Rabbitohs
32
Match Complete
Cowboys
16
| A. Reynolds |  | 79 | ||
| 72 |  | J. Kahu | ||
| 71 |  | T. Opacic | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 50 | ||
| D. Cook | | 49 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 45 | ||
| C. Walker | | 43 | ||
| 38 | | J. O'Neill | ||
| 36 | | J. Kahu | ||
| 35 | | J. O'Neill | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 23 | ||
| K. Turner | | 22 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 20 | ||
| C. Murray | | 19 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 16 | ||
| S. Burgess | | 10 |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL’s first ever Magic Round will conclude with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys doing battle on the hallowed (and probably quite battered after the 7 prior games) turf of Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4:05pm AEST.
There is plenty to look forward to in this match, not the least of which is the superheavyweight battle between the returning Jason Taumalolo (first time named in the starting side since his injury – actually came back last week) and Sam Burgess.
While Slammin’ Sam no longer plays in the middle opposite Taumalolo, he made it clear in commentary with Fox League last week that he will go looking for the big Tongan at every opportunity. Hang onto your seats when these two rugby league giants clash because they will make the Earth shake!
For the Rabbitohs, expect coach Wayne Bennett to start No.14 Tevita Tatola in place of George Burgess as he has done the past few weeks. Big Gorgeous George has been down on form in recent weeks, despite his fearsome reputation.
There has even been some talk of him retiring at the relatively young age of 28. Expect him to come out with some serious impact off the bench to help out his brothers in the middle against Taumalolo, Scott, McLean and company.
For the Cowboys, the John Asiata at five-eighth experiment continues, with young half Jake Clifford shifting to the extended bench.
Asiata is one of those “halfback in a front rower’s body” type players, who has way more skill than his frame would suggest.
However there is plenty of risk in having him defend out wide in a position he is not used to. Expect Souths to target him in attack.
Prediction
Both sides are coming off impressive wins in Round 8, with Souths putting the hapless Broncos to the sword 38-6 while the Cowboys defeated the Titans 28-14.
Given their positions on the ladder, Souths in second place will go into this match as deserved favourites to beat a Cowboys side languishing in 11th – a side which many experts had in their top four at the start of the year.
It’s hard to go past the Rabbitohs in this game. They are in second place for a reason, and have claimed some impressive scalps this year, including cross-town rivals and reigning premiers the Roosters.
However, the Cowboys with Taumalolo are undefeated this year (not counting the Cowboys versus Broncos game in which he got injured early), and while two games is a very small sample size, there’s no question they are a far better team with him on the paddock.
I think the Cowboys will come to play – there’s plenty of pressure on them to save their season and it has to start ASAP. But the Rabbitohs are in some red hot form, and should be too difficult a proposition for North Queensland.
Rabbitohs by 4.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:05pm AEST.
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
When: 4:05pm
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Corey Allen 3. Kyle Turner 4. Dane Gagai 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray 14. Tevita Tatola 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ethan Lowe 17. Liam Knight 18. Jacob Gagan 19. Connor Tracey 20. Dean Britt 21. Mawene Hiroti
Cowboys: 1. Jordan Kahu 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Enari Tuala 5. Ben Hampton 6. John Asiata 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matt Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo 18. Corey Jensen 19. Tom Opacic 20. Shane Wright 21. Jake Clifford
Fish
Guest
Rubbish he didn’t. The bomb was taken just short of the try line. He impeded the attacker from competing for a try. No difference at all.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Morgan stopped a try scoring opportunity but Reynolds didn't
Fish
Guest
Souths look good when they are on, but still look like they have plenty of improvement, especially in the game management area. Cowboys were not that bad. Sin bin for Morgan was justified, but why did Reynolds stay on the field for the exact same infringement at the other end? I really shake my head at times
Bonza
Roar Rookie
He’s the Bunnies’ Olsen Filipana!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If Reynolds can't run the ball Bonza he would be too great a liability at origin level IMO. His goal kicking this year is hit and miss and his long kicking game is nowhere near what it was. His short kicking game is quite possibly the best in the game and his ability to organise and control a game are still his greatest strengths. If they weren't both so similar in style I would say play Walker and Keary together but as both are heads up opportunistic players that like to run the ball, who will control the game and kick the ball in general play? In short, I don't think that combo will work when put under pressure. Also, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Cody Walker's defence is terrible during significant periods of a game. He simply switches off and sticks out an arm and leaves the hard work for others. He seldom wants to put his body on the line in defence which is a serious liability at origin level. At club level a strong defensive edge back rower can cover a half/five-eighth with defensive deficiencies, but NOT at origin level where I feel Walker would be found out in defence under pressure. He also gives away too many penalties through ill-discipline instead of focusing on limiting possession and attacking opportunities for other teams. As brilliant as Walker is in the NRL (and I have sung his praises for years now online) IMO he is not yet ready to step up to origin level until these problems in his game have been fixed. Besides, Souths need BOTH Walker and Reynolds during the origin rounds. That said, I am looking forward to seeing Connor Tracey get an opportunity. He is tearing it up in the Canterbury Cup this year and looks dangerous.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
100% correct. For some time now I've been calling Gagai for what he is, a player who only turns up and gives 100% for QLD and when he is wearing a maroon jersey. Gagai is not worth the money he is on, little wonder the Knights released him. With the money left over from GI, taken up by Gagai, left over from John Sutton's retirement and with Matt McIllwrick being moved on earlier this year Souths should have about $2.5 mill to throw at Latrell Mitchell. There should even be enough left over to sign another good young talent like Ryan Papenhuyzen or Bronson Xeri if not get Josh Addo-Carr to return to Redfern were he grew up and played in Souths juniors for La Perouse and Moore Park.
Caractacus
Guest
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the same regarding Gagai. I'm almost always underwhelmed by his performance week in week out for the Bunnies, particularly in contrast to how he goes for Queensland, the missed tackle late on for the Cowboys' try was typical. South Sydney need to find a replacement for GI sooner rather than later and do it wisely.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Baptiste is just a shade above Michael Lichaa, Mitch Rein and Gerard Beale as an NRL player and that's not a compliment. Reserve grade is being robbed of a player of his llimited abilities.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Full Time The South Sydney Rabbitohs have defeated the Nth Qld Cowboys 32-16 in what was a fantastic way to end the inaugural NRL Magic Round. Damien Cook dominated throughout the game, setting up tries to Cameron Murray and Kyle Turner and scoring one himself. His kicking game was on point and his defence was flawless in the middle - it was an all round complete performance from the incumbent NSW and Australian hooker. Souths got off to a flying start with tries to Sam Burgess, Murray and Turner in the first 25 minutes for an 18-0 lead. However, as they have done on several occasions this season, they took their foot off the gas, allowing the Cowboys to get back into the game. A double to Justin O'Neill in the 35th and 38th minutes looked to have set us up for a very competitive second half, the halftime scores being 18-10 after Jordan Kahu missed one conversion. But the Cowboys weren't able to capitalise on the many opportunities gifted to them by the Rabbitohs, knocking the ball on too often at crucial times. Tries to Cody Walker and Cook put the Rabbitohs out of Nth QLD's reach, and while Tom Opacic exposed Dane Gagai's defensive deficiencies out wide to score quite an easy try, the Cowboys weren't able to get close in the end, the final score being 32-16 as Adam Reynolds slotted a penalty goal on full time. The Cowboys will rue all the missed chances in this game. They tried hard, but with execution like that they will continue to struggle in 2019. For the Rabbitohs, they'll be happy with the result, but they had every opportunity to put a serious score on the Cowboys and didn't. While the two points are no doubt important, Wayne Bennett will want to see a complete 80 minute performance from his team soon, otherwise they may struggle when they face the top teams later in the season. Rabbitohs - 32 Cowboys - 16
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Freddie likes combos for NSW which he has tons of with Roosters' left side but boy oh boy he has a lethal combo with Cook and Walker. Surely they've picked themselves. Also surprised by how little Souths get from Gagai yet how much he delivers for Qld. I'm going to say it, I loathe cliches but here we go.... Footy was the winner.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
32 - 16 Souths win in a canter in only 2nd gear for most of the game. "Magic Round" is over and all the MAGIC is with the top 3 teams as the cream of the competition rises to the top after only 9 rounds. Commiserations jimmmy, BigJ and the rest of the Cowboys fans. On a positive note, Mitchell Dunn looks like a promising young talent.
79
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
80′ Reynolds gets the kick to finish the game and a great first ever Magic Round! Good win for the Rabbitohs, but the Cowboys had plenty of chances and missed plenty of them. Match report to come. Rabbitohs – 32 Cowboys – 16
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Souths going for goal? WHY? The Cowboys have been rewarded for a professional foul.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
79' Reynolds grubbers to the ingoal with Burgess running back on the inside. Morgan knocks him over and the ball runs dead. It's a penalty to Souths and Morgan has been sin binned. No thought of a penalty try, but fair penalty and sin binning. No video referee involvement either. Good refereeing by Ash Klein. Rabbitohs will kick for goal and wind down the clock. Rabbitohs - 30 Cowboys - 16
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
78' Morgan goes for a Cronk-like cross-field kick, a kind of kick/pass but Reynolds intercepts and runs 60m before Hampton brings him down. Rabbitohs on the attack now. Rabbitohs - 30 Cowboys - 16
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No doubt about it, the refs have made sure that the Roosters will remain on top of the ladder.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
77' Taumalolo has the ball stripped and it's a penalty. He takes the quick tap and the Cowboys roll on. Rabbitohs - 30 Cowboys - 16
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If Nicholls doesn’t get dropped next week old man Bennett is clueless. Nicholls isn’t even reserve grade standard. He is a park footballer at best. He looks and plays more like a Yeti who was shaved and they left the beard.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
76' Mark Nicholls knocks on on his 30m line. Really poor handling, was under no pressure there. Cowboys will get a chance to narrow the margin. Rabbitohs - 30 Cowboys - 16