LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NZ Warriors have secured their third consecutive win, allowing them to maintain their position as the second-ranked team on the New South Wales Cup ladder during the 24th round of the regular season.
Setu Tu's two try-scoring efforts in the early minutes of the second half positioned the Warriors for a potential blowout victory, but they were unable to find the try line again, settling for a penalty goal in the final moments and finishing with a solid 26-16 win.
In a reshuffling of the lineup, Tu was moved from the wing to fullback, Patrick Moimoi was brought into the centers, and Bunty Afoa started at prop, resulting in a formidable all-NRL front row alongside Freddy Lussick at hooker and Tom Ale as the other prop.
The Slade Griffin-coached side got off to a phenomenal start with Moimoi scoring a try in the third minute.
Throughout the match, the Magpies relentlessly attacked the Warriors' goal-line defense but were unable to break through, leading to a scoreline of 4-0 for a significant period of time.
After weathering the defensive onslaught, the Warriors responded with tries from teenage second rower Leka Halasima and NRL center Viliami Vailea in the 28th and 34th minutes respectively.
Halasima once again showcased his exceptional aerial abilities by leaping to catch Ronald Volkman's mid-range bomb.