Warriors players react to the no try late in the second half during Round 26 of the NRL Premiership rugby league match - NZ Warriors v Parramatta Eels. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Photosport
A late call by the bunker has denied the Warriors a crucial win against the Eels, instead going down 26-22 at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium.
Adam Pompey looked to have scored to give the home side the lead with six minutes to play, after a perfect bomb by Tanah Boyd was fumbled by Eels fullback Isiah Iongi. However, the replay officials spotted a very marginal knock on by Demetric Vaimauga in the contest for the ball, rubbing out what would've been the Warriors' first lead of the game.
Earlier, Josh Addo-Carr shocked the big crowd when he raced over 100 metres to score the opening try. The speedster left everyone in his wake after scooping up what should have been a Warriors try, taking advantage of the wet conditions after rain swept the field before kick off.
Jack Williams doubled the lead soon after, before Adam Pompey hit back for the Warriors. However, that was all the home side had to cheer about for a while as the Eels shot out to a 20-4 lead thanks to a try to very impressive Iongi off a great offload by Kelma Tuilagi.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck started the Warriors comeback with a try just before the hour mark, however Iongi scored a crucial second to push the Eels back out to a two score lead.
This year's breakout star Leka Halasima then climbed high to score near the posts, before completing a double of his own and set up the furious finish that culminated in Pompey being denied.
The result makes it virtually impossible for the Warriors to finish in the top four, as they are now relying on a very improbable set of results involving the currently fifth and sixth-placed Broncos and Sharks. Next weekend's match against the Sea Eagles now becomes one for the Warriors to avoid finishing sixth and heading into a sudden death playoff against the Panthers.
Relive all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Demitric Vaimauga, 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 17. Leka Halasima
Reserves: 20. Sam Healey, 22. Kalani Going
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi, 2. Zac Lomax, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Dylan Brown, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Joash Papali'i, 7. Mitch Moses, 8. J'maine Hopgood, 9. Ryley Smith, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Jack Williams, 13. Dylan Walker
Interchange: 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Matt Doorey, 16. Charlie Guymer, 17. Jordan Samrani
Reserves: 18. Sean Russell, 21. Toni Mataele
