A moment of brilliance from Canberra Raiders playmaker Jack Wighton has inspired his side to a 32-20 win over the Cronulla Sharks in the first NRL elimination final on Saturday night.
The Raiders trailed 14-10 at the break, but Wighton's try early in the second half saw Canberra gain momentum, and they now face a 2019 Grand Final rematch against the Sydney Roosters next weekend.
In the 47th minute, Wighton scored off a quick tap from out after the Raiders earnt a penalty from a penalty in the ruck from Andrew Fifita.
As Wighton took the tap, Sharks skipper Wade Graham was seen signalling to referee Grant Atkins that he wished to challenge the infringement, but his calls were ignored.
The Sharks were furious at the call and Graham argued with Atkins, who explained that ruck interferences were unable to be challenged and because the play had broken down.
"He tapped the ball before any challenge was called - and it's ruck interference, which you can't challenge," Atkins explained to Graham.
The NRL later confirmed that ruck infringements could not be challenged.
But the try swung momentum as the Raiders scored two more tries - a second each to Wighton and halfback George Williams - in the next 10 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
"The two halves got us right back into it," says Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
"They both played extremely well. I commended them on their performance to the boys downstairs.
"I don’t usually single out people. They threw the team on their shoulders. Basically took us forward.
"I love that in halves. You know, 'c’mon follow me.'"
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm are one win away from the NRL Grand Final after beating the Parramatta Eels 36-24 in their qualifying playoff match in Brisbane.
Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen led the way for the Storm, who earned the week off while the Eels will face the winner of Sunday's game between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights in an elimination playoff.
Papenhuyzen scored two tries and had a hand in four others, although the win was overshadowed by a knee injury to five-eighth Cameron Munster.
The Eels were also dealt with injury blows as Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson both suffered knee injuries, with the former set to miss the remainder of the season.
In a fortnight Melbourne will meet the winner of next week's Roosters-Raiders clash.