Tanahcious finish: Boyd's golden field goal seals heroic Titans comeback
A heroic Tanah Boyd field goal from 35 metres out has sealed a golden-point victory in New Zealand, with the Titans defeating the Warriors 27-26 to finish the season on a high.
The magical passage of play was after the Gold Coast linchpin locked up the game with a penalty goal in the 79th minute, coming back from a 16-0 deficit early in the game to draw level with the home side, before the playmaker's miracle moment in the 83rd moment.
Match: Warriors v Titans
Round 25 -
home Team
Warriors
15th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
It was a special occasion for Moeaki Fotuaika, who led the team out in his 100th NRL game and it was the Titans who had the first attacking chance after four minutes.
Phillip Sami hit a hole after a good ball from AJ Brimson, but the final pass to find Greg Marzhew didn’t stick.
The Warriors fired straight back a minute later and it was Jesse Arthurs who opened the scoring for the home side.
They had another when a contested high ball was allowed to bounce, Reece Walsh swooping on the ball before throwing a behind the back flick pass for Josh Curran to score.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also crossed and after 14 minutes, the Warriors lead 16-0.
Some desperate defence saved another, with captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jayden Campbell and Jojo Fifita all involved.
Titans show desperate defence
Corey Thompson found space down the sideline, grubbering ahead and regathering to put the Titans in attacking territory.
After a nice end of set kick forced a dropout, the Titans again went into attack and it was some individual brilliance from AJ Brimson that opened the scoring for the Gold Coast.
AJ at his best
The five-eighth spun past defenders, beating three in an electric dash to the line.
With the rain falling, both teams had chances before half-time, but it was the Warriors who added more points when Curran beat Brimson to a grubber kick that slid across the slippery surface.
Trailing 20 points to 6 at halftime, it was Beau Fermor who struck first in the second half, scoring the a try to reduce the margin to 8.
Bounce of the ball favours Beau
Some impressive footwork from Warriors centre Viliami Vailea saw him find space, and he streaked away to increase the home side's lead.
Jojo Fifita put a big shot on Walsh, with the strong tackle leaving the Warriors fullback clutching his ribs. He eventually left the field.
Jojo Fifita monsters Walsh
The Titans were back within 8 with 6 minutes to play, when Jayden Campbell bamboozled the defence close to the line.
A huge set off the kickoff saw the Titans back into attack. A short side raid saw Phil Sami and Fermor create space, with Paul Turner the beneficiary who crossed to make it just two points the margin with four minutes to play.
A high tackle led to Boyd slotting a tough penalty goal to square up the game, before the Titans No. 7 delivered in extra-time after previous shots at a one-pointer by Watene-Zelezniak and Campbell.
