Jets Survive Second-Half Resurgence From Warriors

The Newtown Jets had to contend with a determined second-half fightback by the New Zealand Warriors in the NSW Cup 16th Round match played at Henson Park on Saturday.

The Jets won 24-16 after leading 12-6 at halftime, and then having to deal with a Warriors rally that saw the New Zealanders trail by just 18-16 with under fifteen minutes left to play.

This was an exciting match played in perfect winter conditions, with the NSWRL TV commentator describing both teams as having “the most potent attacks in the NSW Cup competition”.

Newtown opened the scoring in the tenth minute when halfback Niwhai Puru sent centre Kayal Iro away down the left side, who in turn centre-kicked for five-eighth Braydon Trindall to run onto the bouncing ball at top speed to score under the northern end goal-posts.

The Jets added another try in the 15th minute which might well be the best try seen at Henson Park this season. Fullback Mawene Hiroti made a very effective kick return, passed the ball to the long-striding winger Sam Stonestreet who in turn nearly put Trindall into the clear. A quick play the ball saw precision passing from Hiroti to second-rower Charbel Tasipale, onto Puru and hooker Jayden Berrell, and finally to Iro who powered over to score in the north-west corner.

The Warriors hit back at Newtown’s end and took advantage of a dropped ball and a “six again” call by the referee to score an easy try from dummy-half five minutes before half-time.

Mawene Hiroti kicked a long-range penalty goal right on half-time for Newtown to go into the break with a 12-6 lead.

The Jets “dodged a bullet” early in the second half when the Warriors went desperately close to scoring only for the final pass to their left-side winger going slightly astray.

Newtown responded with a spirited set that carried the ball downfield, that resulted in Trindall sending the evasive Tasipale over to score to the right of the southern goal posts.

The Warriors dominated possession and territory for much of the second half and were right back in the game through a converted try in the 57th minute.

The Jets had a series of somewhat controversial refereeing decisions made against them that eventually saw the Warriors score next to the posts, despite the vigorous protests from Newtown defenders about possible obstruction. It was now game on for the Jets, leading by only 18-16 with just under fifteen minutes remaining to play.

An errant clearing kick by the Warriors that went out on the full gave the Jets the chance to grab some favourable field position. From close to the Warriors line Braydon Trindall made a dummying, darting run to score, beating three defenders on his way. Hiroti’s conversion gave Newtown a 24-16 lead and some degree of a points buffer. The livestream commentary team described Trindall’s thrilling effort as being “a huge try in the context of this match”.

The last couple of minutes of play saw some frenzied activity, with a blindside foray nearly ending in a try to Jets winger Josh Mansour. Niwhai Puru took a field goal attempt right on full-time that struck an upright and bounced away, with a Warriors centre gathering the ball and almost creating a length of the field try.

Braydon Trindall, Kayal Iro and Mawene Hiroti were the best of Newtown’s backs, along with Sam Stonestreet who made some exciting runs. Lock and captain Billy Magoulias did some great midfield work and cleaned up a couple of dangerous situations when the Warriors were attacking the Jets tryline.

Jayden Berrell, Jesse Colquhoun, Jordin Leiu and Magoulias were the best of Newtown’s forwards, with the other pack members all turning in strong defensive efforts especially in the second half.

The Warriors had a better completion rate than Newtown and had more than 60% of possession for most of the second half, as well as having a strong flow of penalties awarded in their favour.

Newtown’s next game is this coming Saturday, 24th June, when the Jets will play Parramatta at Henson Park at 3.00pm.

Saturday’s Match Details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – 16th Round
Saturday, 17th June 2023
Henson Park
Newtown v New Zealand Warriors
Kick-Off: 1.00pm.

Newtown 24:
Braydon Trindall 2, Kayal Iro, Charbel Tasipale tries;
Mawene Hiroti 3 conversions, 1 penalty goal
defeated
New Zealand Warriors 16:
Freddy Lussick, Viliami Vailea, Ronald Volkman tries;
Ronald Volkman, Taine Tuaupiki conversions.
Half-Time: Newtown led 12-6.

Playing surface: Excellent.
Weather: Sunny, 19 degrees.

NSWRL TV Highlights || Newtown Jets v New Zealand Warriors – Round 16 || Played at Henson Park on Saturday, 17th June 2023:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2023/06/18/nswrl-tv-highlights–jets-v-warriors—round-16/

The NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup competition table after 16 rounds:
https://www.nswrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=113&round=16&season=2023

Newtown’s team was: –
Fullback: Mawene Hiroti
Wingers: Josh Mansour, Samuel Stonestreet
Centres: Jensen Taumoepeau, Kayal Iro
Halves: Braydon Trindall, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Billy Magoulias (Captain)
Second Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Charbel Tasipale
Front Rowers: Rhys Dakin, Jesse Colquhoun
Hooker: Jayden Berrell
Interchange:
Kyle Pickering, Caleb Uele, Samuel Healey, Brad Fearnley.
18th Man: Tom Rodwell
Coach: George Ndaira.

The New Zealand Warriors team was:
Fullback: Taine Tuaupiki
Wingers: Moala Graham-Taufa, Sanele Aukusitino
Centres: Viliami Vailea, Selumiela Halasima
Halves: Ben Farr, Ronald Volkman
Lock: Solomon Vasuvulagi
Second Rowers: Jacob Laban, Kalani Going (Captain)
Front Rowers: Zyon Maiu’u, Isaiah Vagana
Hooker: Freddy Lussick
Interchange:
Michael Sio, Eiden Ackland, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Tahi Baggaley
18th Man: Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Coach: Slade Griffin.

The Match Timeline: –
First Half:
Newtown kicked off running to the northern end of the ground.
10th minute: Braydon Trindall try.
12th minute: Mawene Hiroti converted. Newtown 6-0.
15th minute: Kayal Iro try.
Not converted. Newtown 10-0.
33rd minute: Freddy Lussick try.
34th minute: Ronald Volkman conversion. Newtown 10-6.
39th minute: Mawene Hiroti penalty goal. Newtown 12-6.

Half-Time: Newtown led 12-6.

Second Half:
49th minute: Charbel Tasipale try.
51st minute: Mawene Hiroti converted. Newtown 18-6.
57th minute: Viliami Vailea try.
Not converted. Newtown 18-10.
64th minute: Ronald Volkman try.
Try converted by Taine Tuaupiki. Newtown 18-16.
72nd minute: Braydon Trindall try.
73rd minute: Mawene Hiroti conversion. Newtown 24-16.

Full-Time: Newtown won 24-16.

Saturday’s match statistics:
Completions:

1st half: Newtown 15/18 (83%), Warriors 16/19 (84%)

2nd half: Newtown 12/16 (75%), Warriors 15/17 (88%)

Full-Time: Newtown 27/34 (79%), Warriors 31/36 (86%).

Possession:

1st half: Newtown 63 tackles (45%), Warriors 77 tackles (55%)

2nd half: Newtown 43 tackles (41%), Warriors 63 tackles (59%)

Full-Time: Newtown 106 tackles (43%), Warriors 140 tackles (57%).

Penalties:

1st half: Newtown 4 Warriors 3

2nd half: Newtown 2 Warriors 6

Full-Time: Newtown 6 Warriors 9.

Newtown’s next game details: –
Welcome Day
Saturday, 24th June 2023
Henson Park
Newtown v Parramatta
Kick-Off: 3.00pm.
Inclusivity is the theme of this Newtown home game occasion where you’ll find good music, good food, and good sports.
(The day’s program will include men’s and women’s Rugby curtain-raisers played between the Petersham and Briars clubs).