NRL 2025 round 13: South Sydney 30, Warriors 36

South Sydney winger Alex Johnston now has the second-most tries in rugby league history after reaching the 200 barrier against the Warriors, while the New Zealand outfit – and the Blues – will be sweating on the fitness of prop Mitch Barnett.

NSW coach Laurie Daley will be sweating on the fitness of Mitch Barnett after the powerhouse prop was forced from the field with a knee injury during the Warriors’ 36-30 win over South Sydney at Accor Stadium.

Barnett, 31, injured his right knee while attempting to tackle Rabbitohs half Bud Sullivan midway through the first half. After being helped from the field by two trainers, the Blues enforcer went straight up the tunnel and was later seen on crutches in the dressing rooms.

While confirming that Barnett had hurt his knee, Warriors coach Andrew Webster claimed he didn’t know the extent of the injury.

“He’s definitely done a knee injury of some description,” Webster said post-match.

Mitch Barnett was forced off the field with injury. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“We’re waiting for scans … we honestly don’t know what it is right now.

“There are different grades to each different injury and until you look under the hood, you honestly don’t know.”

Barnett’s absence would be a hammer blow to a Blues side looking to wrap up their second-straight Origin series at Perth’s Optus Stadium on 18 June. Despite just playing 41 minutes, the Wingham Tigers product registered impressive numbers during the Blues’ 18-6 win over Queensland in Origin One last Wednesday, running for 110 metres and making 26 tackles.

METCALF MAKES IT

The injury was the one sour note on a thrilling afternoon for the Warriors, who overcame an early 12-4 deficit to entrench themselves in the NRL’s top four. Halfback Luke Metcalf was the chief destroyer for the visitors, scoring an incredible 85-metre try during the second half while also contributing four line breaks.

Metcalf led the Dally M Medal count with 31 points when polling went behind closed doors last week and, after Sunday’s performance, there is no doubt he has added to that total.

Tries to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad saw the Aucklanders lead 14-12 at halftime, and they look set for an easy victory after Leka Halasima, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, and Metcalf crossed to put them 30-12 ahead with 25 minutes left on the clock. Enter Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston.

After passing an HIA late in the first term, Mitchell stepped on the gas during the second, setting up back-to-back touchdowns for Johnston, whose hat-trick saw the winger bring up 200 career tries and put the foundation club within six points with 17 minutes remaining.

Tuivasa-Sheck looked to have sealed the game for the Warriors when he grabbed his second try for a 12-point advantage in the 72nd minute. But Mitchell caused further heart palpitations for Webster’s men when he put Souths back within a converted try in the 75th.

Alex Johnston scored his 200th career try. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

JOHNSTON CLOSES IN ON HISTORY

On a day when Wayne Bennett brought up 950 games as a first-grade coach, Johnston also grabbed a slice of history by becoming only the second player in history to score 200 career tries. Johnston admits that he now has Ken Irvine’s premiership record of 212 tries in his sights.

“The crowd was going crazy and, I’m not going to lie, I was almost tearing up,” an emotional Johnston told Fox Sports.

“I’ve had some dark times [with injury] during the last 10 months, so it was good to contribute.

“My goal for this year was to get to 200 … but hopefully I get there [to 212 tries].

Originally published as NRL 2025 round 13: South Sydney 30, Warriors 36