NZ Warriors 2024 Round 5 Review: Warriors End Souths Hoodoo in Dominant Style

 

After earning their second win of the season, the Warriors made the journey back to Australia to face a Rabbitohs side that they have not been able to defeat since 2018.

With several last-minute injuries causing the Warriors' lineup to change with some big outs, the side started on the backfoot but started to click around the 10th minute, putting on their most dominant display in 2024 with a 34-4 victory.

What Went Down

It wasnt an ideal start for the Warriors as they huddled under the goalposts after just five minutes when the Rabbitohs tested their right-edge defence, which saw Izaac Thompson break the line and then step Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for the first points of the match. The Warriors wasted little time striking back, taking advantage of a Rabbitohs error when Rocco Berry barged over after receiving a trademark Shaun Johnson flat pass; Johnson's conversion handed the Warriors the lead. Both sides traded sets and errors for the next 20 minutes, with the Rabbitohs discipline causing them plenty of issues, including seeing Latrell Mitchell placed on report twice. With the pressure building, the Warriors were over again, with Johnson hitting another flat pass, this time to Jackson Ford, who crashed over for his third try of the season. The Warriors weren't finished yet as they closed the first half with another try when Nicoll-Klokstad broke the line before sending Johnson over under the posts to see the visitors enter the sheds with an 18-4 lead.

The second half started in the same manner, the Rabbitohs making another error before the Warriors punished them for it after Wayde Egan threw an offload to Te Maire Martin, who, in open space, got the ball to Johnson for his second try of the day. With a win almost already in the books, the game settled into a grind, but the Rabbitohs continued to be their own worst enemy, with the Warrior's defence proving more than capable of keeping the home side unsettled. In the final 20 minutes, the Warriors crossed two more times, the first in the 61st minute when they shifted right like we have seen so often since 2023, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck replacing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as the finisher as he dived over in the corner to score in his 200th NRL match before Te Maire Martin displayed a nice bit of individual brilliance to bob and weave his way over the line in the 70th minute in what would be the final scoring play of the match in a commanding 34-4 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, that's three on the trot. While I predicted a Warriors win here, I did not expect them to win by 30, especially with the side having to play without Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. To be fair, the Rabbitohs have been embarrassing poor this season, but as we saw last year when they were in their funk, they just seemed to find a way to step up and beat the Warriors, and it looked like it was going to be that way again in the first 10 minutes when Souths were punishing the Warriors right edge defence, but the Warriors weathered the Storm and then just took control. 

I'm not the smartest guy out there talking football, but from what I have seen this year, the Warriors' game plan is all about pressure. They force the opposition to fight their way off their own try line with deep kicks and quick kick chasers. Then they keep their attack simple and just keep plugging away, knowing their opposition will eventually give them an opportunity. They have taken their defence to another level. They have conceded the least amount of points this season to date, and if they keep that up, it will take them a long way to earning a shot at the premiership.

It may not be highlight-reel-worthy football, but it wins matches, and that is the point.

This team just keeps improving. There is still a hell of a long way to go this season and plenty to work on, but the signs look promising.

There was more to smile about this week, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The attack continues to develop; I said there was a link missing, and with the return of CNK, we saw that link return; he is such a valuable asset when he joins the attack, as we saw with some great runs and link plays he was involved in. With the spine almost all back (you could say completely back if you are Team TMM) and CNK, Egan and SJ are combining so well. You know, if they are all out there together, they will get points on the board.

I feel like a broken record, but the forwards killed it again; this Rabbitohs pack is no joke, and the Warriors bullied them with ease; all the forwards, with the exception of Bunty Afoa (who went off injured) and Jacob Laban, cracked my triple digit target. Addin Fonua-Blake (192m), Mitchell Barnett (129m), Tohu Harris (127m), Jazz Tevaga (113m), Jackson Ford (104m) and Tom Ale (100m). It has got to a point where we shouldn't be surprised about how good this pack is, but I still want to see them go toe-to-toe with the Panthers and Broncos packs because then we will know how good the Warriors forwards actually are.

In my preseason review, I praised the Warriors' depth, but man, it is coming in clutch right now to win in this manner with so many players out, which is an impressive statement. To see this side continue to put in good performances regardless of the players in the 17 jerseys is a testament to the coaching staff; the next-man-up approach is working, and when the young guns like Jacob Laban get their chance, they come out looking like they belong which is precisely what you want from your fringe players. While I want to see what this side can do when the best 17 men are out there, it gives me confidence that this side is less likely to be derailed by injuries.

However, I did have some concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

That right-edged defence looked shocking at the start of this match, I expected it to be messy with RTS on the wing and the combination being new, but as the game progressed, it did show improvement. I can give them some slack as it wasnt the planned edge during the week, but you know, against a better side, that kind of clunkiness will get punished, so hopefully, this is something that is worked on during the week just in case we see that combination on that edge again.

I just praised the squad's depth, but these injuries are soul-crushing. I am concerned with Niukore and his health. He was my guy to replace AFB, but if he continues to struggle to get on the pitch, then that will be almost impossible for him to do. We are five rounds in and have yet to see the main 17 actually play, so hopefully, the injuries will start to slow down, and lady luck will start to be on the Warriors' side.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Wayde Egan.

Egan was a beast in this match, constantly scooting out of the ruck and causing the Rabbitohs plenty of headaches. He was a key figure in most of the Warriors' tries and defended the middle valiantly. I have mentioned the depth, but I think Egan is the only player the Warriors cannot play without. He works so well with the halves, and with the forwards rolling forward, it makes his job much easier. He has had his fair share of criticism from fans, media and me, but he is making us all eat our words. I believe he hasn't hit his best yet, so I look forward to seeing how much more he can grow.

Warrior to Improve

My Player to improve is Jazz Tevaga.

I feel like I'm being a bit harsh here as I thought that all the players did well, and Jazz had great stats, running for 113 metres and making 15 tackles, but his two errors (it felt like more) really stuck out for me. When everyone is healthy, the competition for spots is fierce, and if he doesn't sort his hands out, he may struggle for game time, which he desperately needs with no contract signed yet for 2025 if he wants to stay in the NRL with the Warriors or another club he needs to show how good he can be and reduce the schoolboy's errors, he has already improved his discipline, so I know he can sort the rest.

Next Round Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 6, the Warriors return to Go Media stadium to host the Sea Eagles, who bounced back in Round 5 with a 32-18 win over the Panthers.

Regarding the team I would pick, I would just bring back any players that missed this match with injury, so DWZ, Capewell and Walker come back if fit, replacing Pompey, Tevaga and Laban.

The Sea Eagles have been up and down this season, winning over the Rabbitohs, Roosters, and Panthers but also losing to the Dragons and Eels. So it is hard to say what Manly will show up. They have superstars who could cause havoc and a pack that could humble the Warriors if they are not in the right mindset.

However, if the Warriors' forwards do what they have done every week so far, they will control the middle, which will unleash the Warriors' spine. We can finally see if CNK can unleash RTS as a centre-attacking weapon. Add to that their strong defence and a win should almost be in the bag.

I am feeling confident, so I am going with a Warriors win by 12.

So, that was a great Round 5, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What changes would you make to the 17 if the players missing here return?

What did you think of Laban's debut?

Who was your player of the day?

What is your score prediction against the Sea Eagles?