South Sydney Defeat Dolphins in a Close Encounter at Commbank

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have opened their 2025 campaign with a fighting victory, defeating the Dolphins 16-14 at Commbank Stadium.

It was an extremely tight contest, with goal-kicking proving decisive as each side scored three tries apiece.

A first-half double to Tyrone Munro proved to be the highlight for the Rabbitohs. Lachlan Hubner made a significant impact on the game too with some bone-jarring defence, while Jamie Humphreys controlled the game well at halfback, kicking his side around the park and coming up with clutch plays when called upon.

South Sydney’s opening try came in the 10th minute off the back of a penalty against the Dolphins for being inside the 10m.

The Rabbitohs launched a left-side raid 30m out from the tryline, with Tyrone Munro finishing off the move after Jye Gray put him into space. Jamie Humphreys nailed the kick from the sideline, securing a 6-0 lead for South Sydney.

The Dolphins too received some field position of their own off the back of a penalty, putting the South Sydney defence under pressure.

They would have scored if it not for some brilliant defence from Jai Arrow and Jamie Humphreys, which saw Dolphins’ winger Junior Tupou barrelled into touch just shy of the line.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins would not be denied on their next venture to South Sydney’s line, crossing on the right side of the field through Jamayne Isaako in the 20th minute.

The Rabbitohs managed to hit back just four minutes later, with Munro picking up his second try of the game in remarkable fashion thanks to a perfectly placed cross-field kick from Humphreys. Another successful conversion from Humphreys saw the Rabbitohs pull further ahead to 12-4 – a lead which they would maintain into halftime.

In an unfortunate setback for the Red and Green, two-try hero Munro was unable to return to the field for the second half due to a collarbone complaint. The ensuing reshuffle saw Campbell Graham shift out to the right wing, with Isaiah Tass swapping to the left to cover Munro, while Jayden Sullivan came off the bench to fill in at centre for Graham.

The Dolphins were first to trouble the scorers in the second stanza, with Isaako crossing for his double in the 47th minute.

The visitors would then press home their advantage five minutes later with a try to Max Plath, taking the lead 14-12 for the first time in the game.

The Dolphins’ lead would be short-lived, with South Sydney scoring in the 67th minute through Isaiah Tass playing his first game since May 2024 to draw level. Humphreys then nailed the conversion, regaining the lead 16-14.

South Sydney looked to have extended their lead with five minutes to go after Keaon Koloamatangi gathered in a loose ball from an Isaako error to score untouched. However, an investigation from the Bunker ruled that Jack Wighton had stripped the ball from Isaako, resulting in a penalty to the Dolphins.

The Dolphins threw plenty at the South Sydney defence in what was a desperate effort to wrestle back the lead in the dying stages of the game. However, the Cardinal and Myrtle wall was too strong, holding the Dolphins out until the full time siren sounded, signalling South Sydney's first victory of season 2025.

Match Snapshot

• Tyrone Munro scored the Rabbitohs’ first try in the 10th minute.
• The Dolphins hit back 10 minutes later through Jamayne Isaako
• Munro combined with Jamie Humphreys to complete his double in the 24th minute, which saw South Sydney take a 12-4 lead into the break
• Munro succumbed to a collarbone injury during halftime, and failed to return to the field in the second half.
• The Dolphins began the second half the better of the two sides, scoring back to back tries to Isaako and Max Plath for a 14-12 lead at the 52-minute mark
• The Rabbitohs regained the lead with a try to Isaiah Tass in the 67th minute, in what proved to be the final scoring play of the game

Play of the Game

Tonight’s play of the game goes to South Sydney’s match-winning try to Isaiah Tass on the left wing. It was a simple yet effective play from the Rabbitohs, the ball going through three sets of hands before Jack Wighton released Tass down the sideline, who finished off the movement with a picture-perfect one-handed putdown in the corner.

What’s Next?

South Sydney will take the Princes Highway south to Wollongong to take on traditional rivals the St George Illawarra Dragons next Saturday afternoon.