Roar Guru
After a long absence the Rabbitohs have finally rejoined the winners’ list, defeating the New Zealand Warriors by 19.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Warriors 22
Rabbitohs 41
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have the chance to play semi-final spoilers when they travel to Auckland to play the New Zealand Warriors for Round 23. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Rabbitohs are staring down the barrel of their tenth straight loss, while the Warriors have had important wins in their last two games, against Penrith and the Titans, to sneak into the top eight on for and against.
Both the Wests Tigers and the Titans are snapping at the Warriors’ heels, and a win this week is crucial for their finals’ hopes, with only four matches remaining in the regular season.
The Tigers are playing the Titans this weekend, so unless there is a draw, one of those two teams will collect two points this week.
Souths haven’t had a win since Round 11, against St George back in May, and have little to play for other than pride. That was at least restored in part last week in their golden-point loss to ladder-leaders Melbourne, after Canberra put 50 points on them the previous week.
Warriors coach Andrew McFadden has made no changes to the 17-man squad that played the Titans, but forward Bunty Afoa has been named as 18th man. Hooker Issac Luke is still out with a knee injury and unlikely to be available until the semi-finals – if the Warriors make them.
Souths coach Michael Maguire has also named the same 17-man squad as last week, with Greg Inglis once again to play five-eighth.
Prediction
Souths to give the Warriors a scare, but the home side have too much to play for and will secure the result.
Join The Roar at 5:30pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.