LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a thrilling round 12 Jersey Flegg Cup match, the NZ Warriors staged an extraordinary second-half comeback to secure a 40-28 victory over Canterbury Bankstown at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe.
The first half painted a starkly different picture, with the Warriors initially gaining momentum through an early try by centre Caelys Putoko.
However, the tide quickly turned as the visitors scored four consecutive tries in just 19 minutes, leading 22-6 at halftime.
The situation looked grim for the players and coach TJ Ashford, who was overseeing the team for the second time after recently leading the Harold Matthews Cup side to a second consecutive premiership.
The second half saw a remarkable transformation as the Warriors turned the game around.
They executed their strategy effectively, with Winitana-Patelesio making a significant play by sending a long cut-out pass to winger Tallan Egan.
Although Egan was checked, he managed to flick the ball back to Norris, who scored, giving the Warriors a 28-22 lead with over 20 minutes left.
This shift not only showcased the team's resilience but also highlighted the strategic adjustments made by Ashford in the second half, leading to an astonishing turnaround in the match.