Fullback Taine Tuaupiki – who wasn’t originally named to play – has saved NZ Warriors’ bacon with a hattrick of tries in a desperate 31-30 win over Manly Sea Eagles to keep their NRL minor premiership hopes alive.
The home side needed a late field goal from Chanel Harris-Tavita to snatch victory from their dogged opponents and now await the result between Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers on Sunday, which will determine the winners of the regular-season crown.
Off to a slow start, the Warriors trailled 12-4 after 20 minutes, but rattled on the next four tries – two to Tuaupiki – to lead 24-12 just after halftime.
Tuaupiki was initially named on the interchange bench as backline cover, but entered the starting line-up, when centre Leka Halasima withdrew with an ankle injury 24 hours out.
See how the action unfolded below: