Parramatta Eels cause another upset at New Zealand Warriors

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 22 PARRAMATTA EELS 26
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Go Media Stadium, Friday

PARRAMATTA played giant-killer once again as they dented New Zealand Warriors’ hopes of a top-four finish with an Auckland raid.

Six days after stunning Sydney Roosters, the Eels claimed another surprise, backs-to-the-wall victory as they end a disappointing season on something of a high.

Josh Addo-Carr, celebrating his 200th NRL appearance, scored perhaps one of his most thrilling tries to get the ball rolling, collecting inside his own in-goal and racing the length of the field.

Parramatta’s second try also came from a failed Warriors attack, Jack Williams finding space to score after the hosts initially scrambled back.

Adam Pompey reduced the deficit after Chanel Harris-Tavita’s quick pass, but a 4-12 half-time score was extended by a penalty from Zac Lomax (who was perfect from the tee) and then a try by Isaiah Iongi off a brilliant Kelma Tuilagi break and offload.

Pompey played in Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Leka Halasima claimed a Tanah Boyd kick to keep the Warriors in touch at 16-20.

Iongi’s second try, another stunning long-range effort, ought to have been enough – but Halasima burst over, and the Eels were left mightily relieved when Pompey had a late score ruled out for a slight touch by Demitric Vaimauga.

WARRIORS: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Rocco Berry, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tevita, 7 Tanah Boyd, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 16 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark. Subs (all used): 14 Demitric Vaimauga, 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 17 Leka Halasima

Tries: Pompey (20), Tuivasa-Sheck (56), Halasima (61, 71); Goals: Boyd 3/4

EELS: 1 Isaiah Iongi, 2 Zac Lomax, 3 Will Penisini, 18 Sean Russell, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Joash Papalii, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 J’maine Hopgood, 9 Ryley Smith, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Kelma Tuilagi, 12 Jack Williams, 13 Dylan Walker. Subs (all used): 14 Tallyn Da Silva, 15 Matt Doorey, 16 Charlie Guymer, 17 Jordan Samrani

Tries: Addo-Carr (4), Williams (16), Iongi (50, 64); Goals: Lomax 5/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 4-12; 4-14, 4-20, 10-20, 16-20, 16-26, 22-26

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Leka Halasima; Eels: Zac Lomax

Penalty count: 5-3; Half-time: 4-12; Referee: Peter Gough