League: Warriors surge home late

NEWCASTLE - The New Zealand Warriors were late gatecrashers at a Newcastle Knights party, getting up in the last minute to win a National Rugby League match 30-26 today.

After a losing their first four matches, the Knights were having their first home game of the season and, with the opening of a new grandstand, they attacked the game with renewed confidence.

They led 20-6 at halftime, but couldn't hold a rampant Warriors unit in the second half, with Francis Meli's late try in the right-hand corner sealing a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of both teams in the match.

The Knights' worries were compounded when they lost key playmaker Andrew Johns with a broken jaw with 14 minutes remaining and forward Daniel Abraham with a broken leg.

The Knights certainly missed Johns' composure, with the Warriors surging home with three tries during his absence.

New Zealand Warriors 30 (M Vatuvei 2, T Byrne, S Faumuina, F Meli, C Toopi tries; S Jones 3 goals)

Newcastle 26 (G Carmont 2, D Abraham, T Lowrie, B Tighe tries; A Johns 3 goals).

Halftime: 6-20.