The South Sydney Rabbitohs have reminded NRL rivals of what they are capable of with a 32-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels at Pirtek Stadium on Friday night.
After losing their past two games, the Rabbitohs responded to their critics with a polished display, their giant forward pack inflicting most of the damage.
Opponents the Eels perhaps didn’t deserve to lose by 20 points, but their defence wilted badly in the final quarter as South Sydney powered home.
Parramatta started the game brightly enough and took the lead in the ninth minute through 18-year-old rookie Tepai Moeroa, who ran a defence-splitting angle close to the line.
But South Sydney gradually gained the ascendancy as the half wore on. The visitors’ first points arrived in the 27th minute when quick hands sent winger Lote Tuqiri on a charge to the right corner. The Rabbitohs had reason to celebrate again before the break, prop Sam Burgess muscling his way over to set up a 10-6 halftime lead.
First points after the restart were always going to be crucial, and Vai Toutai looked to have delivered for the Eels. But replays showed the young winger fumbling the put down – the severity of the error amplified when Rabbitohs opposite Alex Johnston scored at the other end five minutes later.
Needing a boost, the Eels kept themselves in the contest when second-rower Joseph Paulo snaffled a pin-point kick from five-eighth Corey Norman.
But South Sydney wasn’t going to let the game slip. Late tries to Kyle Turner, Johnston and Burgess ballooned the margin beyond three converted tries and ensured the Rabbitohs kept their perch in the top four.
