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Rabbitohs 42 Defeat Sea Eagles 12 at RTR

07 Feb 2010

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have run out convincing 42 points to 12 winners over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 2010 Return to Redfern match at Australian Technology Park Performance Centre at Redfern Oval today (Sunday).

The Rabbitohs scored eight tries to two in the romp, including 42 unanswered points after the Sea Eagles raced to an early 12-nil lead.

Manly scored two tries in the first seven minutes through Mitch Jowett and Phil Morwood, with Daly Cherry-Evans converting both opportunities.

In the third minute of play, English international Sam Burgess pulled off a bone-jarring hit on his Manly opposition, signalling his arrival in the NRL.

Burgess went on to back that up by scoring the Rabbitohs’ first try of the evening in the 11th minute. Burgess beat two defenders before reaching out and planting the ball down in the south-eastern corner to score. Adam Reynolds converted taking the scores 12-6 in favour of Manly after the first quarter.

The Rabbitohs scored their second try in the 31st minute through halfback Adam Reynolds, when he took an intercept and raced 65 metres to score under the posts. He converted his own try to level the scores at 12-all at the half time break.

In the first half, captain Jason Clark, Reynolds, prop Jacob Nansen and fellow big-man John Kaifoto all showed they could be in for big seasons, working hard for the first forty minutes. There was a lot of dropped ball in the first two stanzas, but the Rabbitohs managed to rally themselves after letting in two early tries.

The third quarter was more fruitful for South Sydney, scoring two tries in the third 20 minutes.

Eddie Paea pulled on a Rabbitohs’ jersey for the first time in two years and showed his class, controlling the play well.

Captain Clark scored in the 43rd minute, beating two defenders after receiving a good ball from Paea to help him find a hole. Reynolds converted giving the Rabbitohs a six-point advantage early in the second half.

Kaifoto was proving to be a handful, with Manly requiring six defenders to stop him from charging over the line. The defence he attracted left the Sea Eagles short, opening up an opportunity for Brock Molan to score under the posts in the 50th minute. Reynolds converted to give the Rabbitohs a healthy 24-12 lead after 60 minutes.

The Rabbitohs then went on a four-try romp in the final 20 minutes.

Kennedy Pettyborne scored in the right hand corner in the 63rd minute, then one minute later fullback Josh Mansour sliced through to score in a similar position, taking the score out to 32-12.

The North Sydney Bears connection then set up and scored the next try, with Eddie Paea’s kick finding Zeb Tawha, who offloaded to Andre Itula before Curtis Johnston scoring on the left hand side.

Johnston was unlucky not to score a second after a pass from Matt Mundine was ruled forward in the 76th minute.

The Rabbitohs final try went to that man Mundine, who brushed off two defenders to score. Paea converted sealing a 42-12 win to the Rabbitohs.

Burgess was proud to have worn the Rabbitohs jersey for the time in battle today.

“It feels like it was meant to be,” Burgess said after the game.

“The people and the community have been great to me.

“It was quite an emotional day for me, and Russell (Crowe) gave me a nice gesture before the game which made it even more special.

“It’s been an ambition of mine to come here and now it’s happened.

“I’m 21 years old and I just enjoy playing footy.”

Burgess scoring the first try was special as well.

“It was really good (to score first),” Burgess said.

“I really like wearing this jersey.

“The fans and the Members have made me feel so welcome.

“It really feels good to be playing for this Club.”

Rabbitohs Head Coach John Lang was pleased with his side’s performance.

“I thought Sam really showed his class in that first 20 minutes,” Lang said.

“I think he showed the Members first-hand what a special talent he is.

“I also think our young guys played really well once we hit our stride.

“We’re looking forward to playing in Coffs Harbour in two weeks time and then returning to Sydney for the Charity Shield against the Dragons.”

The Rabbitohs are heading to Coffs Harbour to play the Titans on Saturday 20 February, before returning the ANZ Stadium to take on the Dragons in the Charity Shield on Saturday 27 February.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 42 (Sam Burgess, Adam Reynolds, Jason Clark, Brock Molan, Kennedy Pettyborne, Josh Mansour, Curtis Johnston, Matt Mundine tries; Adam Reynolds 4, Eddie Paea goals)

defeated

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 (Mitch Jowett, Phil Morwood tries; Daly Cherry-Evans 2 goals)

Sam looks mighty fine in Red and Green.