Love NRL: Round 16

NZ Warriors ended Penrith’s winning run, as Shaun Johnson pounced to score a late interception; ensuring a 30-20 victory for the Kiwis.

Centre Konrad Hurrell was again the Warriors’ main threat, and he scored two tries to take his season’s tally to eight.

The result at Mount Smart Stadium means that Manly stay two points clear at the top of the ladder, after they became the first club to make it to 10 wins in 2014.

The Sea Eagles did it in style, beating 2013 champions Sydney Roosters 24-16 at Brookvale Oval.

On Saturday, North Queensland were 14-0 up before the 10 minute mark in their match with South Sydney, and despite a stirring second-half comeback from the Rabbitohs, the Cowboys held on for a 20-18 win.

It has since been announced that Tariq Sims will leave North Queensland at the end of the season, to link up with his brother Korbin at Newcastle.

One player seemingly without a future in the NRL though is Todd Carney, after he was at the centre of yet another alcohol-fuelled scandal.

Carney has been sacked by Cronulla, but first he helped them end a torrid run of form with a stunning comeback away at Brisbane.

The Broncos stormed into a commanding 22-0 lead shortly after the interval, but the Sharks scored 24 unanswered points to steal an unlikely victory.

There was also a surprise scoreline at Pirtek Stadium, as the Knights won back to back matches for the first time in 2014.

The bottom club’s 16-10 win was also Parramatta’s first home loss of the season.

In the weekend’s other fixtures, Wests Tigers overcame Canberra by one point, whilst St George Illawarra defeated Melbourne.

Round 16 results:

Brisbane 22-24 Cronulla (Jun 27, Suncorp Stadium)

Manly 24-16 Sydney Roosters (Jun 27, Brookvale Oval)

Wests Tigers 19-18 Canberra (Jun 28, Campbelltown Sports Stadium)

North Queensland 20-18 South Sydney (Jun 28, 1300SMILES Stadium)

Parramatta 10-16 Newcastle (Jun 29, Pirtek Stadium)

NZ Warriors 30-20 Penrith (Jun 29, Mount Smart Stadium)

St George Illawarra 24-12 Melbourne (Jun 30, WIN Stadium)

Round 17 fixtures:

Canterbury v Manly (Jul 04, ANZ Stadium)

St George Illawarra v North Queensland (Jul 05, WIN Jubilee Oval)

Sydney Roosters v Cronulla (Jul 05, Allianz Stadium)

Wests Tigers v Penrith (Jul 06, Leichhardt Oval)

South Sydney v Gold Coast (Jul 07, ANZ Stadium)