The injury-hit Rabbitohs host the Dolphins after a dramatic week off the field, after Newcastle defeated the new-look Tigers. Follow all the action live.
The injury-hit Rabbitohs host the Dolphins after a dramatic week off the field, after Newcastle defeated the new-look Tigers. Follow all the action live.
Can the Dolphins overcome their horror week, with players pulling out of this contest due to the arrival of Cyclone Alfred, against a South Sydney side that has welcomed back Wayne Bennett but lost star duo Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell?
In good news for Souths, centre Campbell Graham is back after missing the entire 2024 season.
The game is now underway, after Kalyn Ponga’s Newcastle pipped Jarome Luai’s Wests Tigers 10-8 in a scrappy affair at Campbelltown. Scroll down below for full coverage of that match.
Isaiah Tass has switched from the right wing to the Rabbitohs’ favoured left edge and that’s where he pops up to finish off a well-worked move, diving over in the corner to regain the lead for the home side. Pocket rocket fullback Jye Gray was involved again and has been a standout for the Bunnies. Jamie Humphreys can’t nail the conversion so it’s a four-point game.
Rabbitohs 16, Dolphins 12 after 68 minutes
Jack Wighton is put on report for lifting his forearm while making a carry for the Rabbitohs, with his elbow appearing to collect Daniel Saifiti in the head. Saifiti leaves the field, having already passed an HIA earlier in the match.
The Dolphins go close with a sharp backline move down the left, but the final flick-on pass slips out of the grasp of winger Junior Tupou.
Dolphins 14, Rabbitohs 12 after 64 minutes
It’s been a strong Rabbitohs NRL debut for Jamie Humphreys but he’s made an unfortunate blunder here, hitting the post with a relatively straightforward penalty goal attempt from 20 metres out that could have levelled the scores. It’s still very much anyone’s game but the Dolphins have the momentum.
Dolphins 14, Rabbitohs 12 after 61 minutes
The Dolphins score again and suddenly Souths are trailing. A quick play-the-ball after a half-break from Herbie Farnworth leads to a scattered Rabbitohs defensive line and Isaiya Katoa takes full advantage, beating one defender and sending Max Plath over with a neat short ball.
Dolphins 14, Rabbitohs 12 after 54 minutes
That’s more like it from the Dolphins, with Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow combining to stretch the Rabbitohs’ defence before unleashing an unmarked Jamayne Isaako for his second try of the night.
Isaako’s conversion attempt is wayward again.
Rabbitohs 12, Dolphins 8 after 50 minutes
The Dolphins send the ball to obvious target Herbie Farnworth from the scrum and Jack Wighton immediately irons him out with a crunching tackle. Farnworth is OK but the Dolphins’ attack breaks down a couple of plays later with a forward pass from Kurt Donoghoe out of dummy-half. Halfback Isaiya Katoa is a real talent but hasn’t been able to get his hands on the ball enough in attacking opportunities.
Meanwhile South Sydney’s tryscoring hero Tyrone Munro has left the field with a suspected collarbone or shoulder injury. Jayden Sullivan replaces him.
Rabbitohs 12, Dolphins 4 after 44 minutes
It’s been a rough week for the Dolphins, their round one home game turning into an away game due to the impending Cyclone Alfred, with big-name players Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kenny Bromwich opting to stay with their families and sit out this game. Now, with the second half underway, they trail the Rabbitohs – and their old coach Wayne Bennett – by eight points with 40 minutes to play.
They get a good chance to narrow the gap early in the second term after Jye Gray spills a bomb near his own line. It’s a centrefield scrum for the Dolphins.
Rabbitohs 12, Dolphins 4 after 42 minutes