Toovey: we had a bit of luck

Manly coach Geoff Toovey said luck was on his team’s side during the come-from-behind victory over the New Zealand Warriors at the weekend.

Two tries in the last ten minutes from halfback Daly Cherry-Evans saw the Sea Eagles snatch an unlikely 24-22 win against the wasteful Warriors in Perth.

Toovey was glad at the result but lamented Manly’s lack of precision.

“It was a fantastic win, but from a coach’s point of view I wasn’t too happy,” Toovey told Manly’s official website.

“I’m very happy and pleased for the boys though, they’ve been together for a while, so to take a win out of the jaws of defeat I think was a testament to their ability and tenacity.

“They hung in there long enough and the football gods were on our side tonight, and a bit of luck saw us win the match.

“We just didn’t respect the ball both in attack and defence, I thought we were well below our best.”

The victory keeps the Sea Eagles in the hunt for a top four spot but Toovey admits next weekend’s match-up at North Queensland will be a good test of their credentials.

“It’ll be interesting,” added Toovey. 

“I believe the Cowboys lost tonight as well, so they’ll be trying to turn things around back at their home base next week, so it’ll be difficult for us.

“We thrive on those things when the odds are against us, so we’ll go home, recoup and get back on the training paddock, and on plane up to North Queensland late next week.”