They had to do it the hard way with a second consecutive slow start, but the South Sydney Rabbitohs made it seven wins on the hop with victory in Canberra over the Raiders last night to kick-off Round 8.
There is plenty of unpack from the game, but the performance half Adam Reynolds put together during the second 40 was outstanding for the visitors, and speaks volumes of his influence over one of the genuine premiership contenders.
And yet, bafflingly, he can’t land a new contract at Redfern, with all the talk in the last few days that he will be heading off to Cronulla under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon from 2022.
Reynolds is consistent, and even at his age, still one of the best in the game with an outstanding kicking game and brilliant vision as was on display last night, being involved in the lead-up to plenty of South Sydney’s scoring opportunities. Not only that, but he is an excellent goal-kicker, only throwing more cold water on the decision of the Rabbitohs to seemingly not make his contract a priority.
While he didn’t have an assist directly credited to him last night, Reynolds had a blinder of a second-half, where he has averaged almost 400 metres per game off the boot. His long-range kicking game allows the creative players like Damien Cook and Cody Walker to go to work around him, playing their natural roles and games, and it suits South Sydney’s game style down to the ground.
Of course, it’s not just Reynolds and the performance of the rest of the team over the last seven weeks has been outstanding, but every top team needs their general, the guy who leads and directs them around the park, and for Wayne Bennett’s side, that man is Reynolds.
Last night’s game certainly may not be the cleanest performance the Rabbitohs have ever put together though, and some worrying elements are creeping into their play over the last fortnight which Bennett will want to address in a hurry.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Chief among them is the defence, to go with the slow start two weeks in a row. Despite the Raiders being rocked in the pre-game by the late withdrawal of George Williams to go with a host of other absences including captain Jarrod Croker and gun fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, the Rabbitohs still found themselves behind on the scoreboard at halftime for the second week on the trot.
Just like last week over the Gold Coast Titans, the men in cardinal and myrtle were able to come from behind and get the job done, but it wasn’t all that pretty, and still asks plenty of questions of the side.
Giving away a headstart might work against the Titans or a busted-up Raiders outfit, but do it again against sides like the Storm or Panthers in the coming weeks, or once we get to September and knockout rugby league, and rest assured it won’t work so well for the Bunnies.
There is a line of thought which would suggest wins at this point of the season are good no matter how you get them, but given the trend creeping in over the last two weeks, remembering they ended up letting in 30 points last week against the Titans, it’s complacency Bennett will want to stamp out as the Rabbitohs look to push for the premiership.
They are one of the favourites, right up there against the Panthers at this point, but they must make it happen this year because Reynolds leaving isn’t going to do their chances and premiership window any good moving forward.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Of course, you’d still much prefer to be in a camp with seven straight victories than that of the Green Machine, who had another second-half fade out to make it four losses on the bounce.
It’s the third week in a row they have been completely and utterly overwhelmed during the second half, and questions need to be asked of coach Ricky Stuart in last night’s encounter. The way he managed his bench almost certainly helped the visitors over the line.
Despite clearly looking gassed throughout the second half – and it’s hardly a surprise given their injury toll and the need to essentially play an extra forward during the game – the Raiders failed to utilise all their players to the fullest extent.
Ryan James may have put in an excellent first stint, but was never seen again after his 23 minutes of action while Iosia Soliola played just nine minutes and Siliva Havili under half an hour.
Three players playing limited minutes puts immense pressure on the remaining figures in the team, and that was exactly the way it seemed last night, with Canberra falling away badly during the second half and struggling to match the intensity of the Rabbitohs during the second 40.
That could also have something to do with what Wayne Bennett said to his troops during the halftime break, with Bennett widely acknowledged to be one of the best ‘halftime coaches’ in the game.
That was on full display in Canberra last night, as well as the multitude of reasons South Sydney should move heaven and earth to keep their gun half.
Alas, it doesn’t look like it’ll happen, and the Rabbitohs premiership window will slam shut at the end of the year.
Now, the question will be whether they can find that glory before it does.
If they can address their defence and first halves, it’d take a brave man to write them off completely.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
That’s what Benji is for.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Lots, dealt with Bruce very little but purchasing manager was a good drinker of plum brandy and sales and marketing guys. Had a lot to with them and all the abattoir in North/ West and New England. Funny thing was Inghams had a plant in Newcastle and looked after them as well.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
Agreed, any single club player over 30 should be out of the salary cap and paid in beer and lodgings, if required. Query whether the single club restriction is needed though? I guess the counter is that we'd end up watching a bunch of 40 year olds playing touch.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You have some rich memories :thumbup:
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
The company I worked for was a huge supplier to them and I spent 2-3 days a week there. I recall Bruce's brother looked after their stockfeed business and He set the 2 daughters up in Henny Penny who actually we're a Jersey sponsor of the knights back in the early days . Newcastle was a good business town in those days with BHP as well .
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
You win. Perfect!
Joey
Guest
The team got stuck halfway through the premiership window, last three years. Three straight prelim losses to different teams. Will they win a premiership without him anytime soon? Crystal ball isn’t working. Certainly sounds tougher. He’s actually probably been one of the exceptions to the rule as part of the winning 2014 group. The team that holds up the JJ Giltinan, year upon year, will normally have an Origin/ or International standard halfback at the helm, which Reynolds, in my books isn’t. Don’t get me wrong I think he is a great player, just seems to get found out in big games too often. Is this why Souths will only offer a yearly deal, who knows. I know that Mansour was only offered 1-year contracts the last couple of years, and that eventually showed clear as mud, that he was on the outer. Can’t blame Reynolds for thinking the same because only a player with rocks in his head would accept such offers year after year. He’s definitely going somewhere soon, the 1-year deals say it all.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Well put Scott. I don't have much to add, it's an enigma. An unfathomable stance. If they are playing poker and trying to see him out it could lead to bad blood. Point of interest; if he had been at Sharks last year (or was it 2019), kicking those goals they missed they end up higher in the ladder and have a better shot. And his goal kicking is just one string in a well strung bow.
Adam
Roar Guru
Also means we might have less medical retirements in the future...
mushi
Roar Guru
The sound! I have to stop myself from the hand actions
kk
Roar Pro
Why not get 'em to the table after they have enjoyed a win.
Bingo
Roar Rookie
Reynolds doesn't play this year and Souths are 2 out of 8. That is how good he is. Broncos will throw big money at him. 1. Best kicking game in the comp (equal with Cleary) 2. Best sideline goal kicker ever 3. Calm under pressure & captain courageous 4. 90% of the time makes right 5th tackle decision 5. First player to kick a 2 point field goal since its reintroduction
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
This all started around 1960 BD, Knights weren’t even a tadpole of an idea at the time. After Easts took the rooster mascot Bruce was hooked, a sponsorship was inevitable. The commitment was part of all the ensuing sales until the final – you rightly note – to Baiada in 2009 – where Uncle Nick got wind of the sale rider and pointed it out to the new owners. Hence the sponsorship started in 2010 under the Steggles name (acknowledging Bruce’s family and the original source of the agreement). The new relationship kicked off so well and under such an emotional and historical bond that the chooks (affectionally named since) climbed from the spoon in 2009 to the GF in 2010. This on the back of a bond steeped in fowl history and a diet of
steroidchicken meat. If not for the might of the champion Dragon side of the day, the Roosters would have won a premiership in the first year of the long-awaited Steggles sponsorship. Baiada were so ecstatic that – legend also has – this was the first time the phrase “Shut up and take my money” was heard in earshot of poultry. Also, I thought the recount covered Bruce’s eccentricities quite well. Disclaimer Some of this information is based on written records. Some otherwise..jamesb
Roar Guru
The 200k veteran’s allowance is pretty low. Why not make it $1 million? Provided that clubs can afford it. That way you might keep a couple of senior players who would set the standards in playing and behavioural aspects and it gives clubs more of an incentive to develop their own players.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I will never be able to hear or read his name normally again.
Bronc12
Guest
Anyone seen the tweet today about broncos head honchos flying to Sydney on weekend to offer big 3 year deal and captaincy to Reynolds. Even that won’t be enough I’m afraid to get him to head north. Once your family set in Sydney it’s hard to leave. He will go to the sharks for sure. But I can only hold some glimmer of hope. Granted broncos need a lot more than him but hey it’s a start is it not
seagle
They were called the 'Rabbitohs' not the Rabbits. They turned into the Bunnies in the late 1970's and 80's when they could not win a match. The Rabbitohs were the cart drivers who used to drive around selling Rabbit meat as you point out. They used to sing out "Rabbitoh'
Nat
Roar Guru
Yes but the caveat you have to put with all Souths supporters is they are only talking about Souths. If Cam Smith, Cordner or DCE were given the same leeway, they would blow up like fire cracker.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
DP, the Bruce Steggles story brought back some memories for me . I used to sell them some packaging many years ago. I think they sold out to Amatil mid 80 s and then we're bought out by Goodman Fielder who on sold to Bartter and the finally Baiada (2009) who are present owners. You're right about the plant at be Beresfield, it's huge. Many a good time there. Met Bruce once who I must say was a little bit ecentric . I was very surprised they didn't hook up with Knights.
Nat
Roar Guru
When you can't understand something is usually a good sign that it is probably right. If ever you come across a good idea, you will be the proverbial mule with a spinning wheel...