Momentum continues to build for South Sydney after the Rabbitohs scored a convincing 32-10 victory over top-eight aspirants the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
The victory was the Rabbitohs’ fourth in a row and was built on the efforts of their massive forward pack. The four Burgess brothers were in the thick of it, with England internationals Sam (175m) and George (135m) the biggest metre eaters.
While not out-classed, the Tigers were their own worst enemy as they continually surrendered possession at both ends of the field. Even missing Queensland State of Origin stars Greg Inglis and Chris McQueen, the Rabbitohs were able to field a formidable combination.
South Sydney led 12-0 at the break courtesy of converted tries to winger Alex Johnston and second-rower Kyle Turner before Wests struck back early in the second half. After tackling the Rabbitohs into touch from the restart, the Tigers scored from the ensuing set through hooker Blake Austen.
Winger Pat Richards converted to make it 12-6, but any momentum Wests were building was lost when the Rabbitohs replied almost immediately. It was young flyer Johnston who did the damage, the 19-year-old bursting through soft defence in the middle of the field to race 50 metres and score under the posts.
Halfback Adam Reynolds added the extras for an 18-6 lead before slotting his fourth conversion six minutes later when winger Nathan Merritt dived over after a neat offload from Sam Burgess.
With the game almost out of reach, the Tigers stayed alive in the contest thanks to James Tedesco. The fullback gave his side hope by cleverly kicking ahead a lose ball and touching down to reduce the margin to 14 points with 18 minutes left.
There was still enough time for the Tigers to launch a fightback, but South Sydney wasn’t going to let the game slip. A penalty goal to Reynolds and try to Turner in the final 10 minutes confirmed the win and kept the Rabbitohs second on the NRL ladder.
