If one match in 2016 proved anything - it was round 23 which proved that giving up is not in the 'Rabbitohs Way'. Flying across the ditch on the back of a nine-game losing streak to face the heavily-favoured Warriors, the Rabbitohs played "the type of football top teams would be proud of" to claim 41-22 win in our latest match in Auckland.
Without hopes of a finals berth the Rabbitohs flew to New Zealand to play for the pride of the Cardinal and Myrtle jersey - and they delivered a performance fitting for the 110 year old hoops.
A huge effort from the Rabbitohs forward pack - including home grown talent Zane Musgrove playing his first Rabbitohs match in front of family and friends in Auckland - set the platform for Adam Reynolds to deliver a stunning performance that silenced the home crowd.
It was a result contrary to form as the Warriors entered the match undefeated in regular time for the past nine matches - only leaking 20 points once in that run.
Sam, George and Tom Burgess were standouts running for 195m, 124m and 136m respectively which then-Warriors coach Andrew McFadden pointed to as a main reason for the Rabbitohs success.
"I think they clearly won the physical battle, their big forwards did a really good job and we were just a little bit off there," McFadden said.
The Rabbitohs completed the first half with a 100 per cent completion rate, which stood at 88 per cent at the final whistle.
Completing their sets at 100 per cent in the first half and finishing at 88 per cent at the final whistle, South Sydney's discipline wore down the
In slippery conditions, the Rabbitohs went into the match with a game plan to use the run of the ball against the Warriors big pack. Executed perfectly, the South Sydney back line grabbed six tries during the match.
"Joe's [Burgess] got plenty of speed, it was bit dewy out there so anytime you can get the ball behind the line it's pretty hard for those big boys to turn and chase," said Reynolds.
"It was a reward for the hard work that's been transferred from the training field. That one was for the Members and fans - happy to get that win."
Zane Musgrove was especially proud of the result, winning in front of family and friends.
"It felt good to get that. We got the win after so many weeks of losing. After the game, singing that song it was a good feeling. It was about time," said Musgrove.
"Family and friends were there supporting me, it was the first time I've played in front of them in Auckland."
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Match report originally published on Rabbitohs.com.au on August 13, 2016
The mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs have claimed a deserving victory over the New Zealand Warriors defeating the home team 41-22 at Mount Smart Stadium tonight (Saturday).
The Rabbitohs showed their discipline and determination from the start in their first encounter with the Warriors this season, scoring a huge six converted tries and a 100% first half completion rate (88% overall).
The Warriors were the first to add points to the scoreboard when momentum got Solomone Kata over the line. Shaun Johnson converted leaving Souths behind six points to nil.
The Rabbitohs were quick to respond when Adam Reynolds kicked a grubber that bounced through the legs of Kyle Turner and into the arms of Alex Johnston who placed the ball down over the try line. Reynolds slotted the ball through the uprights to level the score 6-all.
In the 18th minute, Reynolds once again showed us the power of his right boot, finding a gap to the left of the posts where Rabbitohs centre Aaron Gray picked up the grubber and went over the line. Another successful conversion extended Souths' lead to 12 points to six.
The Rabbitohs were dominating the New Zealand side and a well-practiced back line play between Greg Inglis, Gray and winger Joe Burgess saw the Burgess dive into the far left hand corner and score his first try in the Red and Green.
It didn't take long for Burgess to add his second try for the Rabbitohs and for Reynolds to show us the power of his opposite kicking boot when another well-weighted left-foot grubber assisted Burgess over the line. In a similar circumstance of what had just occurred, Reynolds nailed the conversion and the Rabbitohs led 24 points to six.
With two minutes left until half time, and with the recent results of golden point looming in the NRL, Reynolds opted for and successfully kicked a field goal adding another point to their comfortable lead.
With the timer counting down the seconds until half time, another brilliant back line manoeuvre between Cody Walker and John Sutton saw Greg Inglis fly through the Warriors' defence and sum up the mighty Rabbitohs' first half performance by adding another four-pointer to the scoreboard backed by a successful Reynolds conversion.
The Rabbitohs went into the sheds with an 100% completion rate (16/16) and ahead of the Warriors 31 points to six.
In the second half, the Warriors opened the scoring when Kata mirrored his round 22 performance adding his second try for the night.
But the Rabbitohs wouldn't let the Warriors catch them and it was Hymel Hunt who picked up a loose ball and ran an impressive 90 metres to score Souths' sixth try. Damien Cook added an extra two points with a successful kick at goal.
The Warriors kept their composure and in the 56th minute scored their third try through winger Manu Vatuvei. But the Rabbitohs held on to their strong defence and through another two penalties, Damien Cook added four more points to the leaders.
The Warriors added another converted try in the 77th minute however they couldn't catch the Rabbitohs who celebrated their well-deserved 41-22 win.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 41 (Joe Burgess 2, Alex Johnston, Aaron Gray, Greg Inglis, Hymel Hunt tries; Adam Reynolds 5, Damien Cook 3 goals; Adam Reynolds field goal)
defeated
New Zealand Warriors 22 (Solomone Kata 2, Manu Vatuvei, Jazz Tevaga tries; Shaun Johnson 3 goals)
