In an exhilarating match, Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira showcased his talent against his former team, the Titans, leading his side to a narrow victory. Khan-Pereira kicked off the match with two remarkable tries, including a stunning aerial catch, propelling the Warriors to a commanding 22-0 lead at half-time. Fox Sports commentator Luke Keary described the first half as a “demolition job.”
The second half, however, offered a stark contrast as the Warriors faced a much tougher challenge. With the wind against them, the Titans emerged revitalised, scoring four tries compared to the Warriors’ single try. They made a spirited attempt to claw back into the game, coming closer towards the end, but were ultimately thwarted by time. The match concluded with the Warriors securing a 28-20 win.
Khan-Pereira had previously scored an impressive 53 tries in 54 appearances with the Titans before making his debut for the Warriors just last week. Tanah Boyd, another former Titan, contributed significantly to the Warriors’ success, kicking four goals despite acknowledging that the second-half performance was not up to par. Boyd expressed disappointment over the Titans’ inability to maintain their momentum after a strong first half, saying, “Pretty disappointing… not turning up for each other.”
Despite the loss, former league legend Mal Meninga found silver linings in the Titans’ second-half improvement, suggesting that this moment could spark optimism amongst their supporters. He noted that with continued belief in their coach’s strategies, the Titans are likely to improve as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will host the Dolphins on Anzac Day, while the Titans will take a break to regroup and reassess after this close encounter.