Chloe Schibeci reviews the first Golden Point match of 2021 where the Rabbitohs prevailed.
SCOREBOARD
Rabbitohs 18
Tries: Cameron Murray (25) Dane Gagai (66), Tom Burgess (81)
Goals: Adam Reynolds (26, 68)
2pt Field Goal: Adam Reynolds (74)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 points – Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)
2 points – Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs)
1 point – David Nofoaluma (Tigers)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
All the odds were in favour of the Rabbitohs in the lead up to this Saturday night game against the Tigers, however, the first half ended up being an unexpectedly close contest between the two sides.
The beginning stages of the first half saw the Rabbitohs looking like the dominant team, however they were unable to capitalise on any opportunities until Cameron Murray scored their first points in the 25th minute.
Despite the home team looking like the better side, the Tigers still looked right in the contest. The first half was a solid contest in defence, both Tigers and Rabbitohs defending their line, only conceding one try each throughout the first forty.
The first half also saw three players placed on report; two from the Tigers (Zane Musgrove, Luke Garner) and one from the Rabbitohs (Latrell Mitchell).
Once the Tigers scored their first points of the night, their confidence grew significantly and it became a strong and exciting contest.
HALF-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 Wests Tigers 6
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The Tigers came out of the break confident and full of energy, scoring the first points of the second half just five minutes in.
The Rabbitohs became visibly frustrated and impatient, while the Tigers only continued to capitalise and take control of the game.
With the possession in their favour (61 per cent to 39), the Tigers didn’t allow the Rabbitohs many opportunities to gain momentum.
With 22 minutes remaining, the Tigers were gifted an opportunity to take a penalty goal from right in front, which took their lead up to 14-6.
With 14 minutes remaining, Dane Gagai hit back for South Sydney, scoring a try to narrow the margin to just two points.
In the Rabbitohs’ chase to win, Adam Reynolds scores a two-point field goal to even the scores at 14 points each.
The final minutes were an exciting contest, South Sydney missing two opportunities to take the lead for the first time since the first half. It goes into Golden Point.
Golden Point lasted just two minutes.
South Sydney had the first set, and some poor Tigers defence in the middle saw Tom Burgess score the winning try. However, whether the try was scored or not was unclear, referee Gerard Sutton calling play on while Luke Brooks took off down the field.
A try was awarded to the Tigers, until the bunker got involved to find Burgess had in fact scored the winning try for the Rabbitohs.
FULL-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 Wests Tigers 14 (Golden Point)
Injuries
Asu Kepaoa (Tigers) – knee
Josh Mansour (Rabbitohs) – hamstring
Match Review Committee
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) – Grade 2 Dangerous Contact Head/Neck – Early Guilty Plea 3 match ban, Guilty at Judiciary 4 week ban.
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) – Grade 1 Dangerous Contact Other – Early Guilty Plea $1600 fine.
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) – Grade 1 Contrary Conduct – Early Guilty Plea $1600 fine.
Zane Musgrove (Tigers) – Grade 1 High Tackle Careless – Early Guilty Plea $1350 fine.
Follow Nothing But League on Twitter and Facebook.
