The New Zealand Warriors were brought quickly back down to Earth on Monday night when they were given one of the worst beatings in the club’s history.
The Warriors went to Brookvale Oval with the confidence up after beating the Eels last week. But the Manly Sea Eagles were in no mood for pleasantries as they thumped the Warriors by a whopping margin 52-6. It was the third worst defeat for the Warriors, the worst being in 2000 when they were whopped 54-0 by the Dragons.
The game was as good as gone at half-time, as the visitors failed to maintain possession or mount any pressure on attack. They missed the leadership of their captain Steve Price and his precious metres, and the steadiness of Jerome Ropati in the backline.
Eagles halfback Matt Orford and centre Jamie Lyon wreaked havoc on the kiwis.
Manly won the contest up front allowing Orford to dictate field position. He kicked 12 points and had a hand in many of his side’s tries.
After scoring four tries in two games, Manu Vatuvei handling problems returned to haunt him, with his wing partner Patrick Ah Van also coming under constant pressure.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was speechless afterwards, but the side now re-sets its focus for a much welcome home game against Newcastle at Mt Smart where they will try to maintain a 50% record.
In other news, the Brisbane Broncos have won the battle to sign Australian teenage test centre Israel Folau.
Folau, whose family lives in Brisbane, has been in discussions with the Broncos for some time, and alerted them yesterday of his decision to leave premiers Melbourne and join them next year, Brisbane's website reports.
"In accordance with the wishes of both Folau's management and the Melbourne Storm, the Broncos agreed not to comment on the matter until the player had spoken to his current club and teammates," it said.
LEAGUE NRL RESULTS – Rd 3
Bulldogs 32 (L. Patten 2, H. El Masri, S. Williams, H. Nanai, A. Ryan tries; El Masri 4 goals) Wests Tigers 12 (B. Ryan, D. Halatau tries; B. Hodgson 2 goals).
Penrith 26 (B. Tighe 2, M. Blair, A. Woolnough tries; J. Sammut 5 goalsa) South Sydney 22 (F. Talanoa, J. Sutton, M. Greenfield, D. Widders tries; I. Luke 2, L. Ndaira goals).
Gold Coast 18 (J. Atkins, B. Meyers, M. Rogers tries; S. Prince 3 goals) Cronulla 4 (D. Simmons try).
Canberra 21 (J. Monaghan 2, T. Thompson, T. Campese tries; T. Carney 2 goals, field goal) St George Illawarra 14 (J. Nightingale 2 tries; M. Gasnier 3 goals).
Parramatta 24 (J. Hayne 2, E. Grothe, B. Finch tries; L. Burt 3 goals, field goal; N. Cayless field goal) Newcastle 23 (K. Lulia 2, C. Vuna, W. Naiqama tries; K. Gidley 3 goals; J. Mullen field goal).
Brisbane 36 (B. Hannant, PJMarsh, D. Boyd, R. Robinson, S. Michaels, M. Ennis tries; P. Wallace 3, Ennis 3 goals) North Queensland 2 (J. Thurston goal).
Sydney Roosters 10 (S. Kenny-Dowall try; C. Fitzgibbon 3 goals) Melbourne 6 (B. Slater try; C. Smith goal).
Manly 52 (M Robertson 3, B Stewart 3, A Watmough 2, M Orford, M Bani tries; M Orford 6 goals) NZ Warriors 6 (L Hohaia try; M Witt goal).
