Source: Radio New Zealand
Leka Halasima scores a try against Newcastle Knights. David Neilson/Photosport
For only the second time in club history, NZ Warriors have surged to a three-game winning streak to start their NRL season, overwhelming previously unbeaten Newcastle Knights 38-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The only previous occasion they have managed this feat was 2018, when the Auckland club rattled off five straight victories.
Co-captain Mitch Barnett returned to action for the first time, since his season-ending knee injury last June and showed no rust, as he laid on a try for fellow front-rower Jackson Ford, who was celebrating his 100th first-grade game.
Barnett’s appearance from the interchange was his 50th for the club.
“It was nice to come off the bench for a change, when there was a bit of sting out of the game,” he said. “Great to be back.”
Newcastle grabbed an early lead, when fullback Fletcher Hunt crossed for a try in the third minute, but the Warriors piled on 30 consecutive points to take control of the contest.
The Knights finally answered through wing Greg Marzhew, but the visitors finished with a flourish, as wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak fielded a desperation kick after the final siren and sent fullback Taine Tuaupiki into the clear.
As he crossed the tryline, Tuaupiki flung a pass inside for debutant Luke Hanson to score, as Ford celebrated his milestone with the first goal of his career.
The result puts the Warriors on top of the table on points differential over Penrith Panthers and they host Wests Tigers at Go Media Stadium next Friday.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
