A Quick Trip Across The Ditch
A week can be a long time in Rugby League. Even 5 days can be. Just on Sunday evening after the Cowboys game the feel of being deflated. Then Friday night the jubilation of being back in the winners circle.
After our loss to the Cowboys it was hard to see us beating an in form Warriors side on their own patch. I was questioning my sanity of heading over for the game.
During the week news ran through that Isaiah Tass didn’t travel with the side. Then the rumours of Campbell Graham pulling out as well. Not to mention the weather forecast for the game.
What was I getting myself in to? The game was officially a sell out. We were going to be outnumbered. It was sure to be a hostile environment.
Something To Look Forward To
Still myself and Michael were committed. News came through of the debut of Tyrone Munro. Something to look forward to.
Flying out Thursday night. The flight was delayed. Finally got to Auckland and to the Hotel at 4am in the morning. Not much was going right for us.
A few hours sleep then a bit of time to kill before heading to the game. The weather was holding off a bit. Wasn’t as bad as they were saying it was going to be. Maybe we will get lucky?

We get to the ground to watch the NSW Cup game and it didn’t take long for the weather to kick in. Even though we were in the grandstand, there was no luck being protected from the elements.
Wet, Windy & Cold
Finally it was time for the first grade. It was windy, wet and cold. If you saw the images of Damien Cook on the bench then that is what was like. Shivering all the way through the game.

Our boys ran out. There were Souths fans scattered through the crowd. Then time came for the Warriors to run out. Lights out. The atmosphere when they ran out was something special. The game was finally underway.
From the kick off to fulltime the weather never let up. It was tough conditions just being in the crowd. Can’t imagine how bad it was for the boys.
Early on and our discipline was being tested. Heavily penalised and putting ourselves under pressure. Still the defence looked strong and committed. It took quite a few sets for the Warriors to finally break us. The amount of possession to the Warriors finally cracked us.
The Perfect Game
That was as good as it got for the Warriors and their home crowd. From there on we played the perfect wet weather game.
First chance we had down the other end and it was try time to Alex Johnston. Great lead up for the try with Walker to Kennar to AJ to in go out wide.
There seemed to be a buzz with the boys in everything they did. Everytime there was an error forced they were right in there patting backs. There was an energy about this team that hasn’t been seen for quite a while now.
A high tackle on Cam Murray and sin bin found the Warriors down a player. Didn’t take long to take advantage of that extra man. Penalty goal followed by a try to our captain to head into the break up 12-6.
AJ 3rd All Time
It didn’t take long for the boys to extend the lead. Another try to AJ off the back of a great kick by Cody. That try took AJ to equal 3rd try scorer of all time with Steve Menzies.
The Warriors looked to have scored. What appeared to be a charged down kick came back to be a knock on.
Things were really going our way. Our defence was right up in their face. Forcing more errors.
Whenever they looked at having half a chance was shut down. This was the defence we saw the first 11 rounds.
The Moment
Then the moment came that an 18 year old will always remember. A try on debut. Ilias put a beautiful kick through for Tyrone Munro to get there first and pounce on the ball.
It didn’t end there for the 18 year old. A great pass from Cody to Tyrone with space. The cover was there for him to put the kick through. A perfect kick and Blake Taaffe showed speed I didn’t know he had.
There has been plenty of hype this year about Tyrone Munro. The kid didn’t disappoint. The confidence he showed in those conditions looked as though he had been playing NRL for a while. Taking bombs thrown at him. Taking hit ups to get us out of trouble. Setting up tries and scoring his own. A debut to remember.
Another try and that was the game. We were back in the winners circle.

A great win. Not a poor player out there for our boys. Having a completion rate over 90% is impressive in any game let alone those conditions. It wasn’t like the boys were conservative either in their attack.
Cody was the stand out again. The things he does not many players in the game today can do. He is having one of those special seasons and ended up being rewarded for his form with a call up to Origin.
Hame The Pick
Hame Sele was my pick of the forwards. Coming off the bench seems to suit him more over starting. He caused so many problems for the Warriors pack.
Cam Murray looked to be back to what we come to expect from him. Junior Tatola and Tom Burgess were also strong. Keaon Koloamatangi was another rewarded with an origin call up.

Looking at a centre pairing of Taane Milne and Richie Kennar was a bit of a concern. Yet both really stood up.
Great Being There
Despite being wet, cold and shivering it was great being out there for the game. Leaving the ground we kept running into Souths fans high fives all round.
An early flight in the morning meant time to head back to the hotel. It was only a very quick in and out trip this time. But so worth it.

Now we play a Dogs side who were embarrassed by the Knights. Again it will be backs against the wall for our boys. Missing 8 players from our best 17 through injury, suspension or Origin selection.
No Cody, Cookie, Keaon, Cam, Latrell, Arrow, Campbell or Jacob Host.
Play with the same effort and attitude of Friday night and it will go a long way to winning.
A Quick Trip Across The Ditch.
By Josh Kemp for Bunnies TV.
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