The South Sydney Rabbitohs turned their recent form around, albeit with a shaky two-point win against the Broncos.
MATCH DETAILS
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have come from behind to win their first game since round 19. The Rabbitohs will re-enter the top four after tonight’s two-point win over the Brisbane Broncos.
South Sydney came into this fixture on the back of three straight losses. Dane Gagai scored the opening try but the lead didn’t last long with David Fifita crossing not long after, as both sides engaged in an arm wrestle during the first half. Fifita’s try was a bit of individual brilliance: throughout the season he has shown the type of player that he could potentially become. He came very close to adding another four pointer with another solid individual effort. Souths entered half-time leading 8-6. A sin bin for current Souths player and former Bronco Jaydn Su’A, after a high shot on Alex Glenn, allowed the Broncos to level it at 8-8.
The Rabbitohs were the next to score as Cody Walker finished off a brilliant play involving Damien Cook and an exceptional grubber kick from Adam Reynolds. Cook would score in the next set of 6 to take the lead out to 14 points. Another great try for Fifita ensured that the Broncos would be push the Bunnies for the full 80 minutes. The match was not over however – Matt Gillett made a line break and with a brilliant offload put Kotoni Staggs over to bring the game to within two points. The Broncos tested the Rabbitohs during the last few minutes but the away side managed to hold on for the win. This performance from the Rabbitohs showed just how valuable Cook and Reynolds are to the side; when they got going tonight they looked dangerous.
FOUR POINTERS
Souths’ Suncorp Struggles Over
South Sydney have now won 11 of their 27 contests at Lang Park and tonight’s win is their first at Suncorp against the Broncos since 2015. The Rabbitohs have had success at this ground this season, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys during Magic Round.
Payne Haas Continues Brilliant Form
Payne Haas has continued his brilliant form during his first full season in the NRL. The 19-year-old ran for 216 metres tonight, including 102 post contact metres and a line break. The Rookie of the Year candidate is averaging a massive 184.5 run metres per game this season.
David Fifita Brilliance
Arguably one of the best players on the field tonight, young David Fifita scored a double which included a brilliant individual effort in the first half. He ran for 121 metres, including 2 line breaks and a monstrous 16 tackle breaks.
Damien Cook Starting to Heat Up
Souths’ hooker Damien Cook has started to improve in recent weeks. The New South Wales dummy-half scored a try of his own tonight and ran for 125 metres, the most he has run for since he ran for 173 metres in round 5. The dummy-half also finished with a line break assist, 3 tackle breaks and 50 tackles.
THE RESULT
Brisbane Broncos 20
Tries: David Fifita (2), Kotoni Staggs
Goals: Jamayne Isaako 4/4
Drop Goals: n/a
South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Tries: Dane Gagai, Cody Walker, Damien Cook
Goals: Adam Reynolds 5/5
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Brisbane Broncos: 1. Anthony Milford 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Alex Glenn 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Darius Boyd (c) 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Payne Haas 11. David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Joe Ofahengaue. Interchange: 14. James Segeyaro 15. Thomas Flegler 16. Gehamat Shibasak 17. Patrick Carrigan.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 19. Corey Allan 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 17. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Liam Knight 11. John Sutton 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls 16. Dean Britt 18. Tom Amone 20. Bayley Sironen.
