South Sydney have weathered a spirited Warriors challenge to maintain their unbeaten start to the NRL season with a 24-22 win in Auckland.

Souths fell behind for the first time in the match in the final quarter but tied the scores with a try from substitute George Burgess 11 minutes from time.

From a repeat set, Burgess forced his way over from short distance, before Adam Reynolds landed his fourth conversion to put the visitors back in front.

With neither side being able to add further points in a frantic finish, the result on Sunday gave the Rabbitohs five wins from five ahead of a meeting with the competition’s other unbeaten side, premiers Melbourne.

Souths had a 12-point cushion heading into the second half but three tries put the Warriors in front for the first time.

Youngster Ngani Laumape, who has impressed in all three of his first-grade appearances, got the fight-back started.

Taking the pass on his bootlaces, the 19-year-old powered his way over through three defenders.

Then it was the turn of the other young centre, Konrad Hurrell, to force his way over.

Hurrell’s try needed confirmation from the video refs, after contact between runner Simon Mannering and defender John Sutton.

It was Hurrell’s third try in three matches and he was again involved, when, from the kick-off, the Warriors went the length of the field for substitute Pita Godinet to score.

Earlier, the home side began with plenty of positive intent, but were set back by conceding two runaway tries.

They were looking dangerous when fullback Kevin Locke broke through a hole, but his pass was snared by opposition winger Nathan Merritt who weaved his way 55 metres to touch down.

Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis outdid his teammate when he snapped up a loose ball near his own line and scampered 95 metres to dot down.

Prop Ben Matulino reduced the arrears for the home side, going over by the posts off a Shaun Johnson short ball.

But from the kick-off, Matulino lost the ball in a tackle and Souths took full toll by putting centre Bryson Goodwin over from the next set.