Sun May 16, 2:00pm
Late Changes
No changes, Souths were 1-17 with Crocker failing a late fitness test.
WIN 50-10
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have notched up their biggest ever victory over the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Cricket Ground today (Sunday), winning 50 points to 10 in front of 30,685 Members and supporters. The SCG is usually home to a different type of half century, but even some of Australia’s greatest batsmen would have been proud of the 50 the Rabbitohs posted on the scoreboard at the grand old SCG today. Nathan Merritt also borrowed a cricketing term today, scoring a hat trick. Beau Champion scored a double in what has been described as the most dominant display the Rabbitohs have put in this season. This was the Rabbitohs' biggest win over the Wests Tigers, it was the first time a South Sydney team has scored 50 points at the SCG, and it's South Sydney's biggest winning margin at the SCG in the 102 year history of the Club. The Rabbitohs were dominant from the kick off. The Rabbitohs kicked the ball dead on the bounce from the kick off, immediately putting pressure on the Tigers. The Rabbitohs were denied tries to Beau Champion in the third minute and Issac Luke in the ninth minute by the video referee, and both sides looked over-excited to be playing in the Heritage Round at the SCG. The Rabbitohs were the first team to settle and the rewards were forthcoming with Nathan Merritt scoring in the 13th minute. Merritt ran from dummy half just 30 metres out from his own line and put Sam Burgess through a gap. Burgess made the bust and drew the fullback, returning the ball to Merritt who raced away to score the 70 metre try. Issac Luke converted to give the visitors a six-nil lead. The Tigers struck back through halfback Robert Lui who scored a fairly soft try next to the posts. Benji Marshall converted to level the scores. In the 24th minute, the western side of the SCG started to shake as big Dave Taylor charged over for another four-pointer. The Rabbitohs ran it on the last, with lock Ben Lowe dummying his way through the line. He drew the fullback and offloaded to Taylor to score on the left. Issac Luke converted from out wide to restore South Sydney’s six point advantage. Halfback Chris Sandow made a try-saving tackle and one-on-one strip in the same motion, and was rewarded on the next set with his side’s third try. In the 29th minute, Sutton ran at the line on the right hand side and dummied to poke through the other side. With an arm free he offloaded to Sandow who snuck past three defenders to score. Luke converted to give Souths an 18-6 lead, an advantage they would maintain until the break. The Rabbitohs' three key players in Sutton, Sandow and Luke were controlling the game and their level heads were creating opportunities for their team mates, opportunities they were all taking. South Sydney was first to score in the second half, just three minutes after the match resumed. Beau Champion skipped out from dummy half and reached out to score, extending the Rabbitohs’ lead to 16 points. Champion scored his second try just three minutes later when Benji Marshall failed to diffuse a Sandow bomb. Beau Ryan tried to clean up the loose ball but Champion snatched it from his grasp and touched down under the posts. Luke’s conversion extended the lead to 28-6. Nathan Merritt grabbed his second in the 48th minute, the Rabbitohs capitalising on another Tigers’ mistake. Chris Lawrence put down a difficult pass from Marshall and Sandow scooped it up and put Merritt away in the right hand corner. Luke converted from the touchline to extend the lead to 28 with half an hour left in the match. The Rabbitohs continued the Tigers’ pain when Colin Best scored in the 64th minute. The Rabbitohs charged up field as they had been doing all game, and a Sandow cross field kick hit Best on the chest and he strolled over uncontested to score his side’s seventh try. Issac Luke converted to send the scoreboard to 40. Nathan Merritt made it a hat trick when he scored his third try in the 70th minute of play. Benji Marshall knocked a ball on into Merritt’s knee, and he cleaned up the loose ball to scoot over under the posts. Luke converted from in front to extend the lead to 40 with just nine minutes remaining. The Rabbitohs notched up their 50th point in the 72nd minute of play when Fetuli Talanoa crossed in the left corner. Dave Taylor offloaded at the line to put Talanoa in, bringing up a different type of half-century than is usually seen at the SCG. The Tigers scored a consolation try in the 79th minute to Chris Lawrence, but the Rabbitohs would claim their fifth victory of the season and cement their place in the top eight for another week with this emphatic victory. Rabbitohs Head Coach John Lang said: "It was a good day. There is a different feeling playing here at the SCG." "I thought we played better against the Bulldogs, but everything just fell into place for us today. "I was most pleased with our defence. It was strong throughout the whole game. "You'd have to say they were pretty bad today but we put a lot of pressure on them." Lang said he thought John Sutton had a strong game today. "He was in everything," Lang said. "He's been playing quite well but today I thought we gelled as a team and that benefits the way he plays the game. "I thought Dave Taylor was good today too. He's been trying really hard and today was one of his better games. "Nathan Merritt was overdue for some tries too. Him and Beau Champion are pretty potent players and if a chance comes Nathan's way he takes it." Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke said there was a lot of space out there for him today. "It was one of those games today, a free-flowing game and it was good to play off the back of that today," Luke said. You can really feel the atmosphere out there today. It shows that even though it wasn't our home game there was a lot of Souths Members and fans out here today. "Our main goal was to defend and that's what we did."
13 min 6-0
20 min 6-6
24 min 12-6
29 min 18-6
43 min 22-6
46 min 28-6
49 min 34-6
64 min 40-6
70 min 46-6
72 min 50-6
79 min 50-10
Merritt 3, Champion 2, Sandow, Best, Taylor, Talanoa tries
Luke 7 from 9 goals
Crowd 30,685
Referee S.Lyons/T.De Las Heras
Penalities 2-7
Scrums 5-10
Min Tac Pe MT LB HU DR m Er OL K TA
Wesser 80 3 - 1 - 17 2 140 1 1 - -
Merritt 80 8 - - 1 6 1 145 - - - -
Best 80 18 - 1 - 6 3 70 - 1 - -
Champion 80 12 - - 1 11 5 91 4 2 - -
Talanoa 80 3 1 - 1 16 8 126 1 1 - -
Sutton 80 15 1 - 1 14 1 128 3 5 7 1
Sandow 80 16 1 4 1 3 - 17 2 - 8 3
Stuart 58 20 - 2 - 14 - 131 - - - -
Luke 76 24 - 4 - 13 7 142 3 1 1 -
Asotasi 18 14 - 2 - 2 - 12 - - - -
Burgess 51 19 1 3 1 10 - 79 2 - - 1
Taylor 55 24 1 2 1 10 - 105 1 3 1 1
Lowe 80 34 - 5 2 15 - 172 2 - - 1
Geddes 44 15 - 2 - 13 - 94 - - - -
McPherson 32 13 - - - 7 - 65 - - - -
Pettybourne 53 6 2 3 - 10 - 103 1 - - -
Clark 13 4 - 1 - 4 - 38 - - - -
TOTAL 248 7 30 9 1658 20 14 17 7
Completion Rate 27/43 63%
Effective 1st Tackles
0 min 0m WT Err / CIG
1 min 5m SS Err / SCR
2 min 12m WT Err / SS Err (SS NO TRY) / SCR
5 min 38m P / SS Err
6 min 98m SS P / 85m / SS P
8 min 14m WT Err / SCR / Sandow kick COF
9 min 30m SS Err (SS NO TRY)
10 min 42m SS Err / SCR
11 min 5m WT Err / Sandow kick
12 min 0m TRY
14 min 75m SS Err / SCR
15 min 80m SS Err / SCR
16 min 38m Sandow kick
20 min 85m P / SS Err 22m / SS P 72m / SS P / (WT TRY)
24 min 0m TRY
26 min 15m Sutton kick
28 min 70m SS Err
29 min 0m WT Err / TRY
32 min 18m Sutton kick / SCR
34 min 18m Sutton kick COF
35 min 17m Luke kick
37 min 42m Sandow kick 1m / SS P
40 min 30m WT Err / SCR / SS Err
half time
41 min 5m Sutton kick
42 min 0m WT Err / SCR / TRY
45 min 0m Sandow kick TRY
47 min 4m Sandow kick COF
48 min 0m WT Err / TRY
51 min 28m Suttonn kick DIG
53 min 0m Taylor kick COF / CIG
54 min 4m Sandow kick COF
55 min 95m WT 40-20 / SCR
57 min 83m WT Err / SCR / SS P
59 min 45m SS Err / SCR
61 min 80m SS Err / SCR
63 min 0m WT Err / SCR / Sandow kick TRY
66 min 18m Sutton kick
67 min 25m SS Err / SCR
69 min 15m SS P
70 min 0m WT Err / TRY
75 min 20m Sandow kick
77 min 85m SS Err / SCR
79 min 100m WT Err / SS Err (WT TRY)
Average effective 1st tackle location
- 31.0m - for the whole match
- 31.8m - 1st half
- 30.2m - 2nd half
If you now remove the tries
- 36.6m - 1st half
- 37.7m - 2nd half
Other FG Matches
19-6 StAu St Geo-Ill b Canterbury
28-6 Lang Brisbane b Gold Coast
24-12 MtSm Warriors b Nth Qld
34-18 Gosf Newcastle b Sydney
17-6 Bruc Melbourne b Canberra
34-14 Ende Penrith b Cronulla
19-12 Brok Parramatta b Manly
W D L B Diff PT
ST GEO-ILL 9 - 2 - +124 16
PENRITH 6 - 3 1 +72 14
GOLD COAST 7 - 3 - 0 14
MANLY 6 - 4 - +71 12
SOUTHS 5 - 4 1 +55 12
PARRAMATTA 5 - 4 1 +7 12
WARRIORS 4 - 5 1 -19 10
SYDNEY 5 - 5 - -33 10
Wests-Tig 4 - 5 1 -49 10
Canterbury 3 - 6 1 +5 8
Brisbane 4 - 6 - -25 8
Newcastle 4 - 6 - -28 8
Canberra 3 - 6 1 -69 8
Nth Qld 3 - 7 - -62 6
Cronulla 2 - 7 1 -123 6
Melbourne 7 - 3 - +64 0 **
Judiciary News
No one has been placed on report.
NYC Round 10
v Wests-Tigers, 11:45am
LOSS 13-24
Rabbitohs were 1-17. In the Toyota Cup match, the Wests Tigers mounted a spirited second half comeback to defeat the South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 points to 13 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
8 min 6-0
15 min 12-0
39 min 13-0
48 min 13-4
52 min 13-10
69 min 13-14
72 min 13-18
79 min 13-24
Webster, Farrell tries
Reynolds 2 from 2 goals
Mundine fieldgoal
Other NYC Matches
30-28 StAu Canterbury b St Geo-Ill
30-28 Lang Gold Coast b Brisbane
24-16 MtSm Nth Qld b Warriors
34-4 Gosf Newcastle b Sydney
32-30 Bruc Canberra b Melbourne
36-26 Ende Penrith b Cronulla
24-18 Brok Manly b Parramatta
W D L B Diff PT
NTH QLD 8 - 2 - +139 16
WESTS-TIG 7 - 2 1 +113 16
MANLY 7 - 3 - +108 14
SOUTHS 6 - 3 1 +75 14
BRISBANE 6 - 4 - +91 12
CANBERRA 5 - 4 1 -1 12
WARRIORS 4 1 4 1 +36 11
SYDNEY 5 1 4 - +22 11
Cronulla 4 1 4 1 -32 11
Newcastle 5 - 5 - -32 10
St Geo-Ill 4 - 6 - -36 8
Penrith 3 - 6 1 -103 8
Melbourne 3 1 6 - -20 7
Canterbury 2 1 6 1 -68 7
Gold Coast 3 1 6 - -146 7
Parramatta 1 - 8 1 -130 4
NRL Club Championship
W D L B Diff PT
MANLY 13 - 7 - +179 26
Souths 11 - 7 2 +114 26
Wests-Tig 11 - 7 2 +64 26
St Geo-Ill 12 - 8 - +88 24
Nth Qld 11 - 9 - +77 22
Penrith 9 - 7 2 -31 22
Warriors 8 1 9 2 +17 21
Sydney 10 1 9 - -11 21
Gold Coast 10 1 9 - -146 21
Brisbane 10 - 10 - +76 20
Canberra 8 - 10 2 -72 20
Newcastle 9 - 11 - -60 18
Cronulla 6 1 11 2 -155 17
Parramatta 6 - 12 2 -121 16
Canterbury 5 1 12 2 -65 13
Melbourne 10 1 9 - +46 7 **
NSW Cup Rd10
v Auckland Vulcans
Mt Smart Stadium #2Sat May 16, 1:00pm (AEST)
LOSS 10-34
Late changes to the Bears side were, Capewell played 5/8 with Paea back at fullback. Itula was out with Nichols coming into the starting side. Kaifota and Talanoa dropped off the bench with Tawha coming up onto the bench. The flood lights were on at 1.00pm on Saturday afternoon and as the Auckland Vulcans kicked off thunder and lightning struck. In the heavy rain that persisted in the first half, it was the Vulcans who outplayed the North Sydney Bears. A lead of 24-0 was enough for the Vulcans to hold onto as the rain eased and the clouds disappeared in the second half. Both teams scored twice during this spell with the Vulcans in front 34-10 at the finish. Amidst the torrential rain the Vulcans defence was outstanding and the pressure led to their first try after 8 minutes. A long ball from Pita Godinet found Sione Lousi who stepped the cover tacklers to score out wide. Howie Matthews converted to give the Vulcans a 6-0 lead. The Vulcans maintained the pressure on the North Sydney Bears through the yardage made by the pack and a good kick chase game. From a penalty restart on the Bears 40m mark the Vulcans again made good ground and an inside ball from Godinet to Johnny Aranga saw him weave his way through the defence and score next to the posts. Matthews conversion was successful and the Vulcans led 12-0 after 26 minutes. Although the Bears had several chances to score they were unable to capitalize. Then in the 28th minute Godinet ran at the line 20m out, threw a dummy to slice through the first line of defence, then swerved to beat the fullback and score between the posts. Matthews converted and the Vulcans led 18-0. With 2 minutes to go the Vulcans had possession on their own 40m mark when Moon put in a chip kick. Although he couldn’t re-gather the ball he toed it ahead from the Bears 40m mark, and it was Godinet who outsprinted everyone to slide over and score next to the uprights. Matthews added the extras and the Vulcans led 24-0 at half time. The sun began to shine as the second half got underway and after a torrid opening it was the Vulcans who drew first blood. A double around by Moon created space for him to off load to Mike Afioga who scored midway corner post and goal posts. Matthews’ conversion attempt missed, but the Vulcans lead extended to 28-0. With 10 minutes to go the Bears scored when a face ball from Beau Fallon found Zeb Tawha who scored next to the posts. Luke Capewell kicked the extra 2 points to make the score 28-6. Five minutes later the Bears were in again when Curtis Johnston received the ball wide out and managed to beat the defence to score. Capewell missed the conversion and with 5 minutes to go the score was 28-10. It was James Gavet who scored the Vulcans last try when he charged the line from 20m out taking 3 tacklers with him. Matthews was successful again and the final score of 34-10 was a good reflection of the game.
8 min 0-6
26 min 0-12
28 min 0-18
38 min 0-24
45 min 0-28
70 min 6-28
75 min 10-28
79 min 10-34
Tawha, Johnston tries
Capewell 1 from 2 goals
Other NSW Cup Matches
31-18 Crst Melbourne b Cantebury
44-18 Hens Newtown b Cronulla
34-16 RCon Wests b Shllhrbr
34-32 Wind Windsor b Balm-Ryde
52-10 Ring Wntwrthvl b C Coast
W D L Diff PT
BALMAIN-RYDE 8 - 2 +36 16
WESTS 7 1 2 +85 15
WINDSOR 6 2 2 +67 14
CANTERBURY 7 - 3 +49 14
WENTWORTHVILLE 6 1 3 +96 13
NEWTOWN 6 1 3 +46 13
MELBOURNE 5 - 5 +58 10
CRONULLA 3 1 6 +44 7
Shellharbour 3 - 7 -67 6
Auckland 3 - 7 -70 6
Central Coast 2 - 8 -178 4
Norths 1 - 9 -166 2