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Warriors forward Adam Blair is engulfed by the Eels defense.
The Warriors’ final hopes have been left hanging by a thread after a controversial loss to Parramatta on the Central Coast.
The Warriors trailed 16-0 in the first 25 minutes after a dubious decision to sin Bin Jazz Tevaga by a punch while in possession, described by veteran Australian commentator Andrew Voss as “the worst crap I’ve ever seen.”
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Jazz Tevaga is trashed by referee Grant Atkins.
But while two superb attempts by Chanel Harris-Tavita managed to cut the deficit to four points at halftime, the Eels survived a late attack, including a tackle to save Peta Hiku in the last minute, to seal a thrilling 24-hour win. -18. .
The Warriors have a good share of the blame for the costly loss to take, especially in the second half, when their attack missed too often.
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But it could be argued that they would never have found themselves in such a deep hole if Tevaga had remained on the field.
The result means the Warriors, who remain four points behind the Sharks in eighth place, have to win the remaining three games as they wait for Cronulla to finish 0-3 to finish the season.
With the Raiders in Canberra included in the Kiwi club’s home race, a top-eight finish seems highly unlikely.
However, with the Sharks next, they can at least put some pressure on Shaun Johnson and company with a win this Sunday. Otherwise, your dream of the final will be over.
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Eels winger Blake Ferguson runs off to try in the second half.
After a tough loss to South Sydney last week, Parramatta was always going to shoot out. But they had a lot of help from the Warriors early on.
It was a poorly disciplined start, with a seven-tackled set, a penalty and a ruck infraction that gave the Eels easy yards over the field.
Parramatta winger Maika Sivo approached untouched after a surprise cut pass from former warrior Shaun Lane, as they were almost inside again when Blake Ferguson landed a strong kick over the line.
The Warriors then faced a major test of their determination when controversy struck in the 17th minute.
It appeared to be an overreaction on the part of referee Grant Atkins, who on the advice of the bunker ruled that Tevaga had hit the opposite side of Nathan Brown in the face while the Warriors lock was on his back trying to get up and play the ball.
The Eels, however, were ruthless, running in two entertaining kick attempts at Jai Field and Ferguson to leave the Warriors with their backs against the wall.
It could have been worse if Kane Evans had landed another kick in the Warriors’ in-goal, and the ‘home team’ used that missed opportunity to mount a comeback.
Returning to their full player compliment, two moments of magic in the space of two minutes brought the Warriors back to competition at halftime.
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was once again an inspiring leader for the Warriors in the close loss to the Parramatta Eels.
Harris-Tavita scored both attempts, presenting on three separate occasions for the former, which will be considered one of the best of the season.
Hayze Perham overturned the runner’s bomb and the ball passed through five pairs of hands before Harris-Tavita flew into Nikorima’s kick.
The 21-year-old was back in place after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck started the Eels, defeated fullback Clinton Gutherson and nearly walked the field.
His volley hit the deck and swerved off Nikroima for Harris-Tavita to pick up his second.
The Eels nervously started the second half and the Warriors almost capitalized on just Perham’s pass to Gerard Beale to float forward.
The game turned into an arm fight for the next 20 minutes, with both teams guilty of simple errors.
With 15 minutes to go and having created some pressure in the Warriors ‘red zone, Waqa Blake edged out the defense to extend the Eels’ lead to 10.
Four minutes later, winger Gerard Beale brought the Warriors back to attacking distance with sublime ability, slipping back inside with little room to move for Perham to jump.
But it was the Eels who had the last word through a penalty goal to consolidate their place in the top four.
Eels 24 (Maika Sivo, Jai Field, Blake Ferguson, Waqa Blake tries; Mitchell Moses 4 goals) Warriors 18 (Chanel Harris-Tavita 2, Hayze Perham tries; Chanel Harris-Tavita 3 goals) HT: 16-12.
