LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The NZ Warriors had an exhilarating start to their opening-round clash in the SG Ball Cup against Parramatta, but unfortunately, they were narrowly defeated in the end.
The Warriors, coached by Grant Pocklington, put up a valiant fight against the defending premiers, showcasing their impressive skills throughout the match.
Despite being the underdogs, the Warriors showed no signs of backing down.
They bounced back swiftly after conceding an early try and a penalty, scoring two tries in quick succession through Sio Kali and Motu Pasikala.
This stunning display of performance allowed them to take a well-deserved 10-8 lead into halftime.
The margin was further extended early in the second half with a converted try by Jeriko Filipi-Talisau, but the Eels managed to bring it back to a close 16-14 scoreline.
However, the Warriors responded once again, with Hiraka Waitai-Haenga crossing the try line to give his team a 20-14 advantage after 50 minutes of play.