NRL: Vatuvei stars in Warriors win

Wade McKinnon of the Warriors fends off Blake Ferguson of the Sharks during the NRL match at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Winger Manu Vatuvei's hot start to the new National Rugby League season continued tonight when he grabbed a hat-trick of tries to help the New Zealand Warriors beat Cronulla 30-16 in Auckland.

Vatuvei's treble meant he has dotted down five times after just two matches.

It also increased his career tally to 63, the second best in Warriors' history behind Stacey Jones on 77.

It was Vatuvei's second and third efforts early in the second half that swung the match towards the Warriors after the scores were tied at 16-16.

There were plenty of mistake by both sides, who were each seeking their first win of the year.

But the home side's better finishing proved the difference and they outscored the Sharks by six tries to two.

The Warriors suffered a pre-match blow with halfback Brett Seymour ruled out for six to eight weeks due to a broken thumb.

The injury occurred in Seymour's debut for the Warriors in the 18-24 defeat away to Gold Coast last weekend. He played on to the end of that match.

The injury meant Seymour missed out facing the club which sacked him last year for alcohol-related incidents.

Subsequently, James Maloney moved in one spot from five-eighth and he acquitted himself well at replacement halfback.

As against Gold Coast last week, the Warriors made a fast start and were up 16-0 within 15 minutes.

Hooker Aaron Heremaia opened with an easy try from dummy half, before a big break by second rower Lewis Brown was finished off by Vatuvei.

New skipper Simon Mannering, in his first appearance of the season, got in the act by diving on a Lance Hohaia kick in-goal, and the home side appeared to be running away with the contest.

However, with the home side conceding possession with mistakes and penalties, the Sharks hit back with tries to winger Luke Covell and centre Blake Ferguson.

Halfback Scott Porter converted both from the sideline and then added a penalty on the stroke of halftime.

Porter landed another goal early in the second half to tie the scores before Vatuvei swung the match the Warriors' way with two tries in six minutes.

Prop Sam Rapira sealed the victory when he forced his way over with six minutes to go.

- NZPA