The Vodafone Junior Warriors confirmed their place in the finals for the second year running after beating last year's champions the Canberra Raiders 28-24 in today's 24th-round NYC encounter at Mount Smart Stadium.

With two rounds still to play in the regular season, the Vodafone Warriors have climbed to 29 points with their 12th win of the season and their third on end after victories over Gold Coast and Parramatta in the previous two rounds.

They remain in seventh spot but are three clear of eighth-placed Canberra while ninth-placed North Queensland is now five points behind on 24 after its loss to Newcastle last night and can't catch the Auckland side.

In their last two games before the finals, the Vodafone Warriors face the Bulldogs (11th) and top three side Melbourne.

After scoring first today through winger Thomas Ah Van - back after an injury lay-off - the home side fell behind 4-6 and didn't regain the lead until the 32nd minute when hard-working standoff Kurt Kara ran onto a cleverly-judged Shaun Johnson chip kick to score near the posts. With Johnson converting the Vodafone Junior Warriors led 10-6 and extended to 16-6 at halftime when hooker Nafe Seluini sneaked over from dummy half.

They stayed in front for the rest of the match, going out to a seemingly commanding 22-6 advantage after Johnson surged onto a sweet Russell Packer pass.

But just when they looked to be in control, the Vodafone Junior Warriors conceded ground as Canberra struck twice in five minutes to trail just 18-22 with 13 minutes to play.

Fortunately the locals regrouped with winger George Vuna given a clear run to the line after Johnson's weaving run and long cut-out pass, Johnson's conversion giving his side what proved to be a match-winning lead.

Canberra scored late to cut the lead to 24-28 but there wasn't enough time to fashion another try.

With his 12 points today, Johnson lifted his season's tally to 195 points.

Match details:

At Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland

Vodafone Junior Warriors 28 (Thomas Ah Van, Kurt Kara, Nafe Seluini, Shaun Johnson, George Vuna tries; Shaun Johnson 4 conversions).

Canberra Raiders 24 (Todd Rheinberger, Matt Ward, Zach Merritt, Steven Naughton tries; Michael Picker 4 conversions).

Halftime: 16-6 Vodafone Junior Warriors.

Referee: Gavin West.