Round 3
Tigers 10 l. Warriors 26

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Wests Tigers
Daniel Fitzhenry [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (74th)
Michael Crockett [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (48th)
Brett Hodgson [FB] 2 Pts; 1/2g

New Zealand Warriors
Tony Martin [CT] 6 Pts; 3/5g
Brent Webb [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (24th)
Clinton Toopi [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (35th)
Awen Guttenbeil [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (61st)
Jerome Ropati [F8] 4 Pts; 1t (14th)
Manu Vatuvei [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (51st)



Warriors create history
Sat March 25, 2006
Source: http://www.nzwarriors.com

It may have taken until the 11th game, but the New Zealand Warriors have finally won an NRL match on New Zealand soil outside of Auckland. In another crucial match for the Warriors, they never really looked threatened as the beat the Wests Tigers 26-10

In a performance which contrasted from their first two games, the Warriors managed to do the basics of the game well and the rest just followed naturally.

There was the odd dropped ball, but for the most part the Warriors used it well. The forwards almost totally dominated the Tigers. Ruben Wiki and Steve Price made loads of yards, and George Gatis, who had an excellent first outing for the Warriors, directed play well.

The Warriors started shakily, but they slowly started to settle. The error rate dropped and it wasnt long before Jerome Ropati had the Warriors out to an early lead. The Tigers kept dropping the ball and it was only a matter of time before the Warriors punished them even more. Tries to, Brent Webb and Clinton Toopi helped the Warriors to a comfortable 14-0 lead at the break.

The second half followed much of the theme of the first half, only the Tigers held onto the ball a bit longer. They managed to score a couple of tries, but for the most part theyll be very disappointed with their overall performance. The Warriors scored tries through Many Vatuvei and Clinton Toopi, with Tony Martin adding a couple of goals.

There was one scary moment when Tony Martin was given a huge fend off by Ben Galea. Martin landed awkwardly on his neck, but was up moments later. Two tackles late, Wairangi Koopu pulled off the tackle of the match, almost cutting fellow Kiwi, Paul Whatuira in half.

While the Warriors will head home happy, theyll need to up the intensity for what will be an extremely hostile Energy Australia Stadium next week. The Tigers will be hoping a couple players find their way back from injury very soon.

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