1 Sep 2013

Warriors up to eighth

6:02 am on 1 September 2013

The New Zealand Warriors have moved into the playoff places in the National Rugby League, after last evening's 50-16 thumping of the Canberra Raiders in Auckland.

That win, which came with hat-tricks from Manu Vatuvei and Shaun Johnson kept their finals hopes alive and other results mean the Warriors now hold the last playoffs place with one round to go.

Elsewhere the Bulldogs ended Penrith's chances with a 34-14 thrashing, while Manly moved above champions Melbourne and up to third with a 28-8 victory.

North Queensland can overtake the Warriors if they win at Cronulla this afternoon, but that would be an upset with the Cowboys not travelling well and the Sharks flying high in sixth.

Gold Coast can also claim the crucial eighth spot but they'll have to upset the minor premiership-chasing Sydney Roosters away.