By Stephen Fenech from Tech Guide
Not the most spectacular win but it was enough for Souths to seal a semi-final berth. We were dealt a blow just hours before kick-off when Damien Cook returned a positive COVID test. He could also miss the match against the Roosters next week if he tests positive to a PCR test which comes with an automatic seven-day break. And we sure did miss Cook tonight around the ruck. He would have had a field day running out of dummy half tonight – unfortunately without him we didn’t have that club in our bag and we looked pedestrian at times with the ball. While the effort and intention were there, our attack lacked the usual polish and dangerous edge.
Souths had the bounce of the ball early and a few decisions went our way. We had a mountain of possession and good field position but just couldn’t cross the line. It didn’t help us when we were batting balls intended for the wingers into touch. And after all those chances we had, the Cowboys got inside the Souths half for the first time and managed to score a try on the first attempt and take the 6-2 lead. Souths were given a few early penalties which helped us get downfield and put the pressure back on them. A few minutes later that charge resulted in a try to Koloamatangi to take us out to an 8-6 lead with the conversion.
I don’t know what it was but our usually razor-sharp backline play down both sides just wasn’t there most of the time. I’m not sure if it was because we didn’t have a specialist dummy half in Cook. Havili did OK but some of his passes were not the best and one was so bad it caused Cody Walker to knock on before he had a chance to kick on the last tackle. Our attack lacked the usual slick shape and agility that we’re used to. The one time our backline did get its act together it resulted in a try to Alex Johnston down the left side to take the lead out to 14-6.
In the second half I was hoping Souths would come out all guns blazing but their attack had no flow and we were play it through the middle. The Cowboys were also not as sharp as they could have been in a scoreless arm wrestle. But the Cowboys struck back and capitalised on some lazy Souths fifth tackle defence. Havili rushed up on his own to challenge the Cowboys kicker while the rest of the defence sat back and waited for the kick. But instead of kicking, the Cowboys ran the ball before kicking into the in-goal area with Feldt pouncing on the ball for a try just centimetres short of the dead ball line in the 68th minute. Unfortunately Latrell was badly out of position and suddenly all the momentum had transferred to the Cowboys. We were now staring down the barrel of a possible defeat.
It wasn’t until the Cowboys were reduced to 11 men with two of theirs in the sin bin before Souths could put the game away with a Tom Burgess try under the posts. That was a hard game and we did get the result but we’re capable of so much more. We all know what this team can do but that ruthless and clinical approach was nowhere to be seen tonight. With the Roosters next week and the semi-finals on our doorstep, Souths need to lift their intensity and come up with the same attention to detail that has resulted in some of our greatest wins. But what we showed tonight was still enough to beat a top four team that is known for its defence and dangerous attack.
Cameron Murray once again did so much work in attack and defence he could form his own trade union. He was ably supported by Koloamatangi and Tom Burgess while, in the backs, Campbell Graham and Alex Johnston were always dangerous with the ball and did their fair share of tackling. Latrell and Cody were not quite at their best tonight, but we do need them to fire up as we head into the finals starting on Friday night.
Now if Cook is indeed ruled out next week for the match against the Roosters at the new Allianz Stadium, then I think we should play a specialist hooker/dummy half in Peter Mamouzelos to provide better service and pace out of dummy half. To win the comp Souths need to win every game from now on – can they do it? It all starts next week when we take on our old cross-town rivals the Roosters – I hope we can spoil their housewarming party at the shiny new stadium that will hopefully become our home as well. Let’s go Rabbitohs!!!
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