The Dolphins have held off fast-finishing Cronulla and confirmed a 30-28 upset win that looms as another blow to Nicho Hynes's hopes of retaining the NSW halfback jersey for State of Origin II.
With his Blues spot already under pressure after a quiet showing in Origin I, Hynes was powerless to stop the Dolphins from surging to a surprise 22-0 lead after 26 minutes on Thursday night.
But after Cronulla shifted right on its last set of the night, Sione Katoa crashed over to close the deficit to two points and give Hynes the chance to force extra time with his conversion.
From the right-hand touchline, Hynes struck his attempt well wide of the uprights and the visiting Dolphins consigned Cronulla to a heartbreaking defeat in Hynes' final Origin audition.
The victory secured the Dolphins' their first NRL win in Sydney.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said the loss could not be blamed on a missed kick from his usually accurate star player.
"It'll get exacerbated, because it's him, of course. Everyone will talk about that," Fitzgibbon said.
"But I think it's unfair to put it on a goal kick when we give up 22 points in the first half. The answer is probably lying in our defence and lying in the first half, I reckon."
The win over the second-placed Sharks helps affirm the Dolphins' top-eight credentials after a soft draw emboldened their critics on a 7-5 start to their second campaign.
Wayne Bennett's side had not defeated a current top-eight side this season prior to Thursday, and had not yet need to travel to Sydney through 14 rounds.
Now, they have claimed their biggest scalp of the season in thrilling circumstances on the road.
"You can't afford to turn your TV off when the Dolphins are playing," Bennett quipped.
"It's just remarkable the way they can hang in there and get in front and come back and all the things they did there tonight. Pretty special."
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Dolphins ran more than 90 metres to score one of the great solo tries in the NRL. (AAP: Mark Evans)
Hynes came into the clash with plenty on the line, with the fit Mitch Moses threatening to usurp him as Blues halfback on Michael Maguire's team sheet this Sunday.
But Hynes had a subdued night from an individual standpoint, despite the hosts' spirited comeback.
He squandered Cronulla's only chance in the red zone as the Dolphins ran out to their early lead, passing to Sifa Talakai on the fifth tackle and watching as the second-rower knocked on.
Two of the Dolphins' four early tries came down Hynes's right edge, though he was not the only defender caught out as his opposite man Kodi Nikorima ran riot.
Hynes sent the flat pass to Royce Hunt that led the in-form prop to open the Sharks' account late in the first half.
But after that, Hynes was virtually unsighted on a comeback either side of half-time, other than to slot all of his first four attempts at conversion, the last giving Cronulla the lead.
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His fast-starting side down by two points, Queensland star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow came up with a crucial individual try on return from Origin duty.
The Dolphins fullback fielded Hynes's bomb fewer than 10 metres out from his own line and danced away from five-eighth Braydon Trindall to begin a tear down the field.
Tabuai-Fidow burst his way through the clutches of another four defenders on his way to scoring a 95-metre try that restored the Dolphins' lead, which they never surrendered.
AAP
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog below.
The Hammer is the talk of the rugby league world after producing one of the most remarkable tries this season.
The Dolphins also have their breakthrough win in Sydney.
The Sharks will be disappointed, but can take heart by mounting the comeback they did.
We will be back again tomorrow for more live coverage of the NRL.
I hope you join us then.
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Sharks coach says team was 'numb' to start the game
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By Michael Doyle
Cronulla gave up a 22-0 deficit early in the contest at Shark Park, before clawing their way back to hold a lead in the second half.
Sharks Craig Fitzgibbon said his team missed the start badly.
"Looked numb in defence there to start the game," he says.
"Got ourselves to a point there where it was looking awful, and then [we] did something about it.
"I was really pleased with the second half, and then we have one moment with Hammer [Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow] — game over."
The Dolphins' press confernence has finished and the Sharks' one begins
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By Michael Doyle
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Bennett says Dolphins expected to win
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By Michael Doyle
Wayne Bennett has been asked about the win being the Dolphins first in Sydney.
Bennett was quick to remind everyone that the Dolphins have been winning all year.
"We've been a pretty good football team this season," he says.
"We didn't expect to come here tonight to lose.
"We knew we had to do a lot of things right and we did that for long periods of time."
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Bennett calls the Hammer's try in the top-three he has ever seen
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By Michael Doyle
Naturally, Wayne Bennett has been asked about Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's solo effort.
He has called it a try in the top-three he has ever seen.
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Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and captain Kodi Nikorima speak to media
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By Michael Doyle
Wayne Bennett has praised his side for their win over the Sharks.
"You can't afford to turn your TV off when the Dolphins are playing," he says.
"Just remarkable the way they can hang in there and get in front, come back, and all the things they did there tonight."
We will bring you the press conference with the coaches and captains
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By Michael Doyle
We are not done with news from Shark Park.
The press conferences are coming up shortly.
Another great game to enjoy
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By Michael Doyle
Wow, what a tight finish - you called it as going down to the wire early in the second half Mick - well blogged :)
- Mike
Great call Mike. A really tight finish.
I hope this blog articulated how exciting it was.
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Herbie and the Hammer talking with ABC Sport
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By Michael Doyle
Dolphin centre Herbie Farnworth has called Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's try "one of the best tries I've ever seen".
What did the man himself think?
"Just back myself; at times, I don't even know what's going to happen ... I was pretty gassed to be honest!"
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Sharks captain disappointed while talking to ABC Sport
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By Michael Doyle
Cam McInnes clearly very disappointed after a contest the Sharks worked so hard to get back into.
He has spoken to Ruan Sims on ABC Sport.
"We probably felt sorry for ourselves there … We want to be that team that doesn't break, and tonight that wasn't the case."
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Felise Kaufusi joins ABC Sport after the Dolphins maiden win in Sydney
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By Michael Doyle
"That was bloody awesome, far out, I was hoping we wouldn't go to golden point two weeks in a row," Felise Kaufusi tells Ruan Sims.
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Nicho couldn't force golden-point
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By Michael Doyle
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FULL-TIME: Dolphins 30 def. Cronulla Sharks 28
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By Michael Doyle
The Dolphins have secured the club's first win in Sydney with a 30-24 triumph over the Sharks in Cronulla.
The Dolphins held a 22-0 lead after 25 minutes in Cronulla, but the Sharks fought back to hold a 24-22 advantage in the second half.
But an incredible solo effort from Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow stunned the Sharks and led to a famous win for the league's youngest club.
Nicho Hynes had a kick after the siren to send the game to golden-point, but the attempt missed to the right.
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80' Hynes misses the kick
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By Michael Doyle
Nicho Hynes misses the kick and the Dolphins win.
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80' TRY: The Sharks score on the final play of the game
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By Michael Doyle
WHAT A GAME.
The Sharks score on the final tackle.
They go through the hands and Sione Katoa scores in the right corner.
Nicho Hynes has a kick from the sideline to send the game to golden-point.
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72' PENALTY GOAL: Dolphins lead by six points
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By Michael Doyle
Jamayne Isaako gets another chance to kick a penalty goal and he converts.
Nicho Hynes was penalised for an escort on a Dolphin chasing a kick near the goal line.
Dolphins lead 30-24.
68' Missed penalty goal from the Dolphins
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By Michael Doyle
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako had a chance to extend the Dolphins lead to six points, after Cronulla were penalised for a player touching the ball in an offside position.
The goal attempt was missed. Was not the easiest kick but it is a let-off for the Sharks.
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WATCH: The Hammer scores one of the tries of the season
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By Michael Doyle
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Cannot believe the try scored by the Hammer
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By Michael Doyle
What. What. I can't even. You'd think the Hammer is playing high school touch footy
- Josh
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59' TRY: THE HAMMER SCORES THE TRY OF THE YEAR
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By Michael Doyle
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has run 98 metres to score the most fantastic solo try.
He catches the ball inside his own 10-metre line.
He runs backwards, then turns around and beats one tackle.
He breaks a second and third.
Tabuai-Fidow is through! The Hammer is away.
Opposing fullback Will Kennedy chases, grabs the Hammer but cannot bring him down.
TRY! TRY! TRY!
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