Warriors building momentum

A vastly-improved second-half performance has seen the New Zealand Warriors power on to a 22-6 victory over the Titans in front of 17,608 fans at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

The Warriors, on the hunt for their third-straight victory, dominated possession and field position in the first half courtesy of a 7-3 penalty count, but a 60 per cent completion rate cruelled any thought of a lead with the Gold Coast enjoying a 6-0 advantage at the break.

Instead of playing lateral, as they did in the first half, the Warriors decided to pound the Titans' defence up the middle after the resumption and it worked a treat with hooker and man-of-the-match Nathan Fien taking full advantage of the extra space created by the big forwards.

Two tries in the 15 minutes after the break killed the Titans' spirit as the Warriors skipped away with the eventual 16-point win, snapping the Gold Coast's four-match winning streak.

The result is sure to please Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, who was faced with the prospect of no Steve Price (Origin camp) for this match, while the Titans were also missing key forwards in Anthony Laffranchi (injury) and Luke Bailey (Origin camp).

The Warriors paid full price for an early mistake where a short drop-out by five-eighth Michael Witt was knocked on by the New Zealand side, giving the Titans the possession required for the opening try.

Quick hands from the ensuing scrum by skipper Scott Prince and pivot Josh Lewis created space for centre Brett Delaney to cross in the right corner in just the fourth minute. Centre Mat Rogers' sideline conversion gave the locals a 6-0 lead that would remain the half-time score.

The Titans spent much of the opening half defending in their own quarter, but some poor execution by the Warriors ensured no further points were scored in what was still a free-flowing opening stanza.

It was all New Zealand after the break with Fien providing a short pass from dummy-half to send big interchange forward Sam Rapira muscling his way through four defenders to plant the ball down in the 48th minute. Witt converted then added a 51st minute penalty goal to give the Warriors an 8-6 lead.

That was extended by a further six points three minutes later courtesy of a break from halfback Grant Rovelli which resulted in dazzling fullback Wade McKinnon being grounded then regaining his feet to score under the posts.

Witt slotted the conversion and another penalty goal to push the Warriors out to a 16-6 lead before a late George Gatis try put the icing on the cake for a side that appears to have turned its season around.

Warriors 22
Tries: Rapira, McKinnon, Gatis
Conversions: Witt 3
Penalty goals: Witt 2

Titans 6
Tries: Delaney
Conversions: Rogers