League: Warriors keep play-off hopes alive

Warriors Wairangi Koopu hugs Brent Webb following their win against the Raiders at Ericsson Stadium tonight. Picture / Fotopress

The New Zealand Warriors broke through some stubborn Canberra Raiders defence to notch a 24-16 victory in their National Rugby League (NRL) match in Auckland last night.

Francis Meli's try in the 70th minute at Ericsson Stadium secured the Warriors ninth win of the season as they make a late charge for the NRL playoffs.

It was just the second time this season the Warriors have strung together successive NRL victories.

With 20 competition points, the Warriors sit just two points adrift of the top-eight, but it could have been a different result as the visitors, themselves on 20 points, produced a courageous defensive display which kept them in touch throughout the match.

The Warriors started superbly with Jerome Ropati crossing in the sixth minute, but the Raiders, with limited possession replied through Matt Adamson 20 minutes later.

Lance Hohaia crashed over before halftime to give the Warriors a 12-6 buffer at the break.

Nathan Fien's four-pointer in the 46th minute extended the lead and Warriors halfback Stacey Jones landed his third conversion stretching the scoreline to 18-6.

But the Raiders kept fighting and punched through with tries in the 52nd and 55th minute to David Howell and Michael Robertson respectively before Jones slotted his fourth conversion after Meli's try to finally take the win.

Scoreboard:

New Zealand Warriors 24 (Jerome Ropati, Lance Hohaia, Nathan Fien, Francis Meli tries; Stacey Jones 4 goals)

Canberra Raiders 16 (Matt Adamson, David Howell, Michael Robertson tries; Clinton Schifcofske 2 goals).

Halftime: 12-6.

- NZPA