnson from right in front adds the extras
New Zealand Warriors 16-12
55 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Simon Mannering. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Simon Mannering races away off a questionable pass from Kevin Locke has he chased the bomb kick from Shaun Johnson. Johnson with the conversion from next to the posts adds the extras
New Zealand Warriors 22-12
Scored by Simon Mannering. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Simon Mannering races away off a questionable pass from Kevin Locke has he chased the bomb kick from Shaun Johnson. Johnson with the conversion from next to the posts adds the extras
New Zealand Warriors 22-12
56 min: Mistake from the Warriors gives the Knights a chance 30 metres from the Warriors goal line
57 min: Kade Snowden put on a short grubber kick through the Warriors goal line, luckily it earns the Knights a line drop out
58 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Dane Gagai makes an unforced error.
Dane Gagai reached out for the goal line but dropped it at the death in the corner, Manu Vatuvei in covering defence forced the mistake. Warriors work it off the 20 metre restart
Dane Gagai makes an unforced error.
Dane Gagai reached out for the goal line but dropped it at the death in the corner, Manu Vatuvei in covering defence forced the mistake. Warriors work it off the 20 metre restart
62 min: Thomas Leuluai after a fumble from the Warriors rockets the kick from halfway and it rolls over the sideline 10 metres from the goal line. Scrum to the Knights
63 min: Penalty to the Warriors for James McManus passing off the ground.
64 min: Kade Snowden was somehow ruled offside as the Warriors attack 10 metres out from the goal line
65 min: Mistake from the Warriors gives up possession inside the Knights 10 metre zone. Newcastle attacking 20 metres from their own line
66 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Knights, James McManus. He chased through for his own kick as he made a break.
66 min: No try the ruling against James McManus, knock on in goal the ruling and it's a 20 metre restart
67 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Nathan Friend makes an unforced error.
Nathan Friend with a simple mistake as he darted out of acting half, Knights with a scrum feed on their own 40 metre line
Nathan Friend makes an unforced error.
Nathan Friend with a simple mistake as he darted out of acting half, Knights with a scrum feed on their own 40 metre line
68 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Feleti Mateo makes an unforced error.
The Knights spreading the ball to the blind side to the wing of James McManus and Roberts. But Feleti Mateo jumped off the line and knocked on. Scrum feed for the Knights 30 metres from the Warriors try line
Feleti Mateo makes an unforced error.
The Knights spreading the ball to the blind side to the wing of James McManus and Roberts. But Feleti Mateo jumped off the line and knocked on. Scrum feed for the Knights 30 metres from the Warriors try line
69 min: Kevin Locke is forced in goal as Jarrod Mullen's kick is a good one on the last play of the Knights.
70 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tyrone Roberts makes an unforced error.
Tyrone Roberts comes up with a mistake as Kade Snowden rushed the pass wide to his half. Warriors with a scrum feed on their own 20 metre line
Tyrone Roberts makes an unforced error.
Tyrone Roberts comes up with a mistake as Kade Snowden rushed the pass wide to his half. Warriors with a scrum feed on their own 20 metre line
71 min: Penalty to the Warriors on halfway for a second attempt in the tackle. Warriors attacking 30 metres from the Newcastle line
74 min: TRY NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Scored by Elijah Taylor. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Elijah Taylor took a massive forward pass from Kevin Locke to go through a gap to score. The pass missed by all officials as the Warriors secure the victory as a result. Shaun Johnson with the conversion makes it as 16 point lead
New Zealand Warriors 28-12
Scored by Elijah Taylor. Conversion attempt by Shaun Johnson successful.
Elijah Taylor took a massive forward pass from Kevin Locke to go through a gap to score. The pass missed by all officials as the Warriors secure the victory as a result. Shaun Johnson with the conversion makes it as 16 point lead
New Zealand Warriors 28-12
77 min: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
David Fa'alogo makes an unforced error.
David Fa'alogo drops the short offload from Kade Snowden and the Knights remain scoreless. Scrum for the Warriors
David Fa'alogo makes an unforced error.
David Fa'alogo drops the short offload from Kade Snowden and the Knights remain scoreless. Scrum for the Warriors
79 min: Penalty to the Knights against Manu Vatuvei for shoulder charging a Knight over the touchline without the ball
80 min: FULL TIME at Mt. Smart Stadium sees the Warriors hold on in the last 20 minutes with a 26-12. They have backed up after being flogged 54 point last week at the hands of the Penrith Panthers to turn around at home to run away victors