‘Insane’ Waqa Blake try defies gravity, sparks Eels comeback over Manly

NRL legends and fans have been left gobsmacked after a stunning gravity-defying try flipped Parramatta’s win over Manly on its head.

Waqa Blake with something special. Photo: Fox Sports

In an age when rugby league wingers defy gravity on a nearly game-by-game basis, Eels star Waqa Blake has done something near superhuman in his side’s 36-20 win over Manly.

It was a back-end-forth affair at 4 Pines Park and after halftime, Manly scored to lead 18-14 before kicking away to six points after a penalty goal.

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But the Eels fightback began in spectacular fashion as Blake, playing his 150th game, dived for the corner, scoring a stunning try.

Latching onto a pinpoint perfect Harbour Bridge pass from Jakob Arthur, the Eels flyer still had plenty of work to do.

As he dived, he was over the sideline, his knees just centimetres from going into touch while the ball was grounded only just in the field of play.

It was a spectacular try and had fans and legends alike blown away.

On Fox League, Greg Alexander said: “That’s an incredible try, he brought the ball well above his head, he was smashed by Morgan Harper but he still gets the ball down in that corner.”

“He is a blade of grass in from touch in goal,” Andrew Voss responded.

Waqa Blake did something miraculous. Photo: Fox League

“That is a crazy finish. What a great pass from Jake Arthur,” Andrew Johns said on Channel 9.

Blues Origin coach Brad Fittler added: “Wow. That’s pretty impressive.”

Fans were going equally nuts over the moment.

Nine’s Michael Atkinson posted: “OH MY WORD … Waqa Blake, TRY OF THE YEAR”.

Sports reporter Bernie Coen added: “Cracking finish from Blake @TheParraEelstgats what you call a game of centimetres.”

Former NRL scribe Chris Kennedy wrote: “Superb vision and execution from Jake Arthur. Immaculate pass. Special grounding from Blake as well. Been some excellent tries this game”.

Even Eels coach Brad Arthur was a fan.

“It was a big moment wasn’t it?” he said in his press conference.

“It really got us back in the hunt. Good for Jake’s confidence too.

“Really pleased for Waqa, he’s the sort of player that doesn’t get a lot of accolades but he just competes at every contest for us. He’s had some injuries over the last couple of years but he always works the hardest to get back on the field.”

Hell of a performance from the Eels. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It proved to be the turning point for the Eels as the visitors scored three late tries to blow the Sea Eagles away and leave Manly’s season on life support.

With four games remaining, the Sea Eagles are now four points out of the top eight in tenth, while the Eels have moved into fifth on 28 competition points, equal with the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks in third and fourth respectively.

Originally published as ‘Insane’ Waqa Blake try defies gravity, sparks Eels comeback over Manly