Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scores in the corner for the Warriors. Photo: Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita grabbed two tries, as the NZ Warriors returned to the winning circle with a 34-14 win over Wests Tigers at Auckland's Go Media Stadium.
The home side had dropped back-to-back games against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos before last week's bye, but bounced back on Sunday against the Benji Marshall-coached Tigers, with two converted tries in the final 10 minutes putting the contest beyond doubt.
With star halfback Luke Metcalf sidelined for the rest of the season, replacement Tanah Boyd stepped up to run the show in his club debut, while Harris-Tavita settled into a seamless combination with his new partner.
The Warriors lead 16-8 at half-time, with centre Rocco Berry, Harris-Tavita and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring tries.
Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was next to score after the break, but Wests closed within 10 points with a try to centre Adam Doueihi.
Harris-Tavita had his second to secure the win, and second-rower Leka Halasima bullies his way over to add the icing in the final minute.
The Warriors lost Berry to a shoulder injury - the latest in a long line of physical shortcomings for the centre.
The result consolidated the Warriors a spot in the NRL top four, six points clear of their nearest pursuers for now, and they have a chance to build on that standing, when they visit 14th-placed Newcastle Knights next Sunday.
Relive all the action with RNZ's blog:
Team lists
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene‑Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa‑Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris‑Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher‑Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers‑Smith
Tigers: 1. Sunia Turuva, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Adam Doueihi, 4. Starford To'a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau (c), 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Tony Sukkar, 13. Alex Twal
Interchange: 14. Tristan Hope, 15. Alex Seyfarth, 16. Sione Fainu, 17. Jack Bird
