Canberra have staged another great escape to beat Newcastle 29-25, a miraculous try to Jordan Rapana in golden point the difference as the Raiders closed in on the NRL’s top four.
Down 22-0 just before halftime, the Raiders looked destined for an unthinkable loss to the competition cellar-dwellers at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
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But four unanswered tries – including a double to skipper Jarrod Croker – in the final 41 minutes of regular time set them up for a grandstand finish in front of 9,731 fans.
Locked up at 24-24 with less than five minutes remaining, five-eighth Blake Austin kicked what looked to be the match-winning field goal inside the final 90 seconds.
But the Knights regained possession from a short kick-off and captain Trent Hodkinson replied moments later with a field goal of his own to send the game to golden point.
It’s the second time this season the teams have played beyond the 80 minutes, having drawn 24-24 in round three.
On that occasion there were seven missed attempts at a field goal, but there were only four on Sunday.
The last wayward kick was by Austin, on which Rapana – who injured his shoulder earlier – somehow pounced to score and seal the victory.
It was the Raiders’ fifth win in the past five games and puts them just one point outside the top four.
For the last-placed Knights it marks their 10th successive loss. They’ll have a much-needed bye next week while the Raiders host North Queensland next Monday.
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