Manly coach Anthony Seibold has refused to comment on a dramatic post-siren penalty that allowed the Warriors to escape with a 22-22 golden-point draw in Auckland. With Manly leading 22-14 and 55 seconds left in regulation time, Dallin Waetene-Zelezniak scored and Shaun Johnson converted to reduce the gap to two points.
Then, with three seconds remaining, Manly prop Josh Aloiai collected Johnson's outstretched leg as the Warriors half attempted a two-point field goal. The shot fell short, but referee Chris Butler sent the play upstairs, and the bunker ruled Aloiai had made dangerous contact on Johnson from the side. The subsequent penalty goal sent the match to golden point, where both teams missed chances to win.
Seibold said: 'It's probably something I don't want to make comment on. Because if I say it shouldn't have been a penalty I'll be called a whinger. If I say it should have been a penalty then potentially I'm not looking after the players in my group.'
Daly Cherry-Evans indicated he could understand the decision given the protection for kickers, while Warriors coach Andrew Webster suggested it was an obvious penalty. Many fans were furious, taking to social media to express their anger. One wrote: 'Pathetic call to award a penalty on full time to the Warriors. Since when can’t you pressure a kicker?'
The draw is only the sixth in the last decade, leaving both teams with three wins and two losses. Manly had led 16-0 inside 27 minutes, but the Warriors scored twice before halftime to trail 16-10 at the break. Despite dominating second-half field position, the Warriors could not draw level until the death, and then fluffed two chances in golden point.
