Souths keep focused after beating Warriors

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire admitted to heart flutters at times as the Rabbitohs tuned up for Saturday’s NRL heavyweight showdown with premiers Melbourne by edging out the Warriors 24-22 in Auckland.

Souths passed another test of their 2013 premiership credentials by winning at Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since 2009 to stretch their unbeaten season start to five games.

But they had to come from behind after twice leading by 12 points and could thank substitute prop George Burgess who burst over to level the scores with his third try of the season with 11 minutes remaining before Adam Reynolds added the winning conversion.

All eyes will now be on Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Saturday when they face the ultimate test against the Storm, who will also go in unbeaten if they overcome Wests Tigers at home on Monday.

Maguire admitted it was “heart attack material at times” in the second half as the Warriors scored three successive tries to hit the front for the first time.

“They frustrated us and managed to hang on to the ball for a fair period of that second half,” he said.

“I was very pleased with how our boys continually kept working hard in defence. They stuck to it and found a way to win.”

Maguire said the win was just another step for the Rabbitohs, who reached the grand qualifier last season before falling to Canterbury.

“We came through a lot last year together and we’re going through the same this year,” Maguire said.

“You just have to take each week. I know it’s the old saying, but there’s a long, long way to go in this competition.”

Halfback Reynolds’ kicking game was excellent both in general play and off the tee for Souths and he converted all four tries for Souths.

Defeat left the Warriors with a 1-4 record ahead of a trip to Canberra, although their attack showed marked improvement.

Coach Matthew Elliott said he felt his team played better than in their narrow win over North Queensland last week.

“Our challenge going forward is making sure we execute a bit better, and perhaps with a little bit more variety in there as well,” said Elliott.

The Warriors trailed 18-6 going into the second half and it was youngster Ngani Laumape who got the fightback started.

Taking the pass on his bootlaces, the 19-year-old, who has impressed in all three of his first-grade appearances, powered his way over through three defenders.

Then it was the turn of the other young centre, Konrad Hurrell, to force his way over for his third try in three matches.

From the restart, the Warriors went the length of the field for substitute Pita Godinet to score, with Shaun Johnson’s conversion making it 22-18.

In the first half, Souths got out to a 12-0 lead with runaway tries against the run of play to winger Nathan Merritt and fullback Greg Inglis.

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

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

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