Alex Johnston became only the second player in history to score 200 first grade tries, but it wasn't enough to get the South Sydney Rabbitohs over the line with the New Zealand Warriors prevailing 36-30.
In a contest where defence took a backseat to try-scoring heroics, the Warriors achieved back-to-back wins over the Rabbitohs for the first time since 2012 on a glorious Sunday afternoon attended by 16,237 supporters - the largest crowd between the two clubs at Accor Stadium.
The final result muted celebrations for Johnston, whose hat-trick saw him join Ken Irvine in exclusive company as the only players to score 200 tries in Australian Rugby League history.
Striking early after a successful captain's challenge inside the Rabbitohs' red zone, a cross field chip kick by Luke Metcalf allowed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (4th minute) to soar through the air for his first try of the season.
The Rabbitohs responded minutes later after back-to-back penalties saw Keaon Koloamatangi (8th minute) continue his impressive form shifting from the edge to the middle by crashing through multiple defenders next to the posts.
Both sides were dealt a blow midway through the first half with Bayleigh Bentley-Hape putting his foot on the sideline prior to grounding the ball, while Mitchell Barnett was forced from the field with a knee injury that could put the NSW representative in doubt for State of Origin II.
An intercept saw the Rabbitohs turn defence into attack with Johnston (28th minute) racing the length of the field to score to the delight of the red and green faithful.
The Warriors finished the half with a flurry of four-pointers as Rocco Berry (32nd minute) pounced on a fortuitous grubber by Jackson Ford, before Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (38th minute) touched down to send the visitors to the sheds ahead 14-12.
Continuing the scoring rush after the resumption of play with Leka Halasima (47th minute) and Metcalf (50th minute) punishing the Rabbitohs' errors, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (54th minute) rounded out an explosive passage to put the Warriors up 30-12.
A spectacular cut-out pass from Latrell Mitchell kept the hosts in the contest with Johnston (58th minute) crossing for his second of the day; the dynamic duo combined again minutes later to write Johnston (62nd minute) into the history books and reduce the margin to a converted try.
Tuivasa-Sheck (73rd minute) collected his second try of the day to clinch the result despite the best efforts of Mitchell (76th minute), who exploded over to set up a thrilling finish that ultimately fell short for the hosts.
Next week, the Rabbitohs will travel to Canberra on Sunday afternoon to take on the Raiders, while the Warriors will face the Sharks on Saturday evening at Cronulla.