South Sydney Rabbitohs 20
Penrith Panthers 16
In Kyle Turner’s return game from injury, the Panthers struck first with James Segeyaro darting out of dummy half to score.
Bryce Cartwright went over soon after the Rabbitohs soon after got on the board through John Sutton.
>>MATCH REPORT: Turner concussion sours Souths win
Alex Johnston went over in the corner to level the scores at the break.
The second half did not start well for the Rabbitohs with Kyle Turner being taken from the field after sustaining an injury.
The Rabbitohs kicked a penalty goal before Adam Reynolds was disallowed a try for raking the ball.
Dylan Walker went over in the corner to extend Souths’ lead to 8 points, just minutes later Lewis Brown hit back after a stunning play from Jamie Soward and the Panthers’ left-side attack.
It wasn’t enough in the end with the Rabbitohs taking the win.
The Penrith Panthers face a huge challenge as they try to keep their finals hopes alive against South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar from 3:50pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
South Sydney will be looking to continue their dominant form as they hunt a top-four finish.
The Rabbitohs need to use their forwards to muscle their way to a win. If George and Thomas Burgess can put in extra work up front, the entire South Sydney side will benefit greatly.
The other test for the reigning premiers comes on the wing with the right-hand combination of Bryson Goodwin and Joel Reddy needing to ensure their ball-handling and defence is at its best.
Kyle Turner returns from a neck injury on the bench, replacing Ben Lowe in the only change to Michael Maguire’s team.
Meanwhile, the Panthers sit at the opposite end of the table and are fighting to scrape into the top eight, a feat which seems highly unlikely.
The Panthers’ performance hinges on the halves, if Isaac John and Jamie Soward can properly guide their forwards across the line and set up overlaps on the flank with their backs, they could come up with an upset.
Ivan Cleary has made several changes to his side. Waqa Blake moves to centre, replacing the injured Dean Whare, seeing Josh Mansour return to the wing.
Isaac John replaces Peter Wallace in the halves due to injury, while Sam McKendry starts at prop, replacing Nigel Plum, with Apisai Koroisau returning to the bench.
Last time the two teams met, in Round 17, the Panthers defeated the Rabbitohs 20-6. The Rabbitohs are coming off of an impressive 52-6 victory over the Newcastle Knights, the Panthers lost at the hands of the Canberra Raiders last week 24-34.
Prediction
Penrith will not be able to match the Rabbitohs’ form.
Rabbitohs by 24.
Join The Roar from 3:50pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
steveng
Roar Rookie
This game was definitely not a convincing win for the Rabbitohs, as a Rabbitohs fan I was very concerned by their lack of commitment and mongrel in the first 20 minutes and by letting the Panthers score 2 very soft tries. But in saying all this the Panthers are an above average side and they can beat any team in the comp on a good day. With Segeyaro and Soward always looking dangerous and dictating the Panthers game, plus their unorthodox offloads and chancy plays, they do take allot of chances and most of the time it comes off for them. The Rabbitohs will have to improve allot if they are to beat the top teams and go back to back, and I know that the Rabbitohs were in this exact position and situation last year, but last year they had allot more experienced and better players to tackle the finals with. It will be a blessing when Kirisome Auva'a returns in round 23 into the Rabbitohs side and things will and can only improve with his addition there. But at this point in time the Rabbitohs just don't look like premiership material to me. The next 5 weeks will prove how good the Rabbitohs really are and what chance they will have of tackling the odds and being back to back premiers. And week 1 of that test starts next Friday when they play the Sea Eagles that are a very hot side with lots of experience and determination to make the 8.
3 Hats
Guest
Yeah, that's what everyone said last year...what happened? SOUTHS WON THE COMP!
john neeson
Guest
Only two teams left. One to shut up the banana benders one just because they own the NRL.
E-Meter
Guest
The refereeing was atrocious. I don't support either side, nor was I betting on this match, but the policing of the ruck, would have been done better by my 90 yr old grandma. Penrith played like hackers and spoilers and were allowed to, and Souths were like a fumbling bumbling fart. They really stunk.
jamesb
Guest
I reckon the top three teams are genuine contenders. Souths won't go far in the finals. Manly are a dark horse if they make it. Cronulla may break the drought........ Surely not.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME In Kyle Turner’s return game from injury, the Panthers struck first with James Segeyaro darting out of dummy half to score. Bryce Cartwright went over soon after the Rabbitohs soon after got on the board through John Sutton. Alex Johnston went over in the corner to level the scores at the break. The second half did not start well for the Rabbitohs with Kyle Turner being taken from the field after sustaining an injury. The Rabbitohs kicked a penalty goal before Adam Reynolds was disallowed a try for raking the ball. Dylan Walker went over in the corner to extend Souths' lead to 8 points, just minutes later Lewis Brown hit back after a stunning play from Jamie Soward and the Panthers' left-side attack. It wasn't enough in the end with the Rabbitohs taking the win. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Rabbitohs have defeated the Panthers by four points. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
80' Soward kicks, Gray takes the ball in-goal. 20m restart for South Sydney, they wind down the clock South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16 MAN OF THE MATCH: GLENN STEWART
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
79' Penrith attacking, last opportunity to score South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
78' South Sydney attacking, this game will come down to the wire South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
77' Blake knocks on, South Sydney scrum feed South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
76' Penrith attacking, kick through Soward on the last, repeat set South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
jamesb
Guest
Gee, Souths were lucky not to concede a penalty try.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
75' Play restarts, Penrith need to be the next to score. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL! South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
MJB
Guest
This game has to be the best evidence for a 5 minute sin bin.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
TRY! LEWIS BROWN 73' Penrith attacking, kick through Soward on the last tackle, Cartwright gathers, Brown scores. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 16
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
72' South Sydney attacking close to the Panthers' line. Reynolds kicks, Penrith attacking South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 12
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
71' South Sydney pick up the loose ball, penalty to the Rabbitohs. South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 12
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
70' Reynolds kicks high on the last for Mansour, penalty to Penrith South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Penrith Panthers 12