Giant Tongan wing Manu Vatuvei answered his critics with two tries in the Warriors spectacular win over last year’s NRL semi-finalists, the Parramatta Eels in Auckland on Easter Sunday.
The New Zealand Warriors giant wing Manu Vatuvei is an enigma, spectacular with the ball in hand, terrible on defence, especially under the high ball. But the Tongan powerhouse answered back his critics with another two try effort in the Warriors’ 30-16 win against the Parramatta Eels at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Easter Sunday. This follows his brace scored in the loss to last year’s premiers Melbourne Storm in the opening round of the NRL centenary season.
Without the inspirational Steve Price and star fullback Wade McKinnon, the Warriors weren’t expected to trouble the Eels, who have been a bogey team for the Warriors, Vatuvei especially.
But led by stand in captain Ruben Wiki, not only did the Warriors make a mockery of those predictions, Vatuvei – helped by Lance Hohaia at fullback – defused the Eels barrage of high bombs during the game which was supposed to expose the Warriors supposed defensive frailties.
The 20 year-old Vatuvei’s defence was again exposed in the opening quarter when the Eels touched down first. But he made amends soon after showing his strength to dance the touchline and hold off defenders to score which got the Warriors back in the game.
Vatuvei's second try after the break all but buried the Eels, but he wasn’t done yet, setting up a try to prop Evarn Tuimavave after a storming 50m run by the big wing.
Rookie Warrior Sonny Fai played solidly on debut filling in for the injured Price. The strongly built 20 year-old Samoan and former De La Salle College old boy has big raps and is being compared already to former Warrior Ali Lauitiiti.
The Warriors big signing Brent Tate also opened his account with his first try of the season. The former Brisbane Bronco speedster has been under an injury cloud but is slowly getting back to form.
