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The normally expressionless NRL boss Dave Smith should have a huge smile after the season started at Suncorp last night with a bang. Premiers South Sydney treated league fans to a 36-6 romp over the Broncos.
For openers, the Broncos averaged a tick over 33,000 at home last season. Last night there were 36,057 in attendance in very humid conditions.
But the story is South Sydney.
The famous cardinal red and myrtle green club waited 43 painful years before they cracked their 21st premiership last year.
Since then, the Rabbits have won every trophy available – the Auckland Nines, the Charity Shield, and the World Club Challenge. In the latter they thumped St Helens by a record 39-0, playing white hot rugby league in near freezing conditions in the north of England.
And last night was more of the same, hardly the way the Bronco faithful wanted to celebrate the return of their favourite son Wayne Bennett after six seasons and 154 games with the Dragons and Knights.
The maestro will get the Broncos back on track, that much is certain.
But there was one very good reason for the faithful to celebrate last night – Corey Parker’s 300th game.
He’s the 22nd to reach the milestone, only the eighth one-clubber, and second on the list only to the legendary Darren Lockyer, who holds the code’s record with 355.
But last night belonged to Mick Maguire’s Rabbits.
The NRL’s top player Greg Inglis took 48 minutes to score his first try as the new South Sydney skipper, and 10 minutes later he made a typical mid-field burst to unselfishly send youngster Luke Keary on his way to touch down.
He accumulated 133 run metres during the game, looking in good stead for the season despite a glut of football recently. Inglis was crucial in the five-tries-to-one victory.
The icing on the cake was the performance of Souths halfback Adam Reynolds who reminded NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley he’s the main contender with a solid all-round game plus seven successful shots at goal from seven attempts. His last goal was a monster 51-metre centre-field penalty and he deserved the man-of-the-match honours.
The other plus for Souths was former Manly stalwart Glenn Stewart.
He can’t match rugby convert Sam Burgess’ 196cms and 116kgs for size, but Stewart’s 180cms and 100kgs will do very nicely. He was everywhere last night in a tireless performance.
And why were South Sydney so dominant?
“The boys are all great mates, and they really enjoying playing together,” was Maguire’s simple answer.
And the skipper’s warning?
“Last year was last year. To concentrate on the big prize we have to do that every week,” said Inglis.
So good luck to the other 15 clubs, South Sydney is the benchmark in season 2015.