NZ Warriors rue costly errors as Sharks punish mistakes in Sydney

The Warriors were left to count the cost of their own errors as Cronulla Sharks turned small moments into big points in a 36-22 win in wet conditions at Ocean Protect Stadium in Sydney.

For long stretches, Saturday's NRL round five contest was there for the taking.

The Warriors started with purpose, built pressure, and struck first through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who crossed in the corner to give the visitors an early 6-0 lead.

But against a clinical Sharks side, mistakes quickly became punishment.

Cronulla hit back through Will Kennedy, who finished a set play to level the scores before adding a second soon after.

In the space of a few minutes, the momentum had flipped and the Warriors were chasing the game.

Mistakes proved costly for the Warriors in the wet. Photo/Photosport/Izhar Khan

That pattern would define the afternoon.

KL Iro extended the Sharks’ lead after turning defence into attack, but Watene-Zelezniak kept New Zealand in the fight with a sharp intercept and 60-metre sprint to the line.

At 18-10, the Warriors were still within reach.

Sifa Talakai powers through the Warriors defence as the Sharks punish defensive lapses to seal the win. Photo/Photosport/Izhar Khan

Yet just as they clawed back, another error opened the door. Cronulla capitalised again, working the ball wide for Billy Burns to score and take a 24-10 lead into the break.

“We were just killing ourselves especially in that first half, losing the ruck. They were too quick, and they’re too much of a quality side to give them that, yeah disappointing,” Warriors halfback Tannah Boyd said after the match.

To their credit, the Warriors responded after halftime.

Watene-Zelezniak completed his hat-trick early in the second half following back-to-back set restarts, cutting the gap to 24-16 and giving the visitors hope.

“I thought we really narrowed the focus at halftime," Taine Tuaupiki told a post-match interview. "Webby gave us a good spray and it was what we needed.

"The detail was there, like we came out and scored a try straight away and I thought we really defended well especially in their zone.

"But as soon as we went to our zone, myself being a fullback I’m a little disappointed in it. That’s my number, that’s my.... I’ve got to be better,” Tuaupiki said.

Again, the momentum didn’t last.

A costly mishap at dummy half handed Cronulla field position, and the Sharks needed no second invitation.

Blake Brailey’s clever kick from dummy half was grounded by Tieg Wilton, stretching the lead and breaking the Warriors’ push.

From there, Cronulla closed the door. Sifa Talakai powered over to extend the margin to 36-16, underlining the difference between the sides: one taking chances, the other letting them slip.

The final stages took a physical toll on the visitors, with injuries to Luke Metcalf and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad adding to a tough outing for the Warriors.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak celebrates his hat-trick effort as the Warriors fight to stay in the contest. Photo/Photosport/Izhar Khan

A late penalty try to Erin Clark brought some respectability to the scoreline, but not enough to mask the frustration.

In the end, the story was simple and familiar.

The Warriors showed they can match it. But against top opposition, errors at key moments proved the difference and the Sharks made sure they paid for every one.

The Warriors return home to regroup before facing the Storm next Saturday in Melbourne. The Craig Bellamy-coached side will be looking to redeem themselves following their 50-10 drubbing by the Panthers on Friday.

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