FIXES RUNNING METRES NEAR BOTTOM
The Andrew Webster era in New Zealand has begun with a comprehensive 48-12 victory over Wests Tigers as the Warriors kicked off their 2023 preseason trial matches impressively.
New recruits Luke Metcalf and Te Maire Martin dazzled at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium as the Warriors ran in nine tries to two on Thursday night.
New coach Webster's side amassed 14 points in the NRL's new preseason challenge, just shy of a maximum 15, as all NRL clubs chase $100,000 through their two trial matches.
They did so behind Metcalf and Martin, who joined the Warriors from Cronulla and Brisbane respectively in the off-season.
Martin found Marcelo Montoya to bag their first try off a long-range cut-out pass and the Warriors went back-to-back when Jackson Ford barged over from a quick play-the-ball.
Martin's left edge in attack had the Tigers scrambling not long after and Montoya bagged a first-half double when he shoved Charlie Staines into next year before dotting down.
It was a dominant first half showing from the hosts who completed 11 of their 13 sets for a 14-0 lead at the break while their opposition struggled to get any momentum, coughing up five penalties.
Metcalf found a defensive hole early in the second to score from 40 metres then the five-eighth's split second catch-and-pass set up Montoya for his hat-trick.
Wests responded with some flashy offloading that saw Trey Peni score their first try and they were back in the game when Stefano Utoikamanu barged over.
But another error in midfield handed Viliami Vailea a runaway try before Moala Graham-Taufa, Vailea and Solomon Vasuvulagi all scored late to hammer home the Warriors' dominance.
Martin dished two try assists and three line assists with Metcalf breaking the line three times to go with his solo-effort try.
"We excecuted well on what Webby (Webster) wanted us to do and Luke Metcalf ran the team around really well," Martin told Fox Sports.
"Hopefully we can see Lukey in the open space because he runs faster sideways than some of us run forward.
"We got to see as his pace on display tonight so that was good to see."
Edward Kosi produced strong carries out of the Warriors' own end while Tom Ale led their metres gained with 144.
For Tim Sheens' Tigers, 20-year-old Fonua Pole showed promise through the middle and skipper Utoikamanu led their running metres.
"It was pretty shocking I think, our defence was pretty poor," the Tigers captain said.
"We played a pretty young team so we can't expect much from that. The only thing we can do is move on to next week and just focus on what we need to improve moving to the next game."
