'Take a bow': Bulldog puts in birthday display for the ages
Canterbury’s Lachlan Lewis has put in one of the most incredible displays a player could hope for on their birthday, after sealing the match-winning play against the Warriors.
Lewis celebrated his 22nd birthday in sensational style after scoring his first NRL try before kicking the winning field goal on Sunday.
Lewis, who is the nephew of rugby league Immortal, Wally Lewis, slotted a clutch field goal to jag a 27-26 win over New Zealand and put a dent in the Warriors’ finals ambitions.
The Bulldogs upset the Warriors after their five-eighth booted a 30m one-pointer in the 79th minute to quell a big second half fightback from the Warriors.
The visitors rallied from 20-12 down at halftime to lock up the scores with three minutes remaining.
However Lewis – who turned 22 on Sunday – showed nerves of steel to slot the the winner for his side’s seventh victory of the year, having also crossed for a 40th minute try.
The birthday boy’s heroics left fans excited for what the future holds for the Canterbury young gun.
Lachlan Lewis just booted home a last-gasp field goal to win a game 27-26. He'd barely blow out a candle in the post-match interview a few minutes later he's that calm. That's the stuff we usually note about greats far more experienced than him. #NRLBulldogsWarriors
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) August 19, 2018
His uncle might be the King, but @NRL_Bulldogs Lachlan Lewis is the Prince of Belmore. Wow.
— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) August 19, 2018
I won't go overboard just yet about Lachlan Lewis but hes been playing bloody good footy since his debut .v good defender nice hands and can kick – as a @NRL_Bulldogs Fan I'm bloody happy they've signed him up a few more years – he has some talent. Let's hope it continues.
— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) August 19, 2018
Just take a bow Lachlan Lewis. Palikari
— Nick Andrianopoulos (@nick_grk) August 19, 2018
The result leaves the Warriors two wins ahead of the ninth-placed Wests Tigers with two games remaining.
The Warriors must win either of their contests against Penrith and Canberra to assure their first finals berth since 2011.
They also blew a chance to move into a share of fourth with St George Illawarra, Penrith and Cronulla on 30 points.
After the Warriors trailed 20-12 at the break, David Fusitu’a dotted down to reduce the margin to four after Will Hopoate turned the ball over on his own try-line.
The Dogs swiftly replied when Brett Morris leapt over Fusitua’a to bat the ball back for twin Josh to make it 26-16 after 53 minutes.
Fusitu’a moved to second on the NRL’s try-scorers list for the season when Shaun Johnson fired a cut-out pass to make room for him on the outside to set up a grandstand finish.
And when Adam Blair took the ball to the line and popped a late offload in traffic to Peta Hiku, the scores were locked up 26-26 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining.
But just when the Warriors looked like they were on the march, Lewis slotted the winner for one of the Dogs’ best wins of the season.
The Bulldogs led 20-12 at halftime after Lewis scored on the back of a Kerrod Holland break.