In a sensational strike to end one of the great Group Nine games of the modern era, Rose pounced on a mistimed Albury pass before racing 28 metres for the try that clinched the Bulls a spot in the decider.

Coming with barely three minutes left in a fabulous major semi-final, Rose's try - and subsequent conversion - gave the Bulls a gripping 20-14 victory over the Thunder.

Only minutes earlier, Albury had levelled the ledger with Southcity at 14-all when fullback Ben Jeffery booted a penalty from 15 metres out, and in front of the posts.

Albury coach Josh Cale later backed the decision to take the "two points", and square the result, rather than shoot for a try that would have certainly got the Thunder home.

"I said to take the shot," Cale said in the dressing room later.

"I would have done the same if I was out there."

Amid tumultuous scenes, Southcity was able to celebrate its third win over Albury in as many games this year.

Significantly, the prize for the Bulls yesterday was to grab the coveted first spot in the Group Nine grand final at Equex Centre on Sunday.

By the stark contrast, Albury's bid for a third straight premiership title is now hanging on the result of a preliminary final duel-to-the-death with Gundagai at the same Wagga venue on Saturday.

Under the usual Group Nine finals format, the preliminary final would have been played at Alfred Oval in Young, but the Group Nine board remarkably elected to shift the game at Equex Centre.

Shrugging off the change in venue, and the Thunder's shortened six-day turnaround before playing the Tigers, Cale stressed the team needed to regroup to save its premiership defence.

Taking stock of Albury's third loss to the Bulls in as many games this year, Cale said the Thunder had started badly and given the winner's too much start.

"We were flat in the first half," Cale said.

"I don't know why.

"The game was there to win (in the second half) but we probably didn't take our chances.'

A shadow of the team that smashed Gundagai in the qualifying final a week ago, Albury was stung by a solo try to Rose in the fourth minute.

Running off a Kieran Shauf pass, Rose shrugged off three Albury defenders in a 28 metre burst over for the opening try.

Up 4-0 in classic finals scrap, the Bulls again stunned the Thunder in the 27th minute when winger Ned Mortimer used his strength to struggle over for a try off an absolutely magic ball from Peter Little.

Seemingly set to lead 8-0 at half-time, Southcity was rocked when a spiralling Albury bomb from halfback Cameron Breust bounced awwardly for Mortimer allowing Thunder winger Hayden Sweeney to ground the ball for a try.

Down 8-6 at half-time, Albury fired up for the second half - and struck quickly with hooker Adam Coote blasting over from dummy half from 15m out.

By the time Jeffery kicked the conversion, the Thunder were in front 12-8 and riding the momentum.

However, a steaming try to veteran Bulls prop Matt Ward, and conversion from Rose, put the Wagga team back in front - and set up Rose for his late heroics.

Like he has done with amazing regularity in the past two seasons, the 19-year-old playmaker showed a superb timing to snatch the most telling pass of the day.