Ali Lauitiiti spoilt Rangi Chase’s farewell to Castleford Tigers with a last-gasp try to put Wakefield Wildcats on course for a 36-32 victory on the last day of the Super League regular season on Sunday.
It appeared as if Chase, who has signed for Salford for next season, would get his wish of a winning finale, with the Tigers leading 32-28 at the death.
However, Lauitiiti, a former Warrior in the NRL, had other ideas and pulled Wakefield level in the 79th minute before setting up Liam Kay to complete his hat-trick with the winning try moments later.
Neither Wakefield nor Castleford were in play-off contention, but the game still meant plenty to Chase, who was confirmed as one of 12 new signings by Salford in the build up.
London Broncos’ existence might be in question but they at least ended the season on a high with a 34-22 win over Hull KR in which Jamie Soward scored two tries and kicked four goals.
Soward, who joined the Broncos in June after being released by St George Illawarra and will join Penrith in 2014, was overshadowed by Mason Caton-Brown’s hat-trick.
Jarrod Sammut scored four tries again as Bradford Bulls romped to a 58-6 win over Huddersfield Giants, who were clearly building for the play-offs as they put out a weakened team.
Scott Dureau’s missed penalty proved costly as Catalan Dragons failed to grasp sixth place after a 14-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves, who were already guaranteed second spot.
Dureau had earlier scored the first of the Dragons’ two tries but, after Chris Riley had put Warrington in front with a score 10 minutes from time, he missed a penalty for a draw.
And so Hull FC claimed sixth position despite losing 38-12 to St Helens.
Willie Manu and Francis Meli both scored for St Helens on Friday as they head into the play-offs having won six of their past seven matches to finish fifth.
Elsewhere on Friday, Widnes rounded off their second season back in Super League with a 24-4 defeat of Salford thanks to two tries from Patrick Ah Van in the last 14 minutes.
On Thursday, Joel Moon was among the scorers as Leeds Rhinos sent Challenge Cup winners Wigan Warriors to their lowest Super League finish since 2009 and sealed third place on the table.