TOYOTA CUP
Bulldogs 22 Warriors 40
KEY POINTS:
The Junior Warriors jumped into the top four for the first time this season on the back of a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs last night.
The Doggies led 16-0 early but the Warriors kept their composure for their seventh win in eight games.
Elijah Taylor scored the crucial try in the 77th minute and Issac John put the icing on the cake with a late field goal.
The under-20s side have been one of the success stories of the club this season and must be a contender for the inaugural Toyota Cup.
Without a background in competitions like the SG Ball and Harold Mathews Australian clubs enjoy, there was a belief the Warriors could struggle, especially given the burden of crossing the Tasman every second week.
They lost their first two matches, and were camped in the lower reaches of the table at the halfway point of the season, but their recent run of wins has left them well positioned heading into the final seven weeks of the regular season.
They are well poised to make the top eight playoffs. While it's difficult to compare that feat with the first-grade side, it took seven years for the top side to make the playoffs.
Making the record even more impressive is the fact the Warriors are the second-youngest side behind the Sea Eagles in the Toyota Cup.
"In my own mind and in the minds of the boys we haven't exceeded expectations," Junior Warriors coach Tony Iro said. "We set high expectations and so far so good. Our ultimate goal is to win the competition. People will say that's a lofty goal but within our squad we certainly feel it's possible."
One thing that could count against them is they would probably have to play all their playoff matches in Australia, even if they qualify in the top four which would normally bring about a home match. Toyota Cup playoffs are expected to be aligned with NRL fixtures and there is little hope the Warriors NRL side will make the top four.
Iro has also been robbed of two of his best players, Sonny Fai and Ben Matulino, both features of the NRL squad in recent weeks, and prop Russell Packer (five) and winger Patrick Ah Van (12) have also made the step up.
But Iro said it was their brief to produce players capable of playing NRL football and they were not the only club affected. Last night's junior Bulldogs squad was without Arana Taumata and John Kite.
"We want to be a development club and we get a great buzz when young guys are called up to the NRL squad," Iro said.
So far Fai, Ah Van, Daniel O'Regan, Isaac John, Mataupu Poching, Matt Neil and Aaron Pawley have signed to remain with the club and vie for a spot in the NRL squad next season.
Matulino and Packer will still be eligible to play Toyota Cup in 2009, as will exciting fullback Kevin Locke.
