Rugby League: Warriors in sight of the playoffs

By PETER JESSUP

The Auckland Warriors finally look to have passed the test of character, producing some great defence to hold on for a 24-20 win over the Sharks yesterday and do their playoff chances no harm thanks to a weekend of upsets.

Only three points separate Newcastle in fourth place and the Warriors, who are second to bottom.

It was pretty ordinary football at Ericsson Stadium, with both sides making plenty of mistakes in the opposition red zone.

But there was plenty of pace, plenty of intensity and the scoreline was close throughout the game, with the Warriors playing well for a good 60 minutes, while the Sharks managed only 40.

Most pleasing for the Warriors would be the continuing development of youngsters Shontayne Hape, who had a great game in the centres against one of the best in the position in Kangaroo Russell Richardson, and wing Henry Faafili, who produced brilliant cover defence and good attack returns.

On one of those he beat 12 of the 13 Sharks, covering half the width of the field after taking the sixth-tackle kick in-goal, then made 30m before being brought down for what might have been the try of the new century.

The Warriors' forwards recovered some of their intimidation, with Talite Liavaa smashing tackles and Joe Vagana making excellent metres after backing up from the test with a calf injury that was aggravated during the game.

The crowd, said to be 12,200 but presumably including many season ticket-holders who were away for Easter judging by the number of empty seats, stuck around to cheer the team as they made a lap of honour. It was a rare moment for the Warriors, with people three-deep at the sideline hoardings to show their appreciation and approval of the effort and return.

Skipper John Simon said they had again made it hard for themselves but was smiling when he assessed that they had dug in for a good victory over a team who were no mugs.

They had made a heap more tackles as possession went the Sharks way in the second spell, were tired at the end and made some silly errors that could have cost, but were learning to hang on through those times that make the difference between winning and losing.

Sharks coach John Lang reckoned his side were lucky to be level 10-10 at halftime after the Warriors converted a glut of early possession into tries for Matt Spence in the sixth minute and Jason Death in the 11th. The forward roll was making the difference.

But then the Warriors' enthusiasm dropped off, the impressive kick-chase for Simon's deep kicks waned, and the Sharks came back with two tries from Mat Rogers and David Peachey.

Enthusiasm was Warriors coach Mark Graham's big ask at the break and the team responded three minutes into the second half with a try to Lee Oudenryn after a good break from Death, a change of angle from Simon and a great offload from Vagana.

The Sharks closed the gap to two, 14-16, with a try to Richardson after the returning Awen Guttenbeil ran out of the defensive line but missed his man. Guttenbeil would have been happy to make it through the game, but is terribly rusty.

It was Faafili who put them out again, Stacey Jones making a big break upfield, and Nigel Vagana taking some revenge for the test hammering by dummying past Rogers.

Peachey closed it up with a try close to the posts as the Warriors forwards again dropped off the tackle and there were hearts in mouths as the final 10 minutes were played out with both teams in range of the win.

The competition table has done a considerable concertina after four of the top six sides - Brisbane, Wests Tigers, the Sharks and Canberra, beaten 21-14 by the Roosters yesterday - all stayed static at the weekend, while two of the teams near the foot of the table - Auckland and Northern Eagles - closed up after wins.

The Warriors this morning have 10 competition points, one point off the final eight, with the Storm and Bulldogs both level with the Eels on 11. The Dogs host Melbourne today.

Lang believes the Warriors now have a great chance to cement their standing as the Australian teams lose players to the tough State of Origin series beginning on May 10.

"The State of Origin will have a big effect on the competition. It is a tough season and it has to be a good advantage for the Warriors."

Lang said that if the Warriors continued to improve then they were capable of taking the maximum 12 points on offer in six weeks.

On Saturday night the Warriors play Wests at Ericsson Stadium.

Warriors 24 (Matt Spence, Jason Death, Lee Oudenryn, Henry Faafili tries; John Simon 3 con, pen). Sharks 20 (Mat Rogers, David Peachey (2), Russell Richardson tries; Rogers 2 con). Halftime: 10-all.