The Warriors look finals sure for simply the second time in 12 years and it’s rookie coach Andrew Webster taking the Kiwis again to the promised land.
The Warriors conceded the primary strive on Sunday however then piled on 38 unanswered factors to thump the Sharks in entrance of 25,000 followers at Mt Smart Stadium.
Veteran halfback Shaun Johnson was very good within the 44-12 victory that noticed them leapfrog Cronulla into fifth on the ladder.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks dwell scores, groups
Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
The Sharks had received 10 of their previous 13 in opposition to Warriors however this time they have been no match for the New Zealanders who can transfer into the highest 4 in opposition to the Raiders subsequent week.
Cronulla misplaced Teig Wilton to harm and star halfback Nicho Hynes was binned for knowledgeable foul on the loss of life however the contest was effectively and actually over by then.
READ ON FOR OUR BIG HITS
WARRIORS’ DYNAMIC DUO
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson’s stellar season continued as he dismantled the Sharks alongside hooker Wayde Egan.
Johnson, 32, is ageing like a high-quality wine and signed a one-year extension in the course of the week that can preserve him previous his thirty fourth birthday.
The veteran playmaker was in elegant contact in opposition to Cronulla, booting a 40-20 and establishing 4 tries.
Egan was deadly out of dummy-half and mixed with Johnson brilliantly because the duo shredded Cronulla’s defence.
Johnson, who now has 21 strive assists this season, threw a ravishing no-look move for Rocco Berry to barge over within the twenty fifth minute in of a number of scintillating performs from the star No. 7.
The Warriors have scored extra tries via the center than any facet (27) this season and premiership-winning hooker Mick Ennis believes Egan is the shape No. 9 of the competitors.
“The combination of Egan and Johnson is absolutely dynamic at the moment. Johnson, how good does he look with the ball in hand,” Ennis mentioned.
“They are toying with defenders, Johnson with just mesmerising ball play.
“This combination around the ruck is just torturing this left edge. It’s what the great players do, once they sniff a deficiency in the defence they just keep going back there.
“Egan is the form dummy-half of the comp at the moment. I know it’s a big statement because we have some great dummy half. Their attack through the middle is the best by a mile and he is the mastermind of it.”
Greg Alexander added: “The form Johnson has displayed this year he’s in the top half dozen players in the comp. Exceptional stuff, it’s a treat to watch him.”
Johnson despatched a scare via the Warriors coaches field when he went down with an ankle harm late within the sport, however he managed to run it off.
WHAT A NO TRY
Tom Hazelton shall be telling his grandkids about this one, although the strive was finally disallowed.
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson grubbered the ball proper into the bread basket of Hazelton and the Sharks prop then ran 70 metres to attain.
The large man confirmed unimaginable velocity to make it to the strive line earlier than Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who was scorching in pursuit.
“What a collect, what a run and what a way to score your third NRL try. Terrific Tommy,” Matt Russell mentioned on Fox League.
Cronulla celebrated the uncommon front-rower’s strive wildly just for replays to disclose the slightest of knock ons and the strive was rubbed out.
“That’s as good a try as he’s scored. Oh no they’re having a look at it. Gee he showed some pace,” Anthony Griffin mentioned.
“It’s so hard to score a try these days, in the coach’s box even after it’s awarded you’re just always waiting for it to be confirmed.”
Get all the newest NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
WARRIORS FINALS BOUND
The Warriors look set to play finals for the primary time since 2018 and it’s unheralded first-year coach Andrew Webster taking them there.
“I’ve got to give a rap to the coach, Andrew Websters,” veteran NRL coach Anthony Griffin mentioned on Fox League.
“The Warriors have always had potential, they’ve always been a team people want to see do well.
“Webster has unlocked the potential in Shaun Johnson, settled him down, he now plays a simple game.
“They know exactly where they’re going as a team and that comes back to the first-year coach. He’s transformed this team into a finals contender in just 20 rounds.”
WILTON INJURY
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon shall be sweating on the health of backrower Teig Wilton who limped off within the first half with a suspected severe knee harm.
Wilton left the sport within the 18th minute and went straight up the tunnel earlier than returning to the sideline in a knee brace.
“He’s been great, Teig wilton for Cronulla, so much growth in him so it’s a devastating blow,” Mick Ennis mentioned.
“He has a huge work ethic and he’s been a reason why cronulla were sitting in the top four coming into this game.”
Fitzgibbon may very well be with out one other backrower subsequent week after Wade Graham was positioned on report for an alleged journey within the first half.
Get all the newest NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Relive all of the motion under in our dwell weblog, in case you can’t see it click on right here!
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
