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Warriors 6 Rabbitohs 28
FULLTIME
Penalty to the Rabbitohs, as Ilias finds touch.
Ilias chips through the line, and there's a race between Cook and Egan.
Egan gets there first, as the ball goes dead.
The fulltime siren goes, and the Warriors have been comprehensively beaten.
77 mins - TRY RABBITOHS
The Rabbitohs go wide to put Munro away down the right wing!
He kicks back infield, and it's a foot race! The Warriors claim Ford is taken out by Ilias, but Taafe gets to the in-goal and grounds the ball.
Did he ground it cleanly? The Bunker says he has. The try stands.
Taafe to convert his own try - his first of the season. Just in from the right, and he lands it.
WAR 6 RAB 28
76 mins
Egan restarts as Harris takes the first tackle, and wins a set restart.
Fonua-Blake takes the new first, Metcalf and Pompey juggle the ball, before a knock-on is called as it ends up with Montoya.
So Pompey knocked it into Munro's shoulder, and then ended up with it back.
Rabbitohs scrum.
75 mins
Johnson kicks, but Metcalf gets up and wins possession back.
Barnett carries over halfway on the fourth, before Johnson nearly puts Ford through.
Last play. Johnson goes high, but Johnston gets up and takes it cleanly.
Or has he? Kennar takes out Watene-Zelezniak as he goes for the ball.
Murray challenges the call, but it's unsuccessful.
Penalty to the Warriors.
74 mins
The Rabbitohs run with the ball, as Walker kicks to the corner on the last.
Montoya reads the flight, and bats it into touch to force a dropout.
72 mins
Ilias kicks on the Rabbitohs' last and finds touch to run the clock down.
Pompey runs on the third, but he's absolutely smothered and tackled into touch to hand possession back.
70 mins
Rabbitohs restart. Walker bombs on the last, straight to Watene-Zelezniak.
Nicoll-Klokstad is driven backwards on the third, Egan takes the fourth.
Johnson kicks on the last, straight to Johnston.
68 mins - TRY RABBITOHS
Rabbitohs scrum, and fresh set.
They get to the 10m line, as Sele is slow to play the ball on the last. They go wide, Ilias kicks for the right corner, and Munro gets there first to score on debut!
Possibility of offside at the kick, so we'll check with the Bunker. But it's come back all good.
Taafe to convert from the right. No mistake this time.
WAR 6 RAB 22
65 mins
Harris and Ford open the set with the first two tackles, Sironen the third.
They go wide on the fourth, but Pompey can't hold on to give the ball back to the Bunnies with a knock-on.
64 mins
Walker kicks deep on the last, Nicoll-Klokstad takes it inside Warriors territory.
Montoya takes the second tackle, Pompey the third. Metcalf goes on the fourth, and gets over halfway.
They go through the hands on the fifth, but the ball goes to ground and Walker snaps it up!
The Rabbitohs go wide on their third as Kennar has space on the wing, before going back the other way.
The Rabbitohs are slowed down in the poor conditions, before Ilias kicks high on the last. Kennar takes it, and is tackled to hand over.
Johnson makes first use, and then wins a penalty against Chee Kam.
61 mins
Ilias kicks on the Rabbitohs' last, straight to Montoya.
He takes the first, Watene-Zelezniak takes the second. Sironen runs on the third, Fonua-Blake on the fourth. Nicoll-Klokstad gets to halfway on the fifth, Johnson kicks on the last.
Johnston is safe under it as Berry makes the tackle.
59 mins
The Warriors run on the fifth as Ford carries over halfway.
Last play, and Johnson goes to the air - but Munro does so well in the wet to take the ball coming forward.
58 mins
Rabbitohs restart. Right in Warriors territory.
They go to their right, as Munro gets the ball out on the wing! Montoya gets across and smashes him into touch to save a certain try.
57 mins
The Rabbitohs run on the last, and go right to the wing.
Johnston looks to kick over the top, but it's charged down by Watene-Zelezniak - and he races away to score from absolutely nothing!
Oh hang on. The Bunker wants to check for a knock-on. It looks like the ball hits the chest, and then the arm.
No try the call.
Bugger.
55 mins
Dropout to restart, Metcalf takes it and finds Barnett - who puts Nicoll-Klokstad into a gap, but it's called forward!
Rabbitohs scrum.
55 mins
Ilias kicks on the last, straight to Nicoll-Klokstad. Montoya takes the second, Watene-Zelezniak the third.
Barnett takes the fourth, as Metcalf runs into a gap on the fifth! He's tackled, as Johnson goes to the air for Watene-Zelezniak on the last.
The go up, but Johnston gets a hand on it, and grounds it to force a dropout.
53 mins
This is getting away from the Warriors. Johnson kicks off again.
Walker bombs on the last, straight to Watene-Zelezniak to start the Warriors set.
They go wide on the fifth as Berry is tackled on the right wing.
Johnson goes high on the last, Taafe is safe under it.
50 mins - TRY RABBITOHS
Johnson kicks off, Munro takes it and the tackle. Mitchell takes the second, Moale takes it to the line.
Ilias runs on the fourth, tackled. Mitchell goes again on the fifth, tackled. Last play.
They go to Walker on the left, and he kicks with the outside of his foot - and Johnston hardly has to move to catch it on the right - and score!
Taafe to convert, and he misses again.
WAR 6 RAB 16
48 mins
Rabbitohs restart, they go wide before the ball is forced all the way back past the 30 on the last.
The Warriors give away a penalty, and the Rabbitohs get a fresh set.
Murray runs and takes the fifth tackle.
They go wide on the last, as Johnston and Walker somehow exchange passes! Walker kicks, but Berry gets back and forces it dead for a dropout!
45 mins
Dodgy play-the-ball from the Rabbitohs, but the ref says play on.
Ilias kicks on the last, but he's smashed by Egan as the ball goes into touch.
The call is out off Egan, so Harris challenges. It looks like that's definitely come off Egan, so that's Rabbitohs ball.
Challenge unsuccessful.
44 mins
Fonua-Blake takes the fourth of the next set, as Egan runs to halfway on the fifth.
Johnson bombs on the last, Johnston gets back to take it cleanly.
43 mins
The Warriors can't break over halfway in their set, as Johnson kicks to Johnston on the last.
The Rabbitohs restart, Walker kicks again on the fifth, but Nicoll-Klokstad gets back to save it.
Fonua-Blake is back on.
42 mins
Walker kicks on the Rabbitohs' last, and it's a foot race between Watene-Zelezniak and Johnston!
Both slip, but the ball ends up with Taafe, before the Warriors make the tackle to force the handover.
41 mins
We're back and ready to go in the second half. Huge 40 minutes to come from the Warriors.
Conditions are still awful at Mt Smart. Three minutes to go before Fonua-Blake returns.
Johnson kicks off, and we're going again.
HALFTIME
Ilias runs on the last, and gets the ball to Munro on the wing.
He tries to drop it onto the boot, misses, and Nicoll-Klokstad gets it to restart for the Warriors.
He takes the first, Montoya the second, Watene-Zelezniak the third. Barnett takes the fourth, and Harris is smashed in the tackle to knock on!
The Rabbitohs won't get the chance to take advantage though, that's halftime.
39 mins - TRY RABBITOHS
Mitchell takes the first tackle, and the second as he gets it back from Walker.
Moale goes on the third, before Walker goes wide to Kennar on the fourth.
Chee Kam goes on the fifth and reaches the line, but he's tackled.
Last play - and Murray goes over untouched! The Warriors complain for obstruction by Mitchell on Barnett.
The Bunker rules that Barnett was too far away, though, so the try is awarded.
Taafe converts, and the Rabbitohs take the lead for the first time!
WAR 6 RAB 12
36 mins
Walker kicks on the Rabbitohs' last, Watene-Zelezniak gets up - and he drops it!
Rabbitohs' scrum deep in Warriors territory!
34 mins - PENALTY RABBITOHS
Fonua-Blake could be in trouble for that last penalty, he took Murray high - and he's sent to the bin! Huge moment in the game.
The Rabbitohs want the points. Taafe lines up the shot from right in front.
He doesn't miss from there, but surely a huge chance wasted against 12 men?
WAR 6 RAB 6
34 mins
The Warriors give away a penalty in the Rabbitohs half, Johnson is offside in the tackle.
Huge set coming up for the Bunnies. Kennar takes the first, Sele the second before he's tackled.
They go left through Ilias, but he's stopped. Chee Kam next and he gets to the 10.
Walker and Murray combine, but the pass is knocked down by the Warriors for a fresh set to the Rabbitohs.
Murray goes at the line, but the Warriors give away a penalty now.
31 mins
The Warriors restart on the 10m line through Walker, tackled on the first. Fonua-Blake goes next, tackled.
The rain is really falling now. Johnson tries to slip Barnett through, but he knocks on in the wet.
Rabbitohs scrum.
30 mins
Walker smashes Murray, before Ilias kicks on the last, straight to Nicoll-Klokstad.
He takes the first, Montoya takes the second to reach halfway. Egan goes quickly on the third, and sets up Fonua-Blake to reach the 30 on the fourth.
Walker goes on the fifth, Johnson goes high on the last, but Johnston takes out Watene-Zelezniak as he goes for the ball.
Another penalty for the Warriors!
28 mins
Nicoll-Klokstad and Harris both make metres in the Warriors' set, as Walker carries over hafway.
Johnson kicks on the fifth, Taafe is brilliant under it before he's smashed by Barnett.
28 mins
Kennar runs, but he's sandwiched between Walker and Harris and stays down hurt. He's going to continue as well.
Sele runs and sends Johnson flying, before Ilias kicks on the last, straight to Watene-Zelezniak.
27 mins
Warriors restart as Montoya and Pompey take the first two tackles.
Watene-Zelezniak takes the third, and he stays down hurt afterwards. He's going to play on for now. Walker has come on for the first time.
Johnson kicks on the last, Johnston takes it calmly.
26 mins
Koloamatangi gets to halfway on the fourth, before Cook takes the fifth.
Ilias kicks on the last, and Munro wins it before he's tackled to force a handover.
24 mins - TRY RABBITOHS
Best chance of the night for the Bunnies. Burgess runs at the line on the second and gets to the goal line.
Murray goes close on the third before they go wide on the fourth. Cook has come on and accelerated everything for the Rabbitohs.
They go wide, and Johnston has too much pace - he beats Watene-Zelezniak to dive over into the corner!
Taafe to convert from the left wing, but he pushes it wide!
WAR 6 RAB 4
22 mins
The Rabbitohs have their first real go, only for the ball to go to ground on the left wing as Kennar loses it in the tackle.
Hang on, Berry got a touch on it, so a knock on against the Warriors.
Rabbitohs scrum.
21 mins
Another penalty for the Warriors as Johnson finds the touchline. The Warriors restart on the 30m line through Harris.
Afoa runs on the second. They go to Fonua-Blake on the third, but Ford is called for obstructing Murray in the tackle.
First real mistake by the Warriors.
20 mins
Ilias kicks on the last for the Rabbitohs, straight to Montoya, and he loses the ball in the tackle!
Or has he? Penalty called against Murray for offside!
19 mins
The Warriors run into Rabbitohs territory, Johnson kicks on the last, but no issue at the back for Taafe.
17 mins - TRY WARRIORS
Fresh set in Rabbitohs territory for the Warriors.
They go wide to the left on the last, and Pompey sends Montoya over in the corner!
Can Johnson convert from the left? He sure can - brilliant kick!
WAR 6 RAB 0
15 mins
Walker kicks deep on the last, straight to Nicoll-Klokstad, who breaks the first tackle before he's taken.
Montoya runs on the second and Pompey the third, Fonua-Blake the fourth, and Metcalf the fifth - but he's taken high now!
That's three high tackles from the Bunnies, and another penalty for the Warriors.
14 mins
Another Warriors set in the Rabbiohs' half. Afoa takes the first, Fonua-Blake nearly slips through on the second and wins a set restart!
Ford goes again on the new first tackle, before Metcalf nearly dances through on the second!
They're metres out! Afoa goes on the third, tackled. Egan tries to send Fonua-Blake over, but he offloads back to keep it alive.
Nicoll-Klokstad is tackled on the fourth, but the Warriors have lost ground. Barnett bounces Walker on the fifth.
Metcalf kicks on the last for Ford to chase, but Taafe does brilliantly to save the day for the Rabbitohs!
12 mins
The Rabbitohs go wide to Johnston on their fifth, but can't breach halfway. Ilias kicks on the last, straight to Nicoll-Klokstad who takes the first tackle.
Montoya goes on the second, tackled. Pompey the third, tackled.
Nicoll-Klokstad goes again on the fourth, before Barnett runs on the inside on the fifth - but he's tackled high by Chee Kam!
Another penalty against Souths.
10 mins
Warriors set, deep in their half. Montoya runs on the first, Pompey the second, Ford the third.
Nicoll-Klokstad takes the line on but is tackled on the fourth, Harris carries to halfway on the fifth.
Johnson bombs on the last, but Johnston is safe under it.
9 mins
Fonua-Blake and Barnett smash Murray in the Rabbitohs' set, as Tatola runs over halfway.
They run on the last, but the Warriors defend well to force the handover from Walker.
8 mins
New set in Souths' territory, Fonua-Blake and Afoa take the first two.
Nicoll-Klokstad goes wide to Watene-Zelezniak on the third, but he's tackled.
Berry goes for the line on the fourth, byt they hold.
Johnson and Harris combine on the fifth, before he finds Egan, who finds Metcalf who runs and is taken.
They run on the last, Johnson goes to Nicoll-Klokstad, who goes for the corner, but the Rabbitohs make the tackle to force the handover.
6 mins
Warriors restart. Afoa carries on the first, Barnett bumps off Walker before he's tackled on the second.
Afoa goes again on the third, Ford carries over halfway on the fourth, before Egan runs from dummy half on the fifth.
Egan's tackled high by Havili, and wins a penalty. He's placed on report.
5 mins
Havili runs over halfway on Souths' fourth, as Murray goes further on the fifth.
Ilias kicsk on the last, but Montoya gets there first and keeps it alive.
The Rabbitohs give away another penalty, this time Ilias is called for offside.
4 mins
Fresh set, inside the Bunnies' half. Afoa takes the first, Fonua-Blake the second after a short ball from Harris.
They go right as Nicoll-Klokstad does well to hold onto the ball in the wet. Harris goes next, as Barnett takes the fifth.
Last play. Johnson drops it onto the boot, but doesn't get it cleanly.
3 mins
Fonua-Blake smashes Johnston first up! The Rabiitohs can't get into the Warriors' half before Ilias kicks - straight to Montoya to start the new set.
Pompey takes the second, and is awarded a penalty, Murray the culprit.
2 mins
Ford takes the first tackle, Afoa the second and Harris the third.
Barnett runs on the fourth and gets closer to halfway. Fonua-Blake runs over halfway on the alst.
Johnson kicks on the last, and it bounces before Taafe takes it cleanly on the Rabbitohs' 10m line.
KICKOFF
Right then! We're all set to go as Ilias kicks off at Mt Smart!
8:01pm
The Rabbitohs are out on the field first as the lights go out, followed by a huge welcome for the Warriors!
Brilliant turnout from the Mt Smart faithful tonight - considering the abysmal weather.
7:57pm
Almost ready to go! Both sides are back in the changing sheds for their final preparations.
7:36pm
It is absolutely pelting down in Auckland. It's not expected to get any better either.
7:20pm
Good evening! We're about 40 minutes from kick-off.
The first bit of news from tonight is the Rabbitohs have shuffled their starting side.
Damien Cook and Hame Sele have dropped to the bench, replaced in the starting side by Siliva Havili and Thomas Burgess respectively.
Campbell Graham has also dropped out of the team altogether, replaced by Tyrone Munro.
Here's the adjusted side:
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1-Blake Taafe, 2-Alex Johnston, 18-Tyrone Munro, 19-Taane Milne, 5-Richard Kennar, 6-Cody Walker, 7-Lachlan Ilias, 8-Tevita Tatola, 14-Siliva Havili, 10-, 17-Thomas Burgess, 11-Keaon Koloamatangi, 12-Michael Chee Kam, 13-Cameron Murray (c)
Interchange: 9-Damien Cook, 10-Hame Sele, 15-Shaquai Mitchell, 16-Davvy Moale
*********
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this NRL round 18 encounter between NZ Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs, from Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
With three wins on the bounce - and all of them by more than 20 points - the Kiwi side can make it four tonight.
What's more, victory would see the Warriors move to a joint competition-leading total of 24 points, and would only be shy of first on the ladder on differential.
But it won't be that simple for the Warriors. The Kiwi side are without back rower Marata Niukore, suspended for the next three games after another dangerous contact charge in last week's win over the Dragons.
Josh Curran was initially named to wear No.12, but has been withdrawn to see Mitch Barnett come into the starting lineup, as Freddy Lussick comes onto the bench.
Meanwhile, even missing star fullback Latrell Mitchell, the Rabbitohs can at the very least bank on a stellar record in Auckland.
It's been more than 10 years since South Sydney were beaten at Mt Smart, with that record extending to 13 wins in their last 14 matches against the Warriors.
A win tonight would be vital for the Rabbitohs, currently eighth on the ladder and in danger of dropping out of finals contention.
But that will be tough work for the visitors, who have only won one game in their last five.
TAB odds: Warriors $1.59, Rabbitohs $2.30
Teams:
NZ Warriors: 1-Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Rocco Berry, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Luke Metcalf, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Bunty Afoa, 11-Jackson Ford, 15-Mitchell Barnett, 13-Tohu Harris (c)
Interchange: 14-Dylan Walker, 16-Bayley Sironen, 17-Tom Ale, 18-Freddy Lussick
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1-Blake Taafe, 2-Alex Johnston, 18-Tyrone Munro, 19-Taane Milne, 5-Richard Kennar, 6-Cody Walker, 7-Lachlan Ilias, 8-Tevita Tatola, 14-Siliva Havili, 10-, 17-Thomas Burgess, 11-Keaon Koloamatangi, 12-Michael Chee Kam, 13-Cameron Murray (c)
Interchange: 9-Damien Cook, 10-Hame Sele, 15-Shaquai Mitchell, 16-Davvy Moale
