Warrior Leka Halasima celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Newcastle Knights. Photo: PhotoSport / David Neilson
NZ Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has snatched an unlikely 20-15 victory over Newcastle Knights with an incredible 40-metre try in the dying seconds at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Trailling for much of the contest, the Warriors were still behind 15-14 in the final minute, when halfback Tanah Boyd tried a desperation two-point field goal for the win.
His kick was charged down, but the loose ball bounced to Halasima, who stormed through tired Knights defenders and slid over the tryline in a tackle to the deciding points.
The visiting Warriors scored first through centre Adam Pompey and seemed to have a second try on the board, when hooker Wayde Egan reached over the line, but was penalised for a second movement.
Newcastle scored the next three tries - none of them converted - to seize control 12-6 at halftime. Interchange forward Demitric Vaimauga stormed over for the Warriors' second try and Boyd's conversion levelled the scores.
Knights fullback Dane Gagai put his side ahead again with a penalty, but Boyd responded in kind, as the rivals entered the final 10 minutes deadlocked.
Boyd missed two field-goal attempts, but counterpart Jack Cogger was on target with his boot to grab the lead again.
Boyd had a chance to win from the kicking tee, when five-eighth Jackson Hastings was ruled offside, as he challenged another field goal attempt, but the Warriors half pulled his penalty attempt right of the posts.
Newcastle dropped out long, providing Boyd with one more opportunity. His long-range attempt was deflected, but teenager Halasima again showed his abilities with an audacious run to glory.
The result leaves the Warriors in fourth place on the NRL table, as they return home to face bottom-placed Gold Coast Titans next Saturday.
See how it all unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
