Misfiring Warriors put to sword by ruthless Rabbitohs

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Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have produced an emphatic return to form, beating the previously hot Warriors by 22-points in torrential rain at Go Media Stadium.

Key takeaways:

• The Warriors came out of the blocks well, enjoying a lot of penalties but could only post one try during their opening period of domination
• When Souths finally got down the other end they scored with ease, Alex Johnston crossing basically untouched
• Addin Fonua-Blake was sent to the sin bin just before half time, Souths taking advantage with a try to Cameron Murray giving them an unlikely lead at the break
• The Warriors conceded an early second half try, making the hole they had to dig themselves out even deeper
• Any chance of a comeback had evaporated by the time debutant Tyrone Munro got a try in the 70th minute. Blake Taaffe also scored late to put the icing on the cake

The Warriors at one stage led the penalty count 6-0, but the Rabbitohs were able to continuously turn them away in what would be a foreshadowing of what was to come. The weight of possession and field position eventually took it's toll as Marcelo Montoya went over for the first try of the match.

Souths would've taken it as a win to be only down by 6, and their confidence increased even more as they scored with ease on their first visit near the Warriors line, spreading it left to Alex Johnston, who went over basically untouched.

The contest then evened up a bit, but the Rabbitohs climbed into the box seat when Addin Fonua-Blake was sent to the sin bin for high contact. They took immediate advantage, Damien Cook putting Cam Murray through a huge hole to given Souths the lead.

The Rabbitohs ball control was superb the whole night, finishing with 35/39 sets completed despite the monsoon like conditions. It was on full display when Cody Walker stayed in the field of play against the odds and then produced a grubber to force a dropout. Souths would score on the ensuing set when Walker put in a crossfield kick to Alex Johnston, who scored his second.

The Warriors still had an outside chance of producing a comeback when they forced a dropout down 16-6, but all their momentum was killed when Barnett forced an unnecessary pass on play 1 that was obviously forward.

Souths continued to win the moments and the icing was put on the cake when the race to Lachlan Ilias' kick was won by debutant Tyrone Munro, making it a 16-point lead for Souths with 10 minutes to go.

With about 3 minutes to play, Munro got into some space and tried a hail mary kick ahead. It sat up in the in-goal, and Blake Taaffe was chasing through and grounded the ball, blowing the scoreline out to 28-6, where it remained.

Next week, the Warriors have another challenge as they travel to Parramatta to take on the Eels, while the Rabbitohs will host the Bulldogs.