Rabbitohs vs Sharks
Here we are the weekend after our round one win against the Sharks. It’s always good to start the season off with a win. Especially at a place where we don’t win too often.
The result in round one won’t win or cost you a premiership. What it does do is get you off to a good start. The more wins earlier in the season the less pressure there is at the back end of the season.
Two Big Losses
As if beating the Sharks in round one at Shark Park wasn’t already impressive enough. We had to do it off the back of losing 2 players early in the game. Both these players were big minute forwards.
It didn’t take long at all to lose our first player. The very first hit up of the season and the all familiar feeling that we had many games last year. Losing a player early on for the game. Junior Tatola runs into Dale Finucane. You knew straight away that was going to be the end of his night.
Down to 16 players.
It’s still ok. Jai Arrow comes on to replace him.
Sadly he only lasts a quarter of the game in. It’s his hammy and we are down to just 15. When you consider Blake Taaffe only came on the last 8 minutes then the majority of that game we only used 14 players.
Impressive
That shows how impressive that win was.
With the Sharks scoring just on the stroke of halftime and going into the sheds all locked up at 12 all you couldn’t help but to think it was going to be a very tough ask from here. Who was going to stand up? Outside of Tom Burgess we didn’t have another prop that had ever played big minutes of NRL footy.
The Forwards Stood Up
Well we found out quickly in the second half. Both Shaq Mitchell and Davvy Moale didn’t let us down at all. They showed that they can handle the big minutes. Both were very impressive.
All the forwards did their job. Murray despite a couple of errors was his usual self. Tom Burgess continued on his form from last season coming off the bench. He showed how much we missed him for that preliminary final last season. Michael Chee Kam didn’t let the side down when given the starting spot.
Keaon Koloamatangi
Keaon Koloamatangi for me was the stand out in the pack. Outside of the drop ball, he had the Sharks worried all night. Souths targeted the left side defence of the Sharks. More so attacking Matt Moylan. It worked a treat and Keaon was a big part of that. That big don’t argue when he scored his try in the first half just showed the strength he has. The success of the World Cup has really lifted his game.
Campbell Graham
Another who has come from the World Cup late last year and taken his game to the next level is the man outside Keaon in Campbell Graham. The man known as Stretch showed why he was picked to play for Australia last year. He ran hard all night. His lines for both his tries were perfect. Again he showed that he is one of the best defensive centres in the game.
The Back Five
Our back five were all impressive. Especially in the second half taking the pressure off the forwards. All 5 made over 100 metres. As the game wore on it was our back 5 getting us out of our own end on the first few tackles and to great effect. It was great to see how involved Isaiah Tass was. Topped the most runs of the game. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson took a bit of time to really get in the game. Wasn’t the best in the first half, but came good the second half.
Damien Cook
Damien Cook really took advantage of the dominance of our go forward. His running game lacked over the last couple of seasons. It was good to see him using it so often. The threat of him from dummy half will really have the opposition on alert.
The left hand side of attack was hardly noticed. When there is an obvious weakness on one side of the field though it would be silly not to continue to exploit it though. Seems strange that a game like this you would expect to hear more about Cody and Latrell.
We quite often say that when we play the strong teams we need one or both of these players to be the stand out player. Well that wasn’t the case.
Lachy Ilias
Step up Lachlan Ilias. By far his best game so far. Much was made of Ilias last season. Taking over from Reynolds was always going to be a tough gig. There was always going to be that pressure on him. Now after the full season and that pressure somewhat off what were we going to see?
It didn’t take long for him to stamp his name on this game. He was doing it all the other night. Not only through his attack but his defence as well. He was saving tries, setting them up and even scoring them himself.
His attitude and his ability to never give up was there for all to see early in the game. Saving a certain try. That was right in the corner where we were in The Burrow.
Then from there we go up the other end and he cuts them open and scores himself. It’s a shame that Keaon dropped the ball over the line. The kick by Ilias was as perfect as you get. He did set up Campbell Graham for his first try with a beautiful pass.
There were another two times where Ilias forced the ball out in defence when we were under pressure.
I don’t think anyone can argue that he was the player of the match.
Error Rate
If there is one area to be critical of the team it would be the silly errors after scoring points. Allowing the opposition to come back into the game. We did this a couple of times in the first half. Probably the area the team can take out of the game to work on.
Overall, a very impressive win to start the season. One that all the boys can build on for the rest of the year.
The Dolphins
To top the weekend off how good was it to see the Dolphins get the win over the Roosters for their first ever game?
Now we move to the short turnaround on Thursday night. Our depth will be further tested with Jai Arrow missing and possibly Junior Tatola. It doesn’t get any tougher than playing the Panthers out at the foot of the mountains. They haven’t had a good start to the season and will be looking to bounce back.
On a final note it was great to have Bunnies TV’s own Steve Mavin and his wife Sam come join us in the Burrow for the game. I’m sure both enjoyed their first experience of watching the game in The Burrow.
For those who want to come join us in The Burrow this week we will be on the Southern Hill in the corner.
Rabbitohs vs Sharks
By Josh Kemp for Bunnies TV.
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