The Warriors have started the Andrew Webster era off in style with a thumping 48-12 win over Wests Tigers in the opening round of the Pre-season Challenge on Thursday night.
New recruits Te Maire Martin and Luke Metcalf combined well in the halves to help the Warriors to a 14-0 lead before Marcelo Montoya crossed for his third try of the evening as the left edge caused havoc in Auckland.
Montoya produced a charging effort that knocked Charlie Staines off his feet for his second try but Staines otherwise looked solid at fullback for Wests Tigers in his first showing for the club despite limited opportunities in the match.
Metcalf though continued to impress with a brilliant solo effort in the second half that will give new Warriors coach Webster a halves selection headache with Martin, Shaun Johnson and Ronald Volkman all pushing for Round 1.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has a decision to make between Staines and Daine Laurie for the fullback spot in the club’s season opener against the Titans on March 5.
Sheens would’ve been disappointed by the side’s start but buoyed by their efforts in a 10-minute period during the second half with Stefano Utoikamanu and Trey Peni both getting over the line.
The momentum quickly evaporated, however, with two intercept tries to Viliami Vailea adding an exclamation mark to the Warriors win.
Another of Sheens’ recruits, Brandon Wakeham, had a mixed evening in the halves after only arriving to the club a fortnight ago.
Source: NRL.Com