Fullback Taine Tuaupiki saves Warriors with hattrick of tries over Sea Eagles

Fullback Taine Tuaupiki - who wasn't originally named to play - has saved NZ Warriors' bacon with a hattrick of tries in a desperate 31-30 win over Manly Sea Eagles to keep their NRL minor premiership hopes alive.The home side needed a late field goal from Chanel Harris-Tavita to snatch victory from their dogged opponents and now await the result between Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers on Sunday, which will determine the winners of the regular-season crown.Off to a slow start, the Warriors trailled 12-4 after 20 minutes, but rattled on the next four tries - two to Tuaupiki - to lead 24-12 just after halftime.Tuaupiki was initially named on the interchange bench as backline cover, but entered the starting line-up when centre Leka Halasima withdrew with an ankle injury 24 hours out.His inclusion saw Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifted to the wing, where he also had a try double in that 20-point run before the Sea Eagles came charging back.As the match continued, star fullback Tom Trbojevic started to stamp his class on the game, creating chances for those around him.Manly scored the next three tries and almost had a fourth, which was disallowed for a penalty back on halfway, to grab a 30-24 advantage late in the second half.Tuaupiki brought the Warriors back on level terms, slicing against the grain to score next to the posts and then converting from in front.The Warriors had two tries ruled out in the closing minutes, with Harris-Tavita and prop Tanner Stowers-Smith both crossing, and Harris-Tavita also had a field goal attempt charged down.With the final seconds ticking down, halfback Te Maire Martin received the ball in front of the posts, but was run off his kick. On the next play, Harris-Tavita had more room to operate and duly slotted in the gamewinner.Victory sees the Warriors set a club record of 18-6 for the season and puts them two points clear at the top of the NRL table.Penrith can still secure the minor premiership with a two-point win over the 15th-placed Tigers.See how the action unfolded below:Team listWarriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Mitchell Barnett, 11. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark,Interchange: 14. Makaia Tafua, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Morgan Gannon, 18. Taine Tuaupiki,