NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster insists the lessons gained from a dramatic 'Golden Point' draw against Manly Sea Eagles may prove more valuable than the extra point on the NRL points table.
The Auckland-based side found themselves 16-0 in the first half and still eight points in arrears with two minutes remaining, but found a way to draw level, with veteran half Shaun Johnson slotting a penalty to force extra time at Go Media Stadium.
While neither team could score in added time and grab all two points on offer, Webster is philosophical about the long-term benefits of a tied finish.
"Maybe we jag a field goal there and win, and I'd love the extra bonus point on the ladder, but I'm worried we wouldn't get the lessons," he reflected. "The lessons wouldn't be as strong."
The result leaves both the Warriors and Sea Eagles just inside the top-eight playoff teams after six rounds, with plenty of water left to flow under the bridge, but draws are so rare - there was just one last season - the point effectively acts as a tiebreaker at the end of the season.
"For and against may go out the window, unless we're competing for the same points as Manly at the end of the year, which we may well be doing, because they're a good side," said Webster. "You don't have to worry about that as much through the year.
"It could have a big impact - it could hurt us or we could get something good out of it, either tips us into a good result or it doesn't."
On the other hand, the experience of clawing their way back into contention from a seemingly impossible position may prove invaluable.
The Warriors have already benefited from a similar learnings, when they led Melbourne Storm by eight with three minutes remaining in week two, but conceded two converted tries - the last was a miracle cornerflag effort from Storm winger Xavier Coates - to let victory slip through their fingers.
Six days later, they were in an identical situation, leading Canberra Raiders by eight, but much better equipped mentally to withstand another comeback.
Against Manly, that script was flipped - DOWN by eight in the dying moments, but able to keep their intensity until the end and make up the deficit. These are training-ground scenarios that carry more weight in the heat of battle.
"I think we gathered ourselves," said Webster. "To go into halftime with the scoreline [16-10] we did, that was the first bit.
"The bit after halftime, when we conceded straight away, was probably a bit frustrating, because we had done so much hard work to get back into it. The boys were talking about, 'The next play's important, let's win the next play... stay at it, stay at it' and they stayed at it right to the end.
"We could have walked off that field and not clawed it back, and still lost by eight points, but as long as we kept trying and sticking to things, we'd look at it the same - but one point feels better than none."
The Warriors' first foray into 'Golden Point' this season will undoubtedly prove important later this season, as they learn how to manage the added time.
"There were two opportunities in Golden Point, where I thought we were the better team physically," said Webster. "There were a couple of opportunities we had, but we didn't quite do it the way we wanted.
"We were the better side in Golden Point, our intensity rose dramatically, compared to the opposition, when both teams were fatigued. I think that is the next step and we're getting great practice.
"Every team is bringing their best against us and that's what we want. We're not flying under the radar - they're coming to get us."
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