NRL: Warriors reinforce playoff ambitions

James Maloney of the Warriors is taken out by David Shillington of the Raiders. Photo / Getty Images

NZ Warriors 29
Raiders 10

The New Zealand Warriors firmed up their National Rugby League playoff ambitions as they came from behind to down Canberra 29-10 in Auckland today.

The home side produced a strong second half on a fine winter's afternoon to kick away having gone into halftime behind 10-8.

The six-try-to-two win was the Warriors' fourth in a row and meant they consolidated sixth spot on the table, but there was concern over skipper Simon Mannering, who failed to finish the match after going off with a knee injury.

The result looks to have put paid to Canberra's own semifinal hopes, with Raiders remaining 14th on the table.

Winger Manu Vatuvei, who had a strong first half, was instrumental as the Warriors made a fast start, scoring two tries in the first quarter hour.

Vatuvei got the first, forcing his way through two tacklers for his fourth touchdown in two matches.

He then made a big break that led to his side's second score.

When the ball got to James Maloney, the five-eighth decided to kick early and centre Shaun Berrigan was on hand to dive on the loose ball.

Down 8-0 and having been parked for long periods in their own half, the Raiders hit back after Warrior winger Bill Tupou couldn't pull in a Josh McCrone bomb under pressure.

From the ensuing possession, the visitors worked the ball to winger Daniel Vidot, who stepped Tupou to touch down.

Another McCrone bomb paid further dividends for Canberra just out from halftime.

As the defence hesitated, Jarrod Croker took the ball almost unchallenged to score and then added the extras to put the Raiders ahead.

However, the Warriors struck back early in the second spell, after fullback Kevin Locke, who continued his sharp form of recents weeks, nabbed a one-on-one strip against opposition skipper Alan Tongue deep in Canberra territory.

When the defence couldn't clean up a Shaun Johnson grubber, prop Sam Rapira grabbed his first try of the season.

Minutes later, a short pass from Feleti Mateo put centre Joel Moon over, and the Warriors went further ahead when Maloney scored after a break by Locke.

Tupou added the icing on the cake minutes from the end when a Maloney cross kick created the opening for him to dot down.

WARRIORS 29 (S Berrigan J Maloney J Moon S Rapira B Tupou M Vatuvei tries J Maloney 2 goals J Maloney field goal) bt CANBERRA 10 (J Croker D Vidot tries J Croker goal) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Gerard Sutton.

- NZPA