Rabbitohs Win Back-to-Back Charity Shields
28 Feb 2009
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have secured back-to-back Charity Shield titles after defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons 18 points to 6 in front of 25,871 Members and fans tonight (Saturday).
The third largest crowd in Charity Shield history saw the Rabbitohs score three tries to the Dragons’ one, including a double to new recruit Colin Best, playing against his former Club.
The Rabbitohs led six-nil early after winger Nathan Merritt crossed in the eighth minute of play. Ball went through the hands to the right wing, finding Merritt for the four-pointer. Issac Luke’s conversion gave the Rabbitohs the six-point advantage.
A head clash in the 15th minute saw Roy Asotasi leave the field with a nasty head wound.
Four minutes later, Dragons lock Beau Scott crossed for the Red V’s only try of the night, after he charged down a kick and touched down in the in-goal. Mathew Head converted to level the scores at six-all.
The rest of the half was a tight struggle with defence the order of the day. Halfback Chris Sandow put a big hit on his opposite number Head in the 23rd minute, shaking up his opponent. The Rabbitohs were struggling to make metres out of their own half, meaning the Dragons had plenty of ball in their opposition’s end, but they were unable to capitalise on any of their opportunities.
Five minutes into the second half, Colin Best scored his first try off a wonderful grubber kick from John Sutton. Identical to a try he scored a fortnight ago in Coffs Harbour, Best chased through on a deft Sutton grubber to touch down out wide on the left hand side. Issac Luke kicked his second conversion from the sideline to restore the Rabbitohs six-point buffer.
The Rabbitohs were being more adventurous in the second half, with Chris Sandow regathering a short drop-out for himself in the 54th minute. It did not lead to points, but put the Dragons in two minds about what the young Rabbitohs players could come up with next.
It worked, as three minutes later Best crossed for his second try. The Rabbitohs earned a repeat set when Sutton sent up a towering, floating bomb which was spilled by the Dragons. From the ensuing set, Best carried two defenders over the line to score. Issac Luke made three from three with the boot and gave the Rabbitohs an 18-6 lead with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.
The Rabbitohs created a lot more opportunities for themselves in the second stanza, as well pulling together brick wall-like defence on their own line. On two occasions the Rabbitohs repelled two sets of six on their own line to deny the Dragons points.
The Rabbitohs’ forwards made metres in the second half, with captain Roy Asotasi returning to the field and leading the way in the 54th minute. Nathan Merritt was strong out wide and Colin Best had the Dragons outside backs in a stutter on more than one occasion.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Jason Taylor was happy with his team’s performance.
“I thought it was a good defensive effort from us tonight which is something we have worked really hard on,” Taylor said at the post match media conference.
“They let us off a few times as well but we did well tonight I thought.”
Taylor said his side also did well with ball in hand.
“I though we showed some good signs with the ball and it was a good, tough hit out for us tonight,” Taylor said.
“We had some opportunities and we took three of them and it was good that we were able to do that. I was impressed with our defence and that their try came from a charge down.”
Captain Roy Asotasi said: “It was a good hit out before round one.”
“We have plenty to work on, and we’ve learnt a lesson from last year about getting too excited about the trials.”
Taylor added: “We were confident that we were well prepared and we need to be that way each week of the competition.”
“The new guys knew our game plan and what we can do defensively.
“We still have some work to do and there’s still some improvement to be had, but I’m happy with the performance.”
The Rabbitohs will take on the Sydney Roosters in round one of the NRL Premiership on Sunday 15 March at the Sydney Football Stadium at 3pm.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Colin Best 2, Nathan Merritt tries; Issac Luke 3 goals)
defeated
St George Illawarra Dragons 6 (Beau Scott try; Mathew Head goal)
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In the Toyota Cup Charity Shield tonight, the St George Illawarra Dragons defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 points to 26 at ANZ Stadium.
Winger Kane Morgan scored a double for the Rabbitohs, in a match that was marred by poor handling from both teams.
St George Illawarra Dragons 36 (Kalifa Faifai Loa 2, #21, Warwick Carter, Sam Campbell, Jake Marketo, Joe Vickory tries; Henry Raiwalui 4 goals)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26 (Kane Morgan 2, Brad Lupi, Dylan Farrell, John Joseph tries; Junior Vaivai 3 goals)