The Parramatta Eels have broken their six-game losing streak with a 30-20 win in a spirited showing against a Warriors side that needed to win to mount a strong case for finals football.
The Eels started with intensity and were the first on the board with Jake Tago going over mid-way through the first half with an acrobatic display to go over in the left cover, after the Eels had put in a strong defensive effort up their end of the field to hold out the Warriors earlier in the game.
They went back-to-back off the weight of possession with a number of six-to-go calls and they capitalised, with Joey Lussick showing his strength to barge over the line from a dummyhalf run. Clint Gutherson's second successful conversion had the visitors out to a 12-0 lead.
Momentum started to shift when halves pairing Shaun Johnson and Chanel Harris-Tavita combined to find Roger Tuivasa-Sheck out wide, with the winger bustling over to score to give the Warriors a sniff 10 minutes before half-time.
However, after earning a line drop-out, the Eels wrested it straight back and were in again after Clint Gutherson was allowed to run across the field and pop what was deemed a flat ball to Daejarn Asi who did the rest, running through to extend their lead, with the conversion seeing them up 18-4.
Daejarn Asi Try
The Warriors then lifted with the half-time siren imminent and were rewarded with a penalty, but Johnson's kick was waved away. Johnson struggled with the kicking duties all night, with one for three successful.
After the break, the Warriors crossed the tryline first - but the try was disallowed by the Bunker after a knock-on in the contest for the high ball.
The Eels then continued to defy their position on the ladder and scored two tries in the second half to claim a drought-breaking win, despite a late flourish of points from the home side who ran in three tries.
Next week, the Warriors head to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday to take on the Dolphins who they defeated in Round 12, while the Eels take on the Panthers at home at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.
Match: Warriors v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match Snapshot
- The Parramatta Eels broke a six-game losing streak with their win.
- This match was the first time brothers Freddy Lussick (Warriors) and Joey Lussick (Eels) have faced off in the NRL.
- Eels forward Brendan Hands went off early in the first half for a HIA, which he passed.
- Parramatta forward Ryan Matterson was put on report late in the first half for tackling Mitch Barnett without the ball.
- Dylan Walker left the field early in the first half for a HIA, which he failed.
- Joe Ofahengaue was put on report following an on-field complaint from Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
- Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was the lone try scorer for his side in the first half and has now scored nine tries in 11 games against the Eels.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Try
- Parramatta winger Jake Tago was sent to the sin bin in the final moments for a professional foul as the Warriors attempted to mount some attack.
- Parramatta have won five of their past six games against the Warriors.
- The Eels played their first game in New Zealand since 2017.
Play of the Game
Joey Lussick Try
What They Said
Warriors
Warriors: Round 22
Eels
Eels: Round 22
