Warriors slip down NRL table with upset loss to Bulldogs
The NZ Warriors have slipped from second on the NRL table with a listless 18-6 defeat to Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney.
The home side rocked the visitors early with back-to-back tries to skipper Stephen Crichton and second-rower Jacob Preston inside the opening 11 minutes, and the Warriors could not find an answer in the first half.
Trailing 12-0 at the break, they needed to score next, but repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with mistakes, as they barely threatened the tryline.
Instead, Bulldogs wing Jacob Kiraz found the corner to extend the Bulldogs advantage.
Warriors wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had his chances and eventually crossed in the corner, but had his try disallowed for a forward past.
Still scoreless with six minutes remaining, the Warriors finally found the scoreboard, when front-rower Mitch Barnett kicked on the last tackle and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita gathered the bounce for a try.
The result means they now slide to third on the competition ladder and they also face several worrying injuries, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki limping off during the first half with a foot complaint.