17 Mar 2018

Warriors beat Titans 20-8

7:34 pm on 17 March 2018

The Warriors have continued their unbeaten start to the 2018 NRL season, outclassing Gold Coast 20-8 in Auckland.

Warrior's captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates his try with team mates.

Warrior's captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates his try with team mates. Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018

Barring a brief spell of early-game jitters, the home side dominated Saturday's game, deploying a free-flowing style.

They bagged two tries in the first half through winger David Fusitu'a and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, before Solomone Kata and Fusitu'a crossed in the second.

In stark contrast, the Titans - without injured playmaker Ashley Taylor - had plenty of ball but couldn't breach a disciplined Warriors' defence.

They remained tryless until the 78th minute, after an early Michael Gordon penalty goal, but secured a consolation via winger Anthony Don.

Having won last week's opening-round clash with South Sydney, the Warriors have started a season with back-to-back wins for just the third time.

After the Titans' early 2-0 lead, the Warriors piled on the pressure, eventually nabbing their first in the 18th minute through Fusitu'a.

Captain Tuivasa-Sheck followed five minutes later, collecting a Blake Green inside ball to skip past two men and score between the posts.

Ahead 12-2 at the break, the Warriors continued to turn the screws in the second half, but wasted chance after chance to extend their lead.

Tuivasa-Sheck, Sam Lisone and Bunty Afoa all bombed opportunities before the Titans' Phillip Sami had a try controversially disallowed for obstruction.

Kata extended the Warriors' lead in the 63rd minute, barrelling over on the left edge after collecting a Tuivasa-Sheck offload, and Fusitu'a sealed the match.

Rising high to collect a Shaun Johnson bomb, the Tongan winger outjumped his Titans counterpart to score his second and guarantee the two points.

"Executing the plan in some places I thought we were a bit scrappy but we can be better come next week." said Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

" It was good to see the boys running again. I know Shaun, Greeny (Blake Green) and Bully (Isaac Luke) the way they carve up the middle with some entertaining boys on the wing."

"I've got to give it to the boys, they played well."

- RNZ