The Rabbitohs finished Day 1 of the 2016 Auckland Nines Tournament with a win and a loss, setting up a pivotal game against Parramatta tomorrow (Sunday).
A win or a draw (on points differential) would see the Rabbitohs go through to the next stage of the tournament, having previously scored a last-minute win over the Roosters in a thrilling first game.
The Melbourne Storm meanwhile topped the Waiheke Pool on Day one after defeating the Eels and the Rabbitohs to become one of only three teams to be unbeaten in the competition so far.
Strong performances from the likes of Damien Cook, Cameron McInnes, and Cody Walker were highlights for the men in red and green on the day as the side now prepares it’s assault on Day 2 of the competition.
The Rabbitohs will take on the Eels at 9am (AEDT) for their chance to advance in the tournament – tune in on Fox Sports 1 for all the action.
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Meanwhile, last year’s grand finalists – the Sharks – proved again they would be difficult to beat by toppling both the Gold Coast and St George Illawarra.
North Queensland were on song against Newcastle early on, but were surprised 13-12 by Wests Tigers in their second match.
However Cowboys flyer Gideon Mosby produced some of the most eye-catching performances of the day, finishing with four tries.
He was joined by Sharks duo Ben Barba and Jack Bird, as well as Melbourne’s Blake Green and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, as some of the standout performers on day one.
The Australian Jillaroos also went one-up in their three-match Nines series against the Kiwi Ferns following an 11-4 victory over their Trans-Tasman rivals.
Day two will begin at 10.35am (NZ time) tomorrow, with Sydney Roosters taking on the unbeaten Storm.
Competition Table After Day 1
Day One Results
Round One
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 d Sydney Roosters 13
Melbourne Storm 14 d Parramatta Eels 4
North Queensland Cowboys 28 d Newcastle Knights 12
Penrith Panthers 23 d Wests Tigers 7
New Zealand Warriors 34 d Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 8
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 11 d Brisbane Broncos 8
Canberra Raiders 28 d St George Illawarra 20
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 23 d Gold Coast Titans 12
Jillaroos 11 d Kiwi Ferns 4
Round Two
Parramatta Eels 14 d Sydney Roosters 11
Melbourne Storm 18 d South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Newcastle Knights 15 d Penrith Panthers 14
Wests Tigers 13 d North Queensland Cowboys 12
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 15 d New Zealand Warriors 12
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 15 d Brisbane Broncos 13
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks 17 d St George Illawarra Dragons 8
Gold Coast Titans 26 d Canberra Raiders 15
