Source: Radio New Zealand
Dallin Watene-Zelzniak scores an acrobatic try for the Warriors against the Dolphins. David Neilson/Photosport
Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored two tries, as NZ Warriors let a pre-season win over Dolphins slip through their fingers in the dying moments.
Ahead 34-20 midway through the second half, coach Andrew Webster elected to rest his stars and give his young reserves an opportunity to impress.
Ultimately, the Dolphins youth finished strong, running in three converted tries over the last 10 minutes to take 38-34 honours on the scoreboard.
Front-rower Jackson Ford opened the scoring for the Warriors in the fourth minute, but the Dolphins took an early advantage, when Ford was guilty of a hipdrop tackle that saw him serve 10 minutes in the sin bin.
In his absence, hooker Brad Schneider put the Brisbane side ahead, but restored to full strength, hooker Wayde Egan and Watene-Zelezniak gave the Warriors an 18-10 halftime lead, with halfback Tanah Boyd on target from the tee.
The Dolphins seemed to take control after the break, when they ran in back-to-back tries for fullback Trai Fuller and winger Jamayne Isaako, but they handed momentum back, when prop Frank Molo was sin-binned for a high shoulder to Ford’s head.
Centre Ali Leiataua and Watene-Zelezniak grabbed the lead back for the Warriors, before Webster inserted his young reserves.
The newbies showed one last flourish, with half Jack Thompson bombing towards the Dolphins posts and second-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava claiming the ball to score, as the Warriors went 38-20 up, but that was their last scoring action.
Instead, Tevita Naufahu, John Fineanganofo and Brian Pouniu – all born in Auckland – rattled off tries for the Dolphins to take scoreboard honours, with Schneider converting all three.
Webster will now hold his breath over Ford’s judicial fate, while acting skipper Kurt Capewell ended the first half holding his ribs, after falling awkwardly making a tackle.
Follow the live action here:
Squads
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Haizyn Mellars, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Morgan Gannon, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Makaia Tafua, 24. Motu Pasikala, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 27. Geronimo Doyle, 28. Rodney Tuipuiotu-Vea, 29. Paea Sikuvea
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have added several frontliners, including former Warriors Kodi Nikorima at five-eighth, after suffering a 24-12 loss to Gold Coast Titans last week,
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Francis Molo, 9. Bradley Schneider, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchange: 14. Tevita Naufahu, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 17. John Fineanganofo
Reserves: 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. Elijah Rasmussen, 20. Brian Pouniu, 21. Zac Garton, 22. Brent Woolf, 23. Adquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke, 24. Sangstar Figota, 25. Noah Fien, 26. Elijah McKay
Warriors take on Dolphins in an NRL pre-season trial. Liam Swiggs / RNZ
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
