NRL: Vatuvei double gives Warriors preseason win

Manu Vatuvei. Photo / Getty Images

Two tries in the space of four minutes from Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei helped set up a 22-14 NRL trial win against South Sydney in Coffs Harbour on Saturday night.

A dour first half gave no indication of the ten minutes of attacking fireworks last year's grand finalists produced soon after the main interval.

Konrad Hurrel showed he's ready for the step up from Toyota Cup with a try before Vatuvei produced the highlight for the 5000 plus crowd.

Shortly after running on to a grubber kick from Kevin Locke to score, Vatuvei received a pass on the outside of Souths co-captain Matt King 70m from the try line.

Vatuvei burst down the left wing, easily bounced off fullback Kurt French then headed for the line.

The Warriors fielded a strong team for the evening while Souths coach Michael Maguire chopped and changed the 27 players he named for the clash.

The Warriors will probably need to find a replacement for Sam Rapira though.

The prop injured his left shoulder early and is unlikely to recover in time for the opening round in three weeks.

NZ WARRIORS 22 (M Vatuvei 2 S Mannering K Hurrel tries S Johnson 2 J Maloney goals) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 14 (D Taylor K French A Everingham tries D Farrell goal) at BCU International Stadium Coffs Harbour. Crowd: 5,376.

- AAP