South Sydney Defeated as Warriors Thwart Late Comeback

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have come up short against the New Zealand Warriors, going down 36-30 in nail-biting circumstances at Accor Stadium.

A hat-trick to Alex Johnston and some enterprising play from Latrell Mitchell at crucial times kept South Sydney in the contest for much of the game.

However, the 15 minute period after halftime in which New Zealand scored three quick-fire tries proved costly for the Rabbitohs, as they found themselves constantly chasing their opponents throughout the second half.

The Warriors struck first in the third minute, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak leaping high to gather in a Luke Metcalf chip kick and plant the ball down in the corner.

The Rabbitohs hit back quickly through Keaon Koloamatangi, who ran off a Lachlan Hubner pass to burrow his way over from close range in the ninth minute. Latrell Mitchell then nailed the conversion to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

A heads up play from Mitchell and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape down the short side nearly allowed South Sydney to extend their lead. However, an investigation from the Bunker revealed that Bentley-Hape had unfortunately put his foot on the line before he could ground the ball.

South Sydney did manage to draw further ahead against the run of play in the 28th minute. This time it was perennial try-scorer Alex Johnston who did the damage, picking off a pass from Metcalf to race 90m and score the 198th try of his career untouched.

The Warriors reduced their deficit to four points in the 32nd minute when Rocco Berry pounced on a Jackson Ford grubber kick to score his side’s second try for the game.

Latrell Mitchell was taken from the field for a HIA by the independent doctor for a forearm to the head in the lead up to Berry’s try. He was replaced at fullback by Jye Gray in jersey 14.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad got his side back level at 12-all with a burrowing effort one minute before halftime, with the subsequent conversion from Luke Metcalf putting the Warriors ahead at the break 14-12 to set up a bumper second half.

Mitchell passed his HIA during the break and returned to the field straight after halftime in what was a welcome boost for South Sydney.

The New Zealand-based side was first to trouble the scorers in the second stanza, with Leka Halasima crossing the stripe in the 48th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for South Sydney with Bayleigh Bentley-Hape leaving the field due to a groin injury a few minutes later, to be replaced by Jye Gray on the right wing.

The Warriors then continued their ascendency thanks to Metcalf, who scored a 80m solo try from dummy half to put his side ahead by two converted tries.

Things were coming up all New Zealand, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck next to score to give the Warriors an 18-point lead.

However, the Rabbitohs got themselves back in the contest in the 59th minute thanks to a beautiful ball from Mitchell out to Johnston who crossed for his second try of the game.

Johnston then completed his hat-trick in the 63rd minute, combining with Mitchell once again for the 200th try of his career, and getting the Rabbitohs back within six points of their opposition with 16 minutes to go.

The Warriors seemingly put the game to bed in the 72nd minute when Tuivasa-Sheck scored his second of the match.

However, a barge-over effort from Mitchell put South Sydney back to within six points with four minutes to go, setting the game up for a grandstand finish.

South Sydney competed right till the end. However, they were unable to break their opponents in the final minutes to get back level and trigger extra time, confirming what was ultimately a disappointing result for the Red and Green faithful.

Match Snapshot

• Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored the first try of the game for the Warriors in the third minute.
• The Rabbitohs opened their account in the ninth minute through Keaon Koloamatangi.
• South Sydney extended their lead through Alex Johnston in the 28th minute.
• Rocco Berry got the Warriors back to within four points of South Sydney when he scored in the 32nd minute.
• Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad scored to put the Warriors ahead 14-12 one minute before halftime.
• Leka Halasima scored the first try of the second half in the 48th minute.
• Luke Metcalf was next to cross after running 80m on his own in the 51st minute.
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored for the Warriors in the left corner in the 55th minute.
• Alex Johnston scored his second for the match off a beautiful cut-out ball from Mitchell in the 59th minute.
• Johnston then collected his third of the game just four minutes later, putting South Sydney within six points of the Warriors.
• Tuivasa-Sheck scored his second of the match with eight minutes to go, seemingly quashing the comeback from South Sydney.
• Latrell Mitchell kept the comeback alive with a try in the 76th minute.
• The Rabbitohs were unable to score again in the final four minutes, confirming a 36-30 victory for the Warriors.

Play of the Game

Today's play of the game goes to Alex Johnston's third try, which crucially put South Sydney back within six points with 16 minutes left on the clock. Latrell Mitchell launched a high kick, which didn't have the depth of a kick that would typically trouble a team defensively. Isaiah Tass caught the ball uncontested, and quickly handed it off to Lachlan Hubner who then shovelled it onto Mitchell who was steaming through a gap. From there it was Mitchell onto Johnston, who strolled into the in-goal to collect his third of the match, and the 200th try of his career.

What’s Next?

South Sydney will venture to the Nation’s Capital in round 14 to take on the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium next Sunday afternoon at 2pm.