Former NZ Warriors centre Euan Aitken has capped an incredible NRL comeback, as the Dolphins have stolen a 28-26 win over Queensland rivals Gold Coast Titans at Brisbane.
Trailing 26-0 at halftime, the expansion team rattled off 28 unanswered points after the break to overhaul their rivals, with Aitken stretching out to score the winning try with five minutes remaining.
While the try went unconverted, former NZ Kiwis fullback Jamayne Isaako added extra points on all four of the Dolphins' other touchdowns to assist the rally.
"I always thought it was possible," said Dolphins supercoach Wayne Bennett. "I never doubted them, what I doubted was our ability to play to our potential
"We weren't doing that in the first half, we did it in the second half."
The result keeps the first-year team, captain by Kiwis skipper Jesse Bromwich, in playoff contention on a tight NRL ladder.
Aitken arrived at the Warriors primarily as a centre in 2021, but was converted to a full-time second-rower under coach Nathan Brown. He gained an early release from his Warriors contract to stay in Australia at the end of 2022.
Meanwhile, Manly Sea Eagles dashed hopes of a first win for Wests Tigers this season, when winger Jason Saab stole the ball of opposite Junior Tupou to score the winning try in a 22-18 comeback.
Packed with young NZ-born players and with Kiwis legend Benji Marshall in the coaching box, the Tigers slumped to their seventh straight loss to start their campaign, while the Sea Eagles climbed to second on the ladder, behind Brisbane Broncos.
The Warriors still sit within the all-important top eight after the weekend's games, but can jump above Manly with victory over Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day.
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