Watch Eels being smoked
Get ready to relive one of the Vodafone Warriors’ hottest opening 40 minutes in history in tomorrow’s classic replay on Game Day Saturday at 3.00pm tomorrow on Sky Sport’s home of rugby league (Sky Sport 4, channel 54).
In contention for the spot this week were three contests with the Parramatta Eels, the club’s scheduled Magic Round opponents at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday until the 2020 NRL season was suspended.
Polling was again clear cut this week.
The three matches singled out from a strong list of wins over Parramatta were from 2007 (34-18), 2008 (28-6) and 2014 (48-0). The 2014 contest captured 55 per cent of the votes (see match recao below)
So, put on your game face in your level three lockdown atmosphere at home to watch Game Day Saturday on Sky Sport 4 (channel 54) for full coverage of the 2014 blitz from 3.00pm tomorrow.
- Each week the Vodafone Warriors and Sky Sport select three games from the archives featuring the Vodafone Warriors against the team they were scheduled to meet in the original draw before the 2020 season was suspended.
- Next week we’ll be focusing on our would-be ninth-round opponents Canterbury-Bankstown, providing three classic battles from the files for you, the fans, to vote on for Game Day Saturday on May 9.
Vodafone Warriors Game Day Saturday
3.00pm, Saturday, May 02, 2020
SS4, Channel 54
July 12, 2014
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
The Vodafone Warriors have delivered so much brilliant football throughout their history but they hit utterly sublime levels in crushing Parramatta 48-0 in this 18th-round 'Back In Black' NRL clash at Mount Smart Stadium.
The pieces all fell into place from the opening moments. After kicking off the Vodafone Warriors applied the blowtorch immediately, coming at the Eels with offensive defence and then ripping back at them with their first set in possession.
Such was their mood the Vodafone Warriors led 36-0 at halftime including an extraordinary try for fullback Sam Tomkins from a pushover scurm. The scoring pace slowed in the second half but the fine scoreline was still extraordinary.
Match details
Vodafone Warriors 48 (Sam Tomkins 2, David Fusitu'a, Shaun Johnson, Konrad Hurrell, Simon Mannering, Ben Henry, Chad Townsend tries; Shaun Johnson 8 conversions).
Parramatta 0.
Halftime: 36-0 Vodafone Warriors.
Referees: Gavin Badger and Henry Perenara.
Crowd: 14,087.
Teams:
Vodafone Warriors | Sam Tomkins; David Fusitu’a, Konrad Hurrell, Dane Nielsen, Manu Vatuvei; Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson; Jacob Lillyman, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi; Ben Henry, Simon Mannering (c); Sebastine Ikahihifo. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Ben Matulino, Charlie Gubb, Sam Lousi.
Parramatta | Chris Sandow; Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga (c), Vai Toutai; Corey Norman, Luke Kelly; Darcy Lussick, Isaac de Gois, Junior Paulo; David Gower, Pauli Pauli; Joseph Paulo. Interchange: Fuifui Moimoi, Mitchell Allgood, Peni Terepo, Tepai Moeroa.
