These are the key takeaways from the Rabbitohs’ 20-10 win over North Queensland at Accor Stadium.
HAVILI STEPS UP IN HOOKING ROLE
In news that caught everyone off guard, Damien Cook was a late withdrawal from the match after testing positive to Covid, forcing Saliva Havili into the starting hooker role.
We’ve mostly seen him from the bench throughout 2022, but he had a very solid outing in challenging circumstances.
He finished the contest with 58 metres gained and 29 tackles in 63 minutes of game time to go a long way to filling the void left by the regular hooker.
BURGESS ADDS GO FORWARD TO PACK
How good was it to see Tom Burgess back on the field and doing what he does best.
He came off the bench and added plenty of punch to the forward pack in a sublime return from a few weeks on the sidelines.
His impact was felt in the first half when running for almost 100 metres, and ending the game with the most metres of all 34 players.
That muscle in the middle will be needed more than ever in round 25, and then on into the finals.
ABILITY TO GRIND OUT A WIN
It could only be described as a scrappy win, but it will go down as one of the biggest scalps the Rabbitohs have claimed this season.
With the Cowboys entering the round in second spot, Souths knew they had to bring out the big guns to knock off the top-four team.
Despite completing just 72% of their sets, their defence held one of the most potent attacking outfits to just two tries.
Particularly in that final 10 minutes the game was there to be won for either side, Souths held solid and most importantly held their line in a good defensive showing.
SKIPPER’S KNOCK LEADS FORWARD CHARGE
Yet again Cameron Murray led the troops in the only way he knows how, from the front.
He had the most runs and tackles in the team, finding himself right in the thick of things from the outset.
That inspired the likes of Keaon Koloamatangi, who scored a well-deserved try and with a nice piece of footwork, and Tevita Tatola who continues to show he is one of the most improved players in the competition this year.
On a night when the backs weren’t given much room to move, the forwards were exceptional against a very good pack.
HUGE GAME ON THE RADAR
Friday night is shaping up as a genuine blockbuster between the oldest rivals in the game.
In front of what will be a sell-out crowd at the unveiling of Allianz Stadium, a home semi final is the likely prize for the winner.
The stage is well and truly set for another chapter in the Book of Feuds to be written in the long and storied history between the neighbours.
It shapes up as the perfect lead-up game before the finals and what is hoped to be a charge at the title.
