SJ’s farewell sealed by ‘magic’ last-ditch winner

Rugby league, it’s the beautiful beast that’s created one of the most magic recent moments in New Zealand sport.
With one set of six to go, a resurgent Warriors down by just two points against the Sharks, the retiring Shaun Johnson had one last chance to orchestrate a winning try after a scrum at halfway.
“There’s one set of six left in the career of Shaun Johnson,” Phil Gould said on Nine.
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“Has he got one more trick? One more play? One more magic moment? Or will the Sharks hang on? There’s six tackles between he and retirement.”
Shaun Johnson celebrates his farewell victory.  Nine
The halfback led his side into attacking territory and on the last tackle against his former side Cronulla, he threw a cut-out pass to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who scored and sealed a 30-28 upset victory.
“Shaun Johnson his last play in the NRL … that’s magic, what a wonderful way to end your career,” Gould said.
With the Warriors not playing the final round, the Cronulla clash marked the final match for Johnson, and his side were on fire early when Luke Metcalf scored in the 12th minute.
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However, the Sharks dominated the rest of the first half with tries to Teig Wilton, Kayal Iro, Sam Stonestreet and Tom Hazleton. Cronulla led at the break 22-4.
What ensued in the second half was chaos.
Watene-Zelezniak scored two tries after half-time to make it 22-14.
Then in the 60th minute, Sharks centre Kayal Iro was sin binned for a high tackle.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Marcelo Montoya scored with the one-man advantage deliver a 26-22 lead.
However, the Sharks hit back through Stonestreet just before Iro returned to make it 28-26.
With one minute to go, a knock on at halfway set up the thrilling finish.
Johnson wound back the clock and delivered a famous victory.
“It’s been a special few weeks,” he told Fox League post-match.
“Last week at home was certainly something I’ll never forget and to be able to come here (is great), the other club that played a massive role in my career, three years that I loved very much playing here.
“To be able to finish like that is truly special.”