Flashback Friday: Warriors’ miracle win in Christchurch

As Ōtautahi Christchurch prepares for a historic showdown at One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha) – the Round 16 NRL clash between the One NZ Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys – Flashback Friday relives another icon venue in the city’s last taste of top-level rugby league, which featured one of the greatest finishes in premiership history.

In rainy, freezing conditions at Lancaster Park (then known as AMI Stadium) Sydney Roosters led the Warriors 18-8 with five minutes to go, but a powerhouse try to Manu Vatuvei kept the Warriors hopes’ alive in front of 20,721 shivering supporters.

James Maloney’s spectacular sideline conversion reduced the deficit to just four points.

Young winger Kevin Locke had already scored a memorable first half double, and toed a Lance Hohaia grubber kick ahead from near halfway in the final minute of play. Displaying electrifying pace, Locke narrowly won the race to the ball ahead of Roosters speedster Phil Graham and planted the ball as his torso was simultaneously bent around the goalpost.

Replays showed Locke had successfully scored the gutsy leveller, while James Maloney added the simple conversion after the siren to win a thrilling encounter 20-18. Locke’s bravery cost him two weeks in the injury ward, but earned a place in club folklore.

Lancaster Park was condemned in the wake of the February 2011 earthquake, just months after the Warriors-Roosters clash.

Five NRL fixtures – all involving the Warriors – were staged at Rugby League Park (formerly Addington Show Grounds) between 2016 and 2025.

The sold-out match at One NZ Stadium this Sunday is set to smash the attendance record set at Lancaster Park in 2010 for a premiership encounter in Christchurch.