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Home / Sport / League / Warriors

The Friend flip: Greatest try assist of all time?

By Joseph Pearson
NZ Herald·
12 Jul, 2015 07:50 AM3 mins to read

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Nathan Friends flicks the ball back while falling in a tackle.

Nathan Friends flicks the ball back while falling in a tackle.

I don't think anyone can still believe what Nathan Friend managed to pull off.

The Warriors were 16-0 up at half time but Melbourne Storm fought back and the home fans were getting a little anxious at Mt Smart Stadium.

Two quick tries after half time halved the Warriors' advantage but everyone was left scratching their eyes when Tuimoala Lolohea scored his second try after 57 minutes.

Friend jumped up for a spiralling high bomb and caught the ball before flipping through the air.

Somehow he managed to flick the ball between his legs and land safely while keeping the ball alive for the Warriors.

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Quick hands to the right set Lolohea free and he did superbly well to score with three Storm defenders rushing across desperately to keep him out.

Andrew McFadden said it "changed the game" and who could argue?

The Storm had all the momentum in the first quarter of the second half but they had no answer as the Warriors hammered home their advantage after Friend's stunning piece of skill.

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"I guess we were lucky it hit one of our guys," said Friend. "It might not have been that fantastic if it was a runaway try!

"I went up for the ball, contested it and I was fortunate that all those days on the trampoline with my boys came good. That's fatherhood!

"I was worried about getting the ball away because I knew it was the last tackle. There was a lot to be done and it was lucky I threw it so Shauny."

McFadden added: "Unfortunately we'll be reminded of it a fair bit over the next week I'd imagine. It was obviously spectacular but it was an inspirational effort. We don't get the try unless he does that."

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It's the second game in a row where Lolohea has scored twice and he like everyone else couldn't quite believe what he'd seen.

He said: "When I saw that and the replay I was like what!? You probably won't see that ever in a game. A back flip!?

"For it to lead to a try is even better. For him to get up there and do that was outstanding. I guess it will be something that he will never forget."

I think that's the best try I've ever seen #warriors

— Sammy Elwin (@Sammy_Elwin) July 12, 2015

No words can describe that try but the Friend backflip will still be getting shown in 10 years. Amazing Warriors try #NRLWarriorsStorm

— Chris Kennedy (@CKennedy80) July 12, 2015
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