Warriors down Souths 42-28 in league Cup - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Warriors down Souths 42-28 in league Cup

By Ben Horne 03/10/2010 06:52:22 PM Comments (0)

The Warriors were heartbroken at being knocked out in the first round of the NRL finals, but their next generation have powered to an impressive 42-28 victory over South Sydney in the Toyota Cup decider.

It's been a consistent season for the New Zealand franchise, with the first grade team's fifth-place finish and the 20s premiership earning the Warriors the club championship.

The Warriors possess some of the most skillful juniors coming through the grades, led by their dynamic halfback Shaun Johnson who demanded NRL consideration next year with a dominant performance in the grand final.

Johnson kicked seven goals from as many attempts and engineered the try of the match in the 57th minute, when he chipped over the top, regathered and flicked a miracle ball out the back for Sam Lousi to crash over and set up a 30-10 lead.

The Warriors piled on 30 points in the second half to bury the Rabbitohs who were the best team throughout the regular season.

Johnson has been predicted as the NRL's next big thing by legendary halfback Andrew Johns, and is hopeful of breaking into first grade next year.

"That's every league player's dream, I'd love to play first grade. I'm sure I'll get a shot if I'm there and the coach is saying I'm ready," he said.

"We've got a brotherhood at the Warriors and it's just so strong and such an awesome team to be a part of.

"(Johns) is a player I've always looked up to so anything an idol of yours says you're going to take on. I'm just going to work on hard." Five-eighth, Carlos Tuimavave, the cousin of Newcastle forward Evarn Tuimavave, won the Jack Gibson medal for best on ground - and at just 18 years of age, still has two years left in the Toyota Cup.

Knights-bound centre Siuatonga Likiliki scored a first-half try and came up with a brilliant offload for fullback Glen Fisiiahi's four-pointer in the 53rd minute. Likiliki dedicated the match to his sick father, Ruben.

"My dad's in hospital in Auckland. They have no Sky (TV) in the hospital so I just called in before I ran out. He's sweet, hope he gets better soon," said Likiliki, who had DAD written on a wrist-bandage.

Hooker Elijah Taylor was another standout for the Warriors, scoring two tries, both by chasing through kicks.

South Sydney got themselves back into the match to trail just 12-10 at halftime, before being blown away early in the second stanza.

Coach David Kidwell told Rabbitohs fans that premiership-glory will soon return to South Sydney after decades in the wilderness.

"The belief is back," Kidwell said.

"It never goes to plan when you lose but I couldn't be prouder of those boys in that change room.

"I know if they ever get an opportunity to do it again they'll grab it with both hands."

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