Even though it was hardly convincing and occasionally even downright nasty, the Warriors’ valiant 22-20 victory over the Panthers on Sunday will rank among the team’s greatest victories.
The Kiwi team had to come from behind twice against the defending premiers in Brisbane after losing key hooker Wayde Egan to a botched HIA on minute twelve. The team was already without a number of key players owing to injuries, including star half Shaun Johnson.
Considering the possibility of heartbreak.
Facing the threat of a heartbreaking sixth consecutive defeat with 10 minutes remaining, backup fullback Taine Tuaupiki scored and converted to give his side a two-point lead, before Dylan Edwards missed a late penalty goal.
The Warriors got off to the worst possible start, kicking out on the full and giving up a try to Edwards before they even touched the ball, and things only got worse when Egan was ruled out shortly after.
When they managed to score and tie the game midway through the first half, Marcelo Montoya suffered a head injury while crossing, though he was later cleared to return.
With the Panthers leading by six at halftime, Isaah Yeo’s sin-binning three minutes into the second half for a professional foul was the initial turning moment, and on the very next set, Ali Leiataua crossed for his first NRL try, which Tuaupiki converted to tie the scores again.
After a quiet first half, Te Maire Martin was at it again a short time later, laying on his second assist in five minutes to send Adam Pompey over and give his team their first lead.
When the Panthers returned to their full complement, they appeared to recapture their mojo, with Yeo walking through a gap before Izack Tago punished the Warriors for a slew of penalties and six more infringements.
But the Warriors were not to be defeated on this day, with Tuaupiki’s late six-pointer delivering the team its first win in six matches.
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