Last-placed South Sydney have secured only their second win of the NRL season with a thrilling 35-28 win over the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

The Warriors started the match in explosive fashion, racing to a 14-0 lead after 15 minutes but the Rabbitohs hit back with three quick tries to be in front 18-14 at the break.

A see-sawing second half saw scores locked at 28-all with nine minutes remaining before a try to lock Ben Lowe put Souths ahead and rookie halfback Chris Sandow booted a field goal in the last minute to seal the win.

It was a much-needed win for Jason Taylor's side, which is anchored to the bottom of the NRL table and has had to endure a host of off-field dramas in recent weeks.

Souths only other win this season came in round eight against North Queensland.

The win ended a 12-match losing streak against the Warriors dating back to 1999.

Jamie Simpson, Fetuli Talanoa, Manase Manuokafoa, Luke Capewell and Luke Stuart also bagged tries for Souths while winger Michael Crockett scored a hat trick for the Warriors.

Fullback Patrick Ah Vahn and centres Aidan Kirk and Jerome Ropati also crossed for the home side which suffered its second loss at Mt Smart Stadium this season.

Veteran prop Ruben Wiki put in a determined effort on his return to the NRL.

Issac Luke and Roy Asotasi were among the Rabbitohs' best while Sandow showed plenty of promise in his first-grade debut.

Taylor praised his players for showing character and courage in the win.

"We have gone through a really, really tough period and I don't think many clubs could come out the other side of it," Taylor said.

"We are probably still not completely out the other side of it.

"But a win like that when you are down like we were, to come back twice and win the game, shows great character and shows that the morale of the team is certainly up there.

"That is not an easy thing to do when you have been through the run that we have been through."

Asotasi said unlike in other games his team had been able to tough it out during crucial periods.

"Previous games we have just been frustrated and we have just been wasting our time you know worried about things that we could have done and should have," Asotasi said.

"What we needed to do was just go out there and play the game."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary hinted at making several changes to his side following the loss.

"We are just not defending good enough in lots of different areas," Cleary said.

"There are a few guys who are doing a great job, like the bloke next to me (Micheal Luck), every week.

"There are a few unfortunately who aren't. Until we get the full team doing it then, we are going to have problems.

"I am going to have to probably think about selecting a team with a view to defence I guess. That is the way I am feeling at the moment.

"It's a bit of a let down. A bit of a kick in the guts.

"But I think we are a pretty resilient bunch and will be doing our best to get back off the floor and keep punching away."

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