After displaying brilliant attacking football in trying conditions, the South Sydney Rabbitohs NYC side has claimed their first victory of the season with a 40-8 win over the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.
Commencing the game in wet conditions, the away side would be the first to score as Kiah Cooper breached the Rabbitohs defence from close range. Jesse Marschke’s first conversion attempt of the evening was waved away leaving his sides lead at four points.
The Rooster’s brilliant start to the clash would continue as a bust down the left flank resulted in a Victor Radley try minutes after the initial blow. The margin would remain at two unconverted tries as Marschke’s kick was waved away once again.
With a cross-field kick failing to be diffused by the Roosters, South Sydney would score their opening try as Beau Cordtz made the most of a favourable bounce. The deficit would be reduced to two as Adam Doueihi provided the extras from in front.
Similarly to their opponents, the Red and Greens would post back to back tries as Dylan O’Connor finished off a slick backline play to give his side the lead. Unlike his maiden attempt, Doueihi was able to add to the tally.
After making his debut last week against the Newcastle Knights, new recruit Tyrone Taukamo continued the strong attacking display to cross out wide. A brilliant sideline conversion from Doueihi left the score line at 16-8, where it would sit for the remainder of the half.
On resumption, the home side picked up where they left off as Harry Leddy drifted across field before muscling his way over. The conversion was unsuccessful as the Rabbitohs found themselves with a lead of two converted tries.
Some undisciplined play from the visitors would see them reduced to twelve men, whilst also providing their opposition with two points through a penalty goal.
The points would continue to flow for the young Rabbitohs after Mawene Hiroti found the line on the left edge. Doueihi’s solid night with the boot continued as the five-eighth secure the additional two points.
It wouldn’t take long for the next points to be posted with Dylan O’Connor exploiting the Roosters left side defence to score his second of the night. The gap between the uprights was once again pierced with the score blowing out to 34-8.
With the Rabbitohs finding their rhythm in attack, Blake Manowski found himself amongst the action with the backrower adding another four pointer for his side. Doueihi had no issues with the kick to propel his side to the forty point mark and cap off an emphatic victory for his side.
Rabbitohs 40 (O’Connor 2, Cordtz, Taukamo, Leddy, Hiroti, Manowski tries; Doueihi 6 goals)
Defeated
Roosters 8 (Cooper, Radley tries)