Warrington Wolves...32

South Sydney Rabbitohs...0

AUSTRALIAN team South Sydney Rabbitohs came to Wilderspool with high hopes of gaining their first tour win, but were sent packing back Down Under by the steely Wolves young guns.

Warrington, with a side absent of most of the club's big names, nilled a team for the first time in 11 years in this one-off friendly which climaxed the Rabbitohs' short tour of Britain.

It was Souths' fourth game in eight days on the back of a draw with Oldham Roughyeds and defeats to Leigh and Keighley Cougars.

At times the handling of the Aussies left a lot to be desired but the Wolves worked tremendously hard to keep their line intact after a season in which poor defence was a big issue for the club.

The winter weather and coming straight after the expense of watching World Cup rugby was a tester for the supporters but once again the fans showed their loyalty to the club and the 2,462 'gate' was more than possibly could have been anticipated.

Warrington fielded a team mainly consisting of 2001 Alliance squad players pushing for Super League places, but also featured new boy Rob Smyth on the wing.

The side was led by captain Gary Chambers, who will be coach and skipper to the Wolves' under 21s team next season.

Chambers will be the perfect role model for the Wolves' rising young stars, with his excellent work ethic and 12 years of top flight experience.

His attitude and commitment rubbing off on full-time professionals like prop Paul Wood, hooker Mark Gleeson and three-quarter Jamie Stenhouse will stand the youngsters in good stead for the vigours of Super League.

Wood certainly made his presence felt against the Rabbitohs after entering Sunday's action as an 18th-minute substitute.

The 19-year-old showed his tremendous explosive power to make two clean breaks against more experienced opposition forwards. He has outstanding pace off the mark for a forward and causes chaos in ruck area defences.

His tackling was strong too and it showed in his performance that Warrington were right to stage this one-off friendly against the tourists to broaden the horizons of Darryl Van de Velde's young guns.

And it is good to know that Wood is getting set for the new season on a new two-year contract.

By the time Wood joined Sunday's action Warrington were 4-0 ahead thanks to a try by another of the club's rising aces also on a new contract, back rower Paul Noone.

Wood was involved in the build-up to hooker Mark Gleeson's crash-over try from acting half back. Gleeson, a teammate of Wood at Ince St. Williams prior to being signed by Van de Velde, is also looking forward to the 2001 season on a new two-year contract. Smyth goaled for a 10-0 lead.

The best try of the game came from full back Will Cowell, a 50-metre sprint after stepping out of two tackles. Smyth tagged on the extras.

Another Wolf on a new full-time contract, Jamie Stenhouse, showed his finishing prowess when he shot through the narrowest of gaps off a Noone pass to hand Smyth another successful conversion for a 22-0 half-time lead.

The Rabbitohs were fired up for the second period but despite putting pressure on the young Wolves they could not find a way through.

Warrington hit back when the ball was kept alive by scrum half Steve Kirkbride, loose forward Ian Knott, Wood and stand off Gary Hulse for centre and Great Britain Academy squad member Steve Maden to twist out of a tackle and touch down in the corner. Smyth's goal attempt shaved the outside of the post from the touchline to leave the score at 26-0.

The last try of the game was a solo effort from a grubber kick and chase by substitute Liam McCarthy. Smyth made it four goals from six attempts to complete the scoring.