Prop Jacob Lillyman says memories of the Warriors’ last trek to Perth will be a motivating factor as they test their credentials against NRL leaders South Sydney on Sunday.

Last July, the Warriors were pipped at the post by Manly 24-22 in the West Australian capital.

What made the loss harder to bear was that it was the second week in a row they had been chased down after leading 18-0, the previous occasion by Newcastle.

“It was a tough night, one of the toughest nights I’ve had at the Warriors,” Lillyman said.

“They’re not the best memories, but I guess they steel you for the next time you make a trip like this.”

That result, which took the Warriors’ record in Perth to 0-4 since their first visit in 1996, was part of an eight-match losing sequence to end the season.

This time around, they are on a five-win streak that has lifted them to within touching distance of the top eight.

But they face opponents who head the table by four points, have lost just twice in 2013 and are on their own run of four successive victories.

“I think we all see it as a true test for us,” Lillyman said.

“Souths have been the form team all year. They present so many challenges when you play them.”

Those challenges include the size of the Rabbitohs line-up, and not just among a forwards contingent featuring English brothers Sam, Luke and George Burgess.

“It’s right across the park,” Lillyman said.

“Their five-eighth, John Sutton, is over 100kg, so they’re a big, physical team and you definitely have to turn up defensively.”

However, the Warriors can take heart from how they ran Souths close in Auckland in April before going down 24-22.

Lillyman, 29, had his own personal confidence boost after Queensland coach Mal Meninga called him in as 18th man for State of Origin II, two years after the last of his six appearances for the state.

“It’s just nice to know that you’re there or thereabouts in the mix,” he said.

AAP r