Andrew Pelechaty reviews a surprise Golden Point thriller.
Result
New Zealand Warriors 21
Tries: (3) Marata Niukore 3rd; Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 38th; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 48th
Goals: (4) Shaun Johnson 5th, 40th, 27th, 55th
One-Point Field Goal: (1) Shaun Johnson 81st
Canberra Raiders 20
Tries: (4) Hudson Young 18th; Jordan Rapana 63rd; Elliott Whitehead 78th; Jack Wighton 79th
Goals: (2) Jarrod Croker 19th, 79th
Report
Six weeks after the Warriors spoiled Jarrod Croker’s 300th game celebrations, Canberra travelled to Auckland in a game with huge finals implications.
And it turned into a surprise Golden Point thriller.
The Warriors opened the scoring with a try to Marata Niukore in the third minute, converted by Shaun Johnson for a 6-0 lead.
Canberra hit back in the 18th minute when Hudson Young picked up a Warriors knock on and ran 40 metres to score. Croker converted to tie the game at 6-6.
Johnson got the Warriors back in front with a 27th minute penalty goal.
Then came a crucial call just before half-time: Sebastian Kris looked to have scored, but was hit high by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak before grounding the footy. Surprisingly, there was no penalty (as it would have been a an easy kick for Croker) or even a penalty try.
The Warriors quickly punished the Raiders when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad again scored against his former side.
Leading 14-6 at half-time, the Warriors pushed further ahead through Watene-Zelezniak, scoring in the right corner.
Another Johnson penalty goal in the 55th minute gave the Warriors a 20-6 lead, which seemed more than enough against a Canberra side lacking creativity in attack.
While Jordan Rapana kept Canberra in the game with an Aussie Rules-style grab of a Jamal Fogarty bomb, the Warriors still looked comfortable with a 10-point lead.
Then, with two minutes left, the Raiders pulled the game out of the fire. First Elliott Whitehead scored, then – in a rare moment of enterprising attack – the Raiders spread the footy to the left, with Albert Hopoate breaking down the sideline then passing inside to Jack Wighton. At 20-20, Croker had a sideline conversion to win the game, but missed.
While the Raiders had the momentum, a poor first set in Golden Point resulted in a seven tackle set for the Warriors. They marched downfield, giving Johnson enough time to slot a 30 metre field goal. And it’s not the first time he’s broken Raiders hearts.
Coincidentally, the Warriors’ NSW Cup side also beat Canberra 21-20, with the Raiders leading 18-0 after 15 minutes.
The loss is a big blow to Canberra’s top four hopes – they have a poor differential (-56), and have tough games ahead against Melbourne and Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will be eyeing a top four finish – they have a bye next round and a dream run home (Gold Coast, Wests Tigers, Manly Warringah, St George Illawarra, The Dolphins).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
2 – Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
1 – Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors)
