Warriors stunned, projectiles thrown at referees in ugly ending
Updated . First published at
Fans at a sold-out Eden Park have been caught throwing objects at referee Ashley Klein and his touchjudges, after the Newcastle Knights held on for an incredible 12–10 finals victory in a controversial finish against the Warriors.
The resurgent Knights will also breathe a big sigh of relief after Kalyn Ponga was cleared of a concussion, having left the field in the 74th minute.
Kalyn Ponga leaves the field. Nine
Ponga was ruled a category two HIA, but post-game he was given the all clear and won’t be subject to an 11-day stand down period.
Going into Eden Park as underdogs, the Knights produced a brilliant display of defence to hold off the hosts and book a prelim final spot against the Panthers.
“Newcastle win in an epic cliffhanger,” Nine’s caller Brenton Speed said.
The match ended with boos sounding out from the 48,000 fans as Knights second-rower Francis Manuleleua pumped his chest and waved to the crowd.
The frustration in the crowd came after Tyson Frizell was ruled to have held his ground in a possible escort situation during the final minute.
A kick went up 10 metres out from Newcastle’s defensive line with Fletcher Sharpe taking a catch while Leka Halasima went to ground due to Frizell’s presence.
“Look at Tyson pretend to catch it, he’s a billion to one to catch that ball ... some of the great acting,” Andrew Johns said on Nine.
Asked if the Warriors should have a penalty, the passionate Knights legend Johns said “I’m pleading the fifth”.
Billy Slater believed it could’ve gone the Warriors way.
“It depends what rule you’re policing, because the game has created its own headache with that rule,” he said.
Johns added: “That was the definition of a wall.”
The crowd became restless after that decision and there were reports of projectiles being thrown towards Ashley Klein and the touch judges post-game.
Footage posted to social media revealed that to be true with the referees shielded when walking into the sheds.
Newcastle then finished their set of six before the Warriors had one last play but Alofiana Khan-Pereira was tackled on the siren.
The match started with the Knights blowing points early when Fletcher Sharpe tripped with open air in front of him following a Kalyn Ponga break.
The next tackle, Newcastle swung the ball to the right before Dane Gagai threw a forward pass to Dom Young in the corner.
Boom youngster Leka Halasima then put first points on the board for the Warriors in the 12th minute when he swerved past multiple defenders.
Sharpe would finally have a try later in the half to make it 6-6 at the break.
Following half-time, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak had a moment to forget when he bizarrely threw a pass straight to Bradman Best on the 40m line.
Newcastle spread the ball wide on the next tackle which led to Young burning defenders on the outside to make it 12-6.
The next try didn’t come until the 69th minute when Halasima grabbed his second in the corner.
Leka Halasima scores in the corner. Nine
Halasima’s try was set up when Kurt Capewell – who was turning back the lock with a vintage performance – went into dummy-half and faked a pass before going down the short side. Wayde Egan then threw a cut-out to Halasima who spectacularly pulled off a one-handed put down.
Taine Tuaupiki couldn’t convert from the sideline which kept the Knights in the lead with the Warriors fullback going off for an HIA immediately after his attempt.
The Warriors didn’t have Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to replace him either after he’d been ruled out with an HIA earlier in the match.
The final 10 minutes had multiple captain’s challenges and knock ons, but ultimately the Knights held on and are now one match away from a grand final.
Post-match, Knights coach Justin Holbrook wouldn’t be drawn on the Frizell decision.
“I didn’t notice that, thanks,” he replied abruptly.
“... I’m not here to comment on the result. We were fantastic today, the Warriors have had a great year, they were enormous, there was not much in the game but I want to thank our players. We played with 100-odd fans here out of 50,000 and we knew how many fans were watching back home so I’m really happy with the win.”
Fletcher Sharpe’s last-minute catch. Nine
There was also another controversial call when Te Maire Martin was ruled to have stripped a ball from a captain’s challenge.
“I thought he stripped with his hand and ripped it like that,” he motioned with a stripping action.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster saw the whole situation differently, describing the officiating as “frustrating”.
“I thought they were trying to find ways to take it off us,” he said.
“... (Frizell) was going across Leka pretending to try and catch the ball, which they’ve told us you can’t do.
“But at the end of the day, you make your own luck in this game, we had enough opportunities to win that game.”
After an unlikely climb up the ladder, the Knights will now meet Penrith on Sunday afternoon at Accot Stadium for a spot in the NRL decider.
