The Warriors were denied a try by the referees' bunker as they were beaten 20-16 by the Newcastle Knights in their National Rugby League match on Friday night in Gosford.
A dejected looking Chanel Harris-Tavita after the Warriors were beaten by the Knights. Photo: ©PHOTOSPORT 2021 www.photosport.nz
Trailing 14-6 at halftime the Warriors would score twice in the second half to edge ahead 16-14, only for the Knights to score with five minutes remaining to seal their second straight win to start the season.
The Warriors have one win and one loss.
Also last night the Titans beat the Broncos 28-16 in Gold Coast.
As the Knights chased late points, coach Adam O'Brien was looking for "special" centre Bradman Best to produce a big play.
The 19-year-old duly provided it, busting the line and offloading to winger Hymel Hunt to secure the victory.
Best, who made his NRL debut under now-Warriors coach Nathan Brown at Newcastle in 2019, said his decisive passes came about through instinct mixed with training reps.
The Knights controlled much of the game, scoring the first try via hooker Jayden Brailey in the 18th minute before claiming a 14-6 lead after half-time thanks to Best and Hunt.
The Warriors started poorly by sending the kick-off out on the full, and after being unable to capitalise on the weight of possession as Hunt came up with some cracking tackles, Brailey pounced.
It was the new co-captain's first try since round 24, 2019 - breaking his duck in red and blue after the hard-working former Shark missed most of his maiden season in Newcastle with an ACL injury.
Wayde Egan was controversially denied a dummy-half try by the bunker for a knock-on but it didn't matter for the Warriors as Ben Murdoch-Masila ran into a hole off Tohu Harris in the 30th minute.
When it appeared as though Newcastle were about to pull clear, Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck passed for two left-edge tries - one to centre Adam Pompey, the other to winger Ken Maumalo - as the hosts edged ahead for the first time with 12 minutes remaining.
The Warriors could also have players punished by the match review committee after Jazz Tevaga (kneeing) and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (crusher tackle) were placed on report.