South Sydney have staged a dramatic second-half comeback to run over the top of Parramatta 26-20 and keep their NRL minor premiership hopes alive.
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Final score
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26
Parramatta Eels 20
Saturday night sees the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Rabbitohs’ nine-game winning streak ended last weekend, against a resurgent Wests Tigers outfit that have taken two big scalps in recent weeks.
The Tigers’ defence put plenty of pressure on the Bunnies’ halves and the attacking output was way down on what had been achieved during their streak.
Having said that, maybe this is the loss they had to have and they have named an unchanged team from last round.
As for the Eels, they recorded their fourth victory of the season with a Round 19 win over Canterbury. Parra would have been happy to give their fans something to cheer about, but the scrappy nature of the victory won’t be ringing too many warning bells at Redfern. Still, winning form is good form.
For Parramatta, David Gower returns on the bench in place of George Jennings, Tepai Moeroa will start in the second row, shifting Brad Takairangi to centre and Jarryd Hayne to the wing. Moeroa was one of the Eels’ strongest performers last week and deserves the starting spot.
Prediction
The Eels are on a one-game winning streak but that is where it is going to end.
The Rabbitohs will be smarting from last weekend’s defeat and I’m expecting their forwards to lay a big platform up front for their backs to capitalise on.
Rabbitohs by 20.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
If that's the case, then how come in the Warriors game, after 2 Warriors tries off blatant forward passes, Sam remonstrated with the ref and was " rewarded " with the ref disallowing a fair Souths try and providing the Warriors with the game ?
Celtic Bandaid
Guest
And 20 minutes of favourable 50/50 penalties provide Souths the game. It does pay to be a whingeing Pom. Burgess just provided unarguable proof.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The penalties were Parra 12 Bunnies 10 / 1 sin bin each / errors Parra 7 Bunnies 9 its what Parra did in the second half that lost them the game just like it has been all season.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
That's true. And in my opinion, the only teams I consider contenders for the title, are the teams who beat the Storm
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Steveng Don't forget in 2014 we lost 2 out of the last 3 games ( against the Cowboys and the Roosters) losing momentum, but stepped up a notch when needed.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Hopefully but, they have slipped in their last 2 games and come next week they will need all the 'true character and toughness' to beat the Storm, Roosters and the Broncos which will be very hard games not mention the Raiders and Tigers. If they can win all these games then I will be convinced that they have 'true character and toughness' to win the comp.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Thanks. We're going to need all the luck we can get!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I don't think there is any doubt that the Bunnies got the rub of the green in the last 20 minutes. And once the home team had the momentum - including some support from the refs - nothing was going to stop them. It happens a lot.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
I think it showed true character and toughness to comeback to win, which will benefit them come finals time
Emcie
Roar Guru
;) all the best mate
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cheers for the call mate
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Ha! Just warming up Emcie.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Thanks Dave. A few games this weekend have been a "classic game of 2 halves". Amazing stuff.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Once again Parra relinquishes another healthy lead to lose yet another game they should have won. With 5 rounds to go, they're odds on favourites for the spoon now.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT We just witnessed a classic game of two halves. If anything, Souths had more possession in the second half than the Eels did in the first and a team of that class, with that much ball, was going to score plenty of points. The Eels were brave and were unlucky not to take away the 2 points, but they are now alone again at the bottom of the ladder. Hope you enjoyed the coverage and stay tuned for the Melbourne vs Canberra clash which is not far away. Good night
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gee that was lucky, the Bunnies will have to pull their finger out from now on, there are some big games coming up and by their form I can't see them winning too many of their last games.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think he's just getting ready for the next game
Adam
Roar Guru
They really didn't
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT Short kick off taken by Doueihi. Full time siren sounds and the Rabbits have won here tonight Rabbitohs 26 Eels 20
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Rabbits have done enough to win it but a brave effort from the Eels who had no ball in second half. Conversion is waved away and 20 seconds left. Rabbitohs 26 Eels 20