In a gritty display of pure determination, the Warriors snatched a heart-stopping 22-20 victory from the jaws of defeat against the Panthers this Sunday, in what’s being hailed as one of the club’s gutsiest wins ever.
With their backs against the wall and missing key players like the sensational Shaun Johnson due to injuries, the Warriors’ situation looked bleak, especially after hooker Wayde Egan was knocked out of the game after just 12 minutes. But the Kiwi warriors weren’t ready to roll over just yet!
Down and almost out, trailing by four with only 10 minutes left on the clock, up stepped unlikely hero Taine Tuaupiki. The backup fullback not only scored but also nailed the conversion, flipping the script and pushing his team ahead by two in the dying moments.
The drama peaked when Panthers’ Dylan Edwards fluffed a crucial penalty goal late in the game, sealing a thrilling victory for the Warriors against the reigning premiers in Brisbane.
The Warriors’ horror start saw them kick the ball out on the full, followed by a quick try from Edwards before they could even get a touch. The situation turned grimmer when Egan exited, but the team showed their mettle.
Despite getting knocked around, with Marcelo Montoya suffering a head knock as he scored, the Warriors showed they’re made of tougher stuff. Montoya shook it off and returned to the fray, adding to the drama.
After trailing by six at halftime, the sin-binning of the Panthers’ Isaah Yeo turned the tide. Ali Leiataua’s maiden NRL try, converted by Tuaupiki, got the Warriors back in the game. Then, Te Maire Martin turned playmaker, setting up Adam Pompey to edge the Warriors ahead.
The Panthers, back to full strength, briefly regained their rhythm, with Yeo slicing through the defense and Izack Tago punishing the Warriors for their penalties. But the day belonged to the Warriors, with Tuaupiki’s clutch play snapping their five-game losing streak and leaving fans in high spirits.
