It was a try that stopped a nation, not to mention a flying Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with all the momentum of a run-away locomotive.
But it was also a tackle that Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart believes sent a message to the whole team - "get on board" the Green Machine.
More Rugby League Videos
- Video duration
- 00:36
Croker's cracking try-saver
Croker's cracking try-saver
Jarrod Croker somehow found a way to deny what appeared to be a certain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck a try.
Up Next
Fastest try in NRL history
- Video duration
- 00:32
- Video duration
- 00:32
Fastest try in NRL history
Fastest try in NRL history
In just 11 seconds, Parramatta's Kirisome Auva'a has put himself into the record books by scoring the fastest try in NRL history.
Up Next
Hayne: article soured relationship with Henry
- Video duration
- 01:41
- Video duration
- 01:41
Hayne: article soured relationship with ...
Hayne: article soured relationship with Henry
Gold Coast Titans marquee player Jarryd Hayne named an article in the media as the tipping point for his relationship with sacked coach Neil Henry.
Up Next
Annesley dances around why Henry sacked
- Video duration
- 01:05
- Video duration
- 01:05
Annesley dances around why Henry sacked
Annesley dances around why Henry sacked
The Gold Coast boss says there was a number of reasons why Neil Henry has been told to pack his bags, though he refused to divulge just what happened in the board meeting.
Up Next
Eels inflict more pain on struggling Titans
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Eels inflict more pain on struggling ...
Eels inflict more pain on struggling Titans
The Parramatta Eels have thumped an injury-wrecked Gold Coast Titans 30-8 at ANZ Stadium.
Up Next
Is Jarryd Hayne a team player?
- Video duration
- 00:24
- Video duration
- 00:24
Is Jarryd Hayne a team player?
Is Jarryd Hayne a team player?
Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry responds to questions from media about the attributes of marquee player Jarryd Hayne.
Up Next
Sacking Hayne, Henry an option
- Video duration
- 00:28
- Video duration
- 00:28
Sacking Hayne, Henry an option
Sacking Hayne, Henry an option
The Gold Coast won't be rushed into what will be a big call about the future of two key figures at their club.
Up Next
Penrith triumphs over injury-depleted Cowboys
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Penrith triumphs over injury-depleted ...
Penrith triumphs over injury-depleted Cowboys
The win sees the Panthers retain their place in the top eight.
Croker's cracking try-saver
Jarrod Croker somehow found a way to deny what appeared to be a certain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck a try.
Get on board they did, turning a deluge of New Zealand Warriors first-half dominance into a gutsy 20-8 victory at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
Raiders captain Jarrod Croker was the man that stopped that train, but that sells his effort short.
He then held the train up, turned it over and stripped it of its most prized carriage.
The Warriors' momentum was stopped in its tracks and from there the Raiders fought their way back to set up their third straight win.
All four tries on the night were scored by Canberrans, although the first went to Warriors second-rower Ryan Hoffman, who was born in Canberra and whose father Jay played for the Raiders.
Raiders star centre Joey Leilua scored a brace to put the Green Machine in front and then Josh Hodgson crossed out of dummy half to finish it of.
By rights Tuivasa-Sheck should've also been on the scoresheet but for Croker's freakish effort.
"It was a wonderful desire to stop it and that's what's right through the team, covering your mates' back," Stuart said.
"The strength in their brotherhood here sees those types of actions. When it comes from your captain, it was just an amazing effort and I thought it was a real turning point.
"That type of action from Jarrod was an action of 'get on board'."
But Tuivasa-Sheck was convinced he'd scored - getting the ball down before Croker got to him.
"I thought I was over, I thought I just made the line before he got to me, but they [the bunker] saw otherwise so it's gone now," he said.
"I just thought it was me and the fullback and I was just trying to get to the line."
While the Raiders went into the sheds two points down - courtesy of a Shaun Johnson penalty conversion - Stuart was happy with his team's defensive efforts.
The Warriors had four sets in a row at one point. Not only did the Green Machine repel that, but there was Croker's tackle and then the bunker denied another Warriors try just before the break.
It highlighted they're more than capable of getting in an arm-wrestle when they have to - they're not just all about attack.
That attack's been renowned for its flair, but it was Leilua's raw power that scored both of his tries - which book-ended Croker's heroics.
While it was meant to be a New Zealand audition for next month's Anzac Test, Leilua proved at the very least he has the power to be successful at representative level.
Hodgson was also affirming he's in the top two rakes on the planet.
Having earlier produced a rugby union-esque pilfer at the ruck, he then darted over from close range.
While Tuivasa Sheck was adamant he'd scored, Croker was less confident he'd stopped him.
"I wasn't sure actually to tell you the truth, but they called 'no try' I thought I'd be right," Croker said.
Warriors second-rower Bodene Thompson will have a nervous wait after he was put on report for a late elbow on Aidan Sezer's head while the Canberra halfback lay defenseless in the tackle.
Stuart said Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana's knee would be fine to face Manly at Canberra Stadium next week after he got it strapped in the first half.
AT A GLANCE
CANBERRA RAIDERS 20 (Joey Leilua 2, Josh Hodgson tries; Jarrod Croker 4 goals) bt NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 8 (Ryan Hoffman try; Shaun Johnson 2 goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referees: Adam Gee, Gavin Reynolds. Crowd: 13,966.
0 comments
New User? Sign up