New Zealand Warriors compounded Parramatta Eels’ misery with a 24-14 victory over the Sydney outfit.
Parramatta started well and were first on the board through a Mitch Moses penalty.
But the Warriors bounced back as try-scoring machine David Fusitu’a finished well in the corner. Mason Lino’s conversion and a further penalty had New Zealand six in front.
The Warriors extended their lead when Kan Maumalo set up Peta Hiku but George Jennings will be disappointed with his effort on Hiku.
Isaiah Papali’i was sent to the bin in the last few minutes of the first half for repeated offences. The Warriors almost held out but conceded early in the second half through Clint Gutherson.
The Eels hit the front with 18 minutes to go when Peni Terepo found Manu Ma’u running on the angle.
Their lead only lasted six minutes. A Blake Green kick bounced away from Moses and into the hands of Jazz Tevega.
Isaac Luke sealed the win for New Zealand with four minutes to go.
Eels: Gutherson, French, M Jennings, Takairangi, G Jennings, Norman, Moses, Alvaro, King, Terepo, Scott, Moeroa, Ma’u; Interchanges: Smith, Matagi, Gower, Niukore
Tries: Gutherson, Ma’u; Goals: Moses 3
Warriors: Hiku, Fusitu’a, Beale, Kata, Maumalo, Green, Lino, Gavet, Luke, Paasi, Papali’i, Harris, Blair; Interchanges: Afoa, Tevega, Satae, Mannering
Tries: Fusitu’a, Hiku, Tevega, Luke; Goals: Lino 4
Sin-bin: Papali’i (34) – repeated offences
Full match reports of all this weekend’s NRL games will feature in Monday’s League Express.
