Knights 39 defeat Rabbitohs 12
27 Jul 2008
The Newcastle Knights were too good for the South Sydney Rabbitohs at EnergyAustralia Stadium this afternoon (Sunday), winning 39 points to 12 in front of 23,182 fans.
Both sides started the game slowly with each team feeling each other out for the first few sets of six. The Knights were dropping a lot of ball in the first ten minutes, but the Rabbitohs couldn’t capitalise on the chances being offered to them.
The Knights were the first to score through rookie Akuila Uate in the 19th minute. The Knights went the length of the field in four plays to score.
Four minutes later Kurt Gidley crossed for Newcastle, scoring one of the easiest tries of his career. He converted his own try to give the Knights a 10-nil lead.
The Rabbitohs struck back in the 30th minute through fullback Nathan Merritt. The play was set up by lock John Sutton who attacked up the middle of the ruck and put Craig Wing through a gap. Wing drew the fullback and passed to Merritt who scored under the posts. Chris Sandow converted to bring the Rabbitohs within four.
The Knights were denied a try in the 36th minute before finally scoring in the last minute of the half, the try scored by second-rower Chris Houston. The Knights went to the break 14-6 up, with the Rabbitohs looking a little disjointed in the opening half. John Sutton looked dangerous when he ran the ball, as did Craig Wing.
The Knights scored early in the second half through Cameron Ciraldo. A piggy-back penalty and the ensuing repeat set of six hurt Souths, leading to the try.
Nathan Merritt scored his second try in the 47th minute after a magical offload from Michael Greenfield. Craig Wing set it up with a great offload to Merritt who ran 40 metres to get pulled down just short of the line. Merritt played the ball to Greenfield who ran into three defenders and popped a miracle ball to Merritt to score next to the posts. Sandow’s conversion brought the Rabbitohs within six of the home side.
Adam MacDougall scored from a kick for the Knights in the 58th minute, extending the Knights lead to ten points. He scored his second nine minutes later, grounding the ball on the goal line. In the 70th minute, Marvin Karawana scored on the left hand side of the posts, with Corey Paterson kicking the conversion to give the Knights a 32-12 lead. Scott Dureau kicked a field goal two minutes later, extending the lead to 21 points.
The Knights continued to score points with Uate scoring his second try in the 75th minute. Paterson converted from the sideline to take the score to 39-12.
Newcastle just outclassed South Sydney throughout the match, looking far more dangerous in attack off the back of Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley. Nathan Merritt was strong for the Rabbitohs, with John Sutton the best for the Rabbitohs.
The Rabbitohs move on to play the New Zealand Warriors next Saturday night at ANZ Stadium at 7:30pm
Newcastle Knights 39 (Adam MacDougall 2, Akuila Uate 2, Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Cameron Ciraldo, Marvin Karawana tries; Corey Paterson 2, Kurt Gidley goals; Scott Dureau field goal)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Nathan Merritt 2 tries; Chris Sandow 2 goals)
In the Toyota Cup, the Newcastle Knights defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 32 points to 12 at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Dylan Farrell scored a double for the red and greens.
Newcastle Knights 32 (Keiran English 2, Joel Burraston, Ryan Stig, Joel Brown, Mitchell Garbitt tries; Joel Brown 4 goals)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Dylan Farrell 2 tries; Eddie Paea 2 goals)