A superb 48-4 win over Parramatta at North Harbour Stadium has propelled the One New Zealand Warriors to the top of the New South Wales Cup ladder.
The Slade Griffin-coached side went into the competition’s eighth round lying second on 10 points, two behind Canterbury Bankstown.
However, the Bulldogs were beaten by Newtown yesterday and the Warriors seized the opportunity with their biggest win of the season to leap into first spot on points for an against differential.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the home side poured on the points with tries to 17-year-old second rower Leka Halasima – having his first NSW Cup start – second rower Demitric Sifakula, centre Ali Leiataua and halfback Ronald Volkman. Volkman supplied conversions to all four tries to give the One New Zealand Warriors an impressive 24-0 lead at the break.
They barely relented in the second half with another four converted tries, Halasima and Volkman each scoring a second, to power the Warriors to a commanding victory.
They did so against an Eels line-up which boasted far more NRL experience including former Warriors Jack Murchie, Ofahiki Ogden and Daejarn Asi plus Makahesi Makatoa, Jake Arthur, Jirah Momoisea, Ky Rodwell, Zac Cini, Isaac Lumelume and Samuel Loizou.
In comparison the Warriors’ only current NRL players were young centre Viliami Vailea and rookies Taine Tuaupiki and Volkman plus former first-graders James Gavet, Patrick Vaivai and Moala Graham-Taufa.
With a perfect goal kicking record, Volkman had a total of 24 points to take him to 96 for the season so far.
It’s the fourth time in eight matches that the One New Zealand Warriors have scored 40 or more points. In earlier matches they beat Newcastle 42-20 and 54-14 plus the Sea Eagles 40-30.
Match details
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
One New Zealand Warriors 48 (Leka Halasima 2, Ronald Volkman 2, Demitric Sifakula, Ali Leiataua, Ben Farr, Patrick Vaivai tries; Ronald Volkman 8 conversions).
Parramatta Eels 4 (Zac Cini try).
Halftime: 24-0 One New Zealand Warriors.
One New Zealand Warriors | Taine Tuaupiki; Moala Graham-Taufa, Viliami Vailea, Ali Leiataua, Sanele Aukusitino; Ben Farr, Ronald Volkman; Zyon Maiu’u, Paul Roache, James Gavet; Kalani Going (captain), Leka Halasima; Demitric Sifakula. Interchange: Eiden Ackland, Isaiah Vagana, Patrick Vaivai, Nick Halalilo.
