Rugby League: Bulldogs are let off the leash

By PETER JESSUP

BULLDOGS 18 WARRIORS 12

The Bulldogs scrapped home again in Wellington tonight, defeating the Warriors by six points after taking an early lead, surrendering it, then coming home the stronger.

It was the third exciting showcase for the visitors in the capital, with the score two close wins and a draw.

The Warriors suffered from the late loss of playmaker P.J. Marsh with a thumb injury.

He was replaced by Mark Robinson, making his NRL debut after just one game in the Bartercard Cup.

Brent Webb had a blinder at fullback, covering everything the Dogs threw at him.

The team veterans had been asked to stand up and for the most part they did, Stacey Jones and Logan Swann in particular.

James Leuluai, son of the famous Kiwi centre, made his NRL debut in the final minutes and, at age 17, is the youngest-ever Warrior.

It might have meant little, but the game finished with a sparkle he will remember for a while.

Jones' last-gasp kick to try to force the first golden point game was charged down and the 80 minutes ran out with an all-in wrestle that signalled the intensity with which it had been played.

Robinson had played sevens in Sydney in February, had a run in the pre-season trial against Cronulla at Albany, and scored four tries for North Harbour against Wellington in his only national league game.

He showed signs of that lack of experience early on, with inaccurate passing and some slow reaction to the dummy-half requirements.

He corrected it quickly, but by then play was flowing the Dogs' way.

The Warriors had blown early scoring opportunities with kicks too shallow or too deep.

Turnovers, penalties and smart play by the Dogs meant they played most of the first half without the ball.

They copped some unjustified calls from referee Shayne Hayne for holding when being held, and those always came on the last tackle.

The first of those gifted a break to Willie Mason and he off-loaded to rookie centre Ben Harris for the first points.

From there the Warriors had to defend repeat sets of six.

Brent Sherwin terrorised the Warriors' line with grubbers, and five times the Dogs were denied. The ball was rushed dead by Stacey Jones, Brent Webb, Francis Meli and Webb again, twice.

Webb and Jones smashed Nigel Vagana into touch with centimetres to spare to douse the Dogs' second decent scoring opportunity.

Considering the possession they had enjoyed, the Dogs should have been more than 6-0 up.

It was testament to the respect with which other teams regard the Warriors that twice when granted penalties in easy kicking range the Dogs chose to do that rather than try to force the touchdown.

The second came right on the break and El Masri sliced it, as he had the conversion of Harris' try.

The weight of possession had to change. And it did.

Francis Meli scored in the opening minute of the second spell when the Dogs turned the ball over, the Warriors' passing smartened up, and there was good back-up.

Webb goaled, then nailed a penalty to give the Warriors the lead at 8-6.

Webb then broke from dummy-half and Clinton Toopi crashed over Vagana and Kiwi wing Matt Utai to roll over the line.

Utai scored next, after Harris broke the Warriors in mid-field. Travis Norton then made a 50m break and, cut down, the ball went to Willie Mason on the burst and the Dogs had the lead. It was another close call.

The crowd had to be happy with the entertainment.

But the 21,989 was the smallest number the Bulldogs have attracted in their three years coming to the Cake Tin. There's one year left on the contract.

New Zealand Warriors 12 (F. Meli, C. Toopi tries; B. Webb 2 goals)

Canterbury Bulldogs 18 (B. Harris, M. Utai, W. Mason tries; Hazim El Masri 3 goals).

HT: Bulldogs 6-0.

NRL points table and fixtures