GOLD COAST TITANS 22 SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 42
IAN HOWE, Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday
THE Rabbitohs triumphed and secured their play-off place in an emotional encounter against the Titans in Queensland, scoring eight tries to four, but the most memorable part of the evening was the entry of Jai Arrow onto the field to line up of the Rabbitohs at the kick-off before immediately leaving the field.
Arrow has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and he was greeted warmly by the large crowd as he came onto the field in tears, accompanied by the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
The Rabbitohs were clearly inspired by Arrow’s presence, with Cameron Murray, who was outstanding all afternoon, getting on the scoreboard in the third minute, with five more first-half tries to follow, including an outstanding individual effort from deep by former Titan David Fifita, to put them 28-0 ahead after 26 minutes before the Titans finally got on the board through Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to reduce the gap to 22 points at half-time.
In the second half the Titans pulled the score back to 22-32 with three tries, including a smart score by England international A J Brimson, but the Rabbitohs emphasised their dominance with late tries to Tallis Duncan and Alex Johnston for a convincing win that honoured their stricken colleague Arrow, who will bring up his 100th appearance for the club against the Roosters in Round 27
TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Jaylan De Groot, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 AJ Brimson, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Lachlan Ilias, 8 Klese Haas, 9 Oliver Pascoe, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Josh Patson, 12 Kurtis Morrin, 13 Cooper Bai. Subs: 14 Moeaki Fotuaika, 15 Chris Randall, 16 Bodhi Sharpley, 17 Luke Sommerton (not used), 19 Arama Hau, 20 Max Feagai (not used)
Tries: Fa’asuamaleaui (31), Pascoe (48), Faeamani (54), Brimson (72); Goals: Campbell 3/4
RABBITOHS: 1 Matt Dufty, 2 Alex Johnston, 3 Tallis Duncan, 4 Jack Wighton, 5 Campbell Graham, 6 Cody Walker, 7 Jayden Sullivan, 8 Tevita Tatola, 9 Brandon Smith, 10 Keaon Koloamatangi, 11 David Fifita, 12 Euan Aitken, 23 Jai Arrow; Subs: 13 Cameron Murray, 14 Jye Gray (not used), 15 Lachlan Hubner, 16 Sean Keppie, 17 Jamie Humphreys, 18 Adam Elliott (not used), 19 Latrell Mitchell.
Tries: Murray (3, 26), Koloamatangi (14), Aitken (19), Fifita (21), Duncan (71, 77), Johnston (80); Goals: Sullivan 5/8
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-18, 0-22, 0-28, 6-28; 12-28, 16-28, 16-32, 22-32, 22-38, 22-42
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match: Titans: Keano Kini; Rabbitohs: Cameron Murray
Penalty count: 4-2; Half-time: 6-28; Referee: Liam Kennedy; Attendance: 22,108