The injury curse struck again for the Warriors while South Sydney showed no mercy, romping to a 60-22 NRL win at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday.
Reece Walsh Photo: AAP
The Rabbitohs (15-3 record) celebrated the return of Origin X-factor Latrell Mitchell with their seventh straight win, piling on 11 tries to four against a shellshocked Warriors.
Three Rabbitohs scored doubles: Tom Burgess, Jaydn Su'a and Josh Mansour.
In their last clash, the Warriors' bench was cleared by halftime, losing four players including captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion) who didn't return against the Rabbitohs to ensure an eight-strong injury list.
Sadly their jinx kicked in again on Saturday - they lost Jack Murchie and Eliesa Katoa to concussion in the first half alone before Addin Fonua-Blake came off with a hand injury in the 50th minute.
It threatened to get worse when lightning-quick Reece Walsh grabbed his shoulder after scoring in the 65th minute but stayed on the field, much to coach Nathan Brown's relief.
The Warriors (5-13) again showed plenty of fight but still stumbled to their seventh straight loss to all but kiss their slim finals hopes goodbye.
In another concern for Warriors mentor Brown, Matt Lodge was placed on report in the dying moments for a knee in the back while South Sydney's Patrick Mago (high shot) was also booked.
- NRL.com