Walker scores four tries as Rabbitohs beat Warriors
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Cody Walker scored four tries, including two in the final seven minutes, to help guide South Sydney to a thrilling 28-24 comeback victory over the Warriors at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Walker's final four-pointer down the left, with the Rabbitohs looking to set up for a field goal on the right, completed a frantic comeback after the home side found themselves 12 points down with 20 minutes remaining.
It was the first time a Bunnies player has scored a quartet of tries against the Warriors in NRL history with Walker's heroics erasing an otherwise rusty performance after last week's loss to the Sea Eagles.
Walker said he learned a lesson from defeat at Lottoland to turn the result in the side's favour against the Warriors.
"I think last week when Reyno went for a field goal we had them down the short side as well," Walker said after the game.
"I wasn't as dominant as I was today and pulled it off. It's awesome to get across the line and great to come away with two points, we were great in patches but pretty poor in some patches as well."
A Sam Burgess tackle on David Fusitu'a inspired the late rally in front of a healthy crowd of 11,912 in the first-ever NRL fixture at the Queensland venue.
Damien Cook was next best on the ground for the Rabbitohs, but it was the Warriors who dominated for most of the encounter until their completion rate came back to bite in the final 10 minutes.
Rookie playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita's field goal attempt also sailed wide with scores locked at 24-24, allowing the Rabbitohs a seven tackle set late.
It was an otherwise spirited performance from Stephen Kearney's men, who were dealt a major blow in the warm-up with chief playmaker Blake Green ruled out with a groin injury.
Peta Hiku shifted to five-eighth and Gerard Beale was called into the centres minutes before both sides were due to take the field.
Match: Rabbitohs v Warriors
Round 5 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
10th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
The last-minute reshuffle showed no disruption early for the visitors with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck leading from the front with the opening try, just minutes after blowing one on the right edge.
Tuivasa-Sheck was enormous for the visitors with a try, three line breaks and 213 metres as the Rabbitohs struggled to contain him.
Their game management proved their biggest hurdle late though without Green’s experience at the death.
Walker leads Souths to victory with four tries
Scores were locked 12-12 at halftime with two tries to Tohu Harris and Sam Lisone after the break enabling the Warriors to take what looked like a winning lead.
"We probably just needed to manage the game more effectively," Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said.
"It was frustrating because they worked so hard to get themselves into that position.
"A good side like South Sydney you can't invite them back into the contest. We had seven sets late and could only complete one. It's a tough ask."
Earlier, Cook lit up the Sunshine Coast with a blistering show of speed to bust the line and time an accurate pass between Tuivasa-Sheck and Hiku to send Walker over for a first half double.
Both sides were denied tries shortly after posts but it was the Bunnies who lifted another gear to strike twice in two minutes and take a 6-point lead.
The Warriors didn't take long to hit back and level the scores through Jazz Tevaga, the utility finishing off a late Lachlan Burr offload for a 10-metre charge to the line.
Cook lays it on for Walker to get his double
