South Sydney break losing streak with 41-22 belting of New Zealand

THE Rabbitohs have ended their losing streak in style with a 41-22 belting of New Zealand that puts the Warriors finals hopes on the brink.

A FIRST half masterclass from Adam Reynolds has paved the way for South Sydney to avoid a dozen defeats with a comprehensive 41-22 belting of the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.

In his best performance of the season, Reynolds laid on three first-half tries with a perfectly-placed kicking game to choke the life out of the New Zealanders.

The NSW Origin halfback also kicked a field goal to give the men from Redfern a dominant 31-6 lead at the halftime break.

Reynolds left the field in the early stages of the second half with a hamstring tear failed to return, but in the end it didn’t matter as the Rabbitohs cruised to a 19-point win.

The Warriors gave Souths a scare with two tries in the opening stages of the second half, however the men from in red and green were never in any real danger of defeat.

Winger Joe Burgess was the main beneficiary of the Reynolds show at Mt Smart with a double, including his first four-pointer for Souths.

Burgess’ exploits and his side’s free-flowing football combined to provide a rare memorable night in an otherwise forgettable season for the Rabbitohs.

Souths coach Michael Maguire was rapt with his team’s commanding performance against the Warriors.

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“I’m very proud of my players,” Maguire said post-match.

“We’ve obviously been through a very tough period as a club over the last couple of months and I know the boys have been putting in a lot of hard work and effort in the background.

“But our last two performances is probably a true reflection of the team that I have.

“This is the first time where I’ve had the same team and combinations two weeks in a row.

“That allows you to grow various things, but in saying that everyone is playing some pretty good football and they are really enjoying what they are doing.

“Now we need to back it up and do it again next week.”

Maguire confirmed Reynolds should be fit for next Monday’s clash against Cronulla, revealing the club doctor requested the playmaker be taken off early in the second half after straining his hamstring.

Aaron Gray ended his tryscoring drought.

Despite the disappointing display from the Warriors, the New Zealander’s finals hopes remain alive.

They are in ninth position on 24 points with three rounds remaining before September.

There’s no disputing it was the Reynolds’ night, but Shaun Johnston lead the way for the Warriors in the opening exchanges.

Johnson had the ball on a string with his kicks forcing repeated line drop outs from the Rabbitohs.

This set the precedent for the Warriors to open the scoring after six minutes via pocket rocket Solomone Kata.

The Tongan-born tearaway barged over from close range to give the home side an early 6-0 lead.

This advantage for the Warriors was short lived though as Souths responded swiftly on the scoreboard.

The Rabbitohs levelled the scores in the 10th minute through winger Alex Johnston, who pounced on a quality kick from Reynolds.

Souths then took the lead eight minutes later when Brock Gray was the recipient of another brilliant kick from Reynolds.

The Rabbitohs are playing for pride at the end of the season.

All the momentum was with the Rabbitohs and the men from Redfern made the Warriors pay in the 25th minute via Joe Burgess.

The Englishman showed sheer speed to finish off a freakishly skilled team try.

Burgess was feeling the good vibes just four minutes later when he crossed for his second try on the back of yet another kick from Reynolds.

The proud South Sydney junior rubbed further salt into the Warriors’ wounds with a field goal two minutes out from halftime, before a Greg Inglis classic capped off the perfect opening 40 minutes for the Rabbitohs.

The Warriors put a scare through the South Sydney camp when Kata grabbed his second try four minutes into the second half.

This momentum was quickly snuffed out when Souths hit back through centre Hymel Hunt, who raced 80 minutes to score a special solo try.

You could forgive the Warriors for giving up given the lopsided score line, but they refused to go away.

Man mountain Manu Vatuvei and hooker Jazz Tevaga both grabbed tries to keep the Rabbitohs on their toes, but in the end it was South Sydney’s night.

Originally published as South Sydney break losing streak with 41-22 belting of New Zealand