New Zealand Warriors snatch incredible last-play victory over Newcastle Knights

Newcastle’s horror month has been compounded by a heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Warriors following an extraordinary passage of play in the Hunter. WATCH the incredible play.

The Warriors have snatched a last gasp victory in the Hunter, topping Newcastle 20-15 on the back of a post-siren try.

The Knights seemed to have all but won in the dying moments, only for a Warriors’ rookie to find something special after the bell to devastate home fans.

Newcastle had an early opportunity after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak spilled the ball coming out of trouble, only for Greg Marzhew to drop it a few tackles later with the line wide open.

The Newcastle winger was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons again five minutes later, tackling DWZ in midair as the Kiwi winger attempted to score in the corner.

While it didn’t lead to points, the ensuing set did, Tanah Boyd dribbling the ball in-goal on the last tackle for Adam Pompey to plant it down for the game’s opening four-pointer.

Despite not being known as a potent try-scorer in the NRL, it’s Pompey’s ninth try in 11 games against Newcastle, easily his best strike rate against any opposition side.

The Warriors seemed to have doubled their advantage minutes later, Wayde Egan scurrying and spinning his way over from dummy-half, only for the Bunker to ping the rake for a double movement.

While it didn’t only halt New Zealand’s momentum, it swung it back towards Newcastle, the home side finding a try of their own the next set.

Teammates mob Leka Halasima after his match-winning try. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

A deft kick from Jackson Hastings hanging high enough for the tigers-bound Kai Pearce-Paul to tap the ball back into the arms of Fletcher Hunt for the rookie’s third career try.

Consecutive errors from the Wahs kept inviting Newcastle into the contest, and hi-vis clad outfit certainly made the most of their opportunities on the Warriors’ line.

A perfectly timed flick inside from Marzhew handed fill-in fullback Dane Gagai a sneaky try before Cogger handed the winger a try of his own just minutes later.

Some shaky goal-kicking from Newcastle kept New Zealand within striking distance, the Knights missing all three attempts from the sideline to keep the score at 12-6.

Watene-Zelezniak seemed to have snatched one back for the away side on the back of a brilliant pass from Taine Tuaupiki, noly for Grant Atkins to call the pass back as forward.

A rare halftime lead for the home side, Newcastle’s strong start to the second stanza evaporated after a hard-running try from Wahs’ rookie Demitric Vaimauga.

Dejected Knights players after the match-winning play. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

The back-rower steamed onto a crafty no-look ball from Egan, catching out young edge forward Jermaine McEwen to reach out and snare an equaliser for his side.

The hooker went from hero to villain in a matter of minutes, re-handing Newcastle the lead after being pinged for offside in front of the sticks, Gagai putting it between the posts for a 14-12 lead.

It proved a pivotal period for the Warriors, momentarily losing Tuaupiki to a HIA before fill-in centre Kurt Capewell limped off the pitch with 15 minutes to play.

A seemingly dropped ball from DWZ worked in the away side’s favour, a successful captain’s challenge finding some interference on the winger in the lead up.

Boyd’s boot levelled the scores at 14-14, but couldn’t pull them in front after missing the first field goal attempt of the afternoon the very next set.

The late impact from bench utility Tyson Gamble started swinging the pendulum back to the home side, the No. 14 nearly sending Young down the sideline if it wasn’t for some fantastic scramble from the Warriors’ left-edge.

A flurry of passes landed into the arms of Jack Cogger on the last, the former Panther slotting a one-pointer from 35 metres out for the narrowest of leads.

It seemed to end the game, but set up arguably the most action packed final two minutes of any NRL game this season.

A shanked field goal from Tanah Boyd led to a Warriors’ penalty after Hastings was deemed offside, handing the halfback a shot at goal from in front.

Another shank from Boyd preserved Newcastle’s lead, putting them in the box seat with a drop out on the 20-metre line, and under a minute on the clock.

Enter Leka Halasima.

Boyd’s final field goal on the attempt was charged down as the Newcastle crowd erupted, only for Halasima to scoop the ball up, fool defenders with his footwork as he raced 40 metres downfield to score the winner.

The 20-15 win not only keeps the Warriors’ top four hopes alive, but it puts a nail in Newcastle’s coffin this season, snatching a loss from the jaws of victory.

Set to face Canberra and Penrith next, it could be a rough end to the season for the Knights.

WARRIORS MISSING METCALF MAGIC

There’s no doubt that Tanah Boyd has slotted into this Warriors’ outfit well, however it’s clear the side is missing Luke Metcalf’s impact in attack.

The zippy halfback tore his ACL against Brisbane three weeks ago, ending the No. 7’s season prematurely amongst a career-best year.

Boyd’s kicks hit the mark and he steered the ship well, but Tanah doesn’t have that off-the-cuff, creative side that had Metcalf being spoken about as a Dally M dark horse.

Referee Grant Atkins gestures towards the posts after awarding the Warriors a late penalty. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

NEWCASTLE’S KIT A MINER INSPIRATION

It’s amazing how much the colour of a jersey can lift and inspire a side.

There’s no doubt Newcastle are having a poor season. They’ve got the NRL’s worst attack, their best three players are gone for the year, rumours swirling of both their coach and captain’s exits.

Yet, when Newcastle don that hi-vis jersey for their working class town, they just tend to find something extra in attack.

TOP FOUR FEARS FLICKER FOR KIWIS

It’s going to be a nervous, nervous final seven rounds for Warriors’ fans as the sides tries to maintain their spot in the competition’s top four.

The club jagged a win in the dying moments to keep a four-point deficit between them and 5th place, however Brisbane’s growing form and the comeback of Penrith will have them sweating.

Originally published as New Zealand Warriors snatch incredible last-play victory over Newcastle Knights