South Sydney Rabbitohs have recorded back-to-back victories for the first time in 2024, defeating the Gold Coast Titans in convincing fashion 46-12 – their ninth straight win over the Gold Coast side.
Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell lead the way for the Rabbitohs with Walker scoring a double and setting one up, while Mitchell managed a try of his own as well as three assists.
It was a fast start for the Rabbitohs, who scored two quick tries to lead 10-0 by the 12th minute of the game.
The Red and Green’s first try saw Damien Cook back to his beach-sprinting best as he made complete fools out of the Titans’ marker defenders.
With just Keano Kini to beat at the back, Cook summed it up perfectly after making the initial bust, drawing Kini in and passing to Mitchell who scored to open the Rabbitohs’ account.
Jacob Gagai was next to cross the stripe for Souths, after he was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of an absolutely exquisite left-to-right cut-out ball from Walker.
The Titans managed to hit back through Afolonia Khan-Pereira, whose incredibly speed was simply too much South Sydney right edge defenders to handle.
It was not enough to turn the match back in the Titans’ favour, with the Rabbitohs finishing the first half with another two tries to assert their dominance.
First it was Richie Kennar who strolled through a yawning gap in the defence, which was created by some brilliant deception and an even better pass from Mitchell.
Latrell was again involved for the final try of the half, launching a huge bomb which forced a knock on from Khan-Pereira. It was a simple case of right place, right time for Walker, who gathered in the loose ball with ease to score and send Souths to the break with a 22-6 lead.
A line break in their first set of the half from Gagai, who got rid of Khan-Pereira with a huge fend, signalled the Rabbitohs’ intent to cause more damage. While they weren’t able to capitalise on that particularly opportunity, it would certainly prove to be a sign of things to come for Souths.
Souths looked to have scored their first try of the second stanza in the 50th minute through Michael Chee Kam, who gathered in a loose ball from a towering Mitchell bomb. However, after the try was initially awarded, it was unfortunately called back after the Bunker discovered a knock on from Gagai in the lead up play.
It would only take another five minutes for Souths to cross the line again, and this time they would not be denied as Thomas Burgess crashed over after running onto a beautiful face ball from Mitchell at dummy half.
The Rabbitohs would then put the game beyond any doubt through Davvy Moale, who proved to be too much to handle as he skittled the Gold Coast defenders close to the line.
The Titans managed a consolation try to David Fifita, who had plenty to say to Walker after leaving him in his wake on his way to the try line.
It was the Rabbitohs though who would have the last laugh, putting on two tries in the final ten minutes to Jack Wighton and Walker, confirming Souths’ victory, as well as back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Match Snapshot
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South Sydney scored first through Latrell Mitchell. Damien Cook made a clean break out of dummy half, drew the fullback and passed to Mitchell who scored untouched under the posts.
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Jacob Gagai was the beneficiary of one of the best cut-out passes you will ever see from Cody Walker for the second try of the game.
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The Titans hit back through Alofiana Khan-Periera, who displayed his top speed as he zoomed through a number of South Sydney defenders.
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The Rabbitohs were next to score, this time through Richie Kennar who ran onto a beautiful short ball through a hole from Mitchell.
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Souths then put the exclamation point on what was a dominant first half, as Cody Walker managed to come up with the ball of a Mitchell bomb to put the Rabbitohs ahead 22-6 at the break.
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Souths extended their lead in 54th minute through Thomas Burgess who ran a great line close to the try-line.
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Davvy Moale crashed over in the 64th minute to put the result beyond doubt for the Rabbitohs
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The Titans managed a consolation try in the 69th minute thanks to a barnstorming run from David Fifita
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Jack Wighton burrowed over from dummy half to put Souths past the 40-point mark
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Cody Walker scored the final try of the game in the 77th minute
Play of the Game
This week’s Play of the Game goes to Damien Cook and Latrell Mitchell for their combined effort in South Sydney’s first try of the game. It cannot be denied that seeing Cook make opposition markers look foolish is a thing of beauty. This occasion was no different, with Cook finding himself in space before the defenders even knew what was going on. Like any good fullback does, Mitchell loomed up in support to receive the last pass from Cook, leaving Titans’ fullback Keano Kini grasping at thin air while Mitchell ran away to open the scoring for his team.
What’s Next?
Souths will host last year’s Grand Finalists the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium in Sydney in what should be an absolute blockbuster on Friday night.
