TBT: Friendy's stunning pass
It’s forever etched in club history – an upside-down Nathan Friend incredibly flicking the ball back between his legs in executing one of the most outrageous off loads and try assists of all time.
It's classic Throwback Thursday fare in every sense, an utterly exceptional moment in an extraordinary match against Melbourne that led to what is one of the most astonishing tries ever seen in an NRL match.
It’s no less breath-taking watching it now than it was that evening at Mount Smart Stadium on July 12, 2015, when the Vodafone Warriors stormed Melbourne for a 28-14 victory to claim the Michael Moore Trophy.
The pass/off load was stunning enough in isolation but it gained greater fame still because it led to a wonderful try finished off by Tuimoala Lolohea.
The act immediately went viral, becoming a global sensation as the likes of the Bleacher Report and Sportscenter raved about it. No wonder really.
Match details:
July 12, 2015
At Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Warriors 28 (Tuimoala Lolohea 2, David Fusitu’a, Bodene Thompson, Shaun Johnson tries; Shaun Johnson 3 conversions, penalty).
Melbourne Storm 14 (Kenny Bromwich 2, Marika Koroibete tries; Cameron Smith conversion).
Halftime: 16-0 Vodafone Warriors.
Referees: Gerard Sutton and Chris James.
Crowd: 17,278.
Teams:
Vodafone Warriors | Sam Tomkins; Tuimoala Lolohea, David Fusitu’a, Solomone Kata, Jonathan Wright; Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson; Albert Vete, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino; Bodene Thompson, Raymond Faitala-Mariner; Simon Mannering (c). Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Siliva Havili, Charlie Gubb, Sione Lousi.
Melbourne Storm | Cameron Munster; Marika Koroibete, Will Chambers, Hymel Hunt, Richard Kennar; Blake Green, Cooper Cronk; Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Felise Kaufusi; Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris; Dale Finucane. Interchange: Tim Glasby, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kenny Bromwich, Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
