Round 15
New Zealand Warriors 54 d. Penrith Panthers 14

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

McKinnon and Witt shine as Warriors wallop hapless Panthers
Sat June 23, 2007
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

The Vodafone Warriors didn't need two of New Zealand's top groups to rock Mt Smart Stadium last night. They did it all on their own as they pounded Penrith in a performance that ranked among the club's best.

Well-credentialed bands Shihad and Pluto had the place jumping later when they put on a free concert for match-goers in the - thankfully - under-cover Supertop. But the Vodafone Warriors had set the tone for the show well before that when they had the stadium rollicking with their near-point-a-minute onslaught in the first half of their 15th-round NRL clash against the Panthers. This was the Vodafone Warriors at their breathtaking best.

After just two minutes standoff Michael Witt had the first of his two tries after multiple off loads in the build-up and, from there, he and the rest of the team proceeded to produce one of their hottest opening spells with a total of six tries to lead 36-10.

The pace slowed a little in the second spell but the Vodafone Warriors still created another three tries - including a spectacular Wade McKinnon effort - to finish 40 points clear at 54-14.

In the end, they were close to bettering the club's record winning margin against the Panthers when they won 52-8 in the 2001 clash in Auckland.

Witt was the principal beneficiary as the club celebrated its first Friday night home game since 2002, throwing in the trimmings of a pre-match corporate dinner for 600-plus guests and book-ending the occasion with the Supertop show.

Centre Tony Martin had started the match as the side's goal kicker after being rested against Cronulla last week. He was on target converting the first three tries but was then forced off with a rib injury.

Up stepped Witt. He slotted a stunning conversion into the teeth of a gale in the club's 12-2 win over Cronulla last weekend - and now he was right into the groove. Having already scored his two tries by then, Witt maintained his team's perfect goal kicking display by converting the next six tries, finishing with 20 points.

Also crossing for two tries was McKinnon who was in exceptional touch throughout, backing up from his outstanding display against Cronulla last week. There was little he wasn't involved in on the night. He laid on Witt's two tries, scored two, made four line breaks and gained 220-plus metres. Oh, and he was credited with 10 tackle breaks. His second try was dazzling in the extreme, taking a nice pass from Patrick Ah Van close to 70 metres out from Penrith's line and then leaving player after player grasping as he sizzled and stepped his way downfield for one of the season's best tries.

Captain Steve Price was also exceptional - again - with 28 runs and 200 metres as the Vodafone Warriors totalled 1522 metres and produced 11 line breaks. Second rower Louis Anderson (161 metres) and props Sam Rapira (140 metres) and Evarn Tuimavave (120 metres) also made powerful impressions on Penrith's defence.

Another significant statistic cames in the off loads category where the Vodafone Warriors came up with 28, compared to just seven by Penrith.

The night had a special twist, too, for George Gatis, Wairangi Koopu and Epalahame Lauaki, who all scored their first try of the season (so avoiding the end-of-season nude run that awaits players who fail to score a try).

The win temporarily at least pushed the Vodafone Warriors up to ninth on the ladder with six more matches to be played this round. It also gave the club its third instance of back-to-back wins this year but, most importantly, delivered a huge boost in confidence among the players as they contemplate two consecutive away matches against the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Vodafone Warriors leave for Queensland next Friday and will stay there for the week to avoid the extra Trans-Tasman trip. They'll also attend the third State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on July 4 before heading to Townsville.

Match details:

At Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland:
Vodafone Warriors 54 (Michael Witt 2, Wade McKinnon 2, George Gatis, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Manu Vatuvei, Louis Anderson tries; Michael Witt 6 conversions; Tony Martin 3 conversions).
Penrith Panthers 14 (Luke Lewis, Nick Youngquest, Keith Peters tries; Michael Gordon conversion).
Halftime: 36-10 Vodafone Warriors.
Referee: Steve Clark.
Crowd: 9978.

Report source: www.warriors.co.nz


Warriors and top Kiwi bands ready to rock Mt Smart Stadium
Wed June 20, 2007
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Mt Smart Stadium will stage the ultimate rugby league-meets-rock music experience with 'The Vodafone Big Night Out' on Friday.

The Vodafone Warriors will lay on the football fare when they take on the Penrith Panthers in their National Rugby League clash, kicking off at 8.00pm.

And at 9.45pm the music will kick in when acclaimed Kiwi bands Shihad and Pluto put on a free concert under cover in the adjacent 13,000-capacity Supertop.

It's all part of the Vodafone Warriors' special celebration of their first Friday night home match since 2002.

Everyone buying a ticket to the game plus Vodafone Warriors season members can take in the rugby league action and then head straight to the Supertop to get ready to be rocked. All they have to do is to present their season membership card or match day ticket and they're in.

Vodafone Warriors players will also be there in the crowd soon after their match. In fact, Micheal Luck and Simon Mannering - both hardcore rock fans - will be on stage to introduce the double act, full length show.

That's not the only entertainment - or football - on offer.

The evening starts with the Vodafone Auckland Lions playing Penrith in a New South Wales Premier League match kicking off at 5.45. Included in the Auckland side are Vodafone Warriors first-grade squad members Lance Hohaia - who'll be captain - plus Todd Byrne, Michael Crockett, Corey Lawrie, Aidan Kirk and Sonny Fai.

Starting at 6.00 in the Club Lounge is the 'Have a Ball' dinner, which was sold out six weeks ago. There more than 600 guests will hear from Vodafone Warriors executive director of football John Hart and Penrith great Ryan Girdler. The MC is Peter Urlich.

Auckland group Spacifix will perform at the northern end of the ground at 7.20, there'll be a mini mods football match between kids from the Papatoetoe and Pakuranga clubs and the Vodafone Cheerleaders will be on show before and during the match.

As this is a Friday night game, Australian network Channel Nine will also be at Mt Smart Stadium to front its coverage of the match for its audience.

The Vodafone Warriors' last Friday night match at home was against Wests Tigers in the final round of the regular season in 2002. They won that game and went on to win the minor premiership for the first time before going on to make the grand final.

Tickets for Friday night's match (including covered seating) are available from Mad Butcher outlets, Ticketek (Phone: 0800 842 538) and through the Vodafone Warriors (Phone: 09 526 8822). Remember match day tickets provide free entry to the concert afterwards.

NB: There will be no entry to the ground after halftime. Anyone wanting to go to the concert is advised to arrive at Mt Smart Stadium before the main game kicks off at 8.00pm.

News sent by: www.warriors.co.nz

Wed June 20, 2007
• Wallace searching for early release from Panthers to Broncos
  
Tue June 19, 2007
• Martin back in centres for Panthers clash
  
Wed May 23, 2007
• Shihad and Warriors team up for the 'Big Night Out'
  

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