NRL: Euan Aitken to return for Warriors Magic Round meeting with Parramatta Eels
14 May, 2021 09:45 PM
3 minutes to read
Auckland Blues captain Tom Robinson joins Cheree Kinnear to preview their clash against the Melbourne Rebels along with the weekend s sport. Video / NZ Herald
Auckland Blues captain Tom Robinson joins Cheree Kinnear to preview their clash against the Melbourne Rebels along with the weekend s sport. Video / NZ Herald
Christopher Reive is a sports reporter for NZME@chrisreive
The Warriors will get a welcome experience boost in the backline this weekend, with veteran centre Euan Aitken confirming his return from injury.
Aitken was one of the club s major signings this season, after spending six seasons with the St George Illawarra Dragons, but has been limited to one match due to an ankle injury.
With Chanel Harris-Tavita returning from a foot injury last week for the first time since round two, Brown injected Walsh into the game with 26 minutes to play in last Sunday’s disastrous 38-32 loss to Manly. Playing in the halves, the former Bronco made an immediate impact with a line break, a try assist, two tackle breaks and a try of his own.
David Neilson/Photosport
It was confirmed on Tuesday that Peta Hiku’s shoulder injury will rule him out for the rest of the season. But Walsh only made three tackles and missed just as many so with Brown already raising the issue of possible burnout for the teenager later in the season, he will want to tread carefully with his prized recruit at such an early stage in his career.
Cameron Spencer
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 09: Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles runs the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the New Zealand Warriors at Lottoland, on May 09, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Walsh is clearly a gifted player, but Warriors coach Nathan Brown had mentioned over the last few weeks that he’ll be eased into life as a starting NRL player. Something else that wasn’t a surprise was that the Sea Eagles tested out the Warriors’ right edge defence. Last weekend against the Cowboys Edward Kosi on debut and Rocco Berry, in just his second game struggled as everything when their way and they were an obvious target for Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
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Warriors 32 Sea Eagles 38
Warriors - Harris-Tavita 2, Walsh, Curran & Harris try; Nikorima 6 goals
Sea Eagles - T Trbojevic 2, Garrick, Saab 3 & Harper tries; Garrick 5 goals
Second half
40th minute - Parker takes the last tackle and the siren sounds on a Manly win, but an incredible game.
39th minute - Tevaga crosses halfway on the second tackle. On the last, Harris-Tavita kicks high to the posts, the ball bounces back to the Warriors and when it goes left, Maumalo is dragged into touch just short of the line.
So close! That gives the win to Manly.