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Broncos and Warriors in rare NRL draw

3 minute read

Brisbane and the Warriors' NRL finals hopes remain up in the air after playing out a rare draw at Suncorp Stadium.

DAVID FIFITA of the Broncos is tackled during the NRL Elimination Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
DAVID FIFITA of the Broncos is tackled during the NRL Elimination Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The finals hopes of Brisbane and the Warriors remain up in the air after playing out a rare NRL draw, locked up at 18-18 after a 90-minute golden-point thriller.

The Broncos reeled in a 16-6 halftime deficit on Saturday night but couldn't avoid the first draw since round 21 in 2016 when Cronulla also remained level with Gold Coast on the same scoreline.

Both Brisbane and the Warriors arrived at Suncorp Stadium hoping to keep in touch with the top eight with identical 6-9 records.

However, they are still sweating on their finals hopes after neither side could nail a golden point-winning field goal, with a total of six attempts sailing past the uprights in a frenzied 10 minute extra-time period.

Both teams sit a frustrating three points outside the eight.

Brisbane appeared to have iced the result when teenaged second-rower David Fifita backed up from Queensland's heartbreaking State of Origin series defeat to score a blockbusting 66th-minute try.

Fifita, 19, cut through five defenders to give the hosts an 18-16 lead with the Warriors' will seemingly broken.

However, the visitors had a final chance to send the match into overtime when Tevita Pangai was penalised for a strip in the 77th minute and hooker Issac Luke coolly stepped up to slot the kick.

That was the last time anyone booted truly for the match with Warriors half Kodi Nikorima spraying three golden-point field goals attempts and Brisbane's James Segeyaro and Anthony Milford combining to miss another three in a heart-stopping finish.

Coach Steve Kearney was still hopeful the Warriors were finals-bound after the draw ensured they were undefeated in five of their past eight games.

"As long as there is a possibility (of a finals finish), we will be fighting every inch of the way," he said.

"Our last few weeks, we've had some close finishes. I am sure if we keep going at it, the close finishes will tip our way."

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold was also hopeful of a finals spot, but only after regaining his composure following the thrilling finish.

"You certainly age on a night like tonight. It was a fair game of footy but it didn't do my blood pressure any good," he said.

"It was tough to watch but, if we keep putting in an effort like that every week, then we are heading in the right direction."

Brisbane cut the halftime deficit to 16-12 after skipper Darius Boyd pounced on a spilt Luke ball in the in-goal to score in the 46th minute before Fifita's heroics appeared to have Brisbane set for a second-straight win.

Earlier, the Warriors grabbed a 10-point halftime lead after carving up Brisbane's right-side edge with inspiration from fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who ran a remarkable 299m for the match.

On the injury front, the Warriors lost Ken Maumalo (concussion) and Lachlan Burr (groin).

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