NRL 2024: Manly Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors draw 22-22 in golden point thriller

The Manly Sea Eagles and New Zealand Warriors will both walk away with one point, after producing the first draw of the 2024 season, in a controversial golden point finish.

A late penalty denied the Sea Eagles victory in Auckland, but they’ll still walk away with one point, after drawing with the Warriors after golden point. Picture: Getty Images

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold reserved making Judgement on a late Josh Aloiai challenge which cost Manly the full complement of competition points in the aftermath of their thrilling 22-all draw against the Warriors.

Up by two points and with one play left to defend, the Sea Eagles prop collided with the kicking leg of Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson, following the veteran playmaker’s attempt at a game-levelling two-point field goal.

A subsequent review from The Bunker ruled Aloiai’s actions as illegal, resulting in an easy Warriors penalty goal after the siren to send the game to golden point.

Aloiai’s haphazardness led to a further 10 minutes of frantic football from both sides, with neither able to break the deadlock.

A late penalty denied the Sea Eagles victory in Auckland, but they’ll still walk away with one point, after drawing with the Warriors after golden point. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s something I don’t want to make comment on,” Seibold said.

“If I said, ‘it shouldn’t be a penalty’, I’d be labelled a whinger, and if I said that it was then potentially, I’m not looking after the players in my group. It was adjudicated a penalty. We get on with it.”

Seven days removed from their thumping victory over three-time defending premiers Penrith, the Sea Eagles will now return to Australia with a sour taste in their mouth after blowing an early 16-0 lead.

Led by two tries from skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, the Sea Eagles were untouchable in the first half-hour but couldn’t withstand the Warriors in the final few minutes of either half.

LATE HUSTLES EARN THE DRAW

Remarkable late flurries at either end of each half allowed the Warriors to extend their four-week unbeaten run.

It took a beautiful tip-on pass from Tohu Harris for the Warriors to score their first points, with Jazz Tevaga crashing over under the posts in the 35th minute.

The Sea Eagles, hellbent on finishing the first 40 on a positive note, looked to their prolific left edge on the stroke of halftime. It proved a rued opportunity as a wayward Luke Brooks pass landed in the hands of opposition winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who raced 60 metres to score.

The Warriors scored two tries in the second half to threaten the Sea Eagles, but were unable to finish the job. Picture: Getty Images

While the Warriors had the better of the opportunities in the second half, it would take them until the 79th minute to get back within one try when Watene-Zelezniak crossed out wide for his second four-pointer.

Johnson’s attempt at a two-point field goal in the dying seconds resulted in his game-tying penalty conversion – and the rest as they say, is history.

“I thought a draw was a good result for us 16 points down,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.

“It was great to come back. We never gave up. I’m glad we were the team throwing more punches at the end than them.”

HAMSTRUNG HEREDITY

What is it with the Trbojevics and hamstrings?

Ben Trbojevic looks set for another stint on the sidelines after limping off in the final 15 minutes of regulation time with an apparent hamstring complaint, his second such injury in 12 months.

Hamstring injuries are sadly synonymous with the Trbojevic family. Brother Tom has spent many a week on the sidelines with numerous hamstring injuries throughout his career, the last coming at the expense of his infamous late night Manly Corso race.

In further blows for Manly, Toafofoa Sipley (knee) and Lachlan Croker (shoulder) were also casualties, though Seibold confirmed that Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick and Nathan Brown would be welcomed additions for his side next weekend.

Not to be outdone, Warrior Tevaga also failed to return in the second half after suffering a hamstring injury of his own.