League: Warriors let chances slip by

Eels 22 Warriors 14

If there was ever a time the Warriors were going to break their away game hoodoo in New Zealand, then last night against an injury-depleted and below-par Eels outfit was it.

With New South Wales centre Timana Tahu and flying winger Eric Grothe both withdrawing before the match, the Warriors' new-look backline, with Jerome Ropati at stand-off, Tony Martin at centre and Todd Byrne on the wing, should have had an advantage. Parramatta made the trip across the Tasman after a 25-6 hiding from the Knights in round one and were there to be skinned.

But someone forgot to tell the Eels. And after an elaborate opening ceremony that lasted more than 20 minutes and showcased Brazilian dancing, a fire-breathing clown and a Ricky Martin impersonator - which was somewhat lost on the 16,089 Waikato crowd - the Eels laid on some clinical rugby league.

An erratic kicking game continued to plague the Warriors, with halfback Nathan Fien miscuing his first attempt. In contrast, the Eels' kicking game, led by Tim Smith, was spot on.

Smith's accuracy with the boot led to the Warriors having to defend repeat sets in the opening six minutes and centre Ben Smith ghosted over for a try out wide.

Clinton Toopi seemed to have a try when he produced some magic on a chip and chase of his own. The Kiwis centre's tackle spilt the ball loose in the tackle but once again the video referee correctly ruled that Matt Peterson had forced the ball.

Shortly after Nathan Hindmarsh was the recipient of some Smith magic as the rookie delivered a perfect ball to put the Kangaroos forward over for a healthy 10-2 lead.

Then an absurd try got the Warriors back in it. Fien threw a wide pass that ricocheted off skipper Steve Price's shoulder and Evarn Tuimavave pounced on it to reduce the margin to two points after 20 minutes.

Just when the Warriors looked promising, via a Fien clean break up the centre or solid defence forcing a turnover, it was immediately undone by Ropati with a kick out on the full or Brent Webb fumbling. The Aussie hosts, in Hamilton, maintained a 10-8 lead at halftime.

It was the same story in the second half as the Warriors had parity, or better, in possession and territory but couldn't convert that advantage into points. Further simple mistakes from the 2002 premiers cost them dearly just as they looked to be growing in stature.

Big Kiwis winger Manu Vatuvei knocked on deep in defence and the Eels slipped in again. Hindmarsh was on hand again for his second try of the night, skilfully collecting a grubber and diving over.

Vatuvei made amends for his error, however, to keep the Warriors' hopes alive of earning their first two points of the season. He collected a towering bomb and charged over to finally spark up the vocal crowd. While the Eels' kick chase was brilliant, sloppy work at the back by Vatuvei and Webb made it look good as well.

Their uncoordinated retrieve with eight minutes remaining let Dean Widders score and effectively shut out the Warriors.

Warriors fans will be hoping they are not in for another season where their side is again on the wrong side of close games.

In the 2005 campaign they lost 10 games by eight points or less and, with their disadvantaged start of minus four points, games like last night's are ones they simply can't afford to lose.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY