The Warriors have bolstered their aspirations of a top-four finish on the NRL ladder by coming from behind to see off Newcastle 20-12 at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday.
The two sides were separated only by points differential before kickoff, and victory for the Warriors saw them return to sixth spot with the Knights remaining in eighth.
The Knights’ defeat meant they could finish the weekend just two points above teams outside the top eight, leaving them with a nervous final three weeks.
The Knights hadn’t won in Auckland for six years, and had lost seven of their previous eight encounters with the Warriors, but were the stronger side for most of the game, and will be wondering how they let the match slip.
The contest swung the Warriors’ way midway through the second spell when tries in quick succession from halfback Shaun Johnson and skipper Simon Mannering followed by a late four-pointer from Feleti Mateo to seal the win.
Newcastle were first to strike midway through the opening period, with winger Akuila Uate streaking down the touchline to dive on a Jarrod Mullen cross kick.
It was the NSW winger’s 14th try of the season and his seventh in his past four matches.
The Warriors finally got their attack in order as a slick backline move created the opening for centre Shaun Berrigan to go over.
But on the stroke of halftime, the Knights regained the lead when veteran centre Adam MacDougall forced the ball down despite plenty of defenders on him.
It was MacDougall’s 13th try in 11 matches against the Warriors and fullback Kurt Gidley’s second sideline conversion took the visitors out to a 12-4 halftime lead.
The Warriors continued to struggle to get things going but midway through the second half got the 13,279 crowd on the their feet with an 80m try.
Prop Russell Packer’s offload sent winger Manu Vatuvei on a big run and Johnson was on hand to continue the move and score in the corner.
Down 12-8, the Warriors found themselves in excellent field position shortly when a great Johnson kick on the final tackle was followed by a Uate knock on.
On the next possession, a kick in-goal by Johnson bounced around before Mannering pounced to score.
Maloney’s first conversion pushed the home side in the lead for the first time, before second rower Mateo made sure of the points.
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