4 Mar 2012

Warriors lose tense affair at Eden Park

5:54 pm on 4 March 2012

The Warriors opened their National Rugby League campaign with a 26-20 loss to defending champions Manly in a thrilling contest at Eden Park.

In the rematch of last year's Grand Final, the Sea Eagles jumped out to an early lead with a three try blitz in the first 20 minutes.

However the Warriors fought back with two tries in five minutes leaving the score 16-10 to Manly at half-time.

Both side's scored twice in a nail-biting second half but the visitors held on in the dying stages to claim the spoils.

Meanwhile the Warriors centre Jerome Ropati, who has only just returned to league after a long spell on the sidelines, is out of action for 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury.