Warriors overcome Storm in big NRL upset
September 14, 2008
For the first time since the current finals format was introduced in 1999 in the NRL the 8th placed team has defeated the minor premiers. The New Zealand Warriors were pretty much written off going into the match against Melbourne Storm. They showed that the opinion of journalists counts for nothing when it comes time to play running out winners 18-15.
The Warriors were first to score through a penalty goal to Michael Witt. The Storm hit back with a try to Anthony Quinn in the 16th minute which was converted by Cam Smith. The Storm extended their lead after a penalty goal to Smith in the 28th minute. With the score at 8-2 just a minute out from halftime it looked liked the defending premiers would take that lead into the break.
The Warriors were not giving in that easily and managed to score a try out wide through Jerome Ropati which was converted to make the scores level at 8-8 as the teams went into the sheds at halftime.
The Warriors made the Storm sit up and take notice with an early try in the second half. Manu Vatuvei scored in the 45th minute and the conversion took the visitors out to a 14-8 lead. Billy Slater had failed to clean up a Grant Rovelli kick which allowed the Warriors player the chance to score the try.
Just minutes before the try Slater thought he had scored only to have his try waved away as the ref ruled that Lance Hohaia had been tackled without the ball.
The Storm had another try disallowed after Folau was ruled to have made a doublyese movement. Moments later he did score when he ran over in the 54th minute. The conversion was missed however a penalty goal in the 59th minute for the Storm levelled the scores.
The Storm looked to have escaped the embarassment of losing to the eigth placed team when Greg Inglis put them in front with a nicely struck field goal in the 69th minute. It could have been the blow that knocked the stuffing out of the Warriors.
It was not to be. The Warriors kept fighting and to the amazement of the Storm faithful they went in for a try in the 79th minute. After a break down the left side a nice pass sent Michael Witt over out wide. After crossing the line he paused for a second to taunt the Storm players before touching down for the winning try.
The loss for the Storm now throws them into the cut throat sudden loss football. They must now travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos. The Warriors on the other hand are rewarded with a home final against the Sydney Roosters next Friday.
Even though the Roosters have to travel to Auckland for the match against the Warriors they have the advantage of two days extra rest as they played their finals match against Brisbane on Friday night.
The Warriors win sees the Canberra Raiders bow out of finals football in 2008. It also means that Cronulla gets the extra week off, along with Manly.
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