Updated: Rabbitohs 32 DEFEAT Eels 20
12 Jul 2008
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have won their fifth-straight game with a convincing 32 points to 20 victory over the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium in front of 17,897 Members and fans.
The Rabbitohs went into their customary trailing position, down 10-nil after just 13 minutes, however they regrouped much quicker than they have in games over the past month to lead at the break 16-10.
The Eels scored early tries through Mark Riddell and Jarryd Hayne with Luke Burt kicking one conversion, but the young South Sydney side held it together and struck back with vigour.
Centre Beau Champion was the first to cross the stripe in the 17th minute after fullback Nathan Merritt made a long break to set up the try.
12 minutes later, rookie centre Jamie Simpson scored on the other side of the park when he followed through an accurate grubber kick from halfback Chris Sandow to touch down. Issac Luke converted to level the scores at 10-all.
Nine minutes later it was Simpson again who bamboozled the Eels’ left hand side defence with a classic show-and-go move. Luke’s conversion from the sideline gave the Rabbitohs a six point advantage at the break.
The Eels struck back in the 45th minute through Krisnan Inu but the red and greens didn’t let that get to them.
Back-rower Shannan McPherson scored a try in the 53rd minute which was converted by Chris Sandow to regain the six-point lead.
In the 62nd minute, a rejuvenated Shannon Hegarty scored in the left hand corner, streaking 20 metres down the left hand touch line in a classic winger’s finish.
In the 74th minute, Issac Luke sealed the win when he charged over from an inside ball from Sandow. Luke converted his own try to take the scores to 32-16.
The Eels scored a try through Inu in the 78th minute but it was all too late for them as the Rabbitohs registerd their fifth straight win and their 12th competition point in six weeks.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Jason Taylor said: “I’m very please with the performance.”
“It is much closer to an 80 minute performance than we’ve been putting in lately. We got behind by 10 early which is better than where we have been.
“We were methodical and our defence was much better tonight. We did well.”
Taylor quashed any talks of the finals at this stage.
“There’s a long way to go. We’ve got to play tough teams every week from here on in,” he said.
“We’re not talking about it (the finals). We’ve still got things we have to work on.”
Captain Roy Asotasi said: “The confidence in the team is pretty good. We’re enjoying our footy and we want to enjoy the rest of our games.”
“Parramatta was a test for us tonight so we want to take the two points and move on to next week. We need to start better, especially against top four sides.”
The Rabbitohs now move on to play the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium next Sunday 20 July at 3pm.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32 (Jamie Simpson 2, Beau Champion, Shannan McPherson, Shannon Hegarty, Issac Luke tries; Issac Luke 3, Chris Sandow goals)
defeated
Parramatta Eels 20 (Krisnan Inu 2, Mark Riddell, Jarryd Hayne tries; Luke Burt 2 goals)
Play the video above to see SSTV's exclusive footage of the post-match press conference.
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In the Toyota Cup, Rabbitohs fullback Malcolm Webster scored three cracking tries to help South Sydney to a 38 points to 22 win over the Parramatta Eels. Winger Cameron Pitman also scored two himself in the seven-tries-to-four victory.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 38 (Malcolm Webster 3, Cameron Pitman 2, Ray Tafokitau, Trent Trotter tries; Eddie Paea 5 goals)
defeated
Parramatta Eels 22 (Kris Keating, Tony Williams, Tim Robinson, Fareni Moefaauo tries; Nathan Gardner 3 goals)