That game was something else, it was played with finals intensity. I really hope the independent commission ensures with the next TV rights, we end up with Sat & Sunday arvo daytime footy.
The skills and execution in this game were sublime, you had to stand and applaud what both teams did in that game, what a rematch it was.
Manly are nigh unstoppable when in their pomp like they were in that first half. They gutsed it out though perhaps could have shown the odd occasion of judicious thinking. Not going for that late FG was a bit silly, Foran wasn’t at his best but was still fantastic. It’s silly to call it the try of this year but the DCE try off the Wolfman kick was in the top 3 of 2011 tries. The ones that come to mind are the Ben Barba effort vs Newcastle & the Brett Stewart’s fantastic try assist for Daly Cherry-Evans 2nd try vs Brisbane Broncos after origin.
The warriors fought back, Shaun Johnson is the real deal. If you doubted it before yesterday, you're an idiot, if you still do then you are a blind galoot. The moves he put on DCE to set up Manu showed Benji Marshall like confidence. The strength and footwork to get over for his own try mins later, even better. The ball skills on Locke’s try to bat the ball back was something to behold.
The REAL story that no one seems to be talking about……KONRAD HURRELL
This kid is a beast, has only been playing rugby league for less than 2 years after coming straight from schoolboy rugby into the NYC premiership winning Junior Warriors. Scored over 20 tries last season including a blockbuster in the 2011 GF against the Cowboys.
Manly have the best defense in the NRL and you could see how much trouble they had stopping him at times. This kid is a one man wrecking ball, he tears through defenders, he has optimum build of a NFL running back, a deadset paragon of what they are looking for.
The best thing about it all, Konny is a lovely kid, go and youtube him and see a couple of interviews after a trial game this year, puts a smile on your face to see someone refreshing who just loves it!
Hurrell is going to have a huge season, i’d be getting on him now as the Warriors leading try scorer minimum.
Robert Lowe
New Manly coach Geoff Toovey admitted finding it “nerve-wracking” as the Sea Eagles began their NRL title defence with a thrilling 26-20 win over the Warriors.
The Sea Eagles raced out to an early 16-0 in front of a big crowd assembled at Auckland’s rugby union mecca Eden Park for the 2011 grand final rematch.
But they had to withstand a withering Warriors fightback before sealing victory with a Glenn Stewart try eight minutes from time.
It was positive start to Manly’s campaign after their two pre-season losses, including to Leeds in the World Club Challenge.
Toovey, at the helm for his first NRL match since taking over from two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler, was quick to acknowledge the result could easily have gone either way narrowly.
“We got away to a great start and then we just fell away in regards to our execution,” said Toovey.
“We started speculating a bit and the Warriors are a great side. You leave that little gap open and they’re going to take it, so it was very nervous.”
He agreed it was important for his side to get that first win under their belt.
“It’s always tough, travelling here to New Zealand, playing a great side,” Toovey said.
“If you give them a sniff, they will take it and that’s what nearly happened today to us.”
The Sea Eagles opened in champagne style, spreading the ball wide to both sides of field, and putting on tries to David Williams, Daly Cherry-Evans and Steve Matai in the first quarter.
The catalyst for the Warriors’ comeback was young prodigy Shaun Johnson, who was provider for Manu Vatuvei before scoring himself with a superb individual effort, beating four defenders from five metres out.
Second-rower Tony Williams, who was a dominant figure on the Manly left, forced his way over to help to open the score out to 22-10.
However, replies by Kevin Locke and by Vatuvei for his second try closed the gap to two points before Stewart’s decisive touchdown.
Stewart had gone off earlier in the match for treatment for a hand problem, while Matai also went off with what Toovey described as a thumb injury.
Toovey was awaiting a doctor’s report on both players, but was hopeful both would be right to face the Wests Tigers in the next round.
The prognosis was less rosy for Warriors centre Jerome Ropati, who faces from four to eight weeks out with a high ankle sprain suffered in the first half.
It was a cruel blow for Ropati, who missed most of last season with a knee reconstruction.
The Warriors’ own new coach, Brian McClennan, admitted that his young side’s lack of composure at key moments had proved costly, especially after they had got over Manly’s strong start.
“We put too much ball down early in the sets,” he said.
“I think we played with about 60 per cent ball control and you’re not going to win many footy game with that, particularly against a club that has been in three of the last five grand finals.”
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