NRL: Warriors snap losing streak

Manu Vatuvei of the Warriors runs in to score a try. Photo / Getty Images

NZ Warriors 22
Titans 6

The New Zealand Warriors ended a four-match losing streak with a 22-6 win over struggling Gold Coast in Auckland tonight.

The victory at a cold and wet Mr Smart Stadium lifted the Warriors back into the top eight, although results over the rest of the weekend will determine if they stay there.

For the Titans, the defeat left them anchored at the bottom of the table and could have put paid to their hopes of playoff football.

Veteran back Mat Rogers made his return from retirement, coming off the bench for his 200th NRL appearance.

While he showed some good touches, he couldn't helped the Titans to break a losing run that now extends to three matches.

Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman, turning around just two days after Queensland's Origin-winning effort in Brisbane, toted up 24 tackles for the night in a game he said was vital for the Warriors.

"Tonight was a very important game for us, and the boys really turned up and put in a good performance," Lillyman said.

He said Cleary's pre-game instructions were simple: "Just dig in - we haven't really put in an 80-minute performance for a while now. To hang in there, grind away and do anything to get the two points."

The Warriors began with plenty of energy, despite losing centre Lewis Brown in just the second minute with an ankle injury.

They hit the front after eight minutes, when a James Maloney kick into the in-goal was pounced on by centre Shaun Berrigan.

Maloney's conversion made it 6-0 and the home side continued to dominate.

They got a big let-off when, in a rare raid, the Titans should have scored, with second rower Anthony Laffranchi first to a kick-ahead by centre Bodene Thompson.

But Laffranchi saw the slippery ball escape from his grasp as he was about to force it down.

After former Warrior Clinton Toopi, in his 150th NRL match, was penalised for holding down, the Warriors went further ahead.

Fullback Kevin Locke, who had a good evening both in defence and attack, was twice involved before sending winger Bill Tupou over.

From there, however, the Titans began to get into the contest and they got on the board midway through the spell.

Tauranga-born Thompson's big hit on second rower Feleti Mateo jolted the ball clear and from the resulting possession winger William Zillman chased up skipper Scott Prince kick ahead for a converted try.

The Warriors were forced into an arm wrestle over the remainder of the half but survived without further damage.

They pulled ahead early in the spell, a Mateo back flip pass finished off by skipper Simon Mannering.

They increased their buffer through winger Manu Vatuvei, whose try meant he had scored against the Titans for the sixth match in a row.

Maloney's third conversion made it 22-6, but as in the first half, the Warrriors began to cede the momentum.

However, their defence held out as they ensured the Titan didn't once break their line.

New Zealand Warriors 22 (Shaun Berrigan, Bill Tupou, Feleti Mateo, Manu Vatuvei tries; James Maloney 3 goals) Gold Coast Titans 6 (William Zillman try; Scott Prince goal)HT: 10-6 Referees: Gavin Badger and Adam Devcich Crowd: 10,780

- NZPA