It may be a new start for South Sydney under Michael McGuire, but last night the Rabbitohs once again managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. A culture change takes time.
McGuire has an almighty task ahead.
Souths led by eight points with just two and a half minutes to go, but somehow lost 24 – 20 to the Roosters.
The winning try from Anthony Minichiello came off a grubber from Roosters second rower Boyd Cordner.
Salt meet wound. This will sting the club and its fans.
McGuire has spent the off-season flogging his troops into shape, pleading with them to be mentally strong when the tough moments arrive.
Last night, the first of those moments confronted them and his men folded.
One try in two and a half minutes can be forgiven.
Two tries in quick succession is a sign of a side that still doesn’t know how to finish the job.
McGuire was trying to search for positives after the match and they weren’t hard to find.
Sam Burgess battled like a gladiator and young halfback Adam Reynolds was composed without being spectacular.
Perhaps the biggest compliment came from a former international who told this columnist that Souths defended like Melbourne for 60 minutes of the match.
They’ll need to imitate them for a little longer this weekend. The Storm awaits at AAMI Park on Sunday night.
Progress will be slow. Understanding the art of winning and the hard work that accompanies it will take time.
When it eventually clicks, South Sydney could rise from its slumber.
There has been many a false dawn, but McGuire could be the man to help break down that final mental barrier.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The beautiful uncertainty of rugby league.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Not quite correct Pops.They were hoping to achieve that figure,they didn't .That's life.They got a sellout at Leichhardt which was predicted,so it's not the end of the rugby league world,though you may believe so.Great game in Auckland also.. The game itself went down to the wire as did many of the other matches.That is why the NRL is so unpredictable,7 away teams win.I am sure other sports would like a similar scenario.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Could not believe it when I saw the Roosters streaming through for the last try. Chips were spat.
Pete75
Guest
If that was the case, why didn't they do it last year when they had Sandow in pretty much exactly the same roster as this year? I also question whether Sandow is a premiership half regardless of the team roster. The outside backs don't see enough of the ball off Sandow. You can't win a competition without halves. Reynolds is a rookie and Sutton is a lock in a number 6 jersey. You can't win comps like that....
seanmaguire
Guest
Maguire, Mcguire, Maguire, Mcguire. How bloody hard is it!!! Anyway they talk about winning cultures, Souths just find a way to lose. The team they have now should be a top eight side but I doubt they'll make it because they just don't seem to want it
Gaz
Guest
How many players in the side have Souths developed? There is a big difference in presenting big money players who have been around the place for 10 minutes and those a club has developed from 14 or 15 yrs of age. The latter will be the ones with club spirit and heart that will win the tough games and grand finals. The money players will keep you competitive when it suits but ultimately haven't got the culture or desire to lift when needed. Sides such as Souths, Cowboys and Titans change their players so much every year, big turnovers, trying to buy a premiership - just doesn't work. When the Roosters applied the pressure in the last minutes last night the Rabbits showed little resistance no heart and little culture. Come on Russel, spend a bit of money on your young blokes and see the difference You sacrificed one of them to get Inglis, what a joke! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Pops MacDonald
Guest
Were there not meant to be 30,000 people at last evenings game? It appears to me that it was signifcantly less then that. It would appear to be Rugby League once again asserting itself as more then it actually is.
Maximus
Guest
Manly developed all of those players bar Lyon but they will run into salary cap trouble soon if the contracts are back ended. Plus maybe the peninsular lifestyle is a bonus...Last night highlighted the problems with the stripping the ball rule - there were some questionable decisions but I'm intrigued why referee Sutton ddint check the grounding of the hargreaves try where Taylor appeared to be a chance of having his arm underneath it - possibly not but it was worth a look. Roosters roared back into the game with some good field position aided by Souths "discipline" mistakes
Dan
Guest
But you can fit foran, cherryevans, Stewart,Stewart,Lyon,kite,king,matai,dWilliams,tWilliams,ballin? I think not! Souths roster is modest compared to the silvertails team of rep players -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Paul
Guest
Yes but not if you lost Sutton and kept Sandow or didn pay overs for Ingliss. Im a rooster so i dont really care but i always thought Bea Champion was a very good centre and better value for money in a squad like the one the rabbits have got. Dynamic forward pack but no general and as ill disciplined Sandow was or is i think the bunnies win by plenty if he payed.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Paul, This is the era of the salary cap, and you cant fit Sandow, Burgess, Luke and Inglis in the same cap.
Dan
Guest
Can someone tell Dave Taylor to pass inglis the ball?!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Paul
Guest
No agree, but put sandow in the bunnies line up and they challenge for the title.
Chop
Guest
Not based on Sandow's performance for Parramatta on Friday night they don't. I thought Reynolds was solid if not spectacular. Sutton is the guy who need to take some control of the game. They missed Issac Luke as well. I think Souths have a solid platform and will go ok this year. I was impressed by the Roosters as well. In fact the only teams that didn't impress me this weekend were my Eels and the Cowboys.
Paul
Guest
Given the roosters only had 2 players over 23 on the field its a pretty good effort and to just focus on souths is unfair. The try Sutton scored should have been ruled 6 to go becuase Burgess played at the ball before making the tackle on perrit so they should not have been that far in front imo. I am obviously biased but i have a real fear there is not being enough done in relation to referees performance. We have blokes on what 50 to 100 k salarys as refs trying to keep up and control games by athletes on upto 5 times as much and 10 times the raw ability. They need to develop a high performance unit to get the refs up to speed. Oh and if souths had Sandow, they win by plenty!!
turbodewd
Guest
The problem with Souths is that they offer fat contracts and the players get lazy - why try? They also lack workhorses on the roster.