NRL 2024: Jordan Rapana kicks two field-goals as Canberra Raiders win 26-25 over Dolphins in golden point thriller

Raiders star Jordan Rapana had never kicked a field goal before tonight, but he slotted two against the Dolphins to steal victory at the death in a golden point thriller.

Jordan Rapana of the Raiders celebrates victory after kicking the winning field goal in golden point extra time during the round 13 NRL match between Dolphins and Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, on June 01, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Master coach Wayne Bennett couldn’t hide his disdain towards the match officials in the aftermath of his Dolphins’ contentious 26-25 golden point defeat to the Canberra Raiders.

Two Jordan Rapana field goals proved the difference by game’s end, with the match-winner proving controversial when Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King was temporarily impeded by the Raiders’ defence in the lead up to game-deciding play.

A similar indiscretion earlier in extra time was bravely ruled a penalty by referee Adam Gee when Dolphins lock Max Plath blocked the Raiders’ path to Jamayne Isaako, who appeared to kick the Dolphins to victory with his own second field goal.

Jordan Rapana of the Raiders celebrates victory after kicking the winning field goal in golden point extra time during the round 13 NRL match between Dolphins and Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, on June 01, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“We’ll have to wait until Monday when Graham Annesley gives his report about all the mistakes they made,” Bennett said.

“Nothing is going change. I accept that. But my players deserve answers.

“We also had two players (Herbie Farnworth and Connelly Lemuelu) hit in the head and nobody put on report. Both were head high and both had to leave the field.”

Rapana would eventually be the hero of the day.

Kicking his first ever field goal in the dying stages of regulation time, the veteran fullback would back it up with the game-sealing one-pointer in the final two minutes of golden point.

It was only a minute earlier when Rapana denied Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa from scoring a try, prior to securing the incredible finish.

“I wasn’t going to talk about the field goals because Jordan will be doing it for the next six months,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart joked.

“Honestly, Jordan is an unbelievable competitor, a warrior. I love coaching him despite being the hardest man in the world to coach, and the boys love playing with him.

“It’s getting harder and harder for him but he keeps putting his body on the line and his instinct his second to none. He’s all heart.”

THE RAIDERS WIN IN GOLDEN POINT 💥

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FEARS FOR BROMWICH FUTURE

Conjecture over the playing future of Jesse Bromwich made a bad night worse for the Dolphins.

A coy Dolphins medical staff refused to allay initial fears of a pectoral injury, though later stated Bromwich was suffering from a rib complaint. Scans will determine the prop’s return-to-play prospects.

The three-time premiership winner earlier this year signalled his intent to retire at season’s end. Worst case scenario could see Bromwich rely on a maiden Dolphins finals berth if he’s to feature in the NRL once more.

NRL Round 13 2024 – Dolphins v Raiders. Picture: NRL Imagery

WEEKES CONTINUE TO IMPRESS

When the Raiders took a chance on wayward Sea Eagles youngster Kaeo Weekes, nobody could have imagined how important he would eventually prove for Canberra’s fortunes.

A pre-season five-eighth shootout with Ethan Strange didn’t fall in his favour, with an opportunity not coming his way until Round 8 in wake of Jamal Fogarty’s three-month layoff.

Weekes has been somewhat of a revelation for Ricky Stuart’s outfit and was at the forefront of the Raiders’ bounce back victory.

A classy Weekes bomb allowed winger Xavier Savage to peg back an early deficit, while Dolphin Euan Aitken later found out that the rookie playmaker was just as adept defensively.

Weekes’ own try midway through the second half threatened to open the floodgates, though a brave Dolphins outfit held strong until the final two minutes of golden point.

Stuart was complimentary of both Weekes and opposite half Katoa, the latter kicking two 40/20s which resulted in points for the Dolphins.

“Those boys are going to have a lot of longevity in the game. They have promising futures are in the NRL,” Stuart said. “My two halves [including Ethan Strange] are getting so much experience at the moment. The different scenarios they have faced especially in the last month, they’re learning a lot very quickly.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Jordan Rapana kicks two field-goals as Canberra Raiders win 26-25 over Dolphins in golden point thriller