League: Fast finish makes up for slow start

Canberra 18 Warriors 16

There was a lot to like about the Warriors' first game of 2006 despite the scoreline against Canberra Raiders at North Harbour stadium yesterday.

They played way better than they have in other opening season games, arrested defensive lapses to turn around an 18-0 deficit at the break and were going strong at the end, crossing Canberra's line three times for touchdowns that were ruled out by the officials.

Several of the new players gave strong performances.

At the end, there was the feeling the Warriors had more improvement in them than did the visitors.

"We created a lot of opportunities. I guess over-excitement and rust didn't allow us to finish," coach Ivan Cleary said. He was relaxed after his first run as head coach and happy he had two more games against North Queensland in Cairns and the Bulldogs at Cararra on the Gold Coast to rectify the faults.

Individuals had played well, Cleary said, nominating props Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira and George Tuakura, and second rower Michael Luck.

A shoulder injury that forced Sione Faumuina from the field in the first half upset their combination. It was 6-0 to Canberra when the teams took a break after 20 minutes, Lincoln Withers scoring down the Warriors' right side when Todd Byrne and Tony Martin were beaten with the draw-and-pass by superior numbers. The quarter ended with the Warriors allowing a Raiders' bomb to bounce then showing a disturbing lack of energy in covering the loose ball.

That lackadaisical approach allowed Raiders fullback Clinton Schifcofske to stroll through to score, then bench player Ryan Hinchcliffe got over after Canberra earned a repeat set of six from a goal-line drop-out and it was 18-0 at halftime.

The Raiders extended their lead to 22-0 when David Milne was first to a kick to the in-goal. Then the home team picked up their act.

Tuimavave and Epalahame Lauaki produced off-loads and Byrne went in at the left corner, Tony Martin profited when the Raiders lost the ball inside their own 10m zone, then Cooper Vuna scored the try of the game. The 18-year-old gathered the last-tackle kick at speed and showed great footwork to wrong-foot multiple Raiders defenders in a 70m zig-zag to score.

Canberra scored again from a kick-chase in the opening minute of the last 20 but from there on it was all Warriors. An offside call cost Wairangi Koopu a try, referee Craig Pascoe ruled a prior knock-on when Louis Anderson got over the line and then Clinton Toopi was called back for a forward pass when he was in the clear with no one in front of him.

"We were full of running at the end of the game," said a contented Cleary.

The curtainraiser was a team against a squad, the North Harbour Bartercard side taking the Warriors development selection apart 48-22.

Best for the Warriors were Patrick Ah Van, who scored two tries then came on as replacement fullback, and Daniel O'Regan, at halfback.