Lachlan Lewis lands clutch field goal to help Bulldogs claim 27-26 win over Warriors
CANTERBURY young gun Lachlan Lewis has slotted a clutch field goal to jag a 27-26 NRL win over New Zealand and throw a speed bump in front of the Warriors’ NRL finals ambitions.
Bulldogs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bulldogs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday by stealing his uncle’s famous crown.
Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis, nephew of Wally ‘The King’ Lewis, became an instant hero by landing a stunning 33-metre left-foot field goal with one minute and 36 seconds remaining to give Canterbury a dramatic 27-26 win over New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium.
Arise the King of Belmore.
Lewis raised his arms in triumph and was mobbed by teammates as the ball crept over the cross bar.
EX-STARS: NRL greats carving up in bush footy
MATESHIP: Immortal bond of legends Summons and Provan
WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Saint, sinner, shoosh
It was the first field goal he had ever landed and it gave Canterbury crucial breathing room from the wooden spoon — two competition points clear of Parramatta and North Queensland.
Lewis also scored his first NRL try too, but the field goal was the icing on the birthday cake.
“It was a little bit of a present, wasn’t it?” said Lewis, went to Mr Wong Chinese restaurant in Sydney to celebrate last night.
“I haven’t taken it in yet. It was my first-ever field goal too. I have probably missed three from in front.
“It was pretty lucky, I guess that breeze pulled it over in the end. I have probably kicked a hundred field goals at training and probably hit two.
“Back at Canberra, I was 17 playing (under) 20s, and I had one 10 out from the front and I missed it. It took a while today to find out whether it went through.
“It was awesome, a huge lift, because I was in a bit of a hole at that time. It pulled me right out of it.
“To be honest when I threw it out and it went to ‘J-Moz’ (Josh Morris) down that left size, it probably wasn’t in range. But then that carry that took him up around the 15 metres, that was my indicator.
“I hope I do belong. I think this has been a bit of a crazy last two months of the season. I wasn’t in the pre-season mix, I wasn’t training with the big boys, I was back in the Cup side right up until halfway through the season, June 30.
“I think I do fit in, but I have to perform each week to do that. I don’t think I’m too complacent yet.”
Lachlan isn’t close to his legendary uncle, he sees him “at Christmas every year or two.
But Bulldogs coach Dean Pay was quick to praise Lewis, who seems to have an amazing amount of time when kicking.
“I am sure he will be the first admit there are some areas of his game he needs to improve,” Pay said. “But while ever he has that enthusiasm and energy, and wants to learn and play the game he wants to play, he will improve.”
Warriors coach Steve Kearney and skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also spoke highly of young Lewis.
“I thought he controlled the game really well. He looked like he was sticking to his system of kicking to the corners. He did that all game,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.
“He got a try off one of his kicks (to Josh Morris) and the field goal. I thought our boys could have started more to pressure him, credit to him, he’s playing well.”
Kearney added: “When you watch the games he has played so far, regardless of who he is playing against, he looks like he has a lot of time, particularly when he’s kicking the footy.
“He managed the back-end of the game for them pretty well, slotting over the field goal.”
The Warriors scored five tries to four yesterday but couldn’t seal the win. The loss keeps the Tigers’ slim chances of qualifying for the finals alive.
The Warriors had 43 tackles inside Canterbury’s 20-metre zone, the Bulldogs had just 15 at the opposite end.
“The effort was fantastic again,” Pay said. “We have had our challenges this year, we’re a young developing team.
“Over the last month we have played some decent footy and got a few results, they are learning each and every week.”
Kearney claimed his side took too many shot cuts.
“The stats said we ran for more metres and we scored more tries,” Kearney said. “I reckon the Bulldogs have had a positive month of footy. We knew it would be a hard job for us today.
“We were a little ‘off’ in certain areas, which is pretty disappointing given what was potentially at stake.
“There were a couple of short cuts there today which haven’t been in our game over the last couple of weeks. There is a fair bit of disappointment in the sheds at the moment.
“I know if we get our best game of football out there, we will give ourselves a chance against anyone.”
Canterbury led 20-12 at halftime but the match was all square in the 75th minute when Warriors player Peta Hiku scored. Lewis then struck his deadly one pointer three minutes later.
Warriors five-eighth Blake Green (calf) and centre Gerard Beale (hamstring) are in doubt for Friday night’s match against Penrith in Auckland.
CANTERBURY 27 (A Elliott L Lewis J Morris R Smith tries R Martin 5 goals L Lewis field goal) bt NZ WARRIORS 26 (D Fusitua 2 G Beale P Hiku R Tuivasa-Sheck tries S Johnson 3 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Jon Stone. Crowd: 9,688.