NRL: New halves pairing helps Warriors tame Tigers
The Aucklanders ended a two-game losing streak and some poor form at Go Media Stadium, with new halfback Tanah Boyd stepping up in his club debut, while his partner Chanel Harris-Tavita bagged a double on Sunday.
Boyd joined the Warriors after six seasons with Gold Coast, but has had to bide his time in the NSW Cup.
Having led that side to 11 straight wins to sit atop the ladder, Warriors coach Andrew Webster had no hesitation in calling on the 24-year-old when Luke Metcalf's season was ended by a knee injury.
It proved a smart call to opt for Boyd over Te Maire Martin, who came off the bench late in the first half on Sunday when centre Rocco Berry exited with a shoulder issue.
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Coming off an upset win over Sydney Roosters, the Tigers got off to a bright start, with Jeral Skelton scooting across the line in the second minute.
Backing up from Origin, Jarome Luai found Adam Douehi, who fired the ball on to Skelton with a quick catch-and-pass.
The home side then hit the lead with back-to-back tries, scored by Berry and Harris-Tavita.
Douehi, starting in the centres, closed the gap to 12-8 when he crashed through three defenders.
But the Warriors had the final say of the half when winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, in his return from an ankle injury, planted the ball down in the corner in the 33rd minute for an eight-point lead.
That was extended when Boyd combined with Harris-Tavita, who tapped the ball on to Roger Tuiavsa-Sheck.
Douehi, who was the Tigers' best, again powered over the line for his second try of the match, but when Harris-Tavita matched that feat in the 72nd minute the home team had victory wrapped up.
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Second-row sensation Leka Halasima, standing out on the wing, then showed his brute strength to ice the win, with Boyd converting from the sideline.
Warriors women bounce back strong
For their first win in their return to the NRLW, NZ Warriors have shown themselves to be quick learners, overpowering Parramatta Eels 14-0 at Auckland's Go Media Stadium.
In their first home game since 2019, the wahine bounced back from last week's season-opening loss to the champion Sydney Roosters across the Tasman, as their inexperienced roster demonstrated far more composure and cohesion in slippery conditions.
From the opening kickoff, they forced their opponents into a handling error and, from the scrum, they presented sevens star Michaela Brake with enough space to score her first NRLW try.
Tysha Ikenasio of the Warriors celebrates her try with Michaela Brake and Apii Nicholls (captain) of the Warriors. (Source: Photosport)
From another Eels mistake, the home side went the other way for left wing Payton Takimoana to slide across in the corner.
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Brake almost had a second with halftime approaching, but was held up by two tacklers and lost the ball trying to stretch for the tryline.
Moments later, she broke from deep in her own half and was barely tripped by the final defender with the line open before her, performing a perfect forward-roll dismount, but running out of support.
Parramatta seemed to pull a try back before the break, but the final pass to winger Zali Fay was ruled forward.
Trailling 8-0 at halftime, the Eels had their chances to bridge the gap. The field opened up for fullback Abbi Church from her inside own half, but she was eventually dumped by counterpart Apii Nicholls.
Warriors half Emily Curtain stuck out a foot to deny Eels centre Rory Owen.
Finally, Curtain delivered the crippling blow for the Warriors, kicking to the goal area, where centre Tysha Ikenasio - another sevens convert - recovered the bounce to score.
Midfield partner Emmanita Paki also went close, but was held up over the line.
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Brake finished with a game-high 197 running metres, while second-rower Kyah Atai led her team defensively with 31 tackles.
Next Sunday, Warriors coach Ron Griffiths returns to his old stomping ground, when his new team take on Newcastle Knights across the ditch. Griffiths guided the Knights to back-to-back NRLW premierships, before changing allegiances.
— additional reporting from rnz.co.nz
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