Opinion
Leading into the Parramatta Eels game, the Rabbitohs had conceded around 180 points in their past three games against the Storm (50-0), the Cronulla Sharks (32-22) and the Panthers (56-12), but the boys in the red and green hit back in a strong way.
The Bunnies upset the Eels 38-20 which was the best game they have played since the Brisbane Broncos game in Round 5 when they beat the Queensland-based side 35-6. I and everyone who watched the game knew that the Bunnies were ready for the Eels after the first set of six.
The Bunnies gained good field position and forced an error from Clint Gutherson which led to a scrum-based try from Damien Cook after a dummy pass and a missed tackle from Junior Paulo. Cook has been criticised for his performances the past month especially because he didn’t have a single run against the Panthers last week, but with his first run of the game he scored in the first minute.
Cody Walker really put on a display to make sure Brad Fittler has a selection headache when the NSW Blues State of Origin team is announced within the next few days after finishing the game with two try assists, three linebreak assists and kicking for 123 metres.
Latrell Mitchell, who I really want in that centre position for the Blues, had his best game for a while after setting up two tries, assisting in three line breaks and running for 70 metres. The real MVP for this match is the dangerous left edge in Dane Gagai and Alex Johnston.
The centre and the winger both scored a hattrick with Gagai setting up and incredible silky pass to Alex Johnston but the pair combined for 324 metres with 201 going to Johnston and 123 to Gagai, ten tackle-breaks, a whopping nine linebreaks and Gagai having three linebreak assists.
I wasn’t really surprised that Tom Burgess was moved to the bench but I’m glad Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett did because Burgess was good coming off the bench after running for 137 metres and making 30 tackles. Prop Tevita Tatola and edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi combined for 330 running metres and combining for 66 tackles for two misses.
What really impressed me the most though was Taane Milne on the right wing for the Bunnies who has been injury-prone the last four to five years but I think he is the answer the Rabbitohs and Wayne Bennett have been looking for. I really hope the Bunnies stick with Milne on that right wing position.
Milne had 80 running metres, one linebreak and was very strong in defence after having to be on the same edge as winger Maika Sivo and edge forward Isaiah Papali’i. The Rabbitohs have a bye next week so they in all likelihood will not be affected by Origin unless there’s an injury because they play June 12th against the Newcastle Knights.
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