New Zealand Warriors' backbone hailed after injury crisis against ...
The New Zealand Warriors have been commended for their courage and backbone in a gruelling 30-22 loss to the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day.
It was a clash that saw many highs and lows for the New Zealand outfit, with a fast start and a four-try display edging them towards a historic win at AAMI Park, one that would have seen them win their first Anzac match since 2014.
However, ill-discipline in the second half and some controversial refereeing decisions allowed the Storm to counter through stars Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Harry Grant.
Fullback Nick Meaney also had a standout performance, earning himself his first Spirit of Anzac medal for a Man of the Match display.
On the other side, the Warriors were left with no bench players for the final 15 minutes after skipper Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jazz Tevaga and Bayley Sironen all left the field with injury.
It was a defining part of the game as the Storm exploited New Zealand’s tired legs, however, the resilience shown by the Warriors in adversity has earned huge praise from former coach Tony Kemp.
“I woke up this morning just thinking about how tough they were last night,” Kemp told SENZ Breakfast.
“Courageous losing four boys to the bench who couldn’t return to the game.
“If things had been different and they had the opportunity to change out a couple of really tired little players late in that game, they could have been in it.”
The visitors held a 10-point lead over Craig Bellamy’s Storm in the second half but were unable to add more to their total as four of their key players were forced from the field.
However, their determination across the full 80 minutes showed just how far they have come under new coach Andrew Webster in 2023.
“One thing I (have) got to say (is) backbone, if you didn’t believe this Warriors team is putting in the effort this year then you must be watching a totally different game,” he added.
“This is a totally different Warriors side that showed up in 2023.”
In the end, the Storm proved too strong thanks to the attacking flair of their big-game players.
“It was a real scrap at the back end and of course that’s where they like it, the Melbourne Storm,” Kemp said.
“Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant stepped up and went through the middle of the park and the only reason they did that was on the back of some pretty average refereeing decisions, I have to say.
“But that’s what they do. They tire you and they attack that tiring ruck, but what a game last night.”
The Warriors will be sweating on the fitness of some of their casualties as they head home to face the Sydney Roosters on Sunday afternoon, who secured a one-point win over the St George Illawarra Dragons earlier on Tuesday night.
The Storm will now face a bye in Round 9.
