And just like that, the sun came out. After what felt like a long and dreary winter suddenly things are looking a lot brighter as Warriors fans.
After what was one of the best Warriors performances in living memory; there was the usual ‘I’ve always been Warriors, since 95’ calls coming out post-game. It seems the bandwagon is very much alive and kicking again.
With both sides being winless to begin the season, there was plenty on the line to play for and the Warriors were the ones to seize the opportunity to get their season back on track. Looking at the packs on paper pre-game the Dragons starting side looked far more imposing than the Warriors young patched up forwards.
But against public opinion, the Warriors went out and showed composure and assurance beyond expectation and along the way set a new NRL-era record.
Here’s how things looked, statistically speaking:
Head to Head
9 – This was the Warriors ninth victory over the Dragons in their history since they merged from St George & Illawarra, from 30 encounters.
14 – This was only the second occasion that the Warriors have kept their opposition to nil in Australia, and the first time since 2006 – 14 years ago.
4 – This was the Warriors fourth consecutive victory over the Dragons. Their only other current streak is against the Titans with two wins on the trot.
5 – The Warriors have also won five of their last seven encounters. Including the last two at neutral venues.
1 – Prior to the current streak the Warriors had won just one of their past 14 encounters against the Dragons.
18 – The 18 point margin over the Dragons was the Warriors biggest in this fixture since 2007, when they won 44-16 at Mt Smart Stadium.
18 – Also, in scoring 18 points the Warriors avoided equalling a club-record most consecutive games of scoring single figures. Having achieved this in three consecutive games on two other occasions. In 1996 and 1999.
3 – The Warriors have now won three of their four games played at Gosford, dating back to 2001.
Match Stats
18 – The Warriors 18 points scored, tripled their points tally for the 2020 season.
0 – The Warriors kept the opposition scoreless for the first time in 125 games, since their 42-0 win over the Titans in August 2014.
20 – This was the first occasion the Warriors haven’t conceded 20 or more points since their 24-16 win over the Sea Eagles in August, 2019.
44 – The Warriors set a new NRL-era record completion rate. Going 44 consecutive sets without an error, from the start of the game until a 75th minute fumble by club debutant, Jack Murchie.
9 – This was the Warriors first victory in nine months, having been hindered by the off-season and Covid restrictions.
Player Stats
244 – On loan from the Raiders, Jack Murchie became Warrior #244 when he took the field.
150 – Kiwi international backrower Tohu Harris made his 150th NRL appearance. It was his 33rd outing for the Warriors, having previously played 117 times for the Storm.
200 – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (285 metres), Ken Maumalo (282) and Tohu Harris (219) all carried for over 200 metres.
100 – Whilst the whole forward pack aside from Wayde Egan, all carried for over 100 metres.
50 – Ken Maumalo (98 metres), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (87), Tohu Harris (76) and Eliesa Katoa (69) all carried for over 50 Post-Contact Metres.
90 – Not one of the Warriors starting forwards tackled below a 90% efficieny rate. Tohu Harris the stand out missing just one of his 49 tackles.
72 – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is already leading the NRL for the most runs in 2020, with 72.
NRL ROUND 4 PREVIEW – WARRIORS V PANTHERS
The Warriors will undoubtedly be on a high after last weeks win. Coupled with the adversity that they have faced over the past few weeks, they look like a completely different team.
So, on to Round four where the unbeaten Penrith Panthers await. Coach Stephen Kearney feels that the NRL season proper begins this week for the Warriors, shy of the emotion and drama around their past few weeks.
Head to Head
45 – This will be the 45th installment of this rivalry. Setting a new club record for the most times the Warriors have played another opponent.
4 – The Warriors recent record against the Panthers isn’t great, with just four wins from their previous 15 encounters.
1 – And of those four wins, only one of them has come in Sydney.
3 – In the past 10 encounters, away from home. The Warriors have won just three.
25 – The Panthers average 25 points per game against the Warriors, more than any other current NRL side.
56 – The Panthers handed the Warriors the biggest loss in their history, with a 62-6 victory in 2013. A winning margin of 56 points.
47 – Often a high scoring encounter, this match returns an average of 47 points combined per game.
10 – The Warriors have scored 10 or more points in the first half in nine of their past 10 games against the Panthers.
Match Stats
4 – The Warriors have won just four of 11 previous games at Campbelltown Stadium. Their last victory there was back in 2007.
168 – The Warriors have conceded 168 points in their past four games at Campbelltown, all against the Tigers.
7 – The Warriors have lost seven of their last eight games in Sydney.
6 – The Panthers are averaging an NRL season high six line breaks per game, compared to the Warriors 1.3 per game, which is the competitions lowest.
The Coach
3 – Stephen Kearney has won just three of his 11 encounters as a coach against the Panthers. One win as head coach of the Eels, and two in his time in charge of the Warriors.
Player Stats
30 – With mainstay wingers David Fusitu’a and Ken Maumalo missing in action this week, the Warriors have effectively lost 30% of their try scoring power from the past two seasons. With the wing pair contributing 50 of the Warriors 154 tries. Though neither has scored this season, yet.
5 – Their replacements, Adam Pompey and Patrick Herbert have just five career NRL tries between them. Showing the clubs depth is being severely tested.
8 – David Fusitu’a has previously dined out against the Panthers. Scoring eight tries in ten games.
7 – Last weekend’s star, Tohu Harris has won seven of his last eight games against the Panthers.
4 – Kodi Nikorima has scored four tries in his past five games against the Panthers. Including three whilst he was playing for the Broncos.
18 – Patrick Herbert picked up 18 points against the Panthers in Round 10 last season. The equal-second most points / goals by a player in a match in the history of this fixture.
Milestones
49 – Skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck needs just one more try to bring up 50 in his NRL career.
Did You Know
7 – Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is the most successful Warriors coach against the Panthers, with seven wins from 11 games.
6 – Whilst he has six wins from nine games against the Warriors, as Panthers coach.
Categories: Team News + Stats, WARRIORS NEWS
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