Jets second half fightback trumped by the Warriors late surge

The Newtown Jets lost their opening round Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition match, going down 28-24 to the New Zealand Warriors in a game where the lead changed on several occasions.

The Warriors led 14-6 at half-time in this match at the Go Media Stadium, Auckland, and extended this lead to 20-6 early in the second half.

For much of the second half, Newtown took control of the midfield and made ground through the forwards, with the Jets scoring three converted tries within an eleven-minute time period. The Jets regained the lead by 24-20, after having led 6-0 early in the first half.

Some clever backline play by the Warriors saw the Wahs score two unconverted tries in the last four minutes of the game, with the final score being 28-24 in the Warriors’ favour.

Backrower Blake Hosking had opened the scoring for the Jets in the fourth minute, with Mawene Hiroti’s conversion extending the lead to 6-0.

The Warriors showed their potent backline attacking skills with two converted tries midway through the first half, which along with a penalty goal gave the home team a 14-6 lead at half-time.

A somewhat controversial try early in the second half (which was also converted) put the Warriors into what was starting to look like a probable match-winning lead of 20-6.

Newtown’s most productive period of the game came in the second half, with territorial dominance and sustained pressure at the Warriors end of the field.

Sam Healey, one of last year’s most improved players, showed speed and determination in scoring two tries (both from close range), while backrower Billy Burns (on debut for Newtown) showed strength and willpower in wrestling his way through several Warriors defenders to score his try.

Newtown had forged a 24-20 lead with just on ten minutes left to play, but two cleverly executed tries enabled the Warriors to reclaim the lead and seize the two competition points, with their last try being scored in the 78th minute.

Jets coach George Ndaira found it hard to conceal his disappointment at losing this away match in the second-last minute of play, after the team had fought back so well in the second half. The Warriors had laid on some crisp passing skills that enabled them to breach Newtown’s backline defence twice in the last four minutes.

George Ndaira’s post-match assessment was that front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha had given a really strong forward’s performance, reflecting the confidence shown to him by the Cronulla Sharks administration who had extended his contract in the off-season. Mr Ndaira also acknowledged the strong performances of both Sam Healey and Blake Hosking.

It needs to be remembered that Friday’s match had been this particular team’s first game together this season, as well as having had limited time together in training sessions. On paper this was a very strong team line-up, with a lot of NSW Cup competition match experience in the eighteen players named to play the Warriors.
Newtown’s next match is against Canterbury-Bankstown at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware on Friday, 15th March at 3.40pm.

Match Result: –

New Zealand Warriors 28:
Edward Kosi, Moala Graham-Taufa, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Ali Leiataua, Geronimo Doyle tries;
Chanel Harris Tavita 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
Newtown 24:
Sam Healey 2, Blake Hosking, Billy Burns tries;
Mawene Hiroti 4 conversions.

Half-Time: New Zealand Warriors led 14-6.

Weather: Partly cloudy, 22 degrees.
Playing Surface: Excellent.

Referee: Jake Sutherland
Touch Judges: Joseph Green, Viggo Rasmussen


How they lined up on Friday, 8th March 2024: –

Newtown:

Fullback; Mawene Hiroti
Wingers: Thomas Rodwell, Sam Stonestreet
Centres: Chris Vea’ila, Addison Demetriou
Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru

Lock: Blake Hosking
Second-Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Billy Burns
Front-Rowers: Tuku Hau Tapuha, Rhys Dakin
Hooker: Jayden Berrell

Interchange: Billy Magoulias, Sam Healey,
Brad Fearnley, Kurt Dillon

Reserve: Kyle Pickering

Coach: George Ndaira.

New Zealand Warriors:

Fullback: Ben Farr
Wingers: Setu Tu, Edward Kosi
Centres: Ali Leiataua, Moala Graham-Taufa
Halves: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin

Lock: Kalani Going
Second-Rowers: Maia Sands, Jacob Laban
Front-Rowers: Tanner Stowers-Smith, Jazz Tevaga
Hooker: Paul Roache Interchange: Geronimo Doyle, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava,
Toni Tupouniua, Dylan Tavita.

Reserve: Patrick Moimoi.

Coach: David Tangata-Toa.

Match Timeline: –

4th minute: Blake Hosking try; Mawene Hiroti conversion.
Newtown 6-0.

18th minute: Edward Kosi try; Chanel Harris-Tavita conversion.
6-all.

22nd minute: Moala Graham-Taufa try; Chanel Harris-Tavita conversion.
New Zealand Warriors 12-6.

31st minute; Chanel Harris-Tavita penalty goal.
New Zealand Warriors 14-6.

Half-Time: New Zealand Warriors led 14-6.

42nd minute: Chanel Harris-Tavita try and conversion.
New Zealand Warriors 20-6.

60th minute: Sam Healey try; Mawene Hiroti conversion.

New Zealand Warriors 20-12.

63rd minute: Billy Burns try; Mawene Hiroti conversion.
New Zealand Warriors 20-18.

70th minute: Sam Healey try; Mawene Hiroti conversion.
Newtown 24-20.

74th minute: Kurt Dillon on report for a dangerous tackle.

76th minute: Ali Leiataua try; conversion attempt hit the upright and bounced away.
24-all.

78th minute: Geronimo Doyle try; not converted.
New Zealand Warriors 28-24.

Full-Time: New Zealand Warriors 28 defeated Newtown 24.

Match Statistics: – 

Possession:
New Zealand Warriors 51%, Newtown 49%

Completions:
New Zealand Warriors 82%, Newtown 83%

The Warriors had the edge in most of the attack statistics categories.

The various tackling statistics categories were relatively even.

Errors:
Newtown 11, New Zealand Warriors 10.

Penalties:
Newtown 9, New Zealand Warriors 5.

Newtown Jets head coach George Ndaira’s post-match interview: 

Coach Chat: Find out what head coach George Ndaira had to say following our narrow loss to the Warriors yesterday afternoon. #WeAre8972 #FlyWithUs pic.twitter.com/JLLSFzx6ak

— Newtown Jets (@newtownrlfc) March 8, 2024

Newtown v New Zealand Warriors highlights:

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/03/08/nsw-cup-highlights–warriors-v-jets—round-1/

NSWRL Round One summary:

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/03/07/live-coverage–the-knock-on-effect-nsw-cup—round-one/

The Short Side with Luke Lewis – his weekly Knock-On Effect NSW Cup preview:

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2024/03/07/the-short-side-with-luke-lewis–round-one/

Newtown’s next match: –
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
Round Two
Friday, 15th March 2024
PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware (Shark Park)
Newtown v Canterbury-Bankstown
Kick-Off: 3.40pm.