New Zealand Warriors
6
Match Complete
South Sydney Rabbitohs
28
| 77 |  | B. Taaffe | ||
| 76 |  | B. Taaffe | ||
| 67 | | B. Taaffe | ||
| 66 | | T. Munro | ||
| 48 | | A. Johnston | ||
| 37 | | B. Taaffe | ||
| 36 | | C. Murray | ||
| 33 |  | B. Taaffe | ||
| 22 | | A. Johnston | ||
| S. Johnson | | 17 | ||
| M. Montoya | | 15 |
| 1 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 18 of the NRL premiership continues tonight when the Warriors take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00pm (AEST).
Friday night footy starts with a bang with a clash between two teams that seem destined for semi finals this year. However, with the ladder so tightly congested, a loss could spell danger for both.
The Warriors are the surprise packet of this season and their last start 48-18 win over the Dragons showcased why that is so.
Their forward pack is outstanding with the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris and Marata Niukore some of the best in the competition. On the back of that, Shaun Johnson is in career best form and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is making his mark at fullback.
In team changes, Niukore is out through suspension. Josh Curran will start in the second row and Mitch Barnett, himself returning from suspension, comes onto the bench.
There is always a team that suffers in Origin. Last year it was Brisbane. This year it is the Rabbitohs. The loss of Latrell Mitchell is a key factor as well, but sitting now on the edge of the 8, South Sydney need to string some wins together.
The 31-6 loss to the Cowboys last Sunday was disappointing on a number of levels, but the Rabbitohs, with or without Mitchell, have the personnel to bounce back.
For South Sydney, Michael Chee Kam comes into the side for the suspended Jacob Host. Siliva Havil and Shaquai Mitchell join the bench at the expense of Jed Cartwright and Peter Mamouzelos.
Prediction
This promises to be a battle between two of the best forward packs in the NRL.
In previous years, the Warriors might have caved in these types of games. Under Andrew Webster however, this side has a steely resolve.
Playing in front of a big Mt Smart crowd, I expect them to get home in a thriller. Warriors by 4
Game information
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 6:00pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Warriors $1.77 Rabbitohs $2.05 – odds via PlayUp
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 12. Josh Curran 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Mitchell Barnett 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Brayden Wiliame 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Kalani Going 23. Zyon Maiu’u
Rabbitohs: 1.Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Shaq Mitchell 16. Davvy Moale 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Taane Milne 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Peter Mamouzelos 22. Jacob Gagai
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t arguing just confirming the bunkers interpetation
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Yes, if the charge down has ended it is a knock-on, but I feel that it doesn't end until the ball hits the ground. To charge down a kick is permissible and is not a knock-on. It's been an interesting evening of controversies.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Would have thought the conditions were more suited to NZ at home - a good win and the new bloke had a couple of memorable moments.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Not yet, they have to win every game from now on before I will get my you vintage rabbit out :laughing: the last time I did that was 2014
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Time to take the toy rabbit out of wardrobe now.
The Barry
Roar Guru
But the ball hit his chest first and then he knocked it on trying to catch the rebound It’s not a charge down when you’re trying to catch the ball after it’s hit your own chest
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I couldn't find the definition for a charge-down but the knock-on rule has three points. Number 3 is: To charge down a kick is permissible and is not a knock-on. It was a charge down in my opinion. He was in the process of charging-down when he touched the ball.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hate to say it, but I’m with the bunker on this one… :stoked:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I couldn't find the definition for a charge-down but the knock-on rule has three points. Number 3 is: To charge down a kick is permissible and is not a knock-on. It was a charge down in my opinion.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Hopefully they learn from this. Johnson's kicking needed to be slightly shorter so it was contested in the rain.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Sadly they looked like one trick pony. I realised how much they rely on Johnson. Ya take that cog out and everything looks flat. The normal silky pass options just weren't there for Johnson. Johnson had to own his early fifth tackle attacks they went real flat and the mood continued. Walker probably needs to start at 6. I can't imagine him being happy coming from the bench. If Johnson doesn't shine they really need a 6 who does.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Odds on bet is always to go against them when they are favourites in any case. Could make plenty of money with that mindset…
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Congratulations Steve. Your toy rabbit certainly derserves to be held tightly tonight.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I’m both cases there were horrid conditions. That’s 6 points and two convincing losses for the Warriors across two home games of torrential rain. Clearly not handling those conditions well.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Yep out coached
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Rabbits definitely had a better wet weather plan heading into it. Didn’t really give many chances and played a solid game. They will be praying for rain every week after that.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Well let’s hope it doesn’t rain in the semis for the Warriors games - that was atrocious wet weather tactics from them - to match the atrocious conditions .Well done Bunnies ,that was how to play classic wet weather footy
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
They stuck to the same plan the whole gane and didn't adjust. Kicked to the most experienced winger didn't test the riokie winger and continually tried to go out the back inbthe wet and got punished. Poor coaching same as the roosters game in the wet
Cam
Roar Rookie
Not sure if I'm understating the effort from the Bunnies, but geez, I'd have thought the Warriors would be a bit tougher to beat in Auckland. An underperforming Roosters side held them to a donut in similar conditions at home in R9. The NZ rugby sides are absolutely unbeatable at home.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
No, but I'm glad I no longer bet on footy. I would have backed the warriors - although you can usually rely on them to lose games like this.