Leka Halasima of the Warriors heads for the try line, New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos at Go Media Stadium. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf has slotted a penalty from halfway in the opening minute of golden point to snatch a thrilling 20-18 victory over Brisbane Broncos at Go Media Stadium.
With the scores level at fulltime, the visitors entered extra time with all the momentum, after scoring two converted tries to overcome what seemed a match-winning advantage for the Warriors.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh made bad error from the kickoff though, sending his restart too long, with Warriors captain Mitch Barnett taking it dead.
Barnett immediately pointed to the posts and Metcalf lined up a long kick that broke Broncos hearts, as it sailed over their heads and through the uprights.
Metcalf's wayward goal-kicking had left his team in a vulnerable position, as they outscored their rivals four tries to three, but could only convert one of them.
By contrast, veteran five-eighth Adam Reynolds had a faultless night off the tee for Brisbane, converting tries to Jesse Arthars and Walsh from the sideline to bring his side back into the contest late.
With 13 minutes to play and 12 points clear, the Warriors seemed on their way to a fourth win for the season, but let their guard slip and needed Metcalf's late heroics to clinch the two competition points that see them move above Brisbane into third on the NRL table.
Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Edward Kosi, 3. Kurt Capewell, 4. Ali Leiataua, 5. Adam Pompey, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 8. Jackson Ford, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Bunty Afoa, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Te Maire Martin
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Selwyn Cobbo, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ben Hunt, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Patrick Carrigan, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Jaiyden Hunt, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington
Interchange: 14. Billy Walters, 15. Corey Jensen, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Tyson Smoothy
