League: Warriors open new season in disappointing style

Brett Stewart cannot stop Louis Anderson as he plants the ball down to score a try during the NRL match between the Warriors and the Manly Sea Eagles. Picture / Fotopress

The New Zealand Warriors made a disappointing start to the National Rugby League season when losing 20-26 to Manly in Auckland today.


The Warriors, who had lost the corresponding fixture last year on the way to their second-bottom finish, were outscored five tries to three.


Both sides suffered from rustiness, with poor ball security a constant blight on the game.


There were opportunities at both ends that went begging because of dropped ball.


Manly had the superior kicking game, with halves Michael Monaghan and Michael Witt both managing a 40-20 each.


The tussle between centres Clinton Toopi and Manly veteran Terry Hill proved a feature.


One tackle from Hill on Toopi led to the Kiwis international losing the ball as he was about to play it.


A brief punch-up ensued, followed by a penalty against Toopi, from which Manly scored their first try.


Another first-half tackle from Hill saw Toopi again lose possession.


However, two other tackles by Hill, one on Warriors skipper Steve Price and another on substitute Jerome Ropati, were put on report.


The Warriors took the lead through a Stacey Jones penalty after 25 minutes.


Four minutes later, after Toopi was penalised for throwing a punch at Hill, Monaghan's kick ahead ricocheted off a defender back to him and he was able to put veteran second rower Steve Menzies over.


Starting to gain a dominance in possession, Manly crossed the Warriors' line again with just seconds to go before the interval, when substitute Anthony Watmough forced the ball down in traffic.


Witt converted both tries to give the visitors a 12-2 halftime lead.


The Warriors came out with more purpose at the start of the second half.


Seven minutes after the restart, fullback Brent Webb's kick ahead was snapped up by substitute Louis Anderson for the home side's first try.


Jones' conversion made it 12-6, but a play-the-ball mistake by the Warriors on the very next set led to Hill putting winger John Hopoate over in the corner.


The Warriors hit back when a Jones grubber went loose from Manly fullback Brett Stewart's arms in a heavy tackle and second rower Wairangi Koopu picked up the scraps to score.


Jones' conversion pulled the home side to within two points but the Warriors again allowed Manly to open out their advantage, when winger Scott Donald pulled in a Monaghan bomb.


Donald then sealed victory with a runaway try, before Toopi got a late consolation try for the Warriors.


Manly 26

(Scott Donald 2, Steve Menzies, Anthony Watmough, John Hopoate tries; Michael Witt 3 goals)

New Zealand Warriors 20

(Louis Anderson, Wairangi Koopu, Clinton Toopi tries; Stacey Jones 4 goals).

Halftime: 12-2.

Referee: Sean Hampstead

- NZPA