We are two weeks out from the grand final and there is no hiding from the fact the NRL has a refereeing crisis it can no longer ignore.

Over the next 48 hours, all eyes will be on Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker as he attempts to make a miraculous comeback to the field after initial concerns had him ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Their finals exit has been marred by referee Ashley Klein and his assistants getting pelted with beer cans after their painful loss to the Knights. Joseph Pearson

Outlets across the Tasman have questioned several late decisions after Newcastle knocked the Warriors out in a 12-10 thriller. Stuff sports reporters

The preliminary finals are set, with the Newcastle Knights continuing their stunning turnaround while the Warriors made a shock straight sets exit.

An emotional Kalyn Ponga said he “felt like crying” after the Newcastle Knights defied all the odds by upsetting the Warriors to seal an unlikely preliminary final berth.

A frustrated Warriors coach Andrew Webster was left stunned after watching some of the calls his team was on the end of in the final 10 minutes of their semi-final loss to Newcastle.

The semi-final match between the Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors may have ended in controversy but Justin Holbrook was adamant he had no issue with the officiating.

Andrew Webster said the bunker was “trying to find ways” to take decisions away from them in their loss to the Knights that ended their season. Joseph Pearson

The Newcastle Knights’ fairytale finals run continued as they upset the Warriors on Sunday afternoon.