NZ Warriors 2024 Round 2 Review: Coates Magic Breaks Warriors Hearts In Unbelievable Finish

After their disappointing defeat in Round One, the Warriors made their first trip across the ditch to face the Melbourne Storm.

The Storm started strong with the match looking to be heading to another big blowout; however, the Warriors fought back with a great second-half effort only to leave the door open for the Storm to steal the victory 30-26 in the final seconds with a try that will feature in NRL highlight reels for years to come.

What Went Down

The Storm took advantage of an early Warriors error and penalty to score via Will Warbrick just before the 4-minute mark. The Storm looked to have the edge in the early stages, with the Warriors continuing to give away penalties. The Warriors then strung some attack together and sent Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over in the corner to level the scores in the 12th minute.

The Storm responded moments later when a timely offload saw Jahrome Hughes sprint down the field before putting Nick Meaney away.

More errors and penalties from the Warriors extended their lead to 18-6, with a Meaney penalty and a try to Ryan Papenhuyzen in the 21st minute.

The game started to balance out, with the Warriors slowing down the Storm onslaught with both sides trading errors.

In the 32nd minute, Marcelo Montoya looked to have scored a much-needed try for the Warriors. However, the bunker overturned the onfield decision. A few sets later, the bunker was involved again when the Warriors unsuccessfully used their captain's challenge, claiming that Jackson Ford did not obstruct Jahrome Hughes in the last big play of the first half.

The Storm started the second half just like the Warriors did in the first, making several errors and penalties, which allowed the Warriors to take control, with DWZ scoring in the second at the 44th-minute mark with one of his trademark corner dives. Four minutes later, the Warriors were over again when the bunker confirmed that Jackson Ford had done enough to ground the ball.

The Storms' lack of discipline allowed the Warriors to level the scores in the 56th minute when Luke Metcalf kicked a penalty. Moments later, an error from Xavier Coates allowed the Warriors to strike again, with Montoya crossing in the corner after a nice left-edge shift.

The teams went set for set for the next ten minutes before Harry Grant gave away a silly penalty, which saw Metcalf extend the Warrior's lead to 24-18 with a penalty.

Papenhuyzen caught the Grant bug and gave away a penalty in the 71st minute, which saw the Warriors add another 2 points to their lead via Metcalf and set up a very tense final 10 minutes.

The Storm started to build some pressure and finally broke the Warriors' line with an excellent play when Eliesa Katoa passed the ball back inside to Papenhuyzen for his second try of the night.

Time was running out for the Storm, and it all looked over when Jonah Pezet's 2-point field goal was charged down; however, the charge down allowed the tackle count to restart, and with less than a minute remaining, the Storm shifted quickly to the left and got the ball to Coates who defied gravity to touchdown in the corner for the match winner, extending the Storms winning streak over the Warriors to 15 with a 30-26 victory. 

My Thoughts

Well, this one hurt. 

I came into this match predicting a Storm win, but I still hoped the Warriors could break their losing streak. When the Storm started strong and looked to be cutting the Warriors to shreds, I feared we would witness another massive loss at AAMI Park. However, the Warriors hung on and then turned the momentum in their favour, but when playing teams like Melbourne, a victory is only in the bag once that whistle blows, and that's what happened here. It took an amazing try for the Storm to get the win, but they never gave up, to their credit. 

Of course, there were a few what-if moments; what if Montoya's first try was allowed? What if the field goal charge down was regathered by the Warriors? If those things happened, we could be discussing the Warrior's first win this season, but that's just not how the NRL works.

Despite now being 0-2, I remain optimistic that the Warriors will remain playoff contenders this season. While this performance had positive aspects, there is still plenty to work on. 

In a few weeks, the team will welcome back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Wayde Egan, and Marata Niukore, and then we will see the team move up a level, so I don't see any need to throw the baby out with the bath water just yet.

It was another disappointing loss, but there were a few things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The team fought back; they were dominated for much of the first half, and the game could have quickly become a training run for the Storm. However, the Warriors reduced their errors and stuck to the basics, which made them a tough team to stop last year. That right edge attack still has the ability to score at will, but the left edge started to show how much that has improved this season; Metcalf is improving with his distribution game, and the Warriors got Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in space a few times to cause some havoc. Add CNK back into the mix, and this side will score plenty of points.

Just like last week, the Warriors pack were doing plenty of heavy lifting with the ball in hand; four forwards cracked the triple-figure mark, the same four that did it last week, Addin Fonua-Blake (155m), Tohu Harris (154m), Dylan Walker (134m) and Mitchell Barnett (119m). Jackson Ford and Bunty Afoa were close to hitting those figures, too, and if the Warriors pack can hit these numbers consistently, then it makes the back's job easier. We didn't get to see the quick ruck play we saw last week, but that comes down to no Egan and the Storms' ability to slow the ruck without getting in trouble with the officials.

It was good to see Chanel Harris-Tavita make his return, and while he only got 8 minutes, I thought he showed that he could be a handy option on the bench; I would have liked to see him get more minutes at Hooker here and could even be tempted to see him take Lussicks spot on the bench when Egan returns.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

We have watched the Warriors not play a consistent 80 minutes for the second week in a row. In Round 1, it was a great first half and a poor second; this week, it was the opposite. Seeing this as a fan is frustrating, and I can only imagine how it's making the staff in the coach's box feel. Sorting this out has to be a top priority as the side prepares for Round 3.

I can't explain why this side is playing the cliche game of two halves right now, but if it continues, they may struggle to climb the ladder.

The Storm made going up the middle of the pitch look easy; the Warrior's defence there just wasnt stopping the Storm middles; they were falling off the tackles, not wrapping the arms up to prevent offloads, and just giving Melbourne a free pass.

This did improve as the game developed, and when Bunty Afoa entered the game, he filled a massive gap there defensively, which is a huge credit to his tackling ability. It just reminded me of that Broncos finals defeat where they terrorised the Warriors up the middle and utilised that second-phase football; the Warriors need to work on this, as it is a massive chink in their armour.

The Warrior's errors did come down from round 1, with only 8 errors made this match. However, I want to see them reduce even more, and it is more around when and where the errors happened. Against top sides, you just can't give them free sets.

We want to see this side build momentum and punish teams, not build momentum and let the opposition off the hook.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

It was a big night out for DWZ. He led the match in running metres with 196m, had two linebreaks, and scored a double. Always runs the ball hard and gives his all with the ball in hand. Hard to fault him for preventing Coates from scoring the match-winner, but if I had to nitpick, I would say if he had a bit more trust that Rocco Berry had the inside covered, then he may have been over more to stop Coates, but given the situation, I thought he did all he could. Always a threat close to the line, though, and I'm sure we will see plenty of tries in his corner this season.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Tom Ale.

Hard to judge, with Ale only getting 14 minutes to show his worth here, but I expected more than his 5 runs for 63m and 4 tackles. It is hard to get a lot of work done in that short period of time. Still, if he wants more minutes, he needs to make a more significant impact, I had him on my bench instead of Afoa, but after this match, I think Afoa has the edge to keep his spot when Marata Niukore returns from injury with Ale being the forward dropped.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 3, the Warriors return to New Zealand, heading to Christchurch to face the Canberra Raiders. The Raiders remain undefeated after beating the Wests Tigers 32-12 in Round 2.

Regarding the team, I would keep it the same unless Wayde Egan is fit; if he can play, then I would bring him back and have Chanel Harris-Tevita as my 14.

The Warriors faced and defeated the Raiders twice last season, the first 36-14 and the second 21-20. Over their history, they've actually been even with 23 wins each.

Many had written the Raiders off this season, but they have shown that when it matters, they are a gritty team that will give 100% for the entire 80.

If the Warriors can play for the entire 80 consistently, reduce the errors and earn the right to attack the edges by winning the middle, then they are well on their way to earning their first win in 2024.

I think the Warriors are desperate for a win and will do more than enough to get the job done, so I am picking the Warriors to win by 12.

So, that was a heartbreaking Round 2, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who was your Player of the Day?

If Egan is back, who is your 14, CHT or Lussick?

How would you fix the Warrior's game of two-half performances?

What is your score prediction against the Raiders?