South Sydney will have to defy the odds and beat New Zealand on their home turf if they want to consolidate their position in the top eight.
The Rabbitohs enjoyed an impressive start to the 2023 season by embarking on a six-match winning run that took them to the top of the ladder by round 11.
But in the six games since, the former premiership favourites have suffered a losing sequence that has left them clinging to eighth spot on point differential alone.
The slumping south Sydneysiders face an uphill battle against the in-form Warriors when they enter a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou admitted the Kiwis pose formidable opposition.
"Shaun Johnson's probably in career-best form and Tohu Harris is up there as well and (Addin Fonua-Blake) is playing outstanding so there's some threats across the board," he said on Thursday.
"They're playing like a really united team, they're enjoying playing together and that's evident in how they're playing their footy."
If the Rabbitohs lose on Friday, they will only retain their rank if Canberra beat the Gold Coast Titans.
South Sydney have lost four of their last five match-ups, conceding an average 33 points per game.
But Demetriou hopes the Warriors clash will test the Bunnies' resilience and help kick-start a return to form.
"We're not always going to be on the front foot, the Warriors are playing good footy and they're going to stress us at times but we've got to handle that and come out the other side.
"It's that resilience I think: controlling the ball better and ending our sets better especially in that first half... having a bit more resilience in our game accepting it's not always going to be perfect.
"We've done that really well the first 12 times and it's something we want to focus on tomorrow night."
With players involved in State of Origin, Friday's game will also double as a South Sydney reunion which Demetriou hopes will bolster the team.
"(With) a lot of players in and out, it's the first time we've been able to get together as a group and spend some quality time together and hopefully that translates into the performance on Friday night," he said.
The injury-hit Souths also hope to welcome Latrell Mitchell back after their bye, the star fullback tearing his hamstring in the round-five clash against St George.
"He's going well," Demetriou said.
"He'll train next week again and then get some reps during the bye week and he'll be good to go after that."
But the Rabbitohs coach doesn't want to get too ahead of himself.
"It's about making sure we enjoy the moment. This week is the most important week - not focusing too much on down the road and really enjoying being over here."
