A Tom Trbojevic brain fade has kept the Warriors’ chances of a minor premiership alive, but only just.
The Warriors were far from impressive as they scraped a 31-30 win on Saturday afternoon over the Sea Eagles in Auckland.
Aiming for their first minor premiership since 2002, it was a Chanel Harris-Tavita field goal in the 78th minute that separated the sides.
And Manly superstar Trbojevic will be kicking himself after a blunder in the 67th minute turned the game on its head.
Had Trbojevic not held Jacob Laban back after putting his brother Jake through a hole, Clayton Faulalo would have been awarded a try, and the Sea Eagles would have extended their lead to 36-24.
You can watch the Tom Trbojevic brain fade in the player above.
“That’s a big moment in the game – he knows it as well,” Kevin Walters said of the Trbojevic blunder on Fox League.
“He didn’t need to do it.”
Instead, Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki completed a hat-trick moments later as the hosts levelled the scores at 30-30, before Harris-Tavita’s field goal decided it.
The result sees the Warriors temporarily sit two points ahead of the Panthers on the ladder with a differential of 310, compared to Penrith’s 308.
However, Penrith will win their first minor premiership since 2023 if they win by more than two points against the Tigers on Sunday.
Originally published as Tom Trbojevic blunder flips NRL minor premiership race on its head