An eventful and entertaining first half saw the Warriors take a 14-12 lead into the sheds as they took on the South Sydney Rabbithos at the Accor Stadium, Sydney yesterday, Sunday 1st June.
The Rabbitohs had the first use of the ball, with Jai Arrow taking the first hit up.
In the 4th minute after a successful Captain’s Challenge the Warriors reset, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak coming down with a Luke Metcalf cross-field kick to start the scoring.
Metcalf was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt and the Warriors lead 4-0.
The Bunnies hit straight back with a try to Keaon Koloamatangi after receiving a penalty for dangerous tackel involving high contact from Adam Pompey who was also put on report.
The Bunnies were now in the lead after a successful conversion from Latrell Mitchell to lead 6-4.
The Bunnies nearly had another, only for some good defensive work from the Warriors pushing Bayleigh Bentley-Hape’s foot out onto the touchline.
The Rabbitohs were looking dangerous with Mitchell involved in coming down the right side to try and set up his winger whilst the score remained 6-4 to the home side.
What a try from Alex Johnston. An end-to-end passage of play with the Bunnies on the attack on the left side, but the Warriors defend that raid and counterattack, earning a six-again on their line, but Metcalf pushed the pass at the line, allowing Johnston to intercept it just off his own line to run the length of the field to extend their lead.
Mitchell added the extras for a 12-4 lead.
The Warriors went back-to-back and score an important try just before the break with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad fighting his way over the line.
The visitors force an error, and a line drop out, to put on the pressure, with the Warriors fullback charging his way to the line to score.
Metcalf kicked his first conversion, and the Warriors lead 14-12.
Metcalf showcased his speed after the Warriors dove on a dropped ball and ran 80 metres to score with an unsuccessful conversion bringing the score to 24-12.
All the points were now coming the way of the Warriors, with the experienced Roger Tuivasa-Sheck going over for another try down the left sideline.
Metcalf nailed this more difficult one and it was 30-12.
The fightback began for the Bunnies with their captain Latrell Mitchell in the thick of it, producing a nice, long pass to his winger Johnston who went over of the left-hand side for his second of the day.
Mitchell converted to narrow the scores to 30-18.
A special moment for Alex Johnston in the 63rd minute who had both a hat-trick and 200 premiership tries.
Once again, he latched on to a good, looping pass out from skipper Mitchell who converted the try to narrow the scores to 30-24.
The Warriors got some breathing space with RTS coming up with the goods for his side with his second try.
Halasima came down with a Metcalf kick and dropped it backwards for Chanel Harris-Tavita to scoop it up and pass it out.
Metcalf converted for a 36-24 lead. The Warriors got a repeat set after Metcalf put in a kick taking in the Rabbitohs in-goal for a line drop out.
The Bunnies just won’t go away, and their skipper was again standing tall, with Mitchell crashing over for a try after charging at the line.
He converted as well, and the Warriors were holding on to a 36-30 lead.
It was a thrilling end to the match, but the experienced players of the Warriors including Kurt Capewell and RTS helped in settling the play in the final moments as the Bunnies surged.
The Warriors held on, for their 36-30 victory. Plenty of talking points from the match, with injuries to both sides – the major concern being for Warriors’ skipper Mitch Barnett and his knee.
Source: NRL.com