Another vintage Latrell Mitchell performance has helped South Sydney Rabbitohs to a 48-10 win over New Zealand Warriors on a cloudy afternoon at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
South Sydney Rabbitohs have moved into sixth spot after their impressive first half where they led 36-6 against a disinterested New Zealand Warriors side which included another huge effort from fullback Latrell Mitchell.
The Rabbitohs started how they meant to go on. The hosts scored in the third minute through young halfback Lachlan Ilias who finished off a move and slide underneath the sticks to make it 6-0 as they aimed to solidify themselves in the top eight.
It was one-way traffic in the first half, the Rabbitohs Origin representatives in Cameron Murray and Damien Cook combined for the latter to weave past some defence and touch down close to the posts.
Next it was the time for the forwards. Keaon Koloamatangi and Tavita Tatola both crashed over for Souths from close range and it just highlighted that the Warriors weren't focused on any defending on Saturday afternoon as the Rabbitohs led 24-0.
Warriors did pull one back through Edward Kosi. The winger was on the end of a nice backline movement which gave him all the space to stroll over on an otherwise forgetable afternoon for a side ready to end their season.
The highlight of the first half was a rampaging run from Mitchell. He scattered defenders like bowling pins to extend the Rabbitohs lead past 30-6 as the fullback also was perfect from the kicking tee in a good comeback after his field goal misses last weekend.
It isn't a Rabbitohs game without an Alex Johnston four-pointer. The prolific tryscorer scored #159 off a fantastic movement on the left side and capped off what was a stunning first half performance for the cardinal and myrtle.
The second half wasn't the same pointsfest but the Rabbitohs did register a pair of tries to boost their for-and-against which might be vital in the run home. Debutant Izaac Thompson scored two minutes in then it was a double for Mitchell before he was given a well deserved early mark.
There was some consolation for the Warriors in the second half which got them to double digits. Shaun Johnson scored with the wraparound effort to get himself on the scoreboard in a trying afternoon.