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Try time: Aidan Kirk seals his side's victory in Auckland [GALLO/GETTY]
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The New Zealand Warriors booked their place in the Australian National Rugby League semi finals with a resounding 30-13 victory over the Sydney Roosters in front of more than 25,000 fans in Auckland.
The Warriors will take on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles next week in an attempt to reach their first Grand Final since 2002 after they rallied back from a 13-6 half time deficit.
The second half performance was certainly one of the best in the club's history as they pulverised the Roosters in defence while also displaying some breathtaking attack.
After leading through an early try to fullback Lance Hohaia the New Zealand based side was stunned by two late tries in the first half to the Roosters.
First, NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce dived over next to the posts but minutes later video referee Steve Clarke earned the ire of the home crowd, which included New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, when he controversially ruled Hohaia had impeded Roosters fullback Anthony Minichello as they both vied for the ball in the in-goal area.
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| Lance Hohaia, right, looks to evade the Roosters' Mitchell Pearce [GALLO/GETTY] |
Refereeing madness
It was the sort of decision that normally comes from someone suffering from a form of mental illness but with the rugby league world still scratching its head, Pearce's scrumbase partner cooled slotted a field goal to give the visitors a seven point lead at the break.
In the second half though it was simply all Warriors as the Roosters struggled to keep up their first half intensity.
The game swung back towards the Warriors when Hohaia broke the line from close range to dive over and when hooker Ian Henderson was given the benefit of the doubt you couldn't help but feel it was to be the home side's night.
The momentum continued when giant winger Manu Vatuvai crossed out wide before his wing counterpart Aiden Kirk got in on the act by streaking 80 metres after an intercept to seal the result.
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