St George Illawarra yesterday survived a furious Wests Tigers fightback, with a Jamie Soward field goal two minutes from time.

Sonny Bill Williams' highly-anticipated return to international rugby league has been delayed because of injury.

Warriors coach Matt Elliott described it as the difference in the agonising loss to the Rabbitohs last week while Shaun Johnson says it is a priority "work-on" for the team's playmakers.

It's common in rugby league to talk about a home ground being a fortess. Hunter Stadium has been more of a castle for the Knights.

We are at the stage of the season where injuries, suspensions, form and form slumps come into calculation for the selection of the Kiwi team, says Hugh McGahan.

They are still the nearly men, the Warriors, but at least they are beginning to look more like themselves.

The man they all came to see didn't disappoint as Sonny Bill Williams tormented his former NRL club with a starring role in the Sydney Roosters' 38-0 demolition of Canterbury at Allianz Stadium.

The Warriors have a dreadful record against the Raiders in Canberra but they will at least be able to field their strongest propping rotation for the first time in 17 matches.

NRL champions Melbourne suffered an almighty scare by a fired-up Wests Tigers before escaping with a 26-12 win at AAMI Park last night.

The players appear to have awoken from a confusing slumber, writes Chris Rattue. A thriller at Mt Smart Stadium, a close loss for the Warriors, and to draw a longish bow, a couple of questions.

The Warriors gave the Rabbitohs a good head start but then roared back in the second half only to see the Rabbitohs strike back and win in the final minutes.

Watch a replay of our live updates from the Breakers NBL playoff final against the Perth Wildcats and the Warriors NRL clash with the Rabbitohs.

The Canberra Raiders are hoping home ground advantage and the X-factor of a little known youngster will turn their NRL season fortunes around today against the Sydney Roosters.