A SINGLE piece of "courage under fire" from centre Ben Pomeroy probably proved the difference between Cronulla Sharks and New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
With the Sharks having had the better of the home side and leading the Warriors 10-4 at half-time, Pomeroy backed up a rampaging Andrew Fifita break, and runs by Michael Gordon and Jeff Robson.
As he fell in a heavy tackle, Pomeroy flicked a ball out, leaving his head and upper body defenceless when he crashed to the ground.
As the impact of head colliding with Mount Smart Stadium turf knocked the centre out, winger Nathan Stapleton picked up the rolling ball to score a try out wide, Todd Carney's fine conversion opening up a crucial 16-4 lead for the visitors: in the end, the Sharks winning margin was only four points.
The Sharks had to overcome plenty of adversity to grab their fifth win from the past seven games, almost certainly ensuring a finals spot in five weeks time.
Pomeroy was put in a neck brace and stretchered off the field on a medicab, and played no further part in the game.
With forwards filling the bench, Pomeroy's right centre position was filled by back-row forward Jason Bukuya, himself affected by the flu.
Winger Sosaia Feki embarrassed his old team when he got to a Carney kick unchallenged, to score what should have been a spectacular try, only to be denied by the video referee.
The Warriors — with Roosters, the form teams of the NRL — charged back in the final 10 minutes, with centre Konrad Hurrell running over Feki to score; giant winger Manu Vatuvei jumped over Stapleton to score his second, and the Warriors came close in the final minutes, with Carney's judicious kicks to the in-goal and Stapleton's safe catching of the Warriors short kick-offs saving the day in the end.
It was only the second loss by the Warriors at Mount Smart in four months. Skipper Paul Gallen, in his first game back since Origin II, played a major role — along with Carney and forwards Andrew Fifita and Chris Heighington; his scrum move, allowing Pomeroy to score in the first half, was a gem.
‘‘We played tough, we had to because of our adversity,’’ said coach Shane Flanagan.
Gallen praised Pomeroy’s effort and raised a laugh when asked at the press conference about his concussion.
‘‘He was up and about afterwards ... he doesn’t have too many brains anyway to worry about.’’
RESULT
Sharks 18 Jonathan Wright, Ben Pomeroy, Nathan Stapleton tries; Todd Carney 3 goals d Warriors 14 Manu Vatuvei 2, Konrad Hurrell tries; Shaun Johnson goal.
Mount Smart Stadium crowd: 15,209.
‘COMING BACK’
SHARKS coach Shane Flanagan said he could have representative backrowers Luke Lewis (ankle) and Anthony Tupou (ribs) back for Saturday night’s big home game against Newcastle.
‘‘We’re getting them back, one by one,’’ said Flanagan of his injured players. ‘‘Beau [Ryan] might be another week with his knee.’’
He said not playing Origin III had ‘‘freshened up’’ his captain, Paul Gallen.
‘‘And Todd Carney is playing top-line footy for us after missing Origin. He again showed the benefits for us against the Warriors.’’
FINALS LUNGE
The Sharks need only win two of their remaining five games to make the NRL finals — and could even press for a top four spot — as they have the advantage of playing three of those games at home (Remondis Stadium).
Their remaining draw: v Newcastle (home this Saturday night); v Dragons (away); v Roosters (home); v Cowboys (home); v Raiders (away).
What do you think the Sharks chances are of finishing in the top four. Or tell us where you think they will finish?
