Round 7
Warriors 46 d. Rabbitohs 14

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Warriors win as Rabbitohs go from bad to worse
Tue April 25, 2006
The New Zealand Warriors have finally clicked into gear defeating a bitterly inept and disappointing South Sydney side 46-14 to move ahead of the Rabbitohs on the Telstra Premiership table.

It's been a tough start to the season for both sides with off-field dramas badly effecting both clubs. The Warriors were caught with salary cap breaches up to a $1 million and lost four premiership points as a result. Souths have been plagued by internal politics headed up by George Piggins and his band of supporters that has had a demoralising impact on the club. The damage caused by the Piggins regime at Souths will take many years for new owners Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe to repair as the Rabbitohs are so far behind the eight-ball when it comes to professionalism and talent compared to the other clubs.

The Warriors got the match off to a great start when Kiwi captain Ruben Wiki scored tries in the 6th and 17th minutes to open up a 12-0 lead, which quickly became a 14-0 lead with Tony Martin converting both tries and also adding a penalty goal. Martin scored and converted in the 25th minute as the Warriors were up 20-0.

Ben Rogers got Souths on the board with a 28th minute try but the Warriors replied with Brent Webb scoring six minutes later. Martin converted as the Warriors headed into the halftime break leading 26-4.

Martin added a 44th minute penalty goal but it was Souths came out much stronger in the second half and tries to Paul Mellor in the 47th minute and John Sutton in the 53rd minute with Nathan Merritt only able to convert the Sutton try as Souths clawed the deficit back to just 14 points.

Tries in the final 15 minutes to George Gatis, captain Steve Price and Todd Byrne sealed an excellent Warriors performance where they are now off the duck and on two Premiership points. It's been a great effort by the Warriors under extremely difficult circumstances to get the points back and with four certain points coming up facing the out of form Bulldogs and also enjoying the bye - a top eight position isn't out of question for them.

As for Souths there will be plenty of soul searching as Shaun McRae, Arthur Kitinas, David Boyle and all the coaching and training staff must come up with answers, solutions, training methods and game plans to get the Rabbitohs out of the slump they are in. Holmes a Court and Crowe fought desperately to buy Souths and must now be wondering what they have got themselves into. Only a major miracle will see Souths climb the ladder.

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