LIVE NRL: Scores locked up in thrilling Warriors-Manly clash as ...

The Warriors have escaped with a 29-22 win over a spirited Manly outfit in a controversial finish to a thrilling clash at Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland.

The result all but locks in the Warriors for a top four finish and it puts a line through the Sea Eagles’ season.

It was Manly who struck first Jake Arthur. The mid-season signing was promoted to five-eighth before kick-off in a big spine reshuffle that saw Josh Schuster dropped to the bench.

MATCH CENTRE: Warriors vs Sea Eagles live score, stats, video

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A Warriors error opened the door for Manly to pounce as Arthur spotted an opportunity close to the line and backed himself with a show-and-go.

The home side struck back though, scoring three tries — two of those to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak — in nine minutes to snatch the lead.

Manly responded through their own tryscoring machine Jason Saab, who bagged three consecutive tries.

There was conjecture around the third, which was scored three minutes out from half time, after the replay showed the final pass went forward — and there was a touch from a Manly player which could’ve been deemed a knock-on.

The Warriors got on the board first in the second half with Watene-Zelezniak bagging his third try — and an important one.

The intensity went up a notch with just over eight minutes left on the clock, when the field goal attempt of Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was charged down. The ball bounced and as Reuben Garrick jumped up to catch it Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad collected his legs and the Manly fullback landed flat on his back.

Despite Garrick clearly struggling after the brutal landing, referee Todd Smith explained to Cherry-Evans that Garrick wasn’t put in a dangerous position and because he lost control of the ball as he came down it was the Warriors’ ball.

The Warriors pounced on the opportunity with Shaun Johnson dropping the ball under for Marata Niukore to run 30-odd metres and score the matchwinner. The star halfback then sealed the win with a field goal six minutes later.

Re-live the action live in our blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.

MATCH PREVIEW

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has made a huge spine call ahead of Friday’s clash with the in-form Warriors at Daniel Anderson Stadium, Auckland.

Josh Schuster will start off the bench with mid-season recruit Jake Arthur elevated to five-eighth.

All eyes will also be on the mouth-watering battle between two of the game’s most accomplished halfbacks.

Shaun Johnson has been in arguably career-best form and is a big reason the Warriors are pushing for a top four finish.

But he comes up against one of the game’s most accomplished No.7s in Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans on Friday night.

The Warriors are sitting third on the ladder having won seven of their last eight games. A win against the Sea Eagles should all but cement their spot in the top four ahead of clashes with the Dragons and Dolphins in the final two rounds.

Manly’s finals chances are looking slimmer by the day and they must win all of their three remaining games to keep in touch with the top eight.

They face the tough task of heading over to New Zealand to take on a Warriors side that’s beaming with confidence — and will do it without Mr. Consistent Brad Parker and Ben Trbojevic.

Both will miss this clash due to concussion protocols with Morgan Harper slotting in for Parker in the centres and Kelma Tuilagi named to start in the second row.

Mid-season recruit Jake Arthur will start at five-eighth in place of Schuster.

The Warriors welcome back star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from a concussion, while Jazz Tevaga was a late scratching with a hamstring injury with Tom Ale replacing him on the bench.

TEAMS

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 21. Freddy Lussick. 18th man: 20. Taine Tuaupiki

Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Morgan Harper 5. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 14. Jakob Arthur 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 6. Josh Schuster 15. Dean Matterson 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ethan Bullemor. 18th man: 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong