Parramatta hadn’t beaten Souths in six games. The Bunnies were on a six game winning streak. So guess what happens?
Just when you think the 2023 NRL season has found some shape, it jags another way again, with the Eels pulling off a spectacular boilover to defeat the Rabbitohs 36-16.
They didn’t have it all their own way, either: Souths lead 16-12 going into the final half hour, while the Eels lost Andrew Davey to a head knock early on and Ryan Matterson to a calf problem just moments into the second half, with his Origin place now in doubt.
Despite missing two from their pack, Brad Arthur’s men dominated the collision. They set about Souths physically early on and never let go. Junior Paulo played 73 minutes in the middle and from his hard work, Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown flourish.
“The results haven’t been there but it hasn’t been through effort or application at training or in preparation,” said Arthur.
“We just haven’t been getting right on the day for 80 minutes. We got it right tonight. If we keep that attitude and keep coming with that fight, we’ll give ourselves a chance to put some back to back wins, which is going to be really important to turn it around.”
Sometimes when you get put in situations where you have to challenge them, they might be prepared to do that and we learn a bit about them.
Souths had managed some sublime moments in attack to keep Parra within reach in the first half.
Cody Walker was exceptional, creating two tries from next to nothing for his team, and Latrell Mitchell managed several characteristically impactful moments.
But it wasn’t enough to turn the side. Jason Demetriou’s men lost the middle by a wide margin and, with that, the game.
“You have to nail your process and we just didn’t do that,” said the Souths coach.
“They were more motivated than us in key areas of the game and you have to credit Parramatta, they came to play. Their pack, Paulo in particular, was outstanding.
“We conceded six tries – in the last four weeks we’ve conceded six combined. That was a good lesson for us. We have to find ways to be on the up every week.
“Our forwards have been outstanding for the whole season so far, but we weren’t quite at that mark tonight. If you’re not there, you’ll get turned over. It’s a good lesson for us.”
These two share plenty of similarities stylistically, at least in part one of their plan. Both like to generate metres through their forwards rather than backs, with Parramatta attempting to create second phase and short sides off their big men, while South Sydney prefer to hit their front and go through hands.
There was no doubt that Parra were the more successful in the first half at enacting their plan. They made more metres, with a particular lead in post-contact metres, and led the offload count 9-3.
Paulo and Matterson, while he was on, were dominating, while J’Maine Hopgood kept up his outstanding start to life in first grade.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of it all was the adversity that Parramatta went through, given the injuries Davey and Matterson.
Paulo played 73 minutes in the front row beside Wiremu Greig, Makahesi Makatoa and Ofahiki Ogden, all of whom have sat on the bench unused at times in the last year.
Arthur hasn’t always trusted his rotation, but he had no choice here. He needn’t have worried.
The physical domination was total, with the Bunnies unable to contain the momentum in the middle, or the flow-on effects out wide. In the past, the stylistic difference has favoured Souths. Not tonight.
Parramatta missed Mitchell Moses badly in their defeat to Canberra last week, but he was back with a vengeance tonight.
Within the first five minutes, he had set up a try with a classic short side play – there’s few better exponents in the NRL – and ended up with four try assists in total.
He was, as ever, highly effective with the boot as well, constantly dictating terms to the Souths back thrree.
Compare to his opposite number, Lachlan Ilias, who endured a tough night. He sent two kicks out on the full, one of which led directly to a Parra try, while also missing the crucial tackle for Bailey Simonsson’s first before the break.
This was a big test for Ilias: while he has been very good in his time in first grade, and has improved on a strong first year with an even better second, he has rarely been asked to dig his side out of trouble from deep.
It’s a simple aspect of the game to pick out, but it is one at which Moses has always excelled.
His game management is built around the ability to kick long and force field position back on an opponent. Ilias could do well to look and learn, because it is the most glaring deficiency in his game at the moment.
Souths love Indigenous Round and make it a major part of the culture of the club, so it is probably not surprising that three of their proudest First Nations players were at the fore.
Walker was exceptional, at times single handedly rescuing Souths from the various holes that Parramatta dug for them. Mitchell wasn’t as involved as he might have liked, but what he did was superb too, and Alex Johnston’s journey up to the tryscorer’s list continued.
Souths’ two tries are worth describing in full, because even when it wasn’t their night, they provided the two standout moments of the game.
The first saw Ilias take the ball to contact, but offload it straight to Junior Paulo. No bother, as Mitchell stole the ball from the prop, went over to Walker, who was smashed by Will Penisini, but somehow managed to stay on his feet and alive in the play, icing a long pass to Johnston at the corner.
Then, with the half running out, Walker found Mitchell on the inside out play, who returned it to Walker, who flung it wide to Johnston to score. It was poetry in motion, pure invention. Whenever they tell you there aren’t any footballers anymore, show them that.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Paulo is outstanding. Getting over the Souths pack without RCG and Lane is worthy of note. Are Parra competitive without Moses or Paulo… or are they vulnerable like the Broncos without Hass or Reynolds? Good win for Parra and their coaching team against the form team in the comp.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
souths get the bye before origin two while penrith play so according to your logic thats favouritism to souths which of course is ridiculous all teams cant have a bye the same week and in origin three souths get the bye the round after origin so your players dont have to back up two or three days later i really dont see what the problem is
William W
Roar Rookie
I do think that some Rabbitohs players, Mitchell, Cook and Murray played as if to preserve themselves for Origin. They all looked halfhearted at times. We all thought that Souths were definitely playing in second gear for the whole game except for Walker, Arrow, Graham, Tass and Johnston who gave their all. Demetriou has a lot to answer for as the team were definitely fatigued so why did he only use Knight for 21 mins, Fifita for only 19 mins, even Murray only played 58 mins instead of his customary 70mins? Blake Taaffe wasn't used at all? That is now 2 games in a row Taaffe was on the bench but not used. We also have to remember that Havili hasn't played this season and Koloamatangi hasn't played since Rd 7. Knight has been back 2 weeks from his ACL, I doubt he is fully fit. Shaq Michell returning in the Reggies against Parra but he was limping badly after the game, I think he came back too early. It has been a huge start to the season for the Rabbitohs playing Top 4 teams the Panthers and Storm twice, plus the Sharks and the Broncos. 4 wins and 2 losses from that lot. Also other Top 8 teams the Dolphins and Manly plus their traditional foes the Roosters. 6 wins and 2 losses against the current Top 8 teams is wonderful but very taxing both physically and mentally. The Eels game, well, we all saw what happened. I suppose it wasn't going to be easy after playing in Brisbane 3 times in a month of footy, they covered plenty of travelling km. It doesn't get any easier for Souths in playing the Top 8 Raiders in Rd 13 without their Origin players. Not sure how many players Canberra will have missing? At least the Rabbitohs will have an 8-day break. The Raiders have a 6-day break. All in all the Rabbitohs fans are happy!
Warren Turner
Roar Rookie
Cam – Mitchell also has some difficulty understanding that he’s allowed to be tackled
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Jack Wighton will no doubt switch to 5/8 if Cody Walker is unavailable or if Souths lose Ilias during a game and there is no one to cover the position. Otherwise Blake Taaffe and Dean Hawkins are likely replacements for Lachlan Ilias if he is unavailable or falls out of favour. If Souths had to had to fill the position during the finals during a pressure situation JD may well opt for Wighton at 5/8 and Walker as HB because of Jack's experience. In any case, this can't be easy for you to discuss Geoff. It would be like me discussing how to play Adam Reynolds to a Broncos fan while he was still playing for the Rabbitohs. At this point Jack Wighton is a Raider and he and your boys will remind Souths of that next week I fear.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Explain to me how all 3 NRL Triumvirate teams (Panthers, Roosters and Storm) get a Bye before Origin week so they won't be facing a loss in round 13 due to having star players missing? Why are Souths always having to play on the wrong side or Origin week? It's blatant favouritism BL. As for Souths having 3 Byes in 11 rounds that can have a negative effect disrupting their momentum. I'll take the round 26 Bye though. :thumbup:
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
The positive about that GB is between rounds 16-26 Souths have 3 byes I think, lopsided and crazy but hopefully that should provide enough rest late in the season / origin period for the troops be be ready for September.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
here we go again with the conspiracy theory bunnies get the bye before origin two panthers play so that squares that up panthers had a bye in round three which will mean zero at the back end of the year bunnies get three byes in last 12 rounds with the last one in round 26 about the time teams are looking to rest players and freshen them up for the finals and yet you claim to be the victim again you made the point panthers get there second bye next week there first one in round three explain how that is an advantage to the panthers i think a round 26 bye is much more advantageous
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, fully agree WB, but the Bunnies better start practicing how to be ruthless and committed to winning every game, we can't afford to lose one game from now on. If we would have won last night, we would have lead the comp on 18 points and by 2 points and with a good average also, that is the difference when it come to the finals. Its no use coming 5th, 6th or 7th, as when we were 2nd in 2021 we made the GF and only because of Trell being suspended that we lost that GF! The Bunnies have a bad habit of going slow, especially in the 1st half's of every game, have a look at the Panthers and how they play, as every player applies themselves 110% for 80min, as that is the commitment that we have to adopt at the Bunnies, otherwise the Bunnies will end up like they have always done and miss out every year, no matter where we end up come the final round and the finals or GF.
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
Steven no doubt the Eels were too good for us, they were outstanding. When we hit the lead the momentum was with us until Lachie first kick went out on the full. Yes we could have defended that however the kick out felt like a turning point with momentum back with the Eels. Conceding 36 points was disappointing as was the kicking game in general. Still plenty to work on.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You'd know more than most about where Cody should play GB. He appears to be a runner rather than an organiser. I'd imagine they will persist with Ilias at 7. And as steve said the young bloke is entitled to one bad game. Jack will be there as back up if Cody gets injured. Pretty expensive centre mind you.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Jeez I can't remember the last time I saw Hodgo run though. Having done his knee so many times you can understand it. But you'd think he'll have to give it a go soon.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Bodes well for Oregon too.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hodg put a bit of pressure on ilias. Played better then previous weeks Hodg
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Yes. Hopefully Paulo back in form
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Aside from Souths and Penrith, I don't think anyone's truly locked in a spot in the 8. Brisbane should get there too, I guess. Greater Northern Brisbane and the Warriors seem the most likely to drop out.
Redcap
Roar Guru
He's been going pretty well for a few weeks now, but yes, Souths middles were rather flaccid last night. Paulo was making about 20 post contact metres almost every run.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yep - NZ to Parra via the Cowboys it seems.
Nat
Roar Guru
Our his dad...
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
A team who sustains ruthlessness across a whole season, though, is going to be gassed when the finals roll around. More than domination, most coaches would be aiming for top 4 with combinations and style of play bedded down (and a fit roster). An off-game here likely means little in September.