16 Mar 2015

Warriors win may have come at a cost

2:30 pm on 16 March 2015

The New Zealand Warriors first win of the National Rugby League season may have come at a cost with key players picking up injuries and put on report.

The Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson and fullback Sam Tomkins.

The Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson and fullback Sam Tomkins. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Warriors captain Simon Mannering was put on report for a high tackle during his sides 18-6 win over the Raiders in Canberra.

World Player of the Year, halfback Shaun Johnson played through obvious discomfort after hurting his wrist in the 22nd minute, while star fullback and England international Sam Tomkins twisted his ankle in the second half.

The coach Andrew McFadden is hopeful they'll both be available for Saturday's match against the Eels in Auckland.

"Sean most certainly in a bit of pain there but I think he'll be okay and Sam obviously just rolled the ankle at the end but he managed to finish it out. So hopefully they'll be able to back up next week but yeah very pleasing that they can push through those things."

McFadden concedes it was from a polished performance but he was pleased with the character his side showed to grind out the win.

"On a whole we've got a lot more improvement as a side but certainly the way we grinded out that win was excellent. You're probably not going to be at your best every week so when you win like that they add up at the end of the year so we can play a lot better footy but we really defended that game well and that's what got us there."

Wing Manu Vatuvei continued his strong form against the Raiders by notching his 13th try against them in six games.