The New Zealand Warriors will look to atone for poor form on the road when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium this afternoon. Join us for live scores and commentary from 12.00pm AEST.
Last year’s NRL grand finalists, the Warriors, were the subject of high expectations coming into 2012, but they’ve failed to live up so far with just two wins from their first six outings.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are once again battling a mounting injury list, with the absence of Nathan Merritt, Sam Burgess and Roy Asotasi notable. Still, they’ve managed to grind out three wins this season and will be aiming for their third straight this week.
The Warriors have traditionally dominated this fixture and last year won both matches home and away, putting the Bunnies to the sword in Round 20 in a 48-16 drubbing.
Shaun Johnson and James Maloney stamped themselves as one of the most exciting halves pairings in the NRL in that contest, but they’ve shown only glimpses of that form in 2012.
Indeed, Maloney – whose name was in the mix for Origin at the start of the season – has failed to prove himself a worthy contender so far in 2012, and he’ll be looking for a big game as NSW selectors watch on.
Despite being named at fullback, Kevin Locke’s corked thigh is expected to keep him out for another week. Krisnan Inu has been called into the side and will take Locke’ place at fullback.
For the Bunnies, Dave Tyrrell replaces Asotasi in the front row while debutant Neccrom Areaiiti joins an extended bench.
Dave Taylor will once again need to put his hand up in the absence of Burgess and Asotasi — he is still arguably the most damaging runner in the competition, and with ball skills to match, there’s no doubt he and Greg Inglis are the game breakers for Souths.
Can the Warriors get their season back on track with a big performance at home, or will the Rabbitohs win their third on the trot? Join us from 12.00pm AEST for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Bloody Bunnies. Bloody playing-like-millionaires Bunnies.
Mary
Guest
Just like there is alot of bias when there are aussie commentators, about time you guys get a taste of your own medicine!
Adam
Roar Guru
That concludes today's NRL live coverage of Warriors vs. Rabbitohs on The Roar. Thanks for joining us and stay tuned for two more NRL games this afternoon -- Sharks vs. Eels and Panthers vs. Tigers.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Warriors 44 - Rabbitohs 22 James Maloney and Shaun Johnson were back to something approaching their best as well with a hand in almost all of the Warriors' tries -- Maloney with a great passing game and Johnson showing his explosive skills, particularly with the last try of the game to set up Krisnan Inu.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Warriors 44 - Rabbitohs 22 That's game over and the Warriors are too good for the Rabbitohs today. It looked from the early stages like there were going to be plenty of points scored, but it was the Warriors who controlled the ball best and took all of their opportunities, whereas the Rabbitohs made some crucial mistakes. The defence was enthusiastic and there were plenty of big hits but the goal-line defence from the Rabbitohs looked anaemic at times as they just couldn't stop the Warriors once they got in the attacking zone. The Warriors' pack were much better than the Bunnies' too, with Ben Matulino particularly impressive and making plenty of yardage. Really looked like Souths were missing Asotasi and Burgess out there -- they just weren't making the same ground through the middle and relied heavily on penalties to get them up field.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 44 - Rabbitohs 22 79' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL. Maloney makes an easy two points look difficult but the flags are raised. Incredible acceleration shown by Johnson for that try -- he's looked at his very best today.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 42 - Rabbitohs 22 78' TRY WARRIORS! Brilliant work by Shaun Johnson as he sniffs out a gap in the Rabbitohs' defence. He throws a dummy and explodes through a hole before drawing the fullback to put Inu over the line.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 38 - Rabbitohs 22 77' Rabbitohs chancing their arm but they lose the ball on the left through Greg Inglis and the Warriors attack from the halfway line.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 38 - Rabbitohs 22 76' How did the Bunnies not score there?! Ben Lowe looked over for all money but he's held up and tries to pop a ball back to his teammates, but it goes to ground and the Warriors come up with it.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 38 - Rabbitohs 22 74' Grubber from Issac Luke looking for Inglis has way too much on it and the ball goes dead. Warriors lose the ball on the next set though and the Rabbitohs will attack again.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 38 - Rabbitohs 22 73' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL. Rabbitohs go the short kick-off and come up with the ball -- they're not giving up yet but it's a near-impossible task in front of them.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 36 - Rabbitohs 22 71' TRY WARRIORS! Russell Packer with an incredible offload just before the line finds Nathan Friend who puts Ukuma Ta'ai through a hole to score. That'll be the winner for the Warriors.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 32 - Rabbitohs 22 70' Rabbitohs loses the ball on their own 40m. Warriors with a chance to wrap things up here!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 32 - Rabbitohs 22 68' Rabbitohs with a line break through Inglis! He's pulled down by Ben Henry. Next play Luke throws a long cut-out pass but it's ruled forward -- missed opportunity there for the Bunnies.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 32 - Rabbitohs 22 66' TRY RABBITOHS! Dave Taylor comes up with the goods again as he hits the line on the short side. He's pulled down but pops a brilliant flick pass to Everingham as he goes to ground and the Rabbitohs winger crosses for his second for the day. Vatuvei should have stayed on his man but you have to marvel at the ball-playing skills of this Rabbitohs big man. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL -- 10 points in it with over 10 minutes to go!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 32 - Rabbitohs 16 64' Lewis Brown with a forward pass to Maloney gives the Rabbitohs a scrum feed 30m out from the Warriors' line.
Adam
Roar Guru
Yeah it's a pet hate of mine when blokes standing on their own tryline reach their hand in and tap the dummy half's arm as they try to pass... refs only seem to penalise it half the time.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 32 - Rabbitohs 16 61' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL. Warriors with two quick tries have built a comfortable lead and Souths will have a hard time running them down from here.
Hbomb@hotmail.com
Guest
Game killer
Adam
Roar Guru
Live Score: Warriors 30 - Rabbitohs 16 58' TRY WARRIORS! It started with a high ball from Johnson which bounced off Everingham on the left. It rolled past a bunch of players from both sides before Johnson regathered it, kicked to the opposite flank and found Bill Tupou who popped a ball back on the inside to Ben Henry to score.