NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 46 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 32
WILL KERRIGAN, Go Media Stadium, Sunday

JETT CLEARY had an NRL debut to remember as the Warriors notched their fifth straight win over the twelve-man Knights to claim top spot on the ladder.

The 21-year-old halfback produced three try assists in front of dad Ivan and brother Nathan in the stands, two days after Penrith’s win over Canterbury took their club to the top of the table.

But New Zealand’s high-scoring win over Newcastle by the identical margin returns the Aucklanders to first place by just one point of for-and-against, with the Warriors’ points difference 309 and the Panthers’ 308.

It was a horror afternoon for the visitors, after enforcer Jacob Saifiti was dismissed for his high tackle on Luke Lualilii in the 13th minute and Francis Manuleleua suffered a dislocated elbow.

Greg Marzhew’s quick-fire brace midway through the second half got the Knights within two points, but the victors galloped home, with Jacob Laban completing a double.

The win secures the Warriors a home final against either the Dolphins or Roosters, and they will claim their first minor premiership since 2002 if their result against the Sea Eagles in Round 27 is equal to or better than the Panthers’ result against the Tigers.

A week after his charges pummelled the Rabbitohs in a high-scoring shootout in Sydney, Andrew Webster chose to rest Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita, who are both battling minor hamstring issues.

That opened the door for Cleary to debut alongside Luke Hanson in the halves, while Lualilii came in for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (collarbone) on the wing.

The Knights suffered a heavy home defeat to the Sea Eagles in Round 25, and lost star winger Dom Young and veteran forward Tyson Frizell to suspension here, plus Phoenix Crossland (knee).

Broncos-bound centre Dane Gagai (hamstring) shuffled into the backline and rising forward Manuleleua (concussion) came into the pack.

Donning their green Te Taiao jerseys inspired by New Zealand’s natural environment, the Warriors made a slow start.

Gagai’s lightning quick hands sent Fletcher Hunt leaping into the right corner, then Fletcher Sharpe put Manuleleua through.

Saifiti’s high shot on Lualilii – who was ruled out with concussion – changed the game’s complexion.

But the undermanned Knights managed to extend their lead via Jermaine McEwen on the end of a Marzhew bust.

The Aucklanders finally woke up, when Laban – sporting an eye-catching blond haircut – crashed over for his first.

Wayde Egan soon dived over from dummy half and Erin Clark pin-balled through from close range.

And the Warriors were in front once Cleary went to the skies, Adam Pompey reeled it in and Demitric Vaimauga did the rest.

Hunt struck back on the stroke of half-time to make it 22-20 at the break.

However, another Cleary kick assisted Ali Leiataua soon after the restart, then Pompey collected a four-pointer of his own.

Marzhew tore down the left touchline twice in three minutes to single-handedly drag Newcastle back into the contest.

But a Leka Halasima intercept led to Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s steadying try.

Then Laban skipped out of five would-be tackles to make sure of the two points.

The Knights have a perfectly timed final-round bye before their elimination final, while the Warriors remain in Auckland for the visit of Manly.

GAMESTAR: While Jett Cleary, brother of Nathan and son of Ivan, made his NRL bow, back-rower Jacob Laban debuted a new-look blond hairstyle and scored two vital tries.

GAMEBREAKER: Laban’s second try – a signature solo charge from close range – iced the win with three minutes remaining.

MATCHFACTS

WARRIORS
1 Taine Tuaupiki
2 Luke Lualilii
3 Ali Leiataua
4 Leka Halasima
5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
22 Luke Hanson
23 Jett Cleary
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitch Barnett
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Jacob Laban
13 Erin Clark
Subs
14 Sam Healey
15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
16 Demitric Vaimauga
17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
18 Adam Pompey
21 Makaia Tafua (not used)

Tries: Laban (19, 77), Egan (23), Clark (27), Vaimauga (36), Leiataua (43), Pompey (52), Khan-Pereira (63)
Goals: Tuaupiki 7/8

KNIGHTS
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Fletcher Hunt
3 Dane Gagai
4 Bradman Best
5 Greg Marzhew
6 Fletcher Sharpe
7 Sandon Smith
8 Jacob Saifiti
9 Harrison Graham
10 Trey Mooney
11 Jermaine McEwen
12 Francis Manuleleua
13 Mat Croker
Subs
14 Thomas Cant
15 Cody Hopwood
16 Lachlan Crouch
17 Pasami Saulo
18 Toby Winter (not used)
19 Diesel Hagan (not used)

Tries: Hunt (5, 40), Manuleleua (10), McEwen (15), Marzhew (55, 58)
Goals: Smith 4/6
Dismissal: Saifiti (13) – high tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 4-16, 10-16, 16-16, 22-16, 22-20; 28-20, 34-20, 34-26, 34-32, 40-32, 46-32

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Jacob Laban; Knights: Greg Marzhew

Penalty count: 8-3
Half-time: 22-20
Referee: Adam Gee
Attendance: 23,976