South Sydney have scored twice in the final five minutes to claim a dramatic but controversial four-point NRL win over Canterbury.
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Final score
Rabbitohs 20
Bulldogs 16
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs are both coming off their first victory of the season and a Good Friday blockbuster at Homebush will give them a chance to start building some momentum. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:10pm (AEDT).
Souths started the season slowly, suffering less-than-impressive losses to the Warriors in Perth, and Panthers.
The Warriors loss saw plenty of poor defence, as they gave up 32 points, while the loss to Penrith was in part thanks to the long trip back from Perth and the heat, as they faded dismally in the second half.
There was no sign of fading during Round 3 though, as they held out for a strong win against the in-form Manly Sea Eagles.
The week prior, Manly had put 52 points on Parramatta, who are supposed to be one of the competition front-runners, but against the Rabbitohs, who were stout in defence, they could only manage six. The cardinal and myrtle were equally impressive in attack, running up 34.
Adam Doueihi is functioning well in the halves while Adam Reynolds sits on the sideline, Cody Walker has taken on plenty of responsibility and the gameplan, allowing Damien Cook to play 80 minutes, is working a treat.
Cook will have his hands full this week though, dealing with a reignited Michael Lichaa, who has been superb for the Bulldogs during the first few weeks.
That and the transition of Moses Mbye from half to fullback have been the key talking points for Dean Pay’s first few weeks at the helm of the blue and white. They couldn’t have started their season with a pair of tougher games, suffering losses to the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, but like their opponents, Canterbury bounced back last week with a victory over the Panthers.
It wasn’t pretty, but their defensive work led to the 20-18 win, with the forwards holding their own. The Dogs proved they could hang tough up-front in Round 1 against the Storm and with patience, they should be able to turn the sustained pressure into plenty more victories.
Whether that comes this week is hard to say. The Rabbitohs have an equally good pack and there are still questions around the halves for the boys from Belmore, with Jeremy Marshall-King joining Kieran Foran again this week in a combination which will take some time to find its feet.
Prediction
Both of these sides have issues to work out, but Adam Doueihi seems settled in the halves and the Rabbitohs should have more offensive weapons across the park in what could be a free-flowing game.
Rabbitohs by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 4 match from 4:10pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I can't stand the wabbits , but I'd use them as soap and the Bulldogs as toilet paper , I detest the Bulldogs that much . I look forward to three or four years of bottom eight results for the dirty dags .
Beavis
Guest
Ben Cummins was the ref - what a surprise it was close. Famous for home team "coming home in the second half".
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well done Rabbitohs. That last 15-20 minutes had a sense of inevitability about it. Dogs are still terrible on 5th tackle options and don’t really know how to close out a game. You can’t just shut down half an hour out and hope for the best. You still need to look at point scoring options. The Dogs had a couple of chances to attempt a field goal about 8-10 out which might have been enough to get them over the line. Both teams made a lot of unforced errors and need to lift a hell of a lot to trouble the top end teams.
Forty Twenty
Guest
Both teams looked a bit like the Dogs of last year, not much doing in attack. I'm surprised more players don't hit the hole like Murray did to win the game. It's the best way to get thru especially when your attack is pedestrian. Gagai is a quality player but at club level he is just mid range. I'd rate Brian Kelly at Manly as a more dangerous runner. Injuries are starting to play a big role in games.
steveng
Roar Rookie
They were as bad as each other! Neither fans can gloat or have any excuses for the quality of this game and why either side would have won or lost, I'm not, I thought Souths were very ordinary. Souths just finished stronger and that is the reason they won, the dogs were tired and very poor in defence.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Differential penalty off the scrum - can't take the two.
E-Meter
Guest
Why didn’t Foran take the two with 10 mins left?
Gold Coast Bunny
Guest
Better side lost tonight.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Souths looked good at the end with a roll on, but they weren't convincing on the back foot. Might improve once Reynolds comes back. The Dogs looked ok but their 2 tries were from long range and they couldn't capitalise on the field position the earned when they earned it. It was pretty hot out there though
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Emcie, You may be right. Doubt he will be back next week as well.
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
I’m gutted we’ll done Souths
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes fully agree' Emcie', that was bad luck for Mbye but, he saved a try. The dogs looked good in the first half and were right on top of Souths. Souths have allot of work to do, this was a lucky win.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That I am... See sign off post above.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gee that was a heart attack game and it was a very hard game to watch as a Souths supporter!!! Well take the win but, Souths are very ordinary and looked 1/2 pie in this game and I won't mention the refereeing both ways lol
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Are you commentating on the cricket tonight?
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Two tries in five minutes? Rotten way to lose. They were fatigued as hell though 15 men in that heat.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
No Dan Christian? Rabbits have some dangerous players but are not a complete squad.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call scotty. Can't help but think that the dogs would've scored a few more points if mbye didn't go off injured. Looked pretty bad, might not be right for next week
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 NRL season as the Rabbitohs poached a come from behind win over the Bulldogs. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Apologies for jumping off so quickly, but I need a quick breather. I'll be back with the cricket as South Africa take on Australia in the fourth Test in about 15 minutes time, so be sure to join me for that. Later on this evening, at 8:05pm (AEDT), Curtis Figon will bring you the Sharks and Storm at Southern Cross Group Stadium. I'll be back to close out the round at 4pm (AEDT) on Monday with the Tigers taking on the Eels. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?