Souths beat NZ Warriors 38-28 in NRL

South Sydney coach John Lang compared halfback Chris Sandow to former Manly legend
Cliff Lyons after the energetic No.7 inspired the Rabbitohs to a crucial 38-28 NRL
win over the Warriors at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
Sandow's enthusiasm, skill and pin-point goal-kicking was the catalyst for the
Bunnies bridging a 10-point halftime deficit as the home side scored five
second-half tries to get their finals hopes back on track.
After two heart-breaking losses to the Roosters and St George Illawarra in the past
fortnight, a lack of confidence threatened to hamper Souths, but Sandow fired up his
troops and got them home despite a fast-finish by the Warriors.
Sandow has been criticised for his inconsistency since he debuted in 2008, but Lang
said it takes time for good young halves to grow into their talents.
Lang likened Sandow's raw ability to the excellence of Lyons and predicted his No.7
will continue to evolve into the kind of player the two-time Manly premiership
winner became.
"Chrissy's got something special. He doesn't know how to get it out all the time yet
but that will come with experience," praised Lang.
"He's got a special talent for the game. He stepped up and it really showed out
there today.
"Cliffy was brilliant but erratic in the first half of his career and in the second
half of his career was probably the most consistent footballer I've ever seen.
"When you've got these great talents it takes a while to harness them all."
The lead changed five times throughout the match and it was the smallest man on the
field who made all the difference and propelled his side back into the eight.
"It was a really special game. It was good to get a close game and get a win,"
Sandow said. "I just love to dig in and have a go for the boys, they're doing it for
me so why can't I do it for them?"
In the 45th minute with the Rabbitohs trailing 20-10, the fiery Sandow put one of
his trademark shoulder-charge hits on opposite number Brett Seymour which forced a
mistake.
Fetuli Talanoa scored to get Souths within a converted try, and then Sandow took
charge again in the 50th minute with a nice half-break and offload to Ben Lowe who
then sent Beau Falloon away to make it 20-20.
Sandow set the stadium alight again in the 57th minute, when he finished off a Colin
Best break to dash away for the corner, salute the crowd, nail the sideline
conversion and give Souths all the momentum.
The Bunnies' half also had a hand in Talanoa's second, before again converting from
the sideline to put the home side up 32-22.
Souths endured a worrying finish but a late Jamie Simpson try sealed the result.
The Rabbitohs did suffer a major blow however with barnstorming forward Dave Taylor
sustaining a suspected broken collarbone which is expected to keep him out of action
for six weeks.
A win would have seen the Warriors register their first six-match winning streak
since 2002 when they were grand finalists.
Coach Ivan Cleary said it was a good wake-up call for his side.
"At the end of the day we got what we deserved and they deserved the win," Cleary said.
"You invite the opportunities and you take the risk of them making you pay and
that's pretty much what happened."