Not all losses in the NRL are the same and Warriors interim coach Stacey Jones wasn’t too despondent after his team’s 46-12 loss to the Panthers on Friday night.
Given the dreadful performances in the Warriors’ last two defeats where Jones questioned the players’ attitudes and said the games were embarrassing, at least there were positives from the defeat to the Minor Premiers.
The players showed more commitment on defence and were prepared to have a go on attack, even if it didn’t always work out.
But once again the Warriors were hampered by injuries before and during the game, which made their prospects of coming away from Penrith with any points all the more difficult.
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“It was another tough one, we had a tough week,” Jones said.
NRL Photos / www.photosport.nz
Tohu Harris led from the front in the Warriors’ game against the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium.
“We had players pull out at the last minute and we already had a couple ruled out early and it made it a lot tougher.
“But I thought the boys dug deep at times. It was disappointing just before half-time when we let in a couple of quick tries and disappointing for the players in the end.
“We had a bit of ball and could have scored a consolation try, but then they go down and score.
“I thought there were some boys who put their hand up tonight, against a very good team.”
It was a great start from the Warriors, with Reece Walsh scoring a long-range try in the second minute and it wasn’t until the 28th minute that the Panthers hit the front.
David Neilson/Photosport
Brian To’o scored a brace of tries for the Panthers on Friday night.
”This bloke here (Tohu Harris) really led the way,” Jones said.
“Unfortunately for us when we take him off, take Addin (Fonua-Blake) off, we’re bringing guys on who haven’t played a lot of footy, which is where we probably struggled a bit.
“But for guys like Ben Murdoch-Masila and Tom Ale, to get some game time, it’s going to be good for them.”
The Warriors lost Shaun Johnson for the second half, with the playmaker picking up a calf injury and speaking soon after the game Jones says he wasn’t sure if the 31-year-old would be back for the final game of the season next weekend, against the Titans.
That game does give the Warriors an opportunity to finish off a disappointing season on a positive note and Harris said they’re keen to make that happen.
“We’re really looking forward to playing that last game at home,” Harris said.
“We feel like we’re different people or a different team when we get to go home and be with our family.
“That’s not going to decide the game for us, it’s still a tough challenge against the Titans, who’ve shown they can score points with the best of them in this competition.
“We’ve certainly got a big challenge ahead of us, but it’s an exciting one, being back with our families and playing at Mount Smart.”
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