The South Sydney Rabbitohs went down to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8 points to 46 in their second encounter and round nine match at Allianz Stadium tonight (Friday) in front of a crowd of 10,594.
Adam Reynolds returned to the field after missing last week’s match due to a hip injury. His return saw Cody Walker move back into five-eight and Sutton return to the second row. Kyle Turner moved back to his position in prop while the interchange remained the same.
The Rabbitohs got themselves an early lead when a knock on by Manly in the 4th minute of the game saw the Rabbitohs take a penalty kick just under 30 metres out in front of goals. Reynolds kicked the ball straight through the posts and the Rabbitohs had an early two point lead.
Rabbitohs had plenty of momentum in the opening ten minutes completing five out of six sets and obtaining 57% of possession. But Manly were the next to score finding rhythm and the line through Brenton Lawrence when he slipped through the home side defence and flew over to give his side the lead. Centre Dylan Walker made the try sweeter with a successful conversion and the Rabbitohs fell behind two points to six.
The next ten minutes turned against the Rabbitohs and Manly made it to the line again with a try to Curtis Sironen. Dylan Walker added the extras and the Rabbitohs fell further behind two points to 12.
Manly extended their lead with Brian Kelly taking the path up the left side of the field and passing it off to Jorge Taufua to score. Dylan Walker missed his first conversion for the night but his side wouldn’t leave the points behind for long. With 30 minutes of the game completed, Manly added another four-pointer through Akuila Uate on the right side of the field extending their lead 20 points to two.
Dylan Walker began to read our defence and for a second time in the match brought in our winger and fullback to find the space for Uate to go over for his first-half double. An unsuccessful conversion wouldn’t stop Manly from adding more points through a sixth try for the night. Dylan Walker converted and the Rabbitohs went into the sheds at half-time trailing two points to 30.
Michael Maguire’s half-time talk looked to boost the team with Robert Jennings getting close to the try line but missed the opportunity with a knock on. The frustration loomed in the home side but they weren’t giving up easily, earning metres and completing sets.
Souths got close to the line once again but Manly caught an attempted offload soaring the interception back down the field. Gaining back the possession, the Rabbitohs fired up and their determination paid off when Hymel Hunt got the ball down on the far right side of the field earning the side’s first try. Reynolds right boot was on his side and he successfully kicked the conversion adding his 901st NRL point. The Rabbitohs were behind eight points to 30.
But Manly wouldn’t let the Rabbitohs catch up that easily and Uate added his third try for the night taking his side to 34 points. He would find the right hand corner again and add his fourth try and Manly’s 38th point with 11 minutes left on the clock. Jackson Hastings took over kicking duties and added the extras.
The Rabbitohs kept up their persistence to add more points but couldn’t catch the Sea Eagles who added their ninth and final try for the night. Hastings conversion was successful sealing Manly with a 46 to eight point win.
The round acknowledged the Men of League Foundation with past players walking a pre-match lap of honour. The Foundation supports players, coaches, referees, administrators, volunteers and committees from all levels of the game through their benevolence and wellbeing program.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 46 (Brenton Lawrence, Curtis Sironen, Jorge Taufua, Akuila Uate 4, Jake Trbojevic, Blake Green tries; Dylan Walker 3, Jackson Hastings 2 goals)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8 (Hymel Hunt try; Adam Reynolds 2 goals)
