Scoreboard
South Sydney Rabbitohs 38
Tries: Dylan Walker 2, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Grevsmhul, Tim Grant, Alex Johnson
Goals: Isaac Luke 7
Field Goals: nil
New Zealand Warriors 4
Tries: Manu Vatuvei
Goals: nil
Field Goals: nil
Match Review
Dylan Walker has starred for South Sydney on their way to thrashing New Zealand Warriors 38-4 at NIB Stadium in front of a record crowd of 20,272.
Walker scored a double and set up Alex Johnson with some brilliant skill in a six tries to one effort where the Rabbitohs led 22-4 at the break.
The scoreline could have been a lot different if the Warriors took the most of their chances in the first half and a little luck went their way. But in general, the Warriors were gone by half time with two late tries to Chris Grevsmhul and Tim Grant giving South Sydney that eighteen point advantage.
Bryce Goodwin’s opening try to the game was controversial, and under normal circumstances would have been treated as a play the ball as he appeared tackle and stopped in his tracks. However he was able to play on and post first points for the Rabbitohs on their Perth home ground.
Jacob Lillyman cost the Warriors a certain four points after some wonderful skill from Ben Matulino to offload fumbled by the Queensland Origin player when he was over the line. Scores should have been level half way through the first half.
With Isaac Luke opting for two points with a penalty conversion from in front, the Warriors got themselves back into the game through Manu Vatuvei after Ryan Hoffman created the opportunity in the lead-up. This was the closest New Zealand Warriors came to a red-hot South Sydney side on the scoreboard all game.
Simon Mannering’s concussion has caused plenty of debate post-game with concerns the Warriors skipper shouldn’t have returned for the second half after he received a head knock in trying to tackle big David Tyrell seven minutes before the break. Mannering staggered from the field with the assistance of two trainers. It came as a surprise when he returned to the field at the break and it appears the National Rugby League will investigate the circumstances around Mannering’s health.
The Warriors fell apart following Mannering’s departure with Walker’s break setting up Chris Grevsmhul and Tim Grant breaking free from the Warriors tackle to score on the siren and give South Sydney a big lead at the break. Grant’s try coming off the back of a knock on by Tuimoala Lolohea which gifted the Rabbitohs a scrum on the Warriors line thirty seconds before the break.
The scoreboard continued to work against the Warriors ten minutes into the second half. Walker crossing after a lovely flick pass out of the back by Luke Keary in the movement. Alex Johnson was unlucky on the hour to be denied a try by the officials as Keary’s vision to kick out wide found the winger who was judged to have not controlled the ball as he scored. The disappointment short lived with Walker toying with the Warriors defence and finding Johnson as South Sydney went out to a 32-4 lead.
In the final minutes Greg Inglis gave the record crowd at NIB Stadium a masterclass as he ran almost the length of the field to score. Shaun Johnson just making the tackle before the try line. The ball went to the right and Walker went in for his second and the lead out to 38-4.
NothingButLeague Man of the Match: Dylan Walker (South Sydney)
