On This Day: Rabbitohs Claim First State Championship

On this day in 2023, the South Sydney Rabbitohs added another trophy to the cabinet by winning their first-ever NRL State Championship, defeating the Brisbane Tigers 42-22 at Accor Stadium.

Fresh off their NSW Cup premiership win over the North Sydney Bears the week prior, the Rabbitohs carried their momentum into the clash between the NSW Cup and Queensland Cup champions.

Winger Tyrone Munro stole the show, scoring a hat-trick and earning Player of the Match honours. Just a week earlier, Munro had scored the match-winning try in the NSW Cup Grand Final and he once again proved unstoppable on the big stage.

South Sydney opened the scoring through Munro before winger Tom Carr added another, giving the Rabbitohs an early lead. The Tigers hit back, but Munro’s second try just before halftime sent the Rabbitohs into the sheds ahead 12-6.

The Rabbitohs came out firing in the second half. Ethan O’Neill and Dion Teaupa crossed in quick succession, before Munro sealed his hat-trick in the 59th minute. With momentum firmly in South Sydney’s favour, Tom Carr and Tallis Duncan added further tries to put the result beyond doubt.

The Tigers managed a late rally with three tries, but it wasn’t enough as the Rabbitohs celebrated a historic 42-22 victory and the Club’s first State Championship.