In a season which is building a tome of exceptional turnarounds, the One New Zealand Warriors and the Kaiviti Silktails produced one of the most remarkable in their round 18 Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) clash at North Harbour Stadium today.
Watching on from the sideline the touring United States under-18 side – the Young Hawks – must have wondered what was going on before the home side won 40-18.
The first official American team to visit New Zealand, the players are here to get an insight into rugby league, a venture focused on development and education.
It was more than an education today.
On the back of Friday night’s astonishing NRL contest (when the Broncos came back to win 22-18 after being 0-18 down with 20 minutes to play) the Warriors and the Silktails more than matched it.
Match: Warriors v Silktails
Round 18 -
home Team
Warriors
8th Position
away Team
Silktails
14th Position
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
To set the scene first, the Silktails are running last in the competition and had lost their last nine matches on end. They were also playing in New Zealand for the first time facing a Warriors side sitting 10th on the ladder.
But the Fijians belied their lowly position and form by scoring three tries to lead 18-0 after 22 minutes leaving the locals non-plussed.
Then in the last 13 minutes of the half the Warriors ran in four tries to lead 22-18 as points came at a point a minute rate.
In the second half the Warriors banged on four more tries to run away with it. For 22 minutes there was only one side in it and for the last 50 minutes or so it was the other team in complete control.
Revelling in the late first half revival was left winger Tallan Egan who had a hat-trick in the space of 13 minutes while in the second half right winger Brandon Norris rounded out the scoring with two tries, the second a stunning effort.
Fielding a last tackle kick on his own 30 metre line, he took off running around the defence, gassing down the touchline and then swerving infield beating tacklers with ease. Ankle tapped near the line he bounced up and put the ball down for a superb solo try.
It was the second time the Warriors had hit 40 this season, their seventh win – and second on end – lifting them back into the top eight to sit seventh for now on 18 points pending the outcome of other games this weekend.
They’re back at North Harbour Stadium next Saturday to take on the Wests Tigers.
