NZ Warriors have shown encouraging signs heading into their 2021 NRL campaign, beating Melbourne Storm 30-16 in their first pre-season contest.
After trailing early, half Reece Walsh led a resurgent effort fromn the Kiwi side, as they ran in three tries in the final 10 minutes to claim a comfortable victory.
The Storm got off to a strong start, as marquee recruit Xavier Coates crossed out wide to open the scoring with his first touch of the game.
He was closely followed by Kiwis star Brandon Smith, who - playing in the No. 13 jersey - powered over the chalk in the 13th minute.
Five minutes later, the Warriors got on the board through Marcelo Motoya, who benefited from a sharp backline play to dive into the corner.
Just a few minutes later, Montoya was in again with a carbon copy of his first try, cutting the Warriors' deficit to four points.
Moments before the halftime break, Chanel Harris-Tavita cut through a hole, before sending Reece Walsh in behind the boys for the Warriors to claim their first lead of the day.
Shortly after the interval, Dean Ieremia edged the Storm back in front.
But the Warriors came home strong, with Junior Ratuva bulldozing his way in under the posts, Walsh putting it on a platter for Junior Ratuva, before Matt Lodge showed great strength to put the icing on the cake.
The Warriors will move on to face Gold Coast Titans next Saturday in their second pre-season fixture.
