Perhaps the Warrirors' 2017 NYC player of the year, Chanel Harris-Tavita, had watched Riley McGree's ‘scorpion kick’ goal in the A-League last season or even Olivier Giroud’s effort for Arsenal in 2017. Whatever his inspiration, the result was outrageously good.
With scores level 6-6 between the Junior Kiwis and the Junior Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium, Harris-Tavita contrived a novel way to beat the defence: dropping the ball behind him for a back-heel chip-grubber. Or was it? There is no precedent in rugby league – much less, a name – for Harris-Tavita's audacious play.
As if that wasn't enough, he followed it up with a back-of-the-hand offload for Isaiah Papali'i to score. The TMO had a look at the try, as much, one suspects, to confirm that their eyes hadn't deceived them.
For cross-reference, McGree's scorpion kick for the Newcastle Jets was even nominated for the 2018 FIFA Puskas Award for goal of the season.
Trailing 24-12 just before the break, the Junior Kiwis then appeared to spring another miracle try when Jackson Ferris chased a kick that ricocheted off an Australia player. After a lucky bounce, the ball landed back in his arms for another try to deceive the naked eye.
The match between the Junior Kiwis and the Junior Kangaroos is a curtain-raiser for the New Zealand-Australia clash at 5.45pm Sydney time.
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