The South Sydney Rabbitohs have held on for a four-point win after the Manly Sea Eagles put serious pressure on the Bunnies’ defensive line for most of the game.
Michael Maguire’s team had a strong opening 20 minutes, with Manly’s defense letting in two soft tries – to Cameron McInnes, with Cody Walker going through the line soon after.
Former Rabbitoh Dylan Walker hit back to get the Sea Eagles on the board after he found a gap. Despite a late charge in the first half, Manly were unable to score again, going into the halftime break down 16-6.
Led by Apisai Koroisau, who was filling in for Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback as the State of Origin representative was absent through a syndesmosis injury, Manly spent the majority of the second half deep inside South Sydney’s half, with the Rabbitohs barely getting a chance to crack the Sea Eagles’ line.
Koroisau was rewarded after darting through the line with some scintillating play.
The Sea Eagles had plenty more opportunities to score but were unable to close the gap, Souths holding on to their early lead after 60 minutes of Manly attack.
McInnes stood out for the Rabbitohs, leading tackling and scoring two tries, while Luke Keary was also strong.
Koroisau and Walker were strong in the halves all game, while Siosaia Vave put in a great performance in limited time.
South Sydney face off against the Roosters next Friday night, while Manly head to Auckland to meet the Warriors.
Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will be hoping to get back in the winners circle when they head to Brookvale Oval to take on the Manly Sea Eagles for the opening game of Round 5. Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
Trent Barrett’s Sea Eagles have won two games in a row, over the Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters.
Their meeting with Souths will be their third match in 11 days, while the Rabbitohs are playing their third in 12.
Manly will be without Daly Cherry-Evans, who has suffered a high ankle sprain, seeing Apisai Koroisau partner Dylan Walker in the halves. Martin Taupau returns from suspension, with Steve Matai and Brenton Lawrence also joining the side. Lewis Brown and Josh Starling shift to the bench and Jamie Buhrer will miss the match after injuring his hand against the Roosters.
South Sydney are boosted by the return of English dual-international Sam Burgess, who missed the Rabbitohs’ 42-12 Good Friday loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs with a neck injury.
Burgess was impressive in the opening rounds of the competition since returning from a short stint with Bath Rugby. Burges earned an England Test jersey, and appeared in the motherland’s failed Rugby World Cup campaign on home soil.
The 2014 Clive Churchill medallist was missed last week, with Souths looking thin up front. Going into the second half down 32-0, Souths’ pride was saved by two late tries to Michael Oldfield and Chris Grevsmuhl.
Burgess’ brother Tom also returns for the Bunnies, with Paul Carter pushed to an extended bench.
Souths will, however, still be without Adam Reynolds, John Sutton, Alex Johnston and rookie Zane Musgrove, while Bryson Goodwin is also in doubt with a groin injury.
30 fixtures have been played between the two clubs since 1998, with Manly having won 18 matches to the Bunnies’ 12.
Both sides managed a win each in 2015, with the Rabbitohs taking a 20-8 victory in Round 16, before the Sea Eagles sprung back to grab a 28-8 win in Round 22.
Prediction
Sam Burgess will lift Souths to their first win since defeating the Newcastle Knights 48-6 back in Round 2.
Rabbitohs by 18.
Join The Roar from 8:05pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
val
Guest
still 13th
planko
Guest
3 Points for dropping the F Bomb
pete bloor
Guest
Damn I had week 9 in the office roosters supporters pool!
steveng
Roar Rookie
lol good point, but judging by our form that could backfire on us as well, the Roosters might get their first win next week.
Big J
Guest
Couldn't agree more a poor performance and a lucky win for us. I'm not sure what is happening but the wheels are barely holding on
P. Marlowe
Guest
Agree with that - particularly on the kicking game. When they were under pressure, they needed to find open space and try and turn Manly around. Keary seemed to be aiming for Brett Stewart or Taufua's chest...
David C
Guest
I was very disturbed to see the referees slacking off over correct play the ball. The try that Koroisau scored came straight after Darcy Lussick simply stepped over the ball. which should have resulted in a penalty to the Rabbits. It would been a huge relieving penalty had it been given as Souths were really under the pump at that stage. The early rounds have been marked by refs enforcing the play the ball and that's been good. They MUST keep doing it, for the game's sake.
Parrafan
Guest
Look on the bright side. You've got Roosters again next weekend.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Rabbitohs were very poor and all us fans are pulling our hair out of what can and can't go wrong anymore. Last nights effort was very ordinary and the Rabbits didn't so much win that game as Manly lost that game. For a team to not score for 60 minutes of a game and be confined to their half is a very poor effort, Keary and Walkers kicks were very ordinary and Souths attack was really none existent in the second half. But a win is a win.
Muzz
Guest
Walker is a great centre and adds strike power to a backline however an average(on a good day) five-eighth. His distribution to a sweeping Brett Stewart was poor.
Aaron
Guest
Dylan Walker was not strong and was the main reason Manly lost. He obviously is a much stronger personality on the field and calls for the ball and the play - but then the play is set and he doesn't use the numbers at all and completely wastes it. Can he even pass? Brett Stewart's kicking close to the line was mostly awful. Manly's best plan is to give it Api and get players to run some lines off him. Overall, I thought both these teams were poor and will need to step up.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Great effort Manly. Plenty of heart to aim up against a mobile monster pack after leaking three early tries. Still plenty to work on in attack but Api played a cracker at short notice. 2 wins, 3 losses a fair reflection of Manly's start to the season and it's a whole lot better than expected given the first two games. As for Thursdays, lets file them in the vault marked Moffat/Smith.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Great 60 minute performance from the Eagles. Sounds perfect for Sunday at 7.30pm on Nine.
SpongeBob
Guest
Opposed to the bunker jumping in sometimes, yet letting other obvious calls go. Sounds like a super system.
E-Meter
Guest
When Tom's brother Jake returns, Barrett should send Myles to NSW Cup. His go forward is hopeless. Mateo should join him as well.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Mate your conspiracy theory stuff is terribly boring
SpongeBob
Guest
They can - that's the problem. You have to wonder WHY they would see a clear wrong decision, yet not overturn it? Bunker shouldn't play a part, this whole "we'll jump in when we feel like it" is ripe for controversy.
SpongeBob
Guest
Right, opposed to the 5 or 6 straight penalties Manly got, the awful offside decision that was replayed multiple times yet refused to be overturned?
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs. I'll be back tomorrow with live coverage of Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos from 8:05pm (AEDT). Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations 3 - Cameron McInnes 2 - Apisai Koroisau 1 - Siosaia Vave Manly Sea Eagles 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs 16