Prediction time
Nightmare set of six
Yep, they are still down to 12, but Souths just had five tackles and a kick and could only get the ball to the 30m line. Thankfully for their supporters, they hang on with some resilient defending.
Scores level and Hawkins in strife
After Brad Schneider crossed to level the scores after a Souths side with just 12, Rabbits No.7 Dean Hawkins injured his upper leg while kicking off. That’s a new one. Now the Rabbitohs have both their fullback and halfback in all sorts of trouble. Hawkins limps from the field. I’m no doctor, but I’ll tip we won’t see him on the field again tonight. 12-12 after 25 minutes
Nicolussi’s view
Panthers on the board as Turuva goes in
Sunia Turuva, the man who’ll be a Wests Tiger next year, scores after a highly questionable pass. Souths had given away more re-starts and penalties than even Archimedes could count to in the lead up. That’ll settle down the mountain men. Souths lead 12-6
Rabbitohs now down to 12 men
After three set restarts to the 12-man Panthers, the Rabbitohs are warned that they’ll lose a man to the sin-bin if it happens again. They then give as two more penalties. Unsurprisingly, the referee sends Jai Arrow to the sin-bin. Arrow looks angry. He should be, with himself. Souths 12-0
Cook’s big night
Damien Cook is honoured on the occasion of his 200th NRL match.Credit: Getty
Upset alert?
Ben Hornby probably dreamed about this start last night. Two tries, and a 12-0 lead after as many minutes. Dean Hawkins has just scored the second. Impressive stuff from the team in red and green. Souths lead 12-0
South lead 6-0 after Thompson try
Rabbitohs No.6 Cody Walker cashed in on a Panthers right-edge that is missing Izack Tago. A clever play resulted in winger Izaac Thompson scoring. The ball was bobbling as he put it down, but the green light emerged from the Eveleigh Bunker. Souths lead 6-0
Izaac Thompson dives over in the corner to open the scoring for Souths.Credit: Getty
Tago on report and in sin-bin
Izack Tago will spend the next 10 minutes off the field after a textbook hip-drop tackle on Jye Gray. The little Rabbits fullback is still hobbling.
Izack Tago was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Jye Gray.Credit: Nine
Country music great on hand
Golden guitar man Troy Cassar-Daley provided the fans at Accor with some pre-game tunes. Credit: Getty
