Arabic version: جيت كليري يتألق ووريورز ينتزع الصدارة

According to ABC News, Jett Cleary made a sparkling first-grade debut as the New Zealand Warriors beat Newcastle 46-32 to move into pole position for the NRL minor premiership.

The 21-year-old halfback delivered three try assists in his maiden NRL appearance and held his nerve after Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti was sent off for a high shot on Luke Laulilii. Cleary’s father, Penrith coach Ivan, and brother, Panthers captain Nathan, attended the match and watched him become the first of the three to win a first-grade debut.

The victory lifted the Warriors past Penrith into first place heading into the final round. The Warriors and Panthers are tied on wins, with only one point separating their for-and-against records. The Warriors will play Manly in Auckland on Saturday, before Penrith face the Tigers on Sunday.

At Western Sydney Stadium, Parramatta ended Cronulla’s hopes of a top-four finish with a 38-18 upset. Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said his side was feeling the pressure before the finals, describing the team as “uptight” and saying it was waiting for the semi-finals rather than playing what was in front of it. The loss was Cronulla’s third in four games, and the Sharks are effectively locked into fifth place.

In the NRLW, the Tigers secured their first finals appearance by defeating the Bulldogs 44-14. The Warriors lost 22-18 to the Dragons, while the Broncos beat the Eels 44-10.