The South Sydney Rabbitohs went down to Canberra Raiders 48-10 in the Holden Cup in a high try scoring game at ANZ stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Rabbitohs showed promising patches in attack and defence but couldn’t keep it up for the full 80 minutes with the Raiders claiming victory with nine tries to two.
The Rabbitohs controlled the possession in the first few minutes of the game but a fumbled pass along the back line saw the Raiders scoop up the loose ball and run the 65m to see Tom Hickson open the scoring. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and the Raiders led 4 points to zero in the 7th minute.
Canberra added another six points through a try from Jared Tuite and a successful conversion by Zac Woolford.
The Rabbitohs kept their composure but a gap in their defence resulted in a third try for the Raiders through Thomas Cronan and the side extended their lead with a successful conversion by Zac Woolford.
Closing in on half time the Rabbitohs saw the Raiders try line numerous times but the decision to run the ball on the last instead of kicking cost the side potential repeat sets.
Yet the Rabbitohs saw their hard work pay off when Kalani Ili collected a pass and ran straight through Raiders defence claiming a four-pointer and the first points for the home side. Chad O’Donnell narrowed in on the visitors adding two points with a successful conversion.
The Raiders however were quick to retaliate and with quick passes along the back line, Jack Hickson added his second four-pointer. Conversion was successful and the Rabbitohs fell behind 22 points to 6 going in to the sheds at half time.
The second half saw a more determined Rabbitohs side and with three minutes in the team saw the try line and Haimona Hiroti reached out scoring for the home side.
But the Raiders wouldn’t let the Rabbitohs have their time and the Raiders Harry Van Dartel leapt for the try line adding yet another four-pointer. The conversion was wide but the Raiders led 26 points to 10 until the 65th minute saw the team find the try line again and convert a simple kick in front of goals. The Rabbitohs had some catching up to do falling 22 points behind.
The Raiders went on the score three more tries handing Jack Hickson a hat-trick after collecting a grubber on a completed set. Bailey Hartwig and Zeik Foster claimed their first tries for the game.
Canberra Raiders 48 (Jack Hickson 3, Jack Tuite 1, Thomas Cronan 1, Harry Van Dartel 1, Logan Spaander 1, Bailey Hartwig 1, Zeik Foster 1 tries; Zac Woolford 6 Goals)
Defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 (Kalani Ili 1, Haimona Hiroti 1 tries, Chad O’Donnell 1 Goals)
