The Cronulla Sharks sealed their ticket to play finals footy in a thrilling 22-14 win against the New Zealand Warriors that came down to the last minutes of the game.
With the victory the Sharks ensured their spot eighth on the NRL ladder, and meant that the Warriors missed out on playing finals.
Cronulla had a strong start going up 12-0 through Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo early in the contest on Sunday evening.
Fresh off being re-signed by the Sharks for a further three seasons, Katoa marked his return from injury in style to get straight back on the scoresheet with his 15th try of the year.
Stand-in skipper Shaun Johnson put in a beautiful kick that caught the Warriors by surprise, and try-scoring machine Katoa did the rest.
“Sensational stuff from Katoa,” league legend Steve Roach said on Fox Sports.
“Beautiful kick in from behind. The wingers were up. Johnson puts in a perfectly-timed kick. Tuivasa-Sheck couldn’t turn around and chase quick enough.”
Just as Cronulla looked in control going into the break though, in-form Warriors youngster Jack Murchie kept New Zealand in touch with a try just before the halftime siren.
The Warriors took that momentum into the second half and in the 51st minute Adam Pompey scored to level the game at 12-12.
Peta Hiku expertly shook off Josh Dugan before a miraculous flick pass to Pompey who made no mistake by the corner flag.
“What an offload Peta Hiku! A magic act at Kogarah,” NRL commentator Matt Russell said on Fox Sports.
“What a touch of class this is.”
“Look at that. That’s pretty to watch, that,” added Roach.
Everything was going the Warriors’ way and when Nikora gave away a penalty for an accidental high shot, Chanel Harris-Tavita stabbed through a penalty goal from 45 metres out to give New Zealand a two-point lead with 16 minutes to go.
Enter human battering ram Toby Rudolf. With just five minutes left on the clock, Rudolf charged at the try-line for his first four-pointer in the NRL and put his team in front.
A late try by Mulitalo for his second of the night was the cherry on top of an inspiring victory for the Sharks with their season on the line.
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