Rabbitohs 29 DEFEAT Cowboys 28
28 Jun 2008
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have recorded their third straight victory with a nail-biting win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, 29 points to 28 in front of 15,631 fans.
The Rabbitohs were down 28-4 at one point in the second half, coming back to win in the 79th minute with a Chris Sandow field goal.
The Rabbitohs were gifted the perfect start to the game when Cowboy Carl Webb knocked-on from the opening tackle, but the Rabbitohs couldn't capitalise and put in an ordinary effort in the first ten minutes to trail 12-nil. Tries to Ray Cashmere and John Williams, along with a strong wind at the backs of the Cowboys, had the Rabbitohs trailing early in the first half.
The game was the traditional arm wrestle for the rest of the first stanza, with the Rabbitohs crossing for their first try in the 31st minute. It was an unbelievable solo effort by Rabbitohs captain Roy Asotasi that saw the Rabbitohs post their first points, a 60 metre run in which he beat five defenders and threw a dummy to fool the fullback and score to the left of the uprights.
The teams went into the break 12-4 in favour of the Cowboys, with the strong breeze giving the home side excellent field position every time they put boot to ball or were awarded a penalty.
The Cowboys came out firing in the second half, piling on three tries in seven minutes to open the half. Two tries to Ashley Graham and one to Ben Harris extended the home side's lead to 28-4.
The Rabbitohs struck back in the 52nd minute when Fetuli Talanoa scored in the right hand corner. The ball was swung sideline-to-sideline over repeat sets for the try. Issac Luke converted from the sideline to take the score to 28-10.
Three minutes later, Craig Wing scored a try in his return match, after a beautiful cut-out pass from Chris Sandow to David Fa'alogo, with Fa'alogo then offloading to Wing who ran 35 metres, dummying past the fullback to score. Issac Luke converted again to bring the Rabbitohs within 12.
Four minutes later the Rabbitohs scored their third try of the half, this time to centre Beau Champion. Champion stepped past four defenders to score on the left, and bring the Rabbitohs within six points of their opponents with 20 minutes to go.
The Rabbitohs struck again in the 75th minute when fullback Luke Capewell slotted between the centre and the winger on the right hand side to score out wide. Issac Luke converted from near the right hand touch line to tie it up 28-all with five minutes remaining.
In the 79th minute of play, Rabbitohs halfback kicked a field goal to give the Rabbitohs a one point lead with one minute to go.
Unbelievably, the Rabbitohs gave away a differential penalty in their own half, meaning the Cowboys couldn't take a shot at goal. The Cowboys kicked for touch and from the ensuing play, Issac Luke charged down the field goal attempt, giving the Rabbitohs an amazing victory and their third straight win.
Roy Asotasi's try was one of the best individual tries of the year, letalone one scored by a prop. Issac Luke was everywhere and Craig Wing played strongly in his return match. John Sutton was again one of the Rabbitohs' best tonight, making metres at will, creating opportunities for his supports and producing some excellent defence.
This win by the Rabbitohs is the second biggest comeback in Rugby League's 100 year history.
The Rabbitohs now move on to play the Bulldogs next Monday night in round 17 of the NRL premiership.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 29 (Roy Asotasi, Fetuli Talanoa, Craig Wing, Beau Champion, Luke Capewell tries; Issac Luke 4 goals; Chris Sandow field goal)
defeated
North Queensland Cowboys 28 (Ashley Graham 2, Ray Cashmere, John Williams, Ben Harris tries; John Williams 4 goals)
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In the Toyota Cup match, the Rabbitohs fought back in the second half to secure an 18-all draw at Dairy Farmers Stadium against the North Queensland Cowboys. The Rabbitohs trailed 12-10 at half time before leveling scores in the second half to split the competition points.
Rabbitohs halfback Eddie Paea scored a double and kicked three goals for a personal tally of 14 points.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 18 (Eddie Paea 2, Andre Itula tries; Eddie Paea 3 goals)
drew with
North Queensland Cowboys 18 (Tom Humble, Chippie Korostchuk, Ben Lancini tries; Tom Humble 3 goals)