Three converted tries in the last five minutes showed the One New Zealand Warriors what might have been as they went down 24-34 to competition leader Canberra in Saturday’s 17th-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) contest at Go Media Stadium.
The Warriors didn’t want for opportunities throughout the contest and enjoyed periods when they had the Raiders under pressure but a lack of finish and errors cost them dearly.
After going to halftime 6-16 down after a competitive first 35 minutes, they faltered when they were unable to tidy up kicks in the 50th and 54th minutes before conceding a 90-metre intercept try when they were set to score themselves.
That handed the Raiders 18 points, taking them out to a commanding 34-6 lead with nine minutes to go.
Only then did the Warriors find their attacking groove as they took on an exposed Canberra’s defensive line.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 17 -
home Team
Warriors
13th Position
away Team
Raiders
1st Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Three tries came in the space of four minutes as centre Siale Faeamani, second rower Kayliss Fatialofa and winger Raphael Sio all found joy with Tallan Egan striking the ball superbly from wide out to convert all three.
The performance marked a significant improvement after last week’s heavy loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons yet there was still disappointment knowing it could easily have been better still had the Warriors produced better finishing.
