SATURDAY MAY 22 2021 SPORT 53 Warriors A Reece stay put to the end THE Warriors have an- nounced they won’t return to New Zealand this season, in- of sheer stead opting to remain in Aus- tralia for the rest of the season. The club has been based on the Central Coast since the COVID-19 shutdown in March last year. With the rate of infection quality incredibly low in both Austra- lia and New Zealand, the intro- duction of a trans-Tasman ADAM LUCIUS It appeared bubble had given hope of the a big risk by Warriors hosting home games SOME called it selfless, others coach Nathan in Auckland after June 21. called it foolish. Brown, but it But on Friday club chief But in the end, the gamble took just 40 executive Cameron George to allow Roger Tuivasa-Sheck minutes to said the club would probably to give up his fullback position confirm it was stay in Australia for the rest of to youngster Reece Walsh the safest of the 2021 season. (pictured) paid the richest of bets. “That was the goal (playing dividends for the Warriors as W a l s h in New Zealand) but it’s clear they held on to beat Wests Ti- overcame a shaky start – al- there’s still too much uncer- gers 30-26 at Central Coast lowing a grubber to get under tainty and risk involved with Stadium last night. his guard for the Tigers’ first the COVID-19 situation,” he The Tigers took the game try – before turning it on. said. “We saw a pause in the right down to the wire, He set up two first-half tries bubble just two weeks ago after attacking the Warriors line in with beautiful cut-out passes a case in Sydney and that real- the final seconds but they were before scoring a tremendous ly served as another reminder unable to conjure up the try individual try just before the of how unstable things are. that may have delivered a break. “While we’ve wanted to miraculous win. He backed it up with his come home, our priority has The 18-year-old Walsh freakish pass for Montoya’s try been to ensure we have stabili- came up with three try assists and then put his body on the ty for our players and families and a try in a stunning man-of- line to deny a late Tigers four- while also doing what’s best for the-match performance. pointer. the competition.” It was a try to winger Mar- “He’s killing it. The whole celo Montoya from a sublime NRL should be excited,” Walsh around-the-corner pass Tuivasa-Sheck said of Walsh. seven minutes from time that The whole NRL except DRINKWATER ultimately sealed the Warriors’ , that is. Dragons’ is tackled by Cronulla’s Mawene Hiroti. Picture: Getty first win in three weeks. Somehow the Broncos let Incredibly, the Kiwi side’s this kid go and isn’t he rubbing FIRES SALVO final two tries came when they their noses in it. has fired a were down to 12 men after Eli- Former Warriors captain DRAGONS DOWN FOR COUNT shot across the bow of esa Katoa was sent to the sin Greg Alexander was sceptical Cowboys-bound playmakers bin for a professional foul. of the Walsh-RTS switch but Chad Townsend and Tom It was another hot and cold was a true believer by fulltime. MARTIN GABOR Vaughan, wouldn’t have been Dearden by declaring himself display from the Tigers, the “I know we debated wheth- and are all on penalised a fortnight ago. “the best six at this club”. joint venture club leading 10-0 er you would use him at full- THE Dragons may struggle to report, while the Sharks also Referee Ben Cummins Drinkwater starred in the early and 20-18 midway back or not, but Reece Walsh is name a 21-man squad for had five players earn the ire didn’t notice the high contact Cowboys’ 36-20 victory over through the second half. a great athlete with a football next week’s game after of the officials. at first, but decided to send the on Rugby union-bound RTS brain,” he said. “He’s a another horror night at It turns out it takes more the Dragons prop for 10 Thursday night. After spending shocked the league world by fantastic player.” Kogarah in which the home than a week to change tackle minutes after Chambers some time at fullback, he has handing over the fullback pos- Life is never boring being a side lost 13-12 to Cronulla at techniques after another stumbled for a few seconds, begun to find his groove in the ition to Walsh in the belief the Wests Tigers fan. the death. three players were sent to allowing the Bunker to No.6 jumper. teenager’s education would be Pleasure and pain is a big Already without the the sin bin for high shots as intervene. “I believe I’m the best six at fast-tracked by moving into part of the deal. suspended quartet of Mikaele Chad Townsend helped the There was less debate in this club,” he told Channel 9. the No.1 immediately. There was some brilliant at- Ravalawa, , Tyrell Sharks edge the depleted the shadows of halftime “I’m just doing my best week The dangerous Tuivasa- tacking football to start with, Fuimaono and Josh McGuire, Dragons in golden point. when Mawene Hiroti was in, week out to play No.6. Sheck shifted to the right wing allowing the joint venture club the Red V are facing a crisis Paul Vaughan was the first marched for a high shot that That’s where I want to play.” to accommodate the change, to skip out to an early 10-0 after Cody Ramsey, Jaiyden to go after he collected Will knocked Ramsey out of the Drinkwater finished with pointing out Anthony Mini- lead. Then came the mistakes, Hunt and Max Feagai all failed Chambers high midway game and denied what three try assists against the chiello had done the same for defensive lapses and poor their HIAs. through the first half with a would have been one of the Knights, taking his total for the him at the Roosters. option taking. To make matters worse, tackle that probably tries of the season. season to 11. They’re still our players, insists Broncos brass PETER BADEL furious at the Tigers approaching two of the “I’m not the coach but Tevita has turned Broncos’ contracted players, fuelling specu- things around at our club,” Morris said. BRONCOS bosses insist Tevita Pangai Jr will lation Pangai Jr, who is on 12 months probation “Ultimately it’s a call for Kevin Walters, not be sacked for allegedly having talks with following his COVID dramas last season, could but Tevita wants to be one of the best forwards the Wests Tigers, as coach Kevin Walters de- be terminated by the club. in the game and I want to see him stay at nied Brisbane is trying to offload the Tongan Pangai Jr’s manager has denied meeting the Broncos.” Test star and fullback Jamayne Isaako. with the Tigers, while the agent of Kiwi flyer A club statement on Friday said: “To be The Broncos were rocked by a report that Isaako confirmed talks took place, but alleg- clear, neither player (Pangai Jr or Isaako) has a Wests Tigers contingent, including coach edly only in relation to Maguire’s World Cup been given permission, nor sought permission, Michael Maguire, flew to Brisbane on Wednes- preparations for New Zealand at season’s end. to speak with other clubs, and both players day for discussions with Pangai Jr and Isaako. Broncos chairman Karl Morris came out are contracted with the Broncos until the end Tevita Pangai Jr. The Brisbane hierarchy was privately swinging in support of Pangai Jr. of the 2022 season.” Jamayne Isaako.

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