With four players about the collect their boarding passes home to Auckland, the NZ Warriors have fallen just short of a massive NRL upset, eventually bowing 18-10 to two-time defending champions, Sydney Roosters.
With half an hour to play, the 'home' team, playing at their adopted base of Central Coast Stadium, led 10-6, courtesy of two first-half tries.
The Warriors scored first, when Blake Green's high kick towards the posts was expertly tapped back by Ellie Katoa and winger Ken Maumalo was presented with an overlap on the end of the backline.
Adam Pompey converted to give his side an unexpected early advantage, which they held for most of the first half.
Roosters forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Sio Siu Taukeiaho both crossed the try-line, but were held up in smothering tackles by Tohu Harris and Jazz Tevaga to prevent touch-downs.
With captain Boyd Cordner ruled out by injury, the titleholders appeared disjointed and committed enough errors to keep their opponents in the contest.
But they - almost inevitably - levelled the game, when Warriors winger David Fusitu'a couldn't claim a high kick cleanly and Tupouniua, a late replacement for Cordner, gathered the loose ball to score.
Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck came close to restoring his team's edge, when half Kodi Nikorima kicked high to the in-goal, but his skipper bobbled the ball dead.
Then, moments before halftime, Katoa bullocked across to put his side ahead at the break and spark hopes of a massive upset.
The Roosters finally poked their noses in front, when Luke Keary grubbered to the line and chased the ball down to score, with Kyle Flanagan's conversion putting them 12-10 ahead.
With 10 minutes remaining, Kiwi Joseph Manu finally put the Sydneysiders beyond reach, powering over, after a period of sustained pressure.
The Warriors will now bid farewell to Maumalo, Fusitu'a, Agnatius Passi and King Vuniyayawa, who return home this week to be with their families.
Sydney Roosters 18 (Sitili Tupouniua, Luke Keary & Joseph Manu tries; Kyle Flanagain 3 goals) NZ Warriors 10 (Ken Maumalo & Ellie Katoa tries; Adam Pompey goal)
