Sydney Roosters secured home ground advantage for next weekend's sudden death final against South Sydney but the dramatic opening match at the new Allianz Stadium may have proved costly for both teams.
The Rabbitohs never recovered after losing captain Cameron Murray to a head knock in just the second tackle of the match and hooker Siliva Havili was also ruled out due to HIA protocols.
The Roosters also suffered significant casualties in their 26-16 victory, with Joey Manu (calf), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) and Sam Verrills (arm) all failing to finish the match.
Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell finished the match in the sin-bin, much to the joy of Roosters fans in the 41,906 crowd, but the Rabbitohs finished the match the stronger of the teams.
Match snapshot
The match started in dramatic fashion when Cameron Murray came reeling out of just the second tackle of the game after collecting the hip of Roosters winger Kevin Naiqama and was taken from the field.
Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton created history when he scored the first NRL try at the new Allianz Stadium in the sixth minute after charging onto a short ball from Luke Keary.
Crichton then turned provider for the next try when he again split the defence and drew Latrell Mitchell before sending Roosters captain James Tedesco over to score in the 20th minute.
However, the Rabbitohs hit back just minutes later after Tedesco put down a bomb and Mitchell took advantage to lay on a stunning try for interchange hooker Peter Mamouzelos,
A piece of individual brilliance by Roosters halfback Sam Walker, who grubered behind the Rabbitohs defence and won the race for the ball to score in the 32nd minute, ensured the home side a 20-6 halftime lead.
Second-rower Egan Butcher then put the Roosters further ahead just three minutes into the second half when he squeezed between Lachlan Ilias and Keaon Koloamatagi to score off a Keary pass.
However, Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne gave the club's supporters hope when he tip-toed down the touchline to score in the 50th minute and the Fiji international got a second try 10 minutes before fulltime.
Souths lost Mitchell to the sinbin for a professional foul but the Rabbitohs scored while a man down after Cody Walker swooped on a dropped ball by Tedesco and raced away before Milne scored on the next tackle.
Play of the game
After adjusting to the loss of captain Cameron Murray in the opening minute the Rabbitohs were fighting their way back into the game after a 24th minute Peter Mamouzelos try. However, halfback Sam Walker regained momentum for the Roosters with a brilliant individual try and the home side were never really threatened again.
What's next
The Roosters and Rabbitohs will meet again next weekend at Allianz Stadium and both teams could have players racing the clock to be fit for the sudden-death finals clash.
The biggest concern is over Souths captain Cameron Murray after he was ruled out of the match due to a head knock sustained in just the second tackle, while Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves aggravated a hamstring injury.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson will be hoping to have lock Victor Radley (HIA) and wingers Daniel Tupou (groin) and Joseph Suaali'i (shoulder) available after the trio missed the opening of the new Allianz Stadium.
Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook is due to return after missing the last two matches with COVID protocols, while rookie winger Izaak Thompson (hamstring) may also be available for selection.
