[image]Winger Manu Vatuvei's hot start to the new National
Rugby League season continued tonight when he grabbed a
hat-trick of tries to help the New Zealand Warriors beat
Cronulla 30-16 in Auckland.
Vatuvei's treble meant he has dotted down five times after
just two matches.
It also increased his career tally to 63, the second best in
Warriors' history behind Stacey Jones on 77.
It was Vatuvei's second and third efforts early in the second
half that swung the match towards the Warriors after the
scores were tied at 16-16.
There were plenty of mistake by both sides, who were each
seeking their first win of the year.
But the home side's better finishing proved the difference
and they outscored the Sharks by six tries to two.
The Warriors suffered a pre-match blow with halfback Brett
Seymour ruled out for six to eight weeks due to a broken
thumb.
The injury occurred in Seymour's debut for the Warriors in
the 18-24 defeat away to Gold Coast last weekend. He played
on to the end of that match.
The injury meant Seymour missed out facing the club which
sacked him last year for alcohol-related incidents.
Subsequently, James Maloney moved in one spot from
five-eighth and he acquitted himself well at replacement
halfback.
As against Gold Coast last week, the Warriors made a fast
start and were up 16-0 within 15 minutes.
Hooker Aaron Heremaia opened with an easy try from dummy
half, before a big break by second rower Lewis Brown was
finished off by Vatuvei.
New skipper Simon Mannering, in his first appearance of the
season, got in the act by diving on a Lance Hohaia kick
in-goal, and the home side appeared to be running away with
the contest.
However, with the home side conceding possession with
mistakes and penalties, the Sharks hit back with tries to
winger Luke Covell and centre Blake Ferguson. Halfback Scott
Porter converted both from the sideline and then added a
penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Porter landed another goal early in the second half to tie
the scores before Vatuvei swung the match the Warriors' way
with two tries in six minutes.
Prop Sam Rapira sealed the victory when he forced his way
over with six minutes to go.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.