South Sydney completed their first trial match of the year against English Super League side Warrington Wolves on a muggy evening last Saturday in their annual Return to Redfern clash, a tussle that threw up a few interesting points.
Souths have been going back to Redfern Oval for pre-season hit outs for a number of years now, and its a chance for the club’s faithful fans to get out and see the Rabbitohs play at their spiritual home.
There was a good turnout of around 4000 or more last weekend, with Redfern Oval packed out with supporters both old and new.
There was a lot of optimism and good cheer before the footy started, as typically greets every Souths season, but this dissipated somewhat with the Rabbitoh’s lame early display.
They shipped three quick tries to the Warrington Wolves, including one shocking effort when a grubber went straight through the legs of a South defender to be pounced on by a very thankful Wolves player .
Very embarrassing indeed. Groans in the crowd started, with many experiencing de ja vu and thinking “not again!”
Souths defended like a rabble, their tackling weak and ineffective, and will need to improve a hell of a lot in this area before the real games kick off.
Of course, this was just a trial, their first game of the year, and the red and green were missing probably 75 percent of their first grade team. Still, first impressions last, and their weak defense, which has been a constant over the past few years is a concern.
Surely new coach Michael Maguire would not have been happy.
But here is where the picture gets better.
As the game wore on, Souths got better and put on a few tries. Their defense tightened up a bit and made the game into a contest, only losing in the final minutes to a late try.
It was a respectable loss, going down in the end 34-28.
There were also good displays by Chris Sandow’s heirs, Adam Reynolds and Ryan Carr. Reynolds kicked two 40-20s and was solid in the halves. Carr did himself no disservice either. Filling Sandow’s shoes at halfback is a big ask, but either might do well in the number seven jumper.
What was also interesting about this match was the performance of South’s Super League opponent, Warrington. The Wolves looked very good and have some handy players, plenty known to NRL fans like Adrina Morely, Trent Waterhouse, Brett Hodgson, David Solomona, Michael and Joel Monaghan. They should have struggled in the conditions, but they were sharp and committed, and are clearly one of the better teams in England.
The gap between the NRL and the Super League clearly seems to be closing.
Regular games between clubs from both competitions can only help. A proposed four match series between the two best teams from each comp, which has been mooted in the media recently, would be an attractive prospect. Manly take on Leeds in the UK very soon, another chance for the Super League to show its wares.
A closing of the divide between English and Australia rugby league, at club if not international level, can only be a good thing for the health of the game.
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