The South Sydney Rabbitohs have now scored more than 30 points a game in seven consecutive games, which breaks a 28-year-old record, which was held by the Sea Eagles.
And it was a night for breaking records because Adam Reynolds now sits first in the most points column after taking over Eric Simms’ record of 1841 points.
Reynolds came into the game needing only seven more points and managed to score 12 points, which all came from conversions.
For Parramatta Eels fans their night went from bad to worse because not only did the Eels get blown off the park 40-12 but Eels dummy-half Reed Mahoney suffered a serious injury around the pec area and was very emotional, which could indicate the severity of the injury.
I hope Mahoney is okay and can come back for the Eels this year because he will be a huge out if he can’t participate come finals but the Eels really were blown off the park.
Latrell Mitchell was at his damaging best once again as the fullback tallied up two try assists, 125 run metres, one line break and two line break assists as Rabbitohs winger Josh Mansour secured himself a first-half try double, 254 run metres and three line breaks.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs’ centres were very handy in defence as Taane Milne was put on report twice but there was very little contact to the head and should avoid a suspension and Dane Gagai finished the game with a try and a try assist.
In fact both South Sydney wingers scored a double in each half with Mansour’s in the first and Jaxson Paulo’s in the second half.
The Rabbitohs’ forwards weren’t as destructive as they have been in recent weeks but Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi continue to shine for the Bunnies.
Benji Marshall came onto the field and put a nice grubber kick off the scrum to set up Jaxson Paulo in the corner as Tevita Tatola racked up 192 run metres in his return game after being out injured for five weeks.
The Rabbitohs’ halves were on fire in attack once again but in defence Reynolds and Cody Walker both had zero missed tackles.
Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, who returned after fracturing his back in State of Origin Game 3, had 611 kick metres and had one try assist but he also had a few nice runs but he couldn’t produce much in attack as the Eels got dominated.
Clint Gutherson and Dylan Brown both went missing for the Eels and didn’t contribute as much as they should considering the team that they’re playing.
South Sydney take on the Titans next Saturday as they continue to push for a second-place position and the Eels take on Tom Trbojevic’s Manly Sea Eagles, which will really show if the Eels are contenders or pretenders.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Seems to happen a lot when Wayne Bennett is at the end of a coaching contract.
Joey
Guest
Milford was clearly an afterthought regarding who was available at the time, rather than the plan from the start. Getting rid of your #7 with no direct plan to replace him has me thinking salary cap. Trying to cut costs for next year isn’t a real good sign.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well said BM and all as I feel the same, as we are all prevelaged to be able to live and compare the two as there won't be such a comparison on the cards soon. Good luck Adam Reynolds in your future endeavours and it's such a shame and such a pity that all your die hard Bunnie fans will be forced to be not cheering for your acheavements when playing against the Bunnies but, you will never ever lose the fact that you will always be one of us and a true legend of the Cardinal Reds and Myrtyl Greens, good onya Adam Reynolds!
Phil
Roar Rookie
Very good comparison Steve. Simms was unbelievable with the boot. To kick those old leather balls was an art on it's own especially when wet. He had it all, distance and accuracy, could put them over from anywhere. I hated him whenever Saints player Souths, always hoping he would have an off day. To think he scored those points in 206 games in a 12 team comp with a 5 team finals series. You could only speculate as to what he would rack up playing in today's comp with the extra games in the semis as well as the normal rounds.
Col in paradise
Guest
Parra as usual Pretenders.....Reynolds awesome....I was a huge fan of Simms but happy to see Adam break his record...Bunnies building well...Bennetts playing with and fine tuning the forward rotations the past two or so games..interesting to see how they go against Panthers and Storm this time round..
Nat
Roar Guru
I am both grateful and astonished Souths let him go for the sake of 1yr on his contract. A cheap Milford isn't filling that role.
Tony
Roar Guru
Simms was unbelievable Steve. Just imagine how many points he would have finished with using the modern ball and kicking tees
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Reynolds, the little general. It's fitting that he is moulded in the same greatness at the magnificent Eric Simms. Both gentlemen and both champions. As a Rabbitohs supporter, Adam has proved to be a true champion and great role model just like Simms before him. I thank him for everything he's accomplished for the rabbitohs so far, he will always be red and green to us, and wish him good luck for everything in the future. If the Cardinal and Myrtle win the 2021 Premiership, it will be because if his captaincy, composure and goal kicking - they should place a statue of Reynolds outside of Redfern Oval and Lang Park.
kk
Roar Pro
'Reyno' ...' The Quiet Achiever'...'Mr. Consistency' Adam has improved both playing skills and kicking prowess for over a decade. He is now five star class. Souths will miss him and Broncos got a bargain. steveng was spot on regarding any comparison with the great Eric Simms.
Sam McCosker
Roar Rookie
Does anyone actually know why they're letting Reyno go? Been cloudy for so long and if it's money well I think he's proved that he is worth every cent. On a side note, the Rabbitohs are so exciting to watch. Whenever the left edge gets the ball we're in for some mesmerising Rugba Leeg.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Many congratulations to Adam Reynolds for breaking this great Souths Sydney point’s record that Eric Simms has set and lasted 46 years. Adam Reynolds great effort through the years has been a remarkable one but and as I’ve seen every point that Eric Simms scored from 1965 to 1975, his tries, goal kicks, and especially his impossible and unbelievable FG you can’t compare the two as it was a different era and a different game using a different ball. While Adam Reynolds tallied all these points we really only won one GF (2012 to 2020) and if you compare that to Eric Simms’s tally the Bunnies were runner up in the GF 1965 and 1969 and we won four GF’s 1967, 68, 70 and 71 . IMO Eric Simms is still the best I’ve seen especially in what he had done and how he did things, anyway many congratulations to Adam Reynolds as he should be very proud that he has achieved this great record and stands side by side with the great and very modest Eric Simms who set that benchmark!
Tony
Roar Guru
Still hard to fathom why Souths let Reynolds go? With both Reynolds and Gagai gone next year, their lethal left side attack may be just a memory.
Paul
Roar Guru
Kevvie must be very happy with how his new recruit is going for Souths. I thought Reynolds was very good last night and his goal kicking could be a huge factor in the finals. "Clint Gutherson and Dylan Brown both went missing for the Eels". I also wonder about the truth of statements like this. How much is down to the game plan Souths employed for managing these guys and how much is down to these guys not being as involved as they normally would be? For mine, Souths managed both very well.