League: Forwards carry Warriors to victory

Warriors coach Tony Kemp was pleased with the way Stacey Jones combined with surprise inclusion Nathan Fien. Picture / Fotopress

Warriors 34 Souths 16

The Warriors turned in their most well-rounded performance of the season to dump Souths in a game where the Rabbitohs were never given a chance.

It was as it should have been, the leaderless Rabbits stuck like their namesakes in front of a Warriors semi-trailer.

The visitors pressured some weak defence down Souths' right side and scored after six minutes through Sione Faumuina and then at nine minutes through Brent Webb.

The victory came on the back of a huge performance from the Warriors forwards, despite the absence of Steve Price on Origin duty. Ruben Wiki turned in his usual effort - 15 carries for 149m plus 25 tackles. He was ably supported by Price's replacement at prop, Richard Villasanti - 16 carries for 146m, 29 tackles; and Louis Anderson - 14 carries for 140m, 36 tackles; Wairangi Koopu - 14 carries for 145m and 28 tackles; Karl Temata - 11 carries for 139m and 23 tackles.

Nathan Fien was a surprise inclusion at five-eighth, the club admitting they'd "played cute" with his early return from an eye socket injury as they foxed the Rabbitohs. His combination with halfback Stacey Jones pleased coach Tony Kemp. "I thought our kicking game was outstanding."

They had executed much better when in the opposition red zone. "Once we did get down there we looked pretty good, which has been a problem and something we've been working on." Their football had been improving through the three close losses they'd suffered and Kemp felt the side was close to getting on a roll.

"We'll get some confidence from that for the next game [against Wests Tigers at Ericsson Stadium next Sunday]."

Faumuina left the field early in the second spell with a shoulder strain that will be checked today. Jerome Ropati was also taken off as an abductor injury suffered in the test in Australia bothered him but that was mainly precautionary.

There was only one cause for concern afterwards - wing Francis Meli may face a "grapple tackle" case after being put on report for grabbing around the head of Shane Rigon as the game deteriorated late. Souths' Ben Walker had already been placed on report by referee Gavin Badger for a high hit on Anderson.

The Warriors made just two errors and conceded two penalties in what was close to a perfect half of football to lead 24-10. Souths enjoyed more possession towards the end of the game and Lee Hookey scored late off a kick from five-eighth John Sutton.

Pressure continues to mount on Souths and it gets no easier for them with a trip to Brisbane next weekend. "We were under a lot of pressure but we clawed our way back into the game," coach Shaun McRae said. "I'm reasonably happy with some of the things we did. Yes, it's frustrating that we're not winning games but we showed enough grit and determination. A win's not far away."

Former Souths chairman George Piggins has raised his head again following the Sydney City Council's refusal to support a A$43million ($46 million) redevelopment of Redfern Oval.

Piggins wants the club to relocate to the Central Coast and pick up A$8 million in NRL incentives.

That despite the club having just signed a four-year deal to play at Stadium Australia for a guarantee of A$100,000 a game.

Warriors: (S. Faumuina, B. Webb, J. Ropati, R. Villasanti, F. Meli, M. Vatuvei tries; L. Hohaia 3, S. Jones 2 goals.

Rabbitohs: (T. Polglase, S. Hegarty, L. Hookey tries; B. Walker 1, J. Sutton 1 goal.

Halftime: Warriors 24-10.