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The Canterbury Bulldogs have recorded a thumping 30 point win in the Good Friday clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, with the match effectively over by half time.
The Rabbitohs struggled right from the opening set, and despite a recovery of sorts to be in the contest during the second half, they were blown off the park and so as the Bulldogs slightly switched off, none of it would matter.
Canterbury were able to roll up the field with absolute ease, and strong options every step of the way from halves Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye meant they were easily able to dissect a poorish South Sydney defence.
James Graham and Aiden Tolman were also fantastic in their work, getting sets off on the front foot with big runs and playing a creative role as they so often do on the Rabbitohs line.
It was hard to find anything to like about Souths in the first half. They dropped the ball far too often, completing at under 60 per cent but also seemed tired and almost disinterested on defence.
The scoring opened in the third minutes of action, wth Will Hopoate converting off a Sam Perrett kick. Hopoate was another one who was outstanding for Canterbury throughout the game with the number one on his back.
On just their second set of the game, Reynolds decided to run the ball for Canterbury sweeping to the left where they had numbers. Perrett was eventually tracked down, but kicked into the in goal and allowed Hopoate to score.
The next was through Moses Mbye, as he stepped and snaked his way around the defence for a try through a few defenders.
The third try for Canterbury was in rather interesting circumstances, as Tony Wiliams ran the ball about 30 metres out. He was dragged towards the left sideline, before managing to get a ball into Curtis Rona. He unloaded for Moses Mbye who found himself in space and then linked with Josh Morris who ran away to score.
Craig Garvey would score in the 21st minute out of dummy half through some soft defence before Josh Morris came up with a double after Paul Carter spilled the ball in the in goal with some strong defence.
Just five minutes later it would be Sam Perrett who found some space down the right hand side, with the Bulldogs taking a 32 nothing lead into the half time break.
Souths seemed to lift their intensity at the start of the second half, with the Bulldogs certainly not as focused as they were making a few errors. They did a good job at playing boring football though, winding down the clock and forcing the Rabbitohs to lose interest in the game.
The first try of the second half would not come until the 59th minute with Curtis Rona crossing in the corner. Souths would then cross for a pair of consolation tries, a reward for effort and fight as Michael Oldfield and then Chris Grevsmuhl scored.
A key component of both tries was the idea of Cody Walker and Luke Keary being involved strongly in the lead-up play.
Chase Stanley completed the game on a high for the Bulldogs scoring on the left hand side with just seven minutes remaining.
In the end, a commanding win for the Bulldogs against a hapless Rabbitohs outfit.
Score:
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Canterbury Bulldogs 42
In what could be a heated Good Friday clash, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will look to get back in the winners’ circle when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs, out to avenge last years’ loss. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:00pm (AEDT).
Last year when the teams met on Good Friday the match was talked about for months after when the Rabbitohs managed to take a one-point win in controversial circumstances.
With the match tied at 16-all, the Bulldogs kicked a field goal before Adam Reynolds attempted one of his own. With James Graham barrelling down on him, a penalty was called and Bryson Goodwin slotted home the match-winning penalty.
The Rabbitohs, after starting the season on a high taking, were brought crashing down to Earth last week against the St George Illawarra Dragons. The loss was made even worse for the Rabbitohs, with Sam Burgess picking up an injury in an awkward looking tackle.
All eyes will be on Greg Inglis following the Souths’ skipper’s comical field goal attempt. Expect him to attempt to make up for the mistake and come out firing in this one.
In the absence of Burgess, Nathan Brown has been named to start at lock.
The Bulldogs also started the season with two straight wins. They were convincing in Round 1, but struggled against the Panthers, only taking the lead in the last minute.
They were then defeated by the Parramatta Eels last weekend.
Canterbury have made minimal changes to their team, with Greg Eastwood named to return at lock and Lloyd Perrett named on an extended five-man bench.
This is going to be a real battle of the halves. Luke Keary and Cody Walker, while playing in terrible conditions last week, were horribly out of sorts against a strong Dragons defensive line. The Bulldogs halves, Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds, have been up-and-down so far, but when they get it right it bodes well for Canterbury.
Prediction
The Rabbitohs will struggle without Burgess out and a short turnaround from their brutal game last week. If Mbye and Reynolds can get their kicking games right the Bulldogs should get home.
Bulldogs by four.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Good Friday Rugby League from 4pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the game progresses.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde