NZ Warriors will have to overcome the NRL's hottest team to keep their championship dream alive at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart next Saturday.
Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga has slotted a penalty in the second period of extra time to edge his side past Canberra Raiders 30-28 in their NRL elimination playoff and book a trip across the Tasman to face the Warriors.
They will bring a 10-game winning streak that salvaged their season from oblivion and thrust them into championship contention.
Canberra seemed the more likely to advance, when they led 16-6 at halftime, but conceded the next 22 points, as Ponga shrugged off a shoulder injury to inspire the Knights comeback.
The Raiders came charging back with two converted tries in the dying stages to lock the scores at 28-28 and force overtime. Canberra half Jamal Fogarty had two attempted field goals charged down and the contest went into the second period of overtime, before second-rower Hudson Young was penalised for offside, as he rushed Ponga's attempted field goal.
The Newcastle fullback was also hit high in a tackle and lay dazed for several seconds, before finding his feet and slotting the winning points.
The Warriors have faced the Knights twice already this season, beating them 20-12 at Wellington in their season-opener, but falling 34-24 five weeks later at Newcastle.
Their traditional home of Go Media Stadium has also been confirmed as the venue, after the NRL considered moving the fixture to Eden Park, with its bigger spectator capacity.
Warriors members can snap up pre-sale tickets on Monday, before general release on Tuesday.
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Knights NRL playoff clash
