Tigers pip Warriors 24-22 in NRL

Joe Barton, NZ Newswire Updated May 19, 2012, 12:55 am

The Wests Tigers confirmed their title as the NRL's most perplexing team, mounting a spirited second-half comeback without skipper Robbie Farah to defeat the Warriors 24-22 at a packed Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

After a lethargic opening in which they looked like they desperately missed the stability and creative input of Farah, who is in camp with NSW ahead of Wednesday's State of Origin opener in Melbourne, the Tigers overturned a 10-0 halftime deficit to pile on four tries.

They had to endure a nerve-wracking ending, but the match was sealed when fullback Tim Moltzen ghosted through for a try in the 78th minute.

Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell scored a consolation try in the 80th minute, his second of the game, to narrow the final scoreline.

The home side did it without Chris Lawrence as well, with the makeshift five-eighth succumbing to a hamstring injury at halftime.

Beau Ryan kick-started the comeback when he capitalised on a Manu Vatuvei error to open the Tigers account six minutes after the break.

Ryan had put in an innocuous grubber which Vatuvei made a meal of, before the Tigers winger toed the ball ahead again and dove on it for the try.

As quick as a flash, the home side found themselves in the lead when from the following set after the kick-off they marched upfield and Benji Marshall put in a perfectly weighted kick for Lote Tuqiri to score his second try of the year.

Marshall completed the hot start to the second half with a sideline conversion to give the Tigers a 12-10 lead.

It looked a completely different Tigers outfit to the one that had bumbled their way to a 10-0 halftime deficit, care of tries to Warriors duo Bill Tupou and Ben Henry.

The match swung back in the Warriors favour in the 54th minute when five-eighth James Maloney, who had a fine game, latched onto a Moltzen grubber and started a 90-metre movement downfield which ended with Hurrell outpacing Marshall for a converted try to reclaim a 16-12 lead.

Ten minutes later, the Tigers found themselves back in front when powerful bench utility Matt Utai, playing his 150th NRL game, burrowed over from close range on his hands and knees to lock up the scores at 16-16.

Once again Marshall converted from the sideline, giving the Tigers a two-point lead that would eventually be the difference.

Marshall said it was the team's best win of the season but insisted they had still not fully turned the corner following their dismal opening five-game losing streak earlier this year.

"We've still got a lot to work on," Marshall said.

"Our defence has been pretty outstanding, I think, but our attack's probably not as good as it has been the past few seasons.

"... These big games, games without Robbie there ... you gotta get the two points any way you can."

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens admitted the team's current four-game winning streak, featuring three victories by a combined margin of four points, was in stark contrast to their trademark attacking style.

"They haven't been classic Wests Tigers ... We've had to grind the win out," Sheens said.

"Earlier in the year we were criticised for not grinding it out.

"Now of course we're being criticised for not being Wests Tigers."

Warriors captain Simon Mannering targeted his side's "soft" start to the second half as a missed opportunity.

"This one was a big opportunity for us, going into the bye, to get a bit of momentum.

"We didn't play that well in the first half but we led at halftime and had every chance in the game to get the two points and just got soft at the start of the second half."

Like us on Facebook to get breaking news.
Show:
Newest First
Oldest First
Top Rated
Most Replies

11 Comments

  1. Ron09:02am Saturday 19th May 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Took the words out of my mouth David!! No room in this comp for "nice" guys. How many times has he cost us the game through poor defence or ball handling errors. Two players stood out in that game Marshall & Mannering! Mannerings tackle count & tidy ups amazing.

    Reply
  2. Choccy Thunda08:55am Saturday 19th May 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Oliver - incorrect, the Warriors have been known for a good defence until Bluey took over.The reality is McLennan is not up to it - Iro is doing most of the coaching in his capacity as waterboy. You could clearly see that last night. Smart by the tigers too, delaying kickoff so the game finishes at midnight NZT........we should start out home hames at midday so the Aussie teams have just finished breakfast

    Reply
  3. Nach08:31am Saturday 19th May 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Hop on board the roller coaster ride. Same old same old!! Thats the warrior season.

    Reply
  4. Oliver08:09am Saturday 19th May 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    The weakest part of the warriors game every year is their defence; too slow to move up and too casual. It showed up again last night when the Tigers scored tries that may have not happened if the Warriors defensive line moved up quickly and have some urgency in their tackling. Vatuei failed again. Try the forwards.

    Reply
  5. Ali07:59am Saturday 19th May 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Not again Manu !

    Reply

Rugby Scoreboard

Rugby

Results

2013 Brit. & Irish Lions Tour matches (HK & AUS)

2013 Quadrangular Tournament (RSA)

2013 Brit. & Irish Lions Tour matches (HK & AUS)

2013 New Zealand v France

2013 Brit. & Irish Lions Tour matches (HK & AUS)

Schedule

2013 New Zealand v France

7:35pm NZST Sat, 22nd June

2013 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia

10:00pm NZST Sat, 22nd June

2013 Quadrangular Tournament (RSA)

12:15am NZST Sun, 23rd June
3:15am NZST Sun, 23rd June

2013 Brit. & Irish Lions Tour matches (HK & AUS)

9:30pm NZST Tue, 25th June

2013 Super Rugby Tournament

7:35pm NZST Fri, 28th June