The Wests Tigers have got their first win in six weeks after defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs following a strong opening twenty minutes by the joint venture.
The visitors experienced a pre-game nightmare with Mitchell Moses ruled out of the game however, they soon put it behind them as James Tedesco scored after four minutes with Luke Brooks grubbering for the fullback who put the ball down simulatenously with Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds.
The momentum was flowing the way of the Wests Tigers with Jordan Rankin scoring minutes later with Luke Brooks helping him over before Brooks was rewarded by scoring off his own kick.
Kevin Naiqama was next to score putting the joint venture in front 20-0 after as many minutes however Souths finally got on the board after 35 minutes with Kirisome Auva’a scoring off an Adam Reynolds torpedo.
The Rabbitohs went into the break down by 14 points but raced out of the blocks with Adam Reynolds putting up another torpedo which saw David Nofoaluma loses possession in-goal putting Bryson Goodwin over the line.
Dane Nielsen soon scored after a gut-busting effort from Sam Burgess but the Rabbitohs soon came crashing back down with the Wests Tigers putting on two tries in ten minutes through Jordan Rankin and David Nofoaluma courtesy of Robbie Farah.
Souths had a last-ditch attempt with Bryson Goodwin going over with seven minutes remaining however, the Rabbitohs couldn’t come back from eight points down in the end with the Wests Tigers holding on to win.
Robbie Farah, Jordan Rankin, Curtis Sironen and Luke Brooks stood out for the Wests Tigers while David Nofoaluma was also strong.
Sam Burgess led the way for Souths with Nathan Brown putting in a good effort as well.
Both teams now have the break over the representative round before Souths take on the Eels and the Wests Tigers lock horns with the Bulldogs.
Final score:
South Sydney Rabbitohs 22
Wests Tigers 30
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers will clash in Thursday night football as the two sides meet coming off a string of losses. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
The Rabbitohs will be desperate for a win having lost their past three games including heavy defeats at the hands of the Cowboys (44-18) and the Broncos (30-8).
Halfback Adam Reynolds had an injury score in Souths’ loss to Brisbane, with the 2014 premiership winner re-injuring his jaw. However, Reynolds has been named to in Michael McGuire’s side and is set to play a pivotal role in Souths’ bid to get back into the winner’s circle.
The cardinal and myrtle will also require an increased effort from Greg Inglis, who has been relegated to centre for the Kangaroos after Mal Meninga named Darius Boyd in the No. 1 jersey.
The Burgess brothers will also need to improve, with George Burgess returning on the bench in place of Paul Carter, while Kyle Turner also comes into the side.
The Wests Tigers haven’t tasted victory since back in Round 2. The joint venture are currently in the midst of a six-game losing streak, and Jason Taylor’s job is at serious risk.
The Tigers have a disadvantage up front with the absence of Aaron Woods showing the club’s lack of depth in the forward pack, particularly when compared to Souths’ behemoths.
Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks will need to lead their troops to victory by outplaying Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds, while James Tedesco must lift his game after a disappointing performance against the Raiders in their 60-6 loss.
Since 1998, the two clubs have played 26 times with South Sydney winning 15 matches to the Wests Tigers’ eleven.
The Sydney-based franchises won a game apiece in 2015 with the Bunnies getting a 20-6 victory in Round 3 while the Tigers managed a 34-6 victory in Round 14.
Prediction
Adam Reynolds will lead Souths to a win over Wests.
Rabbitohs by 12.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
steve
Guest
Hi, Can someone tell me what time the Tigers v Souths game actually started. I know this may be a silly question but I need to know as I am in a tipping comp. I know the advertised time was 7.50pm but I was watching the game on tele and got my tips in at 7.56pm before they kicked off. I think this may have had to do with Mitchell Mose being injured in the warm up to the game and they had to make last minute changes to the team. I know the games are live so I am assuming the game must have started a couple of minutes after 7.56pm. Can anyone confirm this. Thanks Steve.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I agree with you 'Ken O'Meara' and as Tooves use to say 'there should be an investigation' lol how can you pick a side like Souths and put a bet on them??? Well I picked the Rabbits lol (in the Roars Tipping, stupid me) and I'm dirty for that and will never ever pick them again this season, especially next week when they will be 'SMASHED' by the Eels and god knows what the score will be and the week after they are playing the Dragons and even then I 'WONT PICK THEM' and then the 'Titans' and after a BYE we have the Wests/Tigers again??? lol
Big J
Guest
Accept he can't kick haha
Big J
Guest
Steve I hear sharkies need new supporters you interested
Roostermark
Guest
I am sure he's coaching them to play like that lol, Madge isn't the problem here as the problem in my opinion is Crowe and the infamous run in he had with the players last year at that party he hosted as well as that his infatuation with all things Burgess. Getting rid of all those players to re sign Sam Burgess would have been bad for team morale. but it's a private team and Crowe can do what he likes.
Ken O'Meara
Guest
In our tipping comp, I picked the Tigers, so I should be happy. As an ex licensed bookmaker, I got to know a "fix" when I saw one. I'm not saying the game was fixed, but the NRL should call the Souths players before it, and absent good reason, hand out some lengthy suspensions. The Cowboys and Eels, for example, are playing football which is great to watch, totally the opposite to last night. The NRL should not tolerate the rubbish which went on last night.
Anna
Guest
Jordan Rankin, you are my new favourite Tiger!!!! Great win...finally!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
For mine, Sauaso Sue was probably the best player on the ground -- for all that others will be talked about during the week, I think it's no coincidence that the periods of Tigers dominance occurred when he was out there.
steveng
Roar Rookie
So 'AM I', Madge has to go hes got 'NO IDEA' and hes doing nothing to improve this side with his other players. Very disappointing being a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Luke Keary 'HAS TO BE DROPPED' hes made so many mistakes (bombed a certain try by kicking) in this game that its disgusting that they even consider him to be in the team. If Souths don't reshuffle this side for the next game and bring in Cody Walker and put GI in the centres against the Eels they will be smashed!
Q.Tip
Guest
Well done Tigers. Wanted it more - would like to see completion stats - they didn't give up much cheap ball. I have been a critic of his int he past but Brooks really did well. As for Souths - hard to know what to say. Any semi line breaks made by Inglis in attack are negated by his general apathy at the back in defence. The Burgess brothers look like they are just jogging. Their halves in particular were terrible - apart from the bombs Adam Reynolds offered little (and gave up a few seven tackle sets from poor kicks). Keary's play is very one dimentional - either inside balls or dummies that no one is falling for.
steveng
Roar Rookie
They need to sack their coach before anything else!!! And then do the rest. This was disgraceful display of rugby league and ZI'm convinced that they will be the 'wooden spoons' of 2016!!!
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round, with Joshua Thomas bringing you live coverage of Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 7:50pm (AEST). Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations 3 - Robbie Farah 2 - Sam Burgess 1 - Jordan Rankin South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 Wests Tigers 30
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Well that was a nice way to spend my afternoon here. Good game. If only the Rabbits would have been a bit sharper in attack in the last quarter of the match and awake in the first quarter, and my tip would have been saved. Oh well, hope the Roosters don't screw up my powerplay on Saturday. :P
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Possession: 48% - 52% Completions: 32/37 (86%) - 31/34 (91%) All Runs: 165 - 163 All Run Metres: 1538 - 1632 Line Breaks: 3 - 2 Offloads: 22 - 4 Tackles: 331 - 324 Missed Tackles: 28 - 22 Penalties: 5 - 2 Errors: 5 - 3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 Wests Tigers 30
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Wests Tigers have got their first win in six weeks after defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs following a strong opening twenty minutes by the joint venture. The visitors experienced a pre-game nightmare with Mitchell Moses ruled out of the game however, they soon put it behind them as James Tedesco scored after four minutes with Luke Brooks grubbering for the fullback who put the ball down simulatenously with Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds. The momentum was flowing the way of the Wests Tigers with Jordan Rankin scoring minutes later with Luke Brooks helping him over before Brooks was rewarded by scoring off his own kick. Kevin Naiqama was next to score putting the joint venture in front 20-0 after as many minutes however Souths finally got on the board after 35 minutes with Kirisome Auva'a scoring off an Adam Reynolds torpedo. The Rabbitohs went into the break down by 14 points but raced out of the blocks with Adam Reynolds putting up another torpedo which saw David Nofoaluma loses possession in-goal putting Bryson Goodwin over the line. Dane Nielsen soon scored after a gut-busting effort from Sam Burgess but the Rabbitohs soon came crashing back down with the Wests Tigers putting on two tries in ten minutes through Jordan Rankin and David Nofoaluma courtesy of Robbie Farah. Souths had a last-ditch attempt with Bryson Goodwin going over with seven minutes remaining however, the Rabbitohs couldn't come back from eight points down in the end with the Wests Tigers holding on to win. South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 Wests Tigers 30
Big J
Guest
That's it I'm turning in my membership, anybody out there want a Rabbitohs Jersey,hat and flag? I'm selling them cheap!
marco
Guest
souths need to turn this ship around , fast. what is it ? theres a enough stars, but no chemistry.
E-Meter
Guest
Ha ha. It's the only way he'd score some points