Warriors concede farcical try against Parra as Waqa Blake’s double boosts Eels’ top four chances

The Warriors were their own worst enemy yet again on Friday night, conceding a calamitous try in a 28-18 defeat against Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.

With the hosts leading by 10 points halfway through the second half, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses was about 45 metres out from the Warriors try line when he put up a hopeful bomb.

Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya looked to have gathered the ball, but spilled it as he fell forward, allowing it to bounce behind him towards the in-goal area.

Clint Gutherson (middle) was gifted an easy try by the Warriors in the second half 

Eels flyer Bailey Simonsson was the quickest to react, picking up the Steeden without breaking stride before producing a back-handed offload as three Warriors players looked to tackle him into touch.

The ambitious pass didn’t find its intender target, but the New Zealand outfit yet again failed to defuse the threat allowing Clint Gutherson just enough time to gather the ball and crash over the line as he beat two desperate diving tackles.

It was a case of sweet revenge for the Eels captain, who had been rocked by a huge hit by Montoya just minutes earlier.

At virtually full strength, the Eels were made to work for their victory by the Warriors, whose preparations were disrupted by a non-Covid sickness that swept through camp during the week. 

The Eels skipper crashed over after seizing on a series of mistakes from the Warriors 

The Warriors have lost six of their seven away games this season and remain 13th

But the New Zealanders had reason for positivity heading into Friday night’s game. They returned to Auckland for a win before the bye and had unveiled Andrew Webster as their new coach for 2023.

The Warriors’ confidence was evident in their defence early. The Eels were tackled 25 times in their 20 metre zone and forced three drop-outs before they could finally score.

When centre Waqa Blake broke through, his four-pointer marked the first time since round seven that Parramatta had crossed the tryline before their opponent.

Maika Sivo snaffled a wayward Shaun Johnson pass and streaked away 10 minutes later, teaming up with Blake for his second and the Warriors were 10 points in arrears.

Maika Sivo scored the Eels’ fifth and final try of the game in their 28-18 win on Friday

Parramatta were made to work hard for the win, which momentarily lifted them up to fifth

But the Warriors refused to fold.

They struck back through Montoya and remained in the contest after the break, thanks in no small part to ill discipline from both sides.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the referee blew his whistle for four errors, two penalties and two ruck infringements but the Eels were better equipped to rise from the mire and reignite their attack.

Seven members of Parramatta’s forward pack finished with over 100 run metres, laying the platform for a 15-minute period of dominance that saw the Eels home.

Isaiah Papali’i’s reported indecision about honouring his Wests Tigers contract made news this week but the headlines didn’t stop him from barging through with the try that set the Eels on the path for victory.

Marcelo Montoya (right) was one of the Warriors’ best players and scored a try 

The New Zealanders produced a mighty defensive effort in the first quarter of the game

The win will be crucial to Parramatta’s hopes of securing a top-four spot, especially given their tough draw to round the season out.

In their final seven regular season games, the Eels face only one side that are not currently in the top eight but are now only outside of the top four on points differential.

The Warriors were already at long odds to play finals football but their latest loss all but confirms they will watch from afar.

By the end of the round, they could be as many as four wins out of the top eight and only one win off the bottom of the ladder, pending other results.