South Sydney Rabbitohs produced a late onslaught to beat North Queensland Cowboys 30-18 after Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders had also secured NRL wins on Saturday.

The Bunnies looked to be heading for a fifth defeat in six matches after stopping the rot against Manly Sea Eagles last weekend, but scored three tries in the last nine minutes to down the Cowboys.

Ethan Lowe's first-half double - either side of scores from Tom Opacic and Kyle Feldt - gave Wayne Bennett's men a 12-10 lead at the break, only for Scott Drinkwater's converted try and a Jake Clifford to put the Cowboys six points in front.

It was the Rabbitohs who finished with a flourish to take the points, though, Dane Gagai, Tevita Tatola and Cameron Murray touching down late on at 1300SMILES Stadium.

Adam Reynolds was on target with all five conversion attempts as Souths moved above the Roosters into second spot - four points adrift of leaders Melbourne Storm.

The Roosters demolished Newcastle Knights in the second half at the SCG, easing to a 48-10 victory which came at a cost as the unfortunate Jake Friend damaged his right forearm and could be out for another month.

Trent Robinson's side scored seven tries after the break, Daniel Tupou going over in his 150th NRL game for the Roosters.

Latrell Mitchell slotted over all eight kicks and grabbed a try, while James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner were among the other Roosters scorers in a rout.

The Raiders have now won five of their last six matches after fending off Wests Tigers 20-12 at GIO Stadium, Dunamis Lui, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Jordan Rapana all scoring in the opening 20 minutes.